I have a few remote control relays from work that are used activate fog lights on a vehicle. I want to use these to turn on some lights in my garage. I would like to make an 110 VAC to 12 VDC. I am new to electronics and need some help. Does anyone know of an easy circuit I can build?

 

Sure, but why spend all day building one that costs more for parts than a Radio Shack retail version that you can have in an hour or two?

 

Basically because I want to learn.

 

OK. Here's the Radio Shack design. You could also use an LM7812 regulator chip, an LM317 regulator chip, or a more available Darlington transistor like a TIP120.