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Step 5Powering the lights
Given that 12vdc is already a well established standard supply voltage. Finding a source that supplies it isn't too hard.
"Wall Wart" Transformer: You'll probably have a couple of these kicking around in the spares box. Just remember that almost all of them lie to you about what they output so be sure to check the output voltage. The majority of them only have a transformer (to step down the voltage), a rectifier (to make it DC) and a capacitor (to "smooth" the DC). Because the regulation is often done outside the transformer, they allow a couple of extra volts to drop when it gets regulated further down the line.
I found one of my "9v" transformers actually putting out ≈11vdc, which is ok for running these lights with. I would discourage using an unregulated power source as a long-term solution, but it'll do in a pinch. If you plan to only use these lights occasionally, it's probably fine.
A simple voltage regulator: There are many voltage regulator ICs available that are fixed at a 12v output keeping the component count and complexity down. You can build a simple 7812 based regulator on good-old stripboard with minimal fuss. Mine required only one break in the copper strips and one jumper! It even includes it's own rectification and smoothing stages!
12v batteries: These are easy to find and if you really can't find them then you can just string up ten 1.2v rechargable cells to get a 12v battery. Personally I use one stonking big 12v battery that gets charged by a 20w solar panel.
There's something about running lights from a solar-charged battery that I like, I think it's the pretending the battery is full of sunlight! It appeals to my inner treehugger.
"Wall Wart" Transformer: You'll probably have a couple of these kicking around in the spares box. Just remember that almost all of them lie to you about what they output so be sure to check the output voltage. The majority of them only have a transformer (to step down the voltage), a rectifier (to make it DC) and a capacitor (to "smooth" the DC). Because the regulation is often done outside the transformer, they allow a couple of extra volts to drop when it gets regulated further down the line.
I found one of my "9v" transformers actually putting out ≈11vdc, which is ok for running these lights with. I would discourage using an unregulated power source as a long-term solution, but it'll do in a pinch. If you plan to only use these lights occasionally, it's probably fine.
A simple voltage regulator: There are many voltage regulator ICs available that are fixed at a 12v output keeping the component count and complexity down. You can build a simple 7812 based regulator on good-old stripboard with minimal fuss. Mine required only one break in the copper strips and one jumper! It even includes it's own rectification and smoothing stages!
12v batteries: These are easy to find and if you really can't find them then you can just string up ten 1.2v rechargable cells to get a 12v battery. Personally I use one stonking big 12v battery that gets charged by a 20w solar panel.
There's something about running lights from a solar-charged battery that I like, I think it's the pretending the battery is full of sunlight! It appeals to my inner treehugger.
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