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I want to learn DIY electronics ...

jtrade

pfm Member
I'd like to learn sufficient electronics to read circuit diagrams to be able to carry out very basic amp service (adjust bias, check for & replace failed components, clean up), assemble passive loudspeaker crossovers from diagrams such as the second one from the bottom of this page http://carlssonkult.se/satori.aspx , etc.

I've just taken the very first step by watching this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Maq5IyHSuc.

Given that I haven't used a soldering iron for about 40 years, is this an over-ambitious endeavour !? I think I would actually enjoy being able to do this sort of thing.

What is the minimum amount of equipment needed, please, & can anyone recommend suitable online resources / other educational materials ? I'm not in UK, so cannot attend a hands on course (I live near Amsterdam, NL, & don't speak technical Dutch).
 
On this forum is Jim Audiomisc. I believe he has a website with some electronics tutorials - I believe he is a retired lecturer as well as an Audio Amp designer in the past. Might be a good online start.

Otherwise you may need to find a local college course - the problem is that there is a LOT of electronics to learn before you can specialise in one area in particular.

Voracious reading of back issues of Elektor and Practical Electronics could be useful.
 
Mr Tibbs of this parish gave me a copy of the Art of Electronics by Horowitz (?). It's a good book that starts from basics. Regrettably, I reached my limit of comprehension at chapter 2. OTOH, I'm a dab hand at soldering. It's got something to do with assembling a bunch of loudspeaker crossovers over many years.
 
Voracious reading of back issues of Elektor and Practical Electronics could be useful.

Good ***, is "Practically" Electronics still around? Like wot we read in the '60s & '70s? You'll be telling me next that Practically Wireless is still going!:D:D
 
Thanks for the responses... it seems it would make sense to start very small & specific : assembling the crossovers to which I linked in Post #1 could be a good starting point, before I start rummaging around the innards of a solid state integrated amp ( but it can't be that difficult to learn how to test, remove & replace a capacitor, preferably without electrocuting myself in the process ?).

It would be a darned sight easier - & safer - to do these things in the presence of an instructor... I will make some local enquiries ...
 
If you want to learn what a 'part' is and does you could look at one of the many 'starter kits' and tutorials? Like learn.sparkfun.com or bitsbox.co.uk etc.
Just google something like electronic projects for beginners...

There are loads of Velleman kits if you want to practice soldering skills. Or cheaper trawl through ebay for simple power supply, LED clocks, pre amps etc. from China.

Back in the day 50s to 80s Practical Electronics and Wireless were good for beginners, sadly the hobby and magazines have changed. You will need to use the web...

Tools: A cheap multi meter and a good set of test leads. A few leads with insulated croc clips at each end. A magnifying glass is useful depending on your age.
A good 15 / 18 watt soldering iron (Antex or similar), get one with the most flexible lead you can afford and a heavy stand. You will need a pair of side cutters and a solder sucker might be useful.
If you don't have them already, a few screw drivers and long nose pliers etc.

I'm sure others will be along with advice and experience, Alan
 
Tools: A cheap multi meter and a good set of test leads. A few leads with insulated croc clips at each end. A magnifying glass is useful depending on your age.
A good 15 / 18 watt soldering iron (Antex or similar), get one with the most flexible lead you can afford and a heavy stand. You will need a pair of side cutters and a solder sucker might be useful.
If you don't have them already, a few screw drivers and long nose pliers etc.

Thank-you - having spent the morning watching a number of well-presented and informative videos, eventually my eyes glazed over and I fell into a coma...

All I want to do is as described in Post 1, SO I do indeed need to learn how to use a multi meter, acquire the other tools you kindly mention (def including the magnifying glass - I am of the "60 is the new 40" generation*), open up one of my lesser amps & get someone who does know what they are doing to help me do it.

Sort of "You check the capacitors like this"
"You desolder a faulty one like this and reinstall the new one like this"

* but mostly it just feels like 60...
 
I second davidsrb's book recommendation - it's an excellent introduction to electronics for the audio enthusiast and really readable if you have no prior knowledge.

Starting with a simple rebuild project like your crossover is a very good idea; the only comment I'd add is that for such larger components, a 30w iron is well-worth having - more power means you need less time with it pressed to the pcb to do make/unmake the joint, and that tends to make for less risk damage than using an under-powered iron! (overheating parts and the pcb, which can make the tracks come away with the part)

Have fun, try a search here (there have been book recommendation threads before) and feel free to ask any questions - most of us started just where you are :)
 
What is the minimum amount of equipment needed, please, & can anyone recommend suitable online resources / other educational materials ? I'm not in UK, so cannot attend a hands on course (I live near Amsterdam, NL, & don't speak technical Dutch).

I suggest you join our hackerspace/club in western Amsterdam. While many of us are Dutch, the "working language" is English. We have lots of members who are more than happy to help with advice, and we do "basic electronics" tutorials every now and then.

We have an open social evening every Wednesday, so feel free to drop in and check us out.

I do have to warn that while many of our members are into both hardware and software, many are also activists for privacy, open source and freedom of speech.

https://technologia-incognita.nl/
 
Thank-you so much, Julf.

I intend to be there on Wednesday - I know that location (I will drive in from Abcoude).

Interesting warning ;)

Edit : daughter home late from school today and I am in single-parent mode... hoping to get there next week...
 
In addition to the above good advice there are some really good small textbooks by Bernard babani publishing, they cover small areas in simple language and discuss subjects like "how to use a multimeter to test electric circuits".
 
I do remember one electronics lecturer referring to Practical Wireless to being as much good as Practical Boa Constrictor when it comes to learning the subject properly.
Still it was helpful in building pirate medium wave transmitters thanks to a certain Mr Rayer.
 
I do have to warn that while many of our members are into both hardware and software, many are also activists for privacy, open source and freedom of speech.

https://technologia-incognita.nl/

I finally got down to Technologia Incognita yesterday evening : it was all going so well until I mentioned Julf's name* :D

I'm going to put my name down for alerts for any relevant educational events that may occur (for example, apparently there's someone who gives a great soldering mini-course there when he's travels through Amsterdam).

In the meantime, I thought I'd build myself a basic chip amp from a diy kit : perhaps one of those amps designed for use in a Rpi setup... any recommendations, please ? Really simple, "DIY amp for Dummies" level. I saw some clear acrylic-cased units awhile back somewhere.

* only kidding, the regulars seem to know you well - thanks for the intro.
 
Have a look at the KMTech LM3886 kits on ebay. Two amp boards and a rectifier board won't set you back much at all and will be easy to put together.
 
I finally got down to Technologia Incognita yesterday evening : it was all going so well until I mentioned Julf's name* :D

I should have warned you :)

In the meantime, I thought I'd build myself a basic chip amp from a diy kit : perhaps one of those amps designed for use in a Rpi setup... any recommendations, please ? Really simple, "DIY amp for Dummies" level. I saw some clear acrylic-cased units awhile back somewhere.

If you want to use it with a RPi, the easiest is of course something with both DAC and amp combined on a RPi extension card - something like the Hifiberry Amp+. For a stand-alone amp, just go to amazon and look for class D amps (sorted cheapest first).
 


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