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  1. #1

    Default Learning electronic basics

    I'm not sure this is the right place for that topic, maybe a mod will move it.

    I've often be asked about "how to learn electronics". Every story has a beginning, mine started at age of 8 or 10 then I was lucky to be trained by a 65 years old Electronics Master, retired from the national electricity compagny in France, teaching on saturdays in an electronic club.

    I went to the books "late". But when I was like 12 or 14, I found a very good book. Several books from the same author, actually. Found by accident when radioshack was still in France.

    New editions, with new format, but all the same quality
    Electronic Formulas, Symbols & Circuits (Paperback)
    by Forrest M. Mims III (Author)


    search for this author on amazon.com. Inexpensive books, great learning and very funny inside : looks like a scrapbook with hand written notes.
    Other books from the same author :

    * The Forrest Mims Circuit Scrapbook by Forrest Mims
    * Getting Started in Electronics by Forrest M. Mims III
    * Timer, Op Amp, and Optoelectronic Circuits & Projects by Forrest M. Mims III
    * Electronic Sensor Circuits & Projects by Forrest M., III Mims


    Might be your next valentine's day present (When I went to Brown University 10 days ago, I showed the student my cold heat battery powered soldering iron and said it would be a cool valentine's day present... then a girl said that SHE got one for valentine's day ! )

    you can browse the books on amazon, for some of them. I hope it will be useful to some of you who have wished to understand voltage/current/resistance/power, or if a "serie circuit" sounds like a "tv soap marathon", get those books and read them, you'll like it ! It's simply written, well explained, good schematics and drawings...
    Nothing like the techy crap I might have posted here

    Erv'
    Props Electronics
    http://www.plecterlabs.com

  2. #2
    Council Member Novastar's Avatar
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    Great information Erv! And good to know you started when you were REALLY young...

    ...now I don't feel so bad when I tell people I only learned to solder about a year ago. After all, at this point, I can only wire up very basic things.

    Fortunately, for most sabers--that's all you need know... and then we just buy the buttered toast for more fun!
    ~~ GREYTALE NOVASTAR (Writer, Director, Choreographer, Sound Designer, Actor, Saber Designer, Vocal Artist)
    ~~ Balance of Power, EP I: "Into The Lion's Den"
    ~~ Balance of Power, EP II: "Ashes of The Phoenix"
    ~~ The Crystal Focus Sound CD Compendiums... are HERE! ~~
    ~~ Nova & Caine's Staged Combat System... comin' SOON!
    ~~ Crystal Focus Wiring Guide

  3. #3

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    Ahh i remember well when i started. Twas a babe at the age of 6 when my older brother (a TV / Video Tech) bought me my first Funway into electronics kit from **** Smith Electronics way back in 1980 (oops letting yall know my age ) back when it was all hook up wires and screws on wooden boards. Twas fun. Then came solder practice in the form of the Soldering Pyramid. and my excursions into Funway 2 and 3. after leaving school i aprenticed with him and spent 15 years Servicing TV's and VCR's etc. Valuable things were learnt.

    If you have access to the **** Smith Funway books and Kits.. i Highly recommend them as a learning aid.

  4. #4

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    I made a video tutorial to soldering, as promised.
    Here is the link on my website :
    Video guide to soldering

    and here is the link to the youtube video :
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOdnGUMi7lQ

    I hope you'll find that usefull !
    Erv'
    Props Electronics
    http://www.plecterlabs.com

  5. #5

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    Erv, you make a newcomer happy. I wasn't properly trained in the soldering arts. I will watch this video a dozen times.

  6. #6

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    Erv, thanks to you, I don't need to make a thread asking this very same question. I want to make my own soundboard that will basically be a Petit Crouton minus the pilot LEDS (have no need for them, since there are no holes in the hilt I've had for five years). I'm hoping this author will teacher what I need to know. Thank you for the advice.

  7. #7

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    Just remembered this thread, so I guess it's worth mentioning that Sparkfun electronics just got these books in. Electronic Formulas, Symbols & Circuits, the other books are at the bottom of the page in related products. Definitely well worth the price, and the way they're laid out (like a notebook) is a brilliant reference guide for when you need to find some info in a pinch.

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  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by erv
    I made a video tutorial to soldering, as promised.
    Here is the link on my website :
    Video guide to soldering

    and here is the link to the youtube video :
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOdnGUMi7lQ

    I hope you'll find that usefull !
    Erv'
    Thanks Erv, for your vids, very helpful, i always can improve my soldering skills

  9. #9

    Default

    Hi all I'm new to the forum. I have a bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering and Electronics has been my hobby since I was 13. I used to be a electronics technician as well working for Sears fixing TVs, Stereos, Camcorders etc before I went on to Computer programming. If theres anything I can help anyone with I'll be happy to assist.

    I just recently joined a Lightsaber combat/cosplay group and decided to get a saber. I managed to pick up a MR Joe Jedi Kit and am already thinking about converting it to be tri-lux rebel driven. I'm going to experiment with the color possibilities and that funny 25 degree lens they got.

  10. #10
    Council Member Novastar's Avatar
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    Welcome Moon... this is probably the wrong thread to post that sort of message on (you might get more responses from people if you do this on the "welcoming" one??)... but that's cool just the same.

    As it is, I was going to post the CF wiring guide here, since it's semi-relevant:
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=KR9r_lGYGoQ

    As to that 25 degree lens for Rebels... I'd steer clear of it--it's not very useful, since it's way too wide of an angle for the best light benefit given our purposes. Usually, nothing short of 10 degrees will give good results. I've even tried a 3 degree lens before (with a K2) and it wasn't very good, so... I'm not sure what kinds of optics would really be better (and/or equally/less expensive) than the ones that are currently out there.

    Converting the 616 should be a piece o' cake for you though! Only a very few wires, but... you know what? Another good link to post (even for newbies):

    Grayven's 616 teardown & mod tutorial

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=vV_9bTS0zlk
    ~~ GREYTALE NOVASTAR (Writer, Director, Choreographer, Sound Designer, Actor, Saber Designer, Vocal Artist)
    ~~ Balance of Power, EP I: "Into The Lion's Den"
    ~~ Balance of Power, EP II: "Ashes of The Phoenix"
    ~~ The Crystal Focus Sound CD Compendiums... are HERE! ~~
    ~~ Nova & Caine's Staged Combat System... comin' SOON!
    ~~ Crystal Focus Wiring Guide

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