Perhaps the simplest way to regulate a DC voltage is using a voltage divider and/or an active device like a Zener diode ... solve this problem a switching regulator can be used instead, but ...
You dig into your stash to find your last LM7809 voltage regulator ... diode pulled from an old scrapped TV. The diode is referenced to a voltage divider, and voila! Your LM7805 is now putting ...