Where to begin

[Skeletor]

So I have been thinking about jumping into my first real electronics repair project. I'm looking for some advise on good places to start. I have limited tools, though I will buy what I need as I need it. I was thinking that it would be best to stick with small electronics like phones, game consoles, etc..., though that may be biting off more than I chew. I'm open to ideas and suggestions. I've been looking at ebay for non-working electronics, of which there is plenty, but I just can't decide on what to start with. Thanks for any input.

 

[Externet]

Explore your simple non-working stuff at home, at a good neighbor, relatives... we will help.

 

[Skeletor]

Explore your simple non-working stuff at home, at a good neighbor, relatives... we will help.

Thanks for the reply. That was my first thought, though I think my wife has recycled every non working electronic device we've had. I may start breaking my kids toys if I get desperate enough

 

[Martaine2005]

Do you have any electronics experience?.
It amazes me that people believe a small item must be easier to fix.
Do you have any electrical experience at all?.

Martin

 

[kellys_eye]

It amazes me that people believe a small item must be easier to fix.

More to the point - will the repairs be cost effective?

If the modern stuff is broken it is likely impossible to source spares and the crazy implication of IPR (intellectual property rights) often means zero information i.e. schematics to make the repair easy enough and/or possible. Then there is the use of surface-mount parts that need a very specific set of skills to both fault-find and repair.

A longer thread on the potential for repairing stuff has already been running (albeit run out of steam) but it essentially pointed towards older equipment, i.e collectors items, that have spares, schematics and collectors i.e. a valuable market.

But without experience (of some sort) and a skill-set - some people find it easy, some find it to be black (sorry, non-white) magic - you could go either way..... success or crashing and burning!

 

[Skeletor]

Do you have any electronics experience?.
It amazes me that people believe a small item must be easier to fix.
Do you have any electrical experience at all?.

Martin

Yes, very little experience but some. Mostly it has been small electronics kits intended for soldering practice and repairs on some of my older welding machines. But that is more component swaps.

I'm not sure that I think a small item will be easier to fix as much as its easier to handle and store, as well as less expensive (in some cases). For instance I have a large plasma cutter that is mostly scrap but it's just not practical for me to tear that down and work on it at my kitchen table.

 

[bertus]

Hello,

A lot of repair info can be found in my resource:

https://maker.pro/forums/resources/troubleshooting-and-repair-info-pages.68/

Bertus

 

[Martaine2005]

There are a few guys on YouTube that buy broken items on eBay to make videos about the repair.
‘My mate Vince’, Stezfixit’ to name two. But loads more.
Buy some units (anything) that says “broken, no power when plugged in”. Then try your luck. Stick to battery operated items for now. Check the DC input connector, switch, battery terminals, wires etc. Normally an easy fix.
Get a bench adjustable power supply with current limiting, two multimeters, USB testers, small croc leads etc. Fairly cheap to set up at first. A small cheap component tester is also a good idea.
So start at the beginning and gain experience by repairing items.
Useful tips are: Take lots of photos in case a wire comes off when disassembling and to help In reassembly.
Draw on paper the shape of the item and screw locations, stick each screw through the paper for correct screw in hole (if different sizes).
Most importantly, have fun.

Martin

 

[Skeletor]

There are a few guys on YouTube that buy broken items on eBay to make videos about the repair.
‘My mate Vince’, Stezfixit’ to name two. But loads more.
Buy some units (anything) that says “broken, no power when plugged in”. Then try your luck. Stick to battery operated items for now. Check the DC input connector, switch, battery terminals, wires etc. Normally an easy fix.
Get a bench adjustable power supply with current limiting, two multimeters, USB testers, small croc leads etc. Fairly cheap to set up at first. A small cheap component tester is also a good idea.
So start at the beginning and gain experience by repairing items.
Useful tips are: Take lots of photos in case a wire comes off when disassembling and to help In reassembly.
Draw on paper the shape of the item and screw locations, stick each screw through the paper for correct screw in hole (if different sizes).
Most importantly, have fun.

Martin

Thank you for the feedback Martin. I've watched a few videos on YouTube of a few guys but not the two listed, I'll check them out.

D

 

[Martaine2005]

You’re welcome.