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I have yet to find anything except the desire to sell me one. I find converter and inverter used interchangeably in this context.
This seems to be a topic that Forrest Mims didn't touch on . Can someone provide a link to a circuit describing how to drop the voltage while controling the amp output without disappating lots of heat?? Pulsing a power MOSFET with a 555 timer seems likely.

Oxford

Hi.

If anyone invents a term and enough lambs follow, that is assumed an acceptable word as far as I have seen. Absurd words apply too.
Typically, all can be named converters :
Adapters from AC to DC; transformers from AC to AC; inverters from DC to AC; converter from DC to DC

The units I service usually have one "converter" DC 48 to DC 12; and several downstream converters from DC12 to DC 1.5, 1.8, 2.5, 3.3...
One of those should apply for your needs. Check DigiKey; Mouser.
Yes, Pulsing DC from a 555 to a Mosfet would do it. For variable loads, a PWM is preferred. Look for "DC to DC converter schematic" on the web.

Oxford wrote:... controling the amp output without disappating lots of heat...
Oxford

What amplifier ??

Oxford wrote:I have yet to find anything except the desire to sell me one. I find converter and inverter used interchangeably in this context.
This seems to be a topic that Forrest Mims didn't touch on . Can someone provide a link to a circuit describing how to drop the voltage while controling the amp output without disappating lots of heat?? Pulsing a power MOSFET with a 555 timer seems likely.

You have entered the world of boost and buck voltage converters, or regulators. You need the buck type that converts the voltage downward. Just google "buck regulator". There is a plethora, a veritable cornucopia of information just waiting for you there.