Are you tired of including bulky transformers to power smaller circuits? Two simple and useful configurations of small and compact power supplies using high voltage capacitors are discussed here, as well as one attempted - and failed - experiment. The first one though very compact is not spike free and not isolated from AC mains, therefore is not very practical. The second one is able to cancel of the spikes but still is dangerous as it’s not free from electric shock. The last one, was hoped to be the ultimate transformerless power supply design, completely eliminating both of the above snags. Read what went right and what went wrong.