Introduction of a 40yr old beginning

[Adriaan]

Hello everybody,
So my name is adriaan, 40yrs of age and decided to take up something that I've got no experience in what so ever! Never ever worked with electronics.
I've started a job in April making custom battery packs to specific requirements. It seems I enjoy soldering and burning my fingers by placing the nickel strips on the wrong ends (they get hot FAST).
So I though why not expand the suffering in the comfort of my own home

So.. here I am. Completed my first little Christmas tree pcb thing in 3 hours. So a couple of resistors, capacitors and leds later, I am now wondering what to do next. I honestly don't know where to begin. As mentioned, besides welding nickel strips on batteries and soldering leads.. 0 experience.
Suggestions and suppliers advice would be welcome

 

[kellys_eye]

Stick with batteries!

There's a lot to be learned - their chemistry, their make-up, their connection, protection, charging, discharging, maintenance etc etc and it's a growing field of expertise/learning.

I suggest a lot of the more experienced members on here do as I do - drink tea and read a lot! (there's a famous image illustrating this somewhere). T'internet will provide a lot of learning. In terms of making up battery packs there is money to be made but dangers (some extremely dangerous/potentially fatal too) to be had at the same time - you really, really need to know a LOT more about what it is you're tackling!

Employ VERY good safety practises and move from there.

 

[Adriaan]

I want to keep batteries for work only
It's the soldering and occasional circuitry I place in the packs I enjoy.

not really after money.. im after fun projects
So I'm looking in pcb DIY projects and hopefully move on to robotics and arduino stuff as that is what has got me intrigued. So I'm trying to find kits that helps me with the basic but still let's me figure out things myself as I'm a hands on person. Reading doesn't stick with me well lol.

 

[kellys_eye]

If you're UK-based then there is a company I always recommend - ESR Electronics (no affiliation, not in receipt of any bonuses!) - they have a great range of components at good prices, are prompt with deliveries and very helpful.

They also have a range of kits of various types that include stuff you could use for future test equipment as well as entertainment and learning - see this link:

Cebek Modules - Velleman Kits and Modules

We are the only UK retailer stocking the full range of Velleman Electronic Kits and Modules

www.esr.co.uk

Of course, if you're NOT in the UK it doesn't mean other such businesses don't exist but ESR will also deliver overseas.

 

[Adriaan]

If you're UK-based then there is a company I always recommend - ESR Electronics (no affiliation, not in receipt of any bonuses!) - they have a great range of components at good prices, are prompt with deliveries and very helpful.

They also have a range of kits of various types that include stuff you could use for future test equipment as well as entertainment and learning - see this link:

Cebek Modules - Velleman Kits and Modules

We are the only UK retailer stocking the full range of Velleman Electronic Kits and Modules

www.esr.co.uk

Of course, if you're NOT in the UK it doesn't mean other such businesses don't exist but ESR will also deliver overseas.

Ah ideal thank you, yes I am uk based (think Cornwall is by law anyway haha)
I will certainly look at it!

 

[Bluejets]

Plenty of free reading and learning on Talking electronics web site.
https://www.talkingelectronics.com/te_interactive_index.html

Open the site and scan through the masses of projects available from discrete one transistor circuits to microcontrollers.
Pick any that take your fancy and go from there.

Components online are relatively cheap, just need to wait a couple of weeks for delivery.
Masses of tutorials on youtube, just be aware there are a lot of shonky ones as well.

Couple of good reliable sites........
https://www.youtube.com/c/RalphBacon/videos

https://www.youtube.com/c/JulianIlett/videos

https://www.youtube.com/c/Core-electronicsAu/videos

 

[Adriaan]

Plenty of free reading and learning on Talking electronics web site.
https://www.talkingelectronics.com/te_interactive_index.html

Open the site and scan through the masses of projects available from discrete one transistor circuits to microcontrollers.
Pick any that take your fancy and go from there.

Components online are relatively cheap, just need to wait a couple of weeks for delivery.
Masses of tutorials on youtube, just be aware there are a lot of shonky ones as well.

Couple of good reliable sites........
https://www.youtube.com/c/RalphBacon/videos

https://www.youtube.com/c/JulianIlett/videos

https://www.youtube.com/c/Core-electronicsAu/videos

Thank you, once I get my pc sorted I'll be sure to look up these channels

 

[bertus]

Hello,

An other site with a lot of information on electronics is the EDUCYPEDIA:

The educational encyclopedia, electricity and electronics

As the site is quite old, some links may not work.
Often not working links can be found back in the Internet Archive:

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

Copy the not working link in the wayback machine line and the Internet Archive will shows you dates where the page was still available.
There are also many book on the internet achive you can download:

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

Bertus

 

[Keonte45]

I know this ain't my thread but just wanted to thank @bertus and @Bluejets