How to Wire a 12-Volt Regulator
- 1). Divide the power in watts that the zener diode is rated for by 12. The result is the maximum amount of current that the voltage regulator can safely carry, measured in amps. Divide 12 by the maximum current. This result is the minimum size resistor you need to limit the current in the voltage regulator to the maximum safe current. Use any resistor with a value equal to or greater than this value.
- 2). Place the leads of the zener diode anywhere into the perforated circuit board. Turn the board over. Turn on the soldering iron and wait for it to heat up. Solder the diode into the board by touching the tip of the soldering iron to the leads, one at a time, at the same time you are touching the solder to them. Hold the iron and solder in place until the solder melts and runs off onto the lead and board. Wait for the solder to cool and harden before moving the board.
- 3). Place the leads of the resistor into the circuit board so that either one of the resistor's leads is next to either one of the diode's leads. Solder that lead of the resistor to that lead of the diode.
- 4). Cut two six-inch lengths of wire with the wire cutters. Remove one inch of insulation from each end of each of the wires using the wire strippers. Solder one end of one of the wires to the free lead of the resistor. Solder one end of the other wire to the free lead of the diode.
- 5). Wind the free ends of the wires around the terminals of the alligator clips. Cover the terminals and wire with electrical tape.
- 6). Prepare two more wires in the same manner as the first two, including the clips. Solder the free ends of these wires to the leads of the diode. The first two wires are the connectors to hook your regulator up to your power source. The second pair of wires form the connections to hook your regulator up to the load.
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