so i made my first attempt at a full wave rectifier circuit, I built it off a circuit diagram and some advice from an older thread
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/24-vac-12vdc-rectifier.92441/
i soldered the whole thing up and it looked pretty good in my opinion, i checked for accidental bridges in my soldering etc...
to the point anyways, I plugged it in today and when I powered it up the "housing" on the 7812 Voltage regulator exploded off of it. besides being slightly entertaining it was a failure.
this is what I *think* could have went wrong.
1) the diagram had values next to the capacitors, but no reference value. i.e. it said cap one was 3300. i am guessing that that is 3300uF, so thats what i put in. Radio shack didnt have a 3300uF cap so i put in a 4700uF cap, but i figured that would just give me extended discharge time, and not effect my circuit negatively.
2) the 7812 had a reference picture telling me what my leads are, but it is symmetrical, and so i assumed that the picture meant i was looking at my chip from the front, or the side with the writing... maybe i put it in backwards?
3) i did not attach the center lead of the 7812 to the machines ground, or anything for that matter...
so, thats what i know, let me know what you think, I really appreciate it. this is the first circuit i have ever built and im stoked to learn more.
if you think a picture of my board would be usefull i can get some and post them. Can i just replace the 7812 and try again, or do you think the other components are messed as well?
thanks in advance,
Dave