Learning Electrical Repair

[Bewet Miller]

I don't want to pick up another career or spend 20 years learning
electrical repair, but I would like to learn something about this
area.
I don't care for ham radios or tv repair either.
But barring that, I was wondering if anyone knew of any books or web
sites that could help someone learn about this area? I'd like to try
small interesting projects.
I have a basic understanding of electronics, Ohms laws,
resistors/capacitors in parallel v/s series...I guess that is about
it. My practical knowledge is limited to car stereos, amps and
speaker.

I've been looking at sites like instructibles.com and a few others
that have some neat projects but most just jump in over my head. I
have no knowledge of "bread boards" or how to use them, though I have
a general idea of what they are.

I can't solder but I've been trying to learn.
I can't seem to get the solder to "wet" the solder gun or the wires
I'm trying to solder.

It seems like now days everything is just deposable.
A few things I've taken apart have been encased in a resin or epoxy.
What's up with that? Heat dissipation or repair prevention.


Any suggestions or advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks
B

 

[David Nebenzahl]

On 11/22/2010 7:48 PM Bewet Miller spake thus:

I don't want to pick up another career or spend 20 years learning
electrical repair, but I would like to learn something about this
area.
I don't care for ham radios or tv repair either.
But barring that, I was wondering if anyone knew of any books or web
sites that could help someone learn about this area? I'd like to try
small interesting projects.
I have a basic understanding of electronics, Ohms laws,
resistors/capacitors in parallel v/s series...I guess that is about
it. My practical knowledge is limited to car stereos, amps and
speaker.

I've been looking at sites like instructibles.com and a few others
that have some neat projects but most just jump in over my head. I
have no knowledge of "bread boards" or how to use them, though I have
a general idea of what they are.

How about going to your local library (remember those places that have
those old-fashioned things called "books"?) and checking out a book on
basic electronics. As good a place to start as any.


--
The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring,
with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags.

- Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com)

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

Bewet Miller wrote:

I don't want to pick up another career or spend 20 years learning
electrical repair, but I would like to learn something about this
area.
I don't care for ham radios or tv repair either.
But barring that, I was wondering if anyone knew of any books or web
sites that could help someone learn about this area? I'd like to try
small interesting projects.
I have a basic understanding of electronics, Ohms laws,
resistors/capacitors in parallel v/s series...I guess that is about
it. My practical knowledge is limited to car stereos, amps and
speaker.

I've been looking at sites like instructibles.com and a few others
that have some neat projects but most just jump in over my head. I
have no knowledge of "bread boards" or how to use them, though I have
a general idea of what they are.

I can't solder but I've been trying to learn.
I can't seem to get the solder to "wet" the solder gun or the wires
I'm trying to solder.

Then use a soldering IRON. A soldering gun is for crude work.

It seems like now days everything is just deposable.
A few things I've taken apart have been encased in a resin or epoxy.
What's up with that? Heat dissipation or repair prevention.

Waterproofing.

Any suggestions or advice would be most appreciated.

news:sci.electronics.basics


--
For the last time: I am not a mad scientist, I'm just a very ticked off
scientist!!!

 

[William Sommerwerck]

It's a shame there are no major manufacturers of electronic kits, which is a
good way to get started (assuming you know how to solder!).

Try Googling "electronic kits for adults".

You might get one of those "100-in-one" lab-experiment kits and have some
fun with it. None requires soldering.

 

[Wild_Bill]

There are at least a couple of companies that still sell electronic kits for
hobbiests/enthusiasts.

Velleman has small kits, but nothing of the same scale as the old Heathkit
equipment.
http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/list/?id=523008

I believe I saw another brand name of small kits available on eBay recently,
but don't remember the name.

Down under, the Dick Smith electronics company may still be selling kits.

I've seen soldering kits available for practicing/learning the skill of
soldering.. and there are probably DVD video instructions for beginners
interested in learning how to solder.

Some of those instructable/DIY websites have some dangerous techniques that
beginners should definitely stay away from.. the line voltage powered nicad
zapper is one example of one of the hazardous procedures I've seen.

There may be some worthwhile youtube videos, but steady cameras and good
clean audio don't seem to be the norm there.
Finding or buying some actual commercially-made soldering tutorial videos
would be best, IMO

--
Cheers,
WB
..............


"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:icg895$2l2$1@news.eternal-september.org...

It's a shame there are no major manufacturers of electronic kits, which is
a
good way to get started (assuming you know how to solder!).

Try Googling "electronic kits for adults".

You might get one of those "100-in-one" lab-experiment kits and have some
fun with it. None requires soldering.

 

[JeffM]

Bewet Miller wrote:

I've been looking at sites like instructibles.com
and a few others that have some neat projects
but most just jump in over my head.

Start with second-hand kid-level stuff?

http://google.com/images?q=Proto-board+-prototyping-board+-prototype-board+-Protoboard

I have no knowledge of "bread boards" or how to use them,
though I have a general idea of what they are.

After that kid's kit, graduate to this.

http://google.com/images?q=Proto-board+-prototyping-board+-prototype-board+-Protoboard

The public library has already been mentioned.
Project books there were aplenty when I was a kid.

To get parts (and to learn about how stuff is assembled),
tear apart something old enough to have parts with long leads.
Learn how to tell a good part from a zapped part.

I can't solder but I've been trying to learn.
I can't seem to get the solder to "wet" the solder gun

Soldering guns were oversold.

Their only advantage is that they heat up fast.
Mostly they're the wrong tool
(unless you're working on a chassis or something huge
--and even then a giant iron gives better results).
As mentioned, people doing serious electronics work
use a soldering iron--usually temperature-controlled.

or the wires I'm trying to solder.

Get the surfaces clean first.

If you're working with ancient corroded metal, that's more difficult.
When all the core has drained from the ancient acid-core solder
you're trying to use, this helps:
http://google.com/foogle?q=intitleaste+intitle:flux&scoring=p&price=between&price1=1&num=100

.

Read the recent "Self-Repair Manifesto" thread.

....and, in a group with "electronics" in its name,
you'll get more empathy if you DON'T say "electrical" repair
--especially if you're not talking about fixing vacuum cleaners
and garbage disposals. (Akin to saying "electricians".)

 

[George Herold]

On Nov 22, 10:48 pm, Bewet Miller <Bewet_Mil...@NGLT.Com> wrote:

I don't want to pick up another career or spend 20 years learning
electrical repair, but I would like to learn something about this
area.
I don't care for ham radios or tv repair either.
But barring that, I was wondering if anyone knew of any books or web
sites that could help someone learn about this area?  I'd like to try
small interesting projects.
I have a basic understanding of electronics, Ohms laws,
resistors/capacitors in parallel v/s series...I guess that is about
it.  My practical knowledge is limited to car stereos, amps and
speaker.

I've been looking at sites like instructibles.com and a few others
that have some neat projects but most just jump in over my head.  I
have no knowledge of "bread boards" or how to use them, though I have
a general idea of what they are.

"I can't solder but I've been trying to learn.
I can't seem to get the solder to "wet" the solder gun or the wires
I'm trying to solder."

Perhaps you are using solid core solder made for plumbing. For
electrical work you want a solder with flux in the core. (Rosin core
solder is what I like to use.)

George H.

It seems like now days everything is just deposable.
A few things I've taken apart have been encased in a resin or epoxy.
What's up with that?  Heat dissipation or repair prevention.

Any suggestions or advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks
B

 

[whit3rd]

On Nov 22, 7:48 pm, Bewet Miller <Bewet_Mil...@NGLT.Com> wrote:

I don't want to pick up another career or spend 20 years learning
electrical repair, but I would like to learn something about this
area.
I don't care for ham radios or tv repair either.

Basic Electricity and Basic Electronics manuals from
the US Navy are a pretty good introductory set of texts.
It takes practical experience to do the takeapart and
rework, of course (soldering skills are probably not
learnable from bookreading).

My old Basic Electronics "Navpers 10087" was
$2.25 from the U S Government Printing Office in 1955...

 

[David Nebenzahl]

On 11/23/2010 4:16 PM whit3rd spake thus:

On Nov 22, 7:48 pm, Bewet Miller <Bewet_Mil...@NGLT.Com> wrote:

I don't want to pick up another career or spend 20 years learning
electrical repair, but I would like to learn something about this
area.
I don't care for ham radios or tv repair either.

Basic Electricity and Basic Electronics manuals from
the US Navy are a pretty good introductory set of texts.
It takes practical experience to do the takeapart and
rework, of course (soldering skills are probably not
learnable from bookreading).

My old Basic Electronics "Navpers 10087" was
$2.25 from the U S Government Printing Office in 1955...

Those texts are OK, but a little dated.

I recently inherited a stack of electronics textbooks (from a dumpster),
including a copy of /Basic Theory and Application of Transistors/, a
Dover reprint of a 1959 Army textbook. Yes, it does teach the basics of
xistors, but is hopelessly out of date: covers only germanium devices,
all audio circuits use interstage and output transformers, nothing about
FETs, UJTs, etc.

You can probably do better than this.


--
The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring,
with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags.

- Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com)

 

[Rich Webb]

On Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:46:45 -0800, David Nebenzahl
<nobody@but.us.chickens> wrote:

On 11/23/2010 4:16 PM whit3rd spake thus:

On Nov 22, 7:48 pm, Bewet Miller <Bewet_Mil...@NGLT.Com> wrote:

I don't want to pick up another career or spend 20 years learning
electrical repair, but I would like to learn something about this
area.
I don't care for ham radios or tv repair either.

Basic Electricity and Basic Electronics manuals from
the US Navy are a pretty good introductory set of texts.
It takes practical experience to do the takeapart and
rework, of course (soldering skills are probably not
learnable from bookreading).

My old Basic Electronics "Navpers 10087" was
$2.25 from the U S Government Printing Office in 1955...

Those texts are OK, but a little dated.

I recently inherited a stack of electronics textbooks (from a dumpster),
including a copy of /Basic Theory and Application of Transistors/, a
Dover reprint of a 1959 Army textbook. Yes, it does teach the basics of
xistors, but is hopelessly out of date: covers only germanium devices,
all audio circuits use interstage and output transformers, nothing about
FETs, UJTs, etc.

You can probably do better than this.

The NEETS modules are available at various places out there
http://www.tpub.com/neets/ for one.

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[JeffM]

JeffM wrote:

Start with second-hand kid-level stuff?

I screwed up that link.

http://google.com/images?q=150-in-1+electronic

 

[John Robertson]

whit3rd wrote:

On Nov 22, 7:48 pm, Bewet Miller <Bewet_Mil...@NGLT.Com> wrote:
I don't want to pick up another career or spend 20 years learning
electrical repair, but I would like to learn something about this
area.
I don't care for ham radios or tv repair either.

Basic Electricity and Basic Electronics manuals from
the US Navy are a pretty good introductory set of texts.
It takes practical experience to do the takeapart and
rework, of course (soldering skills are probably not
learnable from bookreading).

My old Basic Electronics "Navpers 10087" was
$2.25 from the U S Government Printing Office in 1955...

Downloadable from:

http://khup.com/keyword/navpers-10087.html

The warnings at the end of some chapters are good reading...

John :-#)#

--
(Please post followups or tech inquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

 

[David Nebenzahl]

On 11/23/2010 11:01 PM John Robertson spake thus:

whit3rd wrote:

On Nov 22, 7:48 pm, Bewet Miller <Bewet_Mil...@NGLT.Com> wrote:

I don't want to pick up another career or spend 20 years learning
electrical repair, but I would like to learn something about
this area.
I don't care for ham radios or tv repair either.

Basic Electricity and Basic Electronics manuals from
the US Navy are a pretty good introductory set of texts.
It takes practical experience to do the takeapart and
rework, of course (soldering skills are probably not
learnable from bookreading).

My old Basic Electronics "Navpers 10087" was
$2.25 from the U S Government Printing Office in 1955...

Downloadable from:

http://khup.com/keyword/navpers-10087.html

The warnings at the end of some chapters are good reading...

They are amusing.

But seriously, I wouldn't recommend any of these books to someone trying
to learn basic electronics. They're interesting as historical
curiosities, but they're so out of data (not to mention badly written)
as to be a hindrance, not a help, to a newbie.


--
The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring,
with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags.

- Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com)

 

[William Sommerwerck]

I recently inherited a stack of electronics textbooks (from a
dumpster), including a copy of "Basic Theory and Application
of Transistors", a Dover reprint of a 1959 Army textbook.

"Solid gold to make you feel old!"

Yes, I remember that book.

 

[David Nebenzahl]

On 11/24/2010 4:57 AM William Sommerwerck spake thus:

[replying to my posting]

I recently inherited a stack of electronics textbooks (from a
dumpster), including a copy of "Basic Theory and Application
of Transistors", a Dover reprint of a 1959 Army textbook.

"Solid gold to make you feel old!"

Yes, I remember that book.

So you'd probably agree that this is not the best book for a beginner to
learn about transistors from nowadays?


--
The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring,
with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags.

- Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com)

 

[William Sommerwerck]

I recently inherited a stack of electronics textbooks (from a
dumpster), including a copy of "Basic Theory and Application
of Transistors", a Dover reprint of a 1959 Army textbook.

"Solid gold to make you feel old!"
Yes, I remember that book.

So you'd probably agree that this is not the best book
for a beginner to learn about transistors from nowadays?

Probably not. Someone else expressed their misgivings.

The "correct" way to learn about transistors is to find a college-level
book. This requires understanding matrix transformations, but you'll have a
better understanding.

 

[Gareth Magennis]

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:ick1pp$iu7$1@news.eternal-september.org...

I recently inherited a stack of electronics textbooks (from a
dumpster), including a copy of "Basic Theory and Application
of Transistors", a Dover reprint of a 1959 Army textbook.

"Solid gold to make you feel old!"
Yes, I remember that book.

So you'd probably agree that this is not the best book
for a beginner to learn about transistors from nowadays?

Probably not. Someone else expressed their misgivings.

The "correct" way to learn about transistors is to find a college-level
book. This requires understanding matrix transformations, but you'll have
a
better understanding.

Hmm, I remember having to derive Schrodinger's equations from first
principles for my University exams.
Can't say that in all my years of repairing and designing electronic
equipment that this long forgotten knowledge has ever have been at all
useful.

 

[hrhofmann@att.net]

On Nov 24, 5:55 pm, "Gareth Magennis" <sound.serv...@btconnect.com>
wrote:

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgee...@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:ick1pp$iu7$1@news.eternal-september.org...





I recently inherited a stack of electronics textbooks (from a
dumpster), including a copy of "Basic Theory and Application
of Transistors", a Dover reprint of a 1959 Army textbook.

"Solid gold to make you feel old!"
Yes, I remember that book.

So you'd probably agree that this is not the best book
for a beginner to learn about transistors from nowadays?

Probably not. Someone else expressed their misgivings.

The "correct" way to learn about transistors is to find a college-level
book. This requires understanding matrix transformations, but you'll have
a
better understanding.

Hmm, I remember having to derive Schrodinger's equations from first
principles for my University exams.
Can't say that in all my years of repairing and designing electronic
equipment that this long forgotten knowledge has ever have been at all
useful.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I got my Master's degree MSEE from NYU (new york university) in 1961.
Don't remember Schrodinger's equations.

 

[Gareth Magennis]

<hrhofmann@att.net> wrote in message
news:9974eb0a-d476-4d47-b2cb-4afeebeb55b9@q14g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...

On Nov 24, 5:55 pm, "Gareth Magennis" <sound.serv...@btconnect.com
wrote:
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgee...@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:ick1pp$iu7$1@news.eternal-september.org...





I recently inherited a stack of electronics textbooks (from a
dumpster), including a copy of "Basic Theory and Application
of Transistors", a Dover reprint of a 1959 Army textbook.

"Solid gold to make you feel old!"
Yes, I remember that book.

So you'd probably agree that this is not the best book
for a beginner to learn about transistors from nowadays?

Probably not. Someone else expressed their misgivings.

The "correct" way to learn about transistors is to find a college-level
book. This requires understanding matrix transformations, but you'll
have
a
better understanding.

Hmm, I remember having to derive Schrodinger's equations from first
principles for my University exams.
Can't say that in all my years of repairing and designing electronic
equipment that this long forgotten knowledge has ever have been at all
useful.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I got my Master's degree MSEE from NYU (new york university) in 1961.
Don't remember Schrodinger's equations.

I was at Uni in the late 70's/early 80's. I can't remember what part of
the Electronics/Electrical Engineering course required extensive knowledge
of Schrodingers doodlings, might have been transmission line systems
(microvaves etc)? Dunno. Nor do I care much.
I do remember a past exam question though which required the candidate to
completely prove one such doodling, which I learnt off by heart. Took
about 3 pages of maths. Couldn't see the point then, still can't now.

But I'm not bitter.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

The "correct" way to learn about transistors is to find a
college-level book. This requires understanding matrix
transformations, but you'll have a better understanding.

Hmm, I remember having to derive Schrodinger's equations
from first principles for my University exams.
Can't say that in all my years of repairing and designing
electronic equipment that this long forgotten knowledge
has ever have been at all useful.

What does Schrodinger have to do with circuit design, anyway?

The poster wanted to "learn about transistors". I think understanding at
least H parameters is worthwhile.

Offhand, I've never seen a book that covers transistor-circuit operation in
a simple way, or that discusses how one uses that knowledge when trouble
shooting.