Full wave rectifier from a wall wart?

[steve_j83]

I would like to build a variable +/- power supply from a 15volt wall wart.

Can i put in a full wave rectifier or just a half wave?

If i can where does the ground go?

 

[blueroomelectronics]

Is the wall wart AC or DC out?

 

[steve_j83]

sorry yeah ac ... for a dual supply

edit: thanks for the quick reply

 

[dknguyen]

You need two half waves- to separate the positive and negative AC from each if you want a dual supply. A full-wave would just grab take both the positive and negative AC and make it one polarity.

 

[steve_j83]

ok thanks

 

[dknguyen]

YOu could also use two full-wave rectifiers to do the same thing. Added complexity though and since you want a dual supply, you have a use for both positive and negative waveform. (If you only needed one polarity, using a half-wave would make no use of every half cycle and also increase output ripple).

Two full-wave rectifiers would produce a smoother output though. (Rather than grabbing every second cycle for positive or negative output like dual half-waves, it would take each half cycle whether it be positive or negative, and split it between positive and negative output.)

 

[Hero999]

This circuit will work, for a ripple of 2V use 1000:mu:F per 100mA of load current.

The output voltage will be just over 20V.

If you want 15V add an LM78L15 and LM79L15.

The capacitor values shown below with the aforementioned regulators added will be able to supply up to 100mA with 15V in.

 

[steve_j83]

So that would be half wave yes? Is there and way of makeing that full wave without resorting to a centre tap transformer?

 

[steve_j83]

Im thinking i should just forget the wall wart... wanted to go that route as i didnt want to dable in 230v...

Hot does this one look to you guys? Seems simple enough


C1, C2 2 2200uF 35V Electrolytic Capacitor
C3, C4, C5, C7 4 1uF 35V Electrolytic Capacitor
C6, C8 2 100uF 35V Electrolytic Capacitor
R1, R4 2 5K Pot
R2, R3 2 240 Ohm 1/4 W Resistor
BR1 1 2A 30V Bridge Rectifier
U1 1 LM317 Adjustable Positive Regulator
U2 1 LM337 Adjustable Negative Regulator
T1 1 30V Center Tapped 2 Amp Transformer
S1 1 SPST 2 Amp Switch

It seems simple enough

 

[Hero999]

Read my previous post!

You can't use a centre tapped transformer because I thought you were using a wallwart and those things don't have a centre tap.

 

[tcmtech]

No center tap on a wall power pack?
It must be a UK thing. I have taken dozens of them apart for specialty projects and I would confidently say at least 3/4 of them have center taps around here.

I learned something new too!

 

[steve_j83]

Yeah thats why i was saying i think i should forget that route.

The power supply will be needed to run at +/-9v to run 6 of these (see link) in place of the 9 volt batteries.
http://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/singing-plants-advice-please.90472/

The reason i want to make it variable is so i can run it in other projects later.

 

[audioguru]

The circuit you posted from Aaron Cake's site has the wrong values for its voltage-setting resistors and pots. It has the values for the more expensive LM117 and LM137 regulators. Using those values with LM317 and LM337 regulators will cause the output voltages to rise when the load current is low.

 

[steve_j83]

ooohhh not good, thanks for the heads up Mr audio

 

[tcmtech]

If your planning to run other things off of it you may want to think about building it with two transformers. That way you can stack them if you need dual voltage or a higher voltage and they could be or put in parallel for more current. Plus your total available power is higher.
The total parts are about the same but you would gain some added versatility. If you needed two independent power sources you would have them available too.

 

[Hero999]

No center tap on a wall power pack?
It must be a UK thing. I have taken dozens of them apart for specialty projects and I would confidently say at least 3/4 of them have center taps around here.

I learned something new too!

So do US wallwarts have three core cable and a three pin plug connecting you the device being powered? I doubt it.

The only wallwarts I've seen with tapped transformers are those with multiple voltage settings. These are normally also DC and you have to break it open to get access to them.

 

[Mikebits]

Most wall warts I have opened here in US are garbage.

 

[steve_j83]

Hey hero

Am having a look at your psu... Looks like it could be the trick.. I might make two... one for putting in the project (might have to do something about the heat) and one for a desktop.

Im a little confused about transformers though... Rapid has all their ratings in VA not Amps

So i gather i should use the equation VA x PF / V

What would the PF be?

 

[Hero999]

VA is volts times amps, just divide the VA by the voltage to find out the current rating.

If you have a choice then buy a transformer with two secondaries connected in series or a centre tap and a full-wave rectifier.

The half wave rectifier idea is only good for an AC wallwart.

 

[forumlicker007]

It seems simple enough

This is the way you've to go for a dual supply.