A regulated voltage converter for converting a relatively low voltage to a relatively high voltage. The converter includes a voltage converter for converting a relatively low voltage to a relatively high voltage, a constant current source, reference means coupled to the constant current source and the voltage converter for providing a reference voltage related to the relatively high voltage, a threshold detector coupled to the reference means for generating a control signal when the output of the voltage converter drops below a predetermined threshold value, a sense and enable means responsive to the appearance of the control signal for enablng the voltage converter, and sample means coupled to the constant current source, the threshold detector and the sense and enable means for periodically enabling the operation of these elements. The duration of the enabling period is small relative to the period therebetween.