12v DC to 3v DC

Hammer · 05-12-2008, 11:02 PM

I am looking for something to reduce/convert 12 volt DC to 3 volt DC on the bike for a camera. I have an ATC2K video camera and the batteries are breaking connection due to the vibration, thus losing the video. I am going to "hardwire" it into the bikes electrical system. I looked at Radio shack today and the best the idiot could come up with was a cigarette lighter plug and some plastic adapter that went into the plug. By the time I done all that I would be about $35 into it and i do not think the plug would stay connected. I am looking for a devise to hardwire into the system and then run into the camera. And I am not wanting to solder diodes together to achieve this. Any suggestions?

SheepOfBlue · 05-13-2008, 06:21 AM

Doubtful as most would be wall warts that go 120 to 3.3. I will check Digikey when I get home but I think it is solder or nothing.

Hammer · 05-13-2008, 06:57 AM

Thanks

seamus · 05-13-2008, 08:11 AM

Everything I've found is either battery pack driven or $30+ dc/dc converters.

DC/DC Converters, retail, wholesale, off-the-shelf and custom, DC/DC 5 watts to 1500 watts

luvtolean · 05-13-2008, 09:51 AM

Yep- you need to Buck it down, with something similar to what Seamus linked you to.

I'll call a friend today and see if he knows of anything better off-the-shelf. How much power does that camera need?

gt702 · 05-13-2008, 12:05 PM

DC/DC Converters, retail, wholesale, off-the-shelf and custom, DC/DC 5 watts to 1500 watts

This one looks like a good options. Clip the cig lighter and swap in an electrical plug (radio shack and others) and you should be good. I like that you can get multiple voltages out so you can use the same converter for different components. I might have to invest in one of those myself.

G-ForceJunkie · 05-13-2008, 03:09 PM

Try the garmin DC cords for the E-trex/Vista/Legends, I believe they step it down to 3volts or so.

G-ForceJunkie · 05-13-2008, 03:10 PM

DC Voltage Converter :: Batteries and Power Adapters :: Navigate & Communicate :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear

Hammer · 05-13-2008, 08:32 PM

I believe the one G Force posted is basically what I am looking for, I will clip the plug off the power end and splice it into the bikes electrical system. Then use the extra wire as a lead to the mounting points on the bike.

Thanks

This is what i am working on. It is a cheap camera, I know. But if I crash with it on the bike I will not feel so bad about destroying it.

I plan to drill a hole in the bottom of the unit and install a plug in to power the unit. It uses 2 AA batteries, at 1.5 each I need 3volts total, I do not think it needs many amps at all.

05-12-2008, 11:02 PM	#1
Hammer For Sale Join Date: 12-17-2006 Location: Indiana Age: 39 Bike(s): 05 Suzuki 600 Posts: 4,896 Images: 1	12v DC to 3v DC I am looking for something to reduce/convert 12 volt DC to 3 volt DC on the bike for a camera. I have an ATC2K video camera and the batteries are breaking connection due to the vibration, thus losing the video. I am going to "hardwire" it into the bikes electrical system. I looked at Radio shack today and the best the idiot could come up with was a cigarette lighter plug and some plastic adapter that went into the plug. By the time I done all that I would be about $35 into it and i do not think the plug would stay connected. I am looking for a devise to hardwire into the system and then run into the camera. And I am not wanting to solder diodes together to achieve this. Any suggestions? __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

05-13-2008, 06:21 AM	#2
SheepOfBlue SRA President Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 46 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 6,399	Doubtful as most would be wall warts that go 120 to 3.3. I will check Digikey when I get home but I think it is solder or nothing. __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

05-13-2008, 06:57 AM	#3
Hammer For Sale Join Date: 12-17-2006 Location: Indiana Age: 39 Bike(s): 05 Suzuki 600 Posts: 4,896 Images: 1	Thanks __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

05-13-2008, 08:11 AM	#4
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 34 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 5,469	Everything I've found is either battery pack driven or $30+ dc/dc converters. DC/DC Converters, retail, wholesale, off-the-shelf and custom, DC/DC 5 watts to 1500 watts __________________ Ducit Amor Patriae Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools. --- Thucydides

05-13-2008, 09:51 AM	#5
luvtolean Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Bike(s): 2008 BMW GS-A Posts: 6,341	Yep- you need to Buck it down, with something similar to what Seamus linked you to. I'll call a friend today and see if he knows of anything better off-the-shelf. How much power does that camera need? __________________ Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules Last edited by luvtolean; 05-13-2008 at 09:57 AM.

05-13-2008, 12:05 PM	#6
gt702 Gear Driven Cams Join Date: 12-18-2006 Bike(s): Some Hondas and a Kwacker Posts: 1,159	DC/DC Converters, retail, wholesale, off-the-shelf and custom, DC/DC 5 watts to 1500 watts This one looks like a good options. Clip the cig lighter and swap in an electrical plug (radio shack and others) and you should be good. I like that you can get multiple voltages out so you can use the same converter for different components. I might have to invest in one of those myself. __________________ Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. Albert Einstein

05-13-2008, 03:09 PM	#7
G-ForceJunkie Who's driving? Join Date: 12-15-2006 Location: Valencia, CA Bike(s): BMW GS1150 ADV, DRZ400 Posts: 625	Try the garmin DC cords for the E-trex/Vista/Legends, I believe they step it down to 3volts or so.

05-13-2008, 03:10 PM	#8
G-ForceJunkie Who's driving? Join Date: 12-15-2006 Location: Valencia, CA Bike(s): BMW GS1150 ADV, DRZ400 Posts: 625	DC Voltage Converter :: Batteries and Power Adapters :: Navigate & Communicate :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear

05-13-2008, 08:32 PM	#9
Hammer For Sale Join Date: 12-17-2006 Location: Indiana Age: 39 Bike(s): 05 Suzuki 600 Posts: 4,896 Images: 1	I believe the one G Force posted is basically what I am looking for, I will clip the plug off the power end and splice it into the bikes electrical system. Then use the extra wire as a lead to the mounting points on the bike. Thanks This is what i am working on. It is a cheap camera, I know. But if I crash with it on the bike I will not feel so bad about destroying it. I plan to drill a hole in the bottom of the unit and install a plug in to power the unit. It uses 2 AA batteries, at 1.5 each I need 3volts total, I do not think it needs many amps at all. Attached Thumbnails __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS