Introduction: Bench Power Supply Using PC Power Supply

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About: US Army Veteran, Maker and Tinkerer- Makers make things without tinkering or following instructions on a worksheet to complete a project is less about tinkering to me. However, if in the middle of making you…

This comes in handy for testing most DC circuits that use 1.2 VDC up to 20 VDC. Total cost was less the $20. I know that this doesn't have the best looking wiring on the inside but I rushed placing components because I really needed it do for testing components at work.

Warning: In this project you wont be inside the PSU but if you do open it make sure to give a day or to unplugged for the capacitors to discharge. The wires coming out of the PSU only have 3 Amps so besides a quick shock there wont issues.

Step 1: Supply's



1. Tape
2. Screw Driver
3. Computer PSU
4. Cable
5. Soldering Iron
6. Drill & Bits
7. Wire cutters
8. Wire strippers
9. Volt Meter
10. Test leads with patch banana clips (red & Black)


superglue or epoxy

Step 2:

Step 3: Circuit Components



• Switch
• 2 LEDs of any color (Red and Green)
• 2 Resistors 330 OHM
• Heat Shrink Tubing
• External Enclosure
• Drill and Bits
• LM317, LM338K, or LM350T Voltage regulator
• 100nF Capacitors (ceramic or tantalum)
• 1uF Capacitors Electrolytic
• 1N4001 or 1N4002 Power Diode
• 120 Ohm resistor
• 5k Ohm variable resistor
• Binding Posts
•

ATX Power Supply Extension Cable ( comes included with most PSU)



Step 4: Circuit

I tested the circuit on a bread board first.

note: the voltage regulator can have different pins from what is shown. make sure to look up the stats sheet.


Step 5: Future Improvements.

Add a USB port to it by connecting it to the 5 DCV.

Add a cigarette lighter to the 12 DCV if I can get it to fit inside case.

a built in voltage meter.

Step 6: