[Noisebridge-discuss] N00b question - changing power supply voltage

[Jonathan Foote]

Nooooo! Avoid linear regulators for anything that needs significant
power. They are less efficient than you think, and what you gain in
cheapness you will lose in heatsink grease, hassle, and possibly
scorched fingers. As mentioned above:

Option 1: get a right-sized switcher. Cheap and available, check out mpja.com

Option 2: get a dc-dc converter. TI makes some decent ones and will
send you FREE SAMPLES

Option 3: you don't need regulated DC for this application: find a
surplus unregulated supply (cheap if a boat anchor) or
like Corey sez, roll your own with a xformer, bridge rectifier, and filter cap.