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]

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.

 

[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.

 

[shrtrnd]

It seems to me most consumer electronics nowadays IS made to be disposable.
Most of the encapsulated stuff you see, IS non-repairable stuff.
The field is SO wide now, that you should consider what type of electronic repairs you want
to know how to do, and concentrate on those, Car accessories, consumer electronics,
household appliance repairs, house-wiring, whatever.
I learned as a kid. Friday mornings were trash day. I'd walk down the street before
school and pick broken electronics out of other people's trash, take them home, and
take them apart to see hwo they worked, and if I could fix 'em.
If you're interested in something in particular, find broken ones, take them apart, and
see what you can see. From there, you'll know what you need to learn, (ie; soldering,
parts identification, etc, and you can go from there).
Electronic repair anyway, is mostly experience. And the only way to get that, is to get
your hands dirty with broken gear.
As suggested, there ARE kits available, if you want to build something. You'd learn color codes for parts identification that way too.
Just some ideas. First, decide WHAT you want to know, cause it can be a pretty
specialized field in some areas.

 

[David Nebenzahl]

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.

 

[Rich Webb]

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.

 

[David Nebenzahl]

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.

 

[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]

"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?

 

[William Sommerwerck]

I recently inherited a stack of electronics textbooks (from a

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.

 

[William Sommerwerck]

The "correct" way to learn about transistors is to find a

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.

 

[[email protected]]

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.

"The Art of Electronics" covers all that matters from simplest to complex
electronic circuits.
How to troubleshoot is another matter and probably comes from really
understanding how things should work in the first place.
One good text is "Troubleshooting Analog Circuits" by Bob Pease, but that's
not intended for newcomers to the electronic world (my opinion).
Best regards
Frank

 

[William Sommerwerck]

One good text is "Troubleshooting Analog Circuits" by

Bob Pease, but that's not intended for newcomers to
the electronic world (my opinion).

I believe that is book focuses on correcting design problems, not fixing
existing equipment. (I have a copy, but have only browsed it.)

 

[[email protected]]

I believe that is book focuses on correcting design problems, not fixing
existing equipment. (I have a copy, but have only browsed it.)

more or less yes, but gives quite some hints about how to check for problems
whether or not caused by design flaws.
As I said, I believe that fixing things works best when one knows how to
make those things from scratch. Many won't agree with me of course.
Regards

Frank

 

[David Nebenzahl]

On 11/25/2010 4:38 AM William Sommerwerck spake thus:

[other attribution lost due to W.S.'s lax method of quoting]

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.

No, you're starting to play that Usenet game called "Telephone". The
O.P. said nothing about transistors; I brought up the subject. Dunno if
they're even interested in that.

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.

I have a book right here that does an excellent job of explaining
transistors and diodes, both their theories of operation and practical
usage in circuits: it's Albert Paul Malvino's /Electronic Principles/
(1979), including knowledge useful for troubleshooting. One of the
best-written texts on the subject I've read.

 

[F Murtz]

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

Jaycar sells many kits in Australia.