5-cent diodes can be paired to effect a ~3/4 Volt drop. And can be cascaded one after another to increase the drop. So as shown above, 3 pairs of diode can step down your hot wire on its way to the dispatch board.
If your cupboard (stash of electronic parts) is bare, you will spend much more on shipping than on the diodes! I hear Radio Shack is attempting a comeback.
