Grumpy_Mike:
Are you saying the 7805 should not be used to drop 12v to 5v, or only when used with 2 capacitors in the circuit to stabilise it ?
only when used with 2 capacitors in the circuit to stabilise it.
are you saying better to run the 12v and avoid the drop to 5v until the last possible point,
Yes, that way any volts drop getting to the regulator is eliminated. If you regulate before your long run then you might not get 5V at the end.
Thanks again Grumpy_Mike.
Any links you can point me to for the correct diagram and capacitor selection ?
I hadn't thought about the loss over the long run. Good point there.