GPS_Tracker Setup Help - power from car battery

[Adam_S.]

Hi Felix, 

As another satisfied customer, we can't give you enough credit for what you have done for the "wireless Rf community". 

I do have a few questions with a project that I am making and would like to get some advice. 

Project: GPS Tracking device. 

Power requirements: Device must accept a vehicle voltage charge.  ---> 5 -24 Vdc. 
Must be able to charge a battery ----->   2.0-4.0 AH  Lipo
Battery Sensor, (Top Off / Cut Off) Lipo Battery
External Circuitry will use 5 V @ 1.2 Amps (Total Amperage)
MoteinoMega will be "The Man in Charge" @ 3.3V

So the "Question" :

I have decided to use the MoteinoMega along with the MightyBoost to satisfy the battery charging/sensing requirements but I have run into a problem with the Vehicle Output Voltage level.  So how can I use the MoteinoMega and the MightyBoost along with any other circuitry to reduce the input Voltage down to 5 V

Example:
Car 5-24Vdc -->    (Voltage Reducing Circuit)  --> MightyBoost |--> Powers Moteino /External Circuit
                                                                                                        |--> Also Charges Battery


Would I be able to place the 1.5A/5V Buck Regulator as the Voltage Reducing Circuit to reduce the voltage and not compromise the Total Amperage of 1.2Amps needed for the Device?

Also the device will be used without Vehicle power at times so this is where the MightyBoost should kick in and provide the power to the Device that includes the MoteinoMega/External Circuitry.

Any Suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks in Advance !!!

[Felix]

Hi Adam,
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!
I think for what you need, a good input range buck regulator with some filtering caps on input (perhaps 50v rated, 100uf) and output (100uF) should provide a nice and stable 5v input to the MBoost.
The one I offer in my shop is a murata buck reg and takes up to 36v input and provides up to 1.5A of 5V output, so it probably is a good choice: https://lowpowerlab.com/shop/buckregulator

FWIW this topic might move to projects or general category.