Should I use a computer power supply to make a variable voltage supply for general electronic purposes?

I was considering splicing the 12VDC output of an old computer power supply unit into a voltage divider circuit with a pot as one of the dividers in order to control the output voltage. Is this feasible?|||This is not the best way because it only works with small loads.





Much better to use a voltage regulator. The circuit is simple with only a small number of components. Generally if you go to a store that sells electronic components (Radio Shack - US, Maplins - UK) someone there will draw the circuit and sell you the bits for small cost.|||Sure, one never trashes items like that especially if you like to hobby. You might watch the current as it should go up when the volts go down as a balance. Slowing current may make volts go up also depending on the device used.|||I think it is feasible, you can also get 5 VDC if you need to|||It is feasible, but to have a good quality power supply where the voltage is more or less independent of the load, you will have to use small resistor values for your divider. This way you will achieve low output impedance (good thing). But the small resistors will result in a lot of current being drawn and therefore a lot of power being wasted. So, make sure your resistors can take a lot of power.


If your application does not need a lot of current/power, then you may go ahead with this idea, but be aware of the above and also that it won't be a very efficient (power wise) supply.