What is Reddit's opinion of DROK LM2596 Numerical Control Voltage Switching Regulator DC Buck Converter LED Voltmeter 32V to 24V to 12V to 5V Adjustable 5-32V to 0-30V Step Down Variable Volt Power Supply Stabilizers Car Battery?

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you are going to be pushing it with this unit. Without no load, the 24V tranformer of an HVAC system can output almost 29V. It is designed to drop down to the 24V range under full load. You could see spikes of almost 39Vdc after rectification in some cases. That might be too much for this guy. I had the same dilemma as you and went with this unit that can accept up to 40V Dc instead. I have had 0 problems with these in my circuit.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BYTEHQO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This unit is nice because it will show you the input voltage and output voltage without having to break out the volt meter.

They are both 5v cell-phone recharge batteries, got them off amazon on deal for around $10 each. Fully charged at around 4.6v, which under-powered the pi, and shows their (lack of) quality. discharges / recharges of the battery would decrease the amount, so I was scared of it damaging the Pi.

I hooked the batteries into series, hooked the (now ~9v) battery to a $15.00 step-down voltage converter I got from Amazon, and I set the output to 5.2v

The pi pulls the amperage it needs, and it's variable depending on the power use.

I consulted here for pi current draw specs

Raspberry Pi Model B+ 1.8A 600mA/1.2A (switchable) 330mA

I gave it 2A of available current to draw.

The rainbow box in the top right (the under-power symbol from the past) doesn't show up anymore, and it's properly powered.

The batteries are no longer shielded, so it's a possible concern of leakage over long time, and I'm aware of it and not using this for more than a hobby cam :)

I actually use one of these. If you hacked your cord, you can re-use it and just screw the leads into the board. I;d recomend getting an enclosure for it too.

http://www.amazon.com/DROK-Adjustable-Regulator-Experimental-Converter/dp/B00BYTEHQO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403846036&sr=8-1&keywords=dc+dc+buck+converter

I use it to step 12v to 5. I just like DROK's line of fiddly bits on Amazon.

Another DROK Example: Thermostat for my Colman cooler. 8 bux for the board and sensor.

• https://www.dropbox.com/s/41sd6cxz942lghv/2014-04-14%2012.02.51.jpg

• https://www.dropbox.com/s/q44mumo37mc9znp/2014-04-14%2012.03.52.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BYTEHQO/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_IOzKxbCB2Y7KS

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C93Z8JY/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_KPzKxbWHW3VRC

I've posted this before, but this makes a great voltage regulator for a stirplate and is tough to beat at less than $8. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BYTEHQO

This is the one I have. Avoid if possible. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BYTEHQO/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1