Is there some simple technique to efficiently produce 120 VDC from a mains 240 VAC supply? All I need is < 50 mA. Can something be done with just rectification and capacitors for example? Large dropper resistor? I want to run a few neon bulbs in DC mode.
EDIT:-
I only actually need one neon to run, but can have others if it makes the cicuit simpler vis a vis total voltage drop. I think a single neon bulb draws only about 1mA.
EDIT2:-
Appologies all, but thanks for feedback. I think that this question is very badly put. It's not the power supply per se that I want, but the neon bulb to run at DC current. Should I ask another, better question?
Best Answer
Here's a simple way to get regulated 120 volts, DC from 240 volt mains, but DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!!! it's not isolated from the mains, so if you get 240 hot and 240 neutral connected backwards it could seriously fry some equipment or make you dead.
If you want to play with the circuit, here's the LTspice .asc file you can use to run a simulation.