Are your voltages too low? Can't light that string of LEDs? Linear regulators burning up? Charge pumps not providing enough current? If so, It's time you made a switch mode boost regulator.
This boost is designed to step 5v up to 10v. The output voltage is adjusted by the pot. You should be able to use a 1A or more phone charger to make a reasonably accurate boost regulator (as shown here). Imagine what you can do with a couple of AA batteries now.
Requirements:
low dropout voltage opamps with speeds of at least 200k hz.
Low dropout voltage mosfet and low on resistance.
Low resistance inductor and a low resistance diode. Lower voltage drop = more efficient.
Larger than a 10uF cap with a voltage rating higher than the output voltage.
Multi-turn trim pot for fine adjustments.
The mind of an engineer for troubleshooting.
I highly suggest a cap on the input source.
