How To Build A 120V AC To 12V DC Power Converter

Building a simple 12V direct current power supply makes a great project for newcomers to electronics. You can make it from a handful of inexpensive components and, when you're finished, use it to charge batteries, power circuits or run motors. The circuit consists of a transformer, a rectifier that converts alternating current to DC and a capacitor. Assembly of the power converter takes one to two hours.

1\. Locate the primary and secondary lugs on the transformer; they are usually on opposite sides of the device. Place the transformer on the perfboard such that the primary lugs hang over or are very near to the board's left-hand edge.

2\. Mount the transformer to the perfboard using the #6 screws, washers and nuts. The transformer has mounting holes in its metal frame. You may need to ream small holes in the board with the tip of a hobby knife blade or drill bit so it will accept the hardware.

3\. Solder the copper wire ends of the line cord to the transformer's primary lugs, one wire to each lug. When the lugs are cool, wrap them with electrical tape.

4\. Place the full-wave rectifier on the perfboard such that the two leads marked "~" line up closely with the transformer's secondary lugs. The "~" symbol indicates the rectifier's AC inputs; the two output leads are marked "+" and "-" for the DC positive and negative output. Solder the rectifier leads to the secondary lugs, one lead to each lug. If the transformer has three secondary lugs, ignore the middle one.

5\. Slip the leads of the capacitor through the holes in the perfboard so the capacitor's negative lead lines up closely with the rectifier's "-" lead. Solder the two negative leads together. Solder the positive capacitor lead to the positive lead on the rectifier. Clip excess lead wire, if needed, with the wire strippers.

6\. Cut two 12-inch pieces of 22-gauge connecting wire and strip 1/2 inch of insulation from both ends of each wire. Connect one end of one wire to the positive capacitor lead and solder it. Connect one end of the other wire to the negative capacitor lead and solder it. The 12V DC power converter is finished; you can connect the positive and negative output leads to a circuit or battery.