Are you able to directly plug a 12v DC mains adapter into the arduino?
Also where can I find sketches for motor control receiver, if such a thing exists?
Are you able to directly plug a 12v DC mains adapter into the arduino?
Yes.
Also where can I find sketches for motor control receiver, if such a thing exists?
No idea what you are asking about.
Did you have a programming question?
You can control motors just like a you do with LED's. The only difference is that motors typically require more amperage than the Arduino can supply for proper control. In this instance, you would use a MOSFET Transistor. (In my experience) pin 1 of the transistor is the low-power control (+5VDC Variable from one of the Arduino analog pins). Pin 2 is Negative DC Out. Pin 3 is connected to Ground. Connect the negative of your external power supply to pin 3 and connect one wire of your motor to pin 2 of the transistor. Connect the other motor wire to the +(3, 5, 12 whatever your motor needs)VDC from the external power supply. NOTE: You may need to add a diode to Pin 2 of the transistor and Ground.
Now, use a script you have for controlling an LED (Fading an LED with ambient light using a photocell) but instead of connecting the analog pin to the positive of the LED, connect it to pin 1 of the transistor. The motor will now react the same way as the LED, except with physical motion instead of visible light.