Breadboard Question - Hardware & Software

Hey guys, I have posted about this in another thread I made, but I need more responses directed towards this particular problem. I bought a breadboard, and I need a way to reliably power it with 5v. I was using a psp charger and a stripped jack to power it, and it was going at about 5.38v. It is also ac, and I need dc. What can I do to get a dc current of 5v? I know there are voltage regulators, but if I were to use one, would that be all I need, or do I need some more components? Also how do I get a dc current going through. I realize this is probalby all fundamental, but I need to learn still. Thanks!

-Take a tap off your computer - you have fully regulated 5-12V -Take a tap from a USB port (5v regulated, current limited) -Get any old >7V DC supply and put a 7805 Volt reg on it.* Or find an old computer power supply and bridge the green (#PWRon) wire to a black (GND) on the 20/24 pin conenctor to start it up. *You only need a regulator, and two caps: [url]http://www.sminntech.com/images/7805datasheet.gif[/url]

Now if will this output DC no matter what? Or just when it is powered by DC in the first place?

DC In DC Out, If you have an AC supply you need to build a Rectifier. But your supply voltage needs to be high enough that the losses in the rectifier don't cause problems.

Ok I think I get it. So the best idea is to just get a DC adapter in the first place I guess. I think I can get a cheap one if I can't find an old one laying around!

a psp charger outputs DC last time i checked... and it will drop down to right around 5 volts with a load as well. scrounge for a computer power supply, it's super easy to get the high amperage, well regulated rails useable on those.

[QUOTE=SassyCheese;16916840] scrounge for a computer power supply, it's super easy to get the high amperage, well regulated rails useable on those.[/QUOTE] Not to mention you get overcurrent protection and a range of voltages from -12 to 3.3v to 12v! Doesn't have to look like ass either: [img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2953302926_a8a65d097b.jpg[/img] I've got al old Q-tec Micro-ATX supply on my bench :3

Well gotta admit the power supply idea got me interested. I have an old 250 watt, maybe I will try that out. Also it is AC: [img]http://azsurplus.com/images/sony_psp100.jpg[/img]

Nope, DC out (see the polarity at the top right of the green box) ;) AC Adapter refers to the fact it get's conencted to an AC supply.

Hahah, you can see exactly how much I know :)

How did you determine that the PSP charger was giving you AC current? That doesn't sound right at all. It is probably the case that you were getting some residual AC effects from the rectifier circuit, and this is normally something you don't really need to worry about. As long as it is a DC biased voltage, you can always try to filter noise out with caps.

[QUOTE=Tezza1234;16931904]Nope, DC out (see the polarity at the top right of the green box) ;) AC Adapter refers to the fact it get's conencted to an AC supply.[/QUOTE] Tezza already explained that.