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How to Build Your Own AC Adapter

For the electronics hobbyist, it is important to start with smaller projects and work your way up. After you get some footing in the world of electronics, making an AC/DC power adapter could be the next step. Not only is it a practical device to use, but it also helps you understand the science of electricity a little bit more. After purchasing the necessary parts at the store, you can whip this project together in a few short hours.

Things You'll Need

AC cord
Perf board
Transformer
#6 screws and nuts
Bridge rectifier
Capacitor assortment
Red and black banana jacks
Hot glue
Heat gun
Voltage regulator
22-gauge wire
Wire strippers
Soldering iron

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the parts of your circuit on your perf board. Align your transformer so that the primary side is on the left. Pierce holes in the perf board with a knife and slide the winding of the transformer inside. Slide in #6 screws and nuts to secure the transformer in its position.
- 2
  Strip an inch of the wires of the cord and slide heat-shrink tubing so it fully covers the exposed wire. Solder this cord to the primary winding of the transformer.
- 3
  Slide the bridge rectifier into the perf board, soldering the AC inputs to the other two winding terminals of the transformers. Place a capacitor on the positive output of the rectifier so that the two positive and two negative ends line up. Solder these together to secure their position.
- 4
  Pierce the opposite side of the perf board, where the secondary transformer winding is located. These holes should be large enough to fit both banana jacks; insert them through the holes and solder the red one to the output of the regulator. Solder the black jack to the common terminal.

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