Build a Simple DC Power Supply

The Parts: To build this specific power supply, you will need the following.

Power cord. There must be one lying around somewhere... SPST 120V toggle switch Panel mount 120V neon lamp 3x Binding Posts Transformer with an input voltage of 120V and an output voltage around 24V to keep the Vin for the 7812 regulator above the minimum. I used a Radio Shack p/n 273-1512. Full-wave bridge rectifier 6800 uF Capacitor 2x 100nF (exact value is not crucial) capacitors 2x 1 uF (exact value is not crucial) capacitors 7805 5V Voltage Regulator 7812 12V Voltage Regulator

The Build: The construction of the power supply is quite simple. I built this power supply many years ago and used point to point wiring on a perf board to build it. There are many cleaner ways to build it than this, and I encourage you to pursue one of them. However, this works just fine as is. In building this power supply, it would be wise to attach a heat sink of some kind to the 78xx voltage regulators. This design can quite easily be modified to provide an adjustable voltage output by using a LM317 voltage regulator in place of or in addition to the voltage regulators specified. By grounding the center tap of the transformer secondary (assuming you have a transformer with a center tap), taking positive and negative leads from the bridge rectifier, and using the LM79xx and/or LM337 series of negative voltage regulators, your power supply can supply regulated negative voltages as well.