Ed Duntz wrote:
>
> Is there an easy way to run 4.5 or 6 volt LEDs on 12 volts?
Yep. Piece o' cake. :-)

LM7805 is the base number for the part at Radio Shack. It can deliver up
to 1 amp out, so depending on what you are doing, you need more than
one, or a different device with more output capability.

An LM317 is much the same, only it allows you to adjust the voltage out
with a few resistors, if you want to be dead on 4.5V or 6V, but 5V will
work fine in most cases.

digikey.com or mouser.com have online data sheets that will show how to
wire it up if you search for the part number. Calculate the max current,
and make sure you use a heat sink if necessary, by the data sheet.

Basically, you will just wire 12V to one pin, ground the gnd pin, and
take the 5V off the third pin. May want to use filter caps on the input
and the output, but its all in the data sheet.

Lots of people around who can help. If you need more, just ask.

John