Single AA input, variable voltage output, Night vision

[Vapor]

I own a night vision device that uses an aperture on the lens to control light entering the unit.

The tube (light intensifier) always runs at max voltage and produces a lot of noise. When i use partly discharged batteries, with lower voltages, the noise is much less - greatly improving S/N (signal to noise ratio).

The unit uses a single AA battery, and gets 40 hours of battery life. So if the typical AA contains about 15000 Joules, that means it consumes about .104 Watts of power.

I would like to use a single AAA battery, and then put a voltage regulator with an adjustable potentiometer in the battery compartment to control the voltage the unit receives.

I will be using a single AAA rechargeable NiMH, 800 mA*Hr, 1.2 v battery.

You don't necessarily have to give me an exact answer, or application, i just want to know what i should research and maybe the answer so i can confirm my findings

 

[kchriste]

You would be better off modifying the voltage step up circuit in the goggles so it's output voltage to the tube was adjustable. This would be more efficient. Without a schematic I can't tell you how to do this.
A simple 10Ω POT in series with the battery may work for you. To accurately calculate this resistance value we would need to know:
The battery voltage at which the SNR is acceptable.
The current draw at the above battery voltage input.