While I fully agree with the other posts that
recommend a "real" second supply or a switchmode
regulator, just for completeness there is a way to
use a "level shifter" to do *sorta* what you want.
The idea is to take the +12V supply and run it
through separate +5V and +10V regulators, then use
the common ground as -5V, the +5V output as
ground, and the +10V output as +5V. You would
have to be *very* careful to keep the original
ground (which you are now calling -5V) away from
the new output ground. The new ground thus can't
be connected to the chassis, etc.
In general (and probably in this case), this would
be a really dumb approach. But you should keep
the general concept in mind. In the more usual
case, you have a single supply like +12V and you
want to split it into +/-6V to provide a central
ground reference for a few op-amps, and maybe
drive a modest load with a bipolar swing. This is
usually called a "ground splitter". You can just
use an equal-resistor voltage divider on the 12V
to get 6V, then use an op-amp buffer (possibly
with a pass transistor or two in the feedback
loop) to provide the ground for an external load.
Just something to keep in mind for future
reference.
Best regards,
Bob Masta
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