12 volt power sources

#1
Hi Everyone,

My name is Daithi, I am a newbie around here so please forgive the newbish questions... I've noticed that a few of the circuits on the site uses 12v... My question is what do you use to gain the 12v's? Do you use a wall wart or 8 (1.5) batteries - or some other means? Look forward to hearing your replies...
 
#2
This is just me but I would adjust the components so 9v or 6v would work. I also have a plug in dc power supply that lets me choose different voltages from 1.5v - 12v. You could make your own multi-voltage power supply using transformers but I don't think they are very expensive to buy so I wouldn't mess around with building one. a 555 timer does not need 12v, the only reason I think they are writing these for 12v because they are being used on cars and bikes that have a 12v battery. They should all work with less voltage and if they don't then some resistors and caps sizes can be adjusted to accommodate. If you need any help with the calculations I would be happy to help as I am sure most others here would as well.

George
 
#3
This is just me but I would adjust the components so 9v or 6v would work. I also have a plug in dc power supply that lets me choose different voltages from 1.5v - 12v. You could make your own multi-voltage power supply using transformers but I don't think they are very expensive to buy so I wouldn't mess around with building one. a 555 timer does not need 12v, the only reason I think they are writing these for 12v because they are being used on cars and bikes that have a 12v battery. They should all work with less voltage and if they don't then some resistors and caps sizes can be adjusted to accommodate. If you need any help with the calculations I would be happy to help as I am sure most others here would as well.

George
Thanks for your help George... It's appreciate very much... I think I'll look around and buy one as I'm a bit rusty trying to build my own, don't want to set anything on fire.. :)
 
#5
Hi George,
Can you post a pic of the plug in DC power supply you are using? I would greatly appreciate it...
This is the one I have and the little adapter that goes in the breadboard. I bought someones electronic set and this was in it so I don't know what it cost.

 
#6
This is the one I have and the little adapter that goes in the breadboard. I bought someones electronic set and this was in it so I don't know what it cost.

It's for sale on eBay here. You can either go for the auction or just flat out buy it.
 
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#10
Thanks guys... George I think I will go with the one you suggested... Looks like it is exactly what I am looking for... Again thanks for the help...
 
#11
I use a computer power supply. I got a piece of phenol board from work and put brass screws with wingnuts through and the power wires connected on the backside. I have a voltmeter I bought for 2$ on ebay right from china mounted in an electrical junction box. I also have the voltages wired to blade terminals for another connection option and voltage probes. I had gotten a lot of #10 ring terminals so making up leads is free if I use the wire I have gotten from psu's and cars. The bright light is 100 5mm white leds on a prototype board with 2 pin power connector, all parts from tayda.

you take the green wire from the 20 or 24 pin connector and ground it to turn it on assuming it is atx compliant. most psu's within the last 10 years not aimed at servers and not made by dell are atx compliant. you will get high current outputs of 3.3, 5, and 12volts as well as -12, and -5 volts at lower currents. you can also get intermediate voltages by moving ground and positive between the different voltages. basically just take your voltmeter and test different options. keep in mind that the negative voltages only supply up to 2amps on most psu's. atx spec requires the voltage to stay the same within 40mv.

some psu's require minimum loads on the 3 positive legs but most have internal loads to handle this. an easy fix is to just hook an old optical drive to it, most that need a load will be satisfied. keep in mind that large changes in load, around 6-8 amps may shut it down as it may think its a fault condition.
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