Introduction: How to Make the Worlds Easiest Power Supply

By
About: I have been building since I was 4 and growing plants since I was 5.

After discovering that my voltage divider based power supply didn't work very well, I set out to figure out how to make an better one. You are not really building anything but it is all done for you and you don't have to mess with any AC power (Very dangerous). But still, all power supplies have large capacitors in them that can hold ALOT of voltage. Just stick to my diagrams and you will be fine.

Step 1: Parts

Old appliance (must have a AC input)
Such as.....
- DVD players
- Stereos (not sound bars)
- etc
Plugs
Wires
Electrical tape
Wire cutters
Wire strippers
Volt meter
Gloves (recomended in case wires short out) 

Step 2: Safety

Before we start, lets review a little bit of safety. First of all, always wear gloves when working with the exposed power board. When the supply is running there is AC power running through the many componets on the board. (their leads are exposed on the bottom which can give you a very very bad shock) Another is not to un-solder anything on the board, IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE OR WORSE. And pay attention to my instructions and diagrams.

Step 3: Take Out the Screws......

Open up your appliance and look inside. If you see the parts like the ones below and the line in, then you have found it. Unscrew the screws holding it in and take it out. Save the rest for later projects. NOTE: DO NOT TOUCH THE BOTTOM OF THE BOARD, IT CAN ELECTROCUTE YOU EVEN AFTER IT'S UNPLUGGED.

Step 4: Cut Off the Plug

Using wire snippers, clip the plastic part of the plug off and separate all the wires.

Step 5: Testing

After separating all the wires, look for an different colored wire than the rest. Strip it and pick another wire thats colored like the rest. Using the resistance tester on your multi-meter and touch the probes to the wires. If you get any reading bisides zero, then you have found the ground wire. Put tape over the ground, and strip the rest. MAKE SURE NO WIRES ARE TOUCHING. Then plug in the AC cord, set your meter to DC and test all the wires.

Step 6: Finishing

After you have determined the voltages of the supply, solder on the plugs to the wires and put everything into a case. make sure nothing is touching, and enjoy your new power supply!

                                                   NOTE: you will not have the same voltages as me because every appliance needs different voltages.