“A bench power supply is necessary when working with electronics, but a commercially available lab power supply can be very expensive for any beginner who wants to explore and learn electronics. But there is a cheap and reliable alternative. By converting a computer ATX power supply that can be found in any discarded computer or can be bought from scrapyard for less than a dollar, you can get a good lab power supply with huge current outputs, short circuit protection and very tight voltage regulation.
In this instructable I will show you how to quickly convert any ATX power supply to get a lab power supply with following specifications.
An ON/OFF switch
Indicator LEDs
Output voltages : 12VDC, 5VDC, 3.3VDC
Two USB ports with 5VDC output @2A
WARNING: YOU ARE WORKING WITH AC VOLTAGE!!! IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING - DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS.”