Make a simple 12 volt power supply

Have you ever needed a 12 volt power supply that can supply maximum 1 amp? But trying to buy one from the store is a little too expensive?

Well, you can make a 12 volt power supply very cheaply and easily!

I needed a 12 volt power supply for my project, the SSTC (Solid State Tesla Coil), and also made this instructable because it might be use full to someone...

Step 1 Things that you will need...

Things that you will need to make this power supply is...

• Piece of veroboard
• Four 1N4001 diodes
• LM7812 regulator
• Transformer that has an output of 14v - 35v AC with an output current between 100mA to 1A, depending how much power you will need. (I found a 16v 200mA transformer in a broken alarm clock.)
• 1000uF - 4700uF capacitor
• 1uF capacitor
• Two 100nF capacitors
• Jumper wires (I used some plain wire as jumper wires)
• Heatsink (optional)

You should be able you get most (maybe all) of the parts at Radio Shack or Maplin.

Comments

[Bharat Babbar]

this is a solution of my problem..... thank you up-loader....

[Zinozee]

Lovely, we have a very similar project in skool rite now, hope to use this effectively. thanx

[Zinozee]

Lovely, we have a very similar project in skool rite now, hope to use this effectively. thanx

[tonygoffe]

Hello... Can someone do an IInstructable on how to "DE-SOLDER" rectycled componenets from a circuit board ?? ....PLs? PLS? pls?

[tjgamer1987]

hey, nice circuit! i was wondering, im doin tha same type and i wanted 2 know wat did u hook your centertap connection wire and the primary wires from the transformer to?

[offtherails2010]

Awesome Circuit!

I'm only just starting out in electronics and still trying to wrap my head around reading schematics but with you physically showing the finished product & components pictures/list makes it even easier for someone with very little experience to construct!

A Major Thank You !!

Um, i wonder if you'd be able to help out on a very similar circuit for me please ?

Im trying to get my four batteries (3.6v each in series) to power my wireless pinhole camera's receiver but dont know how to get the power down from 14.4v to 12v (No more than 500mA), DC to DC...

Please would you be able to help in this regard ?

Many thanks in advance if you can help this troubled-soul !

[fkhan14]

Can i Use Bridge in Replace of diode in 12V power supply........????????? please answer me as soon as possible

[fkhan14]

Can i Use Bridge in Replace of diode........????????? please answer me as soon as possible

[fkhan14]

Can i Use Bridge in Replace of diode........????????? please answer me as soon as possible

[ninjatails]

Why are the capacitors connected to ground? Are they just there to waste electricity or what?

[Mudbud]

They stabilize the current and prevent spikes in the output

[chetan_m.p]

what is the voltage of those capacitors..

[anuk07]

I saw a resistor there in the completed ckt, but no description on the list of things required, is that resistor is necessary ?

[pthakur]

LED cab also be used in place of resistor..we just need a load across which we can take output

[vinig]

sorry i meant diodes and capacitors

[vinig]

hi this may sound stupid Im new to EE how did u come up with the schematic and know which size caps and inductrs to use?

[criscarlo]

hello! can i ask the value of volts in capacitor 1 and 2 in in this 12volts power supply?

[jun2x binx]

Kudos to Plasmana two thumbs up..

[rakeshpillai007]

What current will it draw at the output???
I need a maximum of 200mA... not more than that..
Will this power supply satisfy that current ratings???

[rakeshpillai007]

What curren will it draw at the output???
I need a maximum of 200mA... not more than that..
Will this power supply satisfy that current ratings???

[rakeshpillai007]

What will be the current drawn at the output???
I need a maximum of 200mA.... not more than that.....

[N3v3rm0r3]

Where you added the LED?

[zack247]

yeah, with voltage regulators you never get exact voltage great project! 5*s

[Plasmana]

Very true... Though voltage regulators are not exact, but they are pretty precise!

[N3v3rm0r3]

How much current can that power supply give? I need 800mA....

[usbfreak]

Great stuff, Ok, i've got an adapter with the foll specs, Input: AC: 200/220V 50Hz Output: DC 12 V, 500 mA The internal components are, 1 Transformer 1 LED 4 nos Diodes with 0.02 written on it 1 Capacitor 16V 2200uF 1 Resistor with the Color combination orange orange brown golden ( which i think is for the LED only) Its working fine, what if i have to convert it to 1000mA ? What modifications need to be done?

[makuy]

hi, can i ask some help. i have a 12v 6amp transformer, what would be the value for the diode?

[vitalzero]

nice job, would this work too to light up an H3 bulb with a constant 12v?

[fatfoohy]

could i run multiple 12 volt circuits off of this power supply at the same time? i'm looking to run 4 preamps and a stereo 15x15W amp off of it

[brady911]

so do you connect the GND connection to the negative lead? i know this sounds like a stupid question maybe...

[charlessenf-gm]

 Like magic, an LED appears!

Can you tell me how and where it was added? I noticed a (limiting?) resistor, too.

Maybe add it to the schematic, please.

Also, I am using your project as a guide to modify a circuit I put together to convert the 18VAC output from my home's Bell Transformer so as to power a LARGE 12VDC Bell (ARCHER 275-498 - Old RS Bell) that worked great off my car battery, but not so much off the 18VAC Bell Transformer through a diode package from RS. 

I thought the capacitors and regulator might help - hence my interest. 

BTW, if I am on the wrong track and need something entirely different, let me know that, too please!

Thank you

[ir_syed]

Hello.i want ask 3 question.how i want to vary voltage 12v ??should i use a variable resistor to control it??and where suppose i should put the variable resistor in the circuit???...anyone can help me...plezz

 

[bdboatr]

Maybe a dumb question, what's your input ACV or DCV?

[Plasmana]

AC

[gkellly]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww nawwww mad sakkkkkkkkkksssssssss

[gkellly]

a pumped awwwwwww ur mawssss hehe

[sizzletits]

Plain Jane and hit me in the left brain! Thanks for making it simple for this novice. Now if I can just tweak it to make 5 amps...never satisfied are we? Plasmana you are golden.

[codex653]

is that 12v ac or dc?? i'm looking to make an 12v ac power supply from a battery to power some of my projects as the mains seem to be quite too high! :)

[Plasmana]

It is DC output.

[geeklord]

Woohoo! It's a 5 volt. I used all salvaged parts except the regulator, a resistor for the LED, and the board. The thing is, I have salvaged a 5v regulator and i could easily have salvaged a 100 ohm resistor.