set up eecv vid - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2012, 11:00:31 pm
content: hi ive seen your set up a decent electronics lab although im not where able to afford that atm but i would like to know the absolute basic tools required for a number of different projects i mean like for eg a buzzer, a flashing led a speaker things like also would like to do a number of repairs on old boards etc that i do have a large assortment of hand tools as im an unqualified computer technician and dont have a great deal of funds id say £300 max

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2012, 11:17:33 pm
content: Hello warner,I'd recommend you start off with a mix of components such as this:http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/select.html#starter_kitthats 16 pounds gone.Then go buy yourself a cheap 40W plug in to the wall soldering iron and solder. 20 Pounds.Go to your local hardware store and buy some tools (wire cutters, screwdrivers, etc.) Around 50 pounds.And now you can experiment with electronics.Also ask family and friends to give you their old electronics, and salvage parts from that.

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 12:33:39 am
content: hi mint thank you for that, your a star i do have certain tools mainly for the fact i have a keen interest within computers and electronics otherwise im a self taught computer technician so i have a large selection of screwdrivers, cutters, pliers, tweezers , pin nosed pliers, a multimeter although it is really old going back about 10-12 years i have 2 soldering irons both with different tips although it dont have any variable control plus otehr bits i just want to spend them money i have on useful good products or a good ish lol start up and looking at your susggested website now thank you

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 12:47:15 am
content: You could buy a used Fluke multimeter for under $100 as Dave suggested in his Fluke 87 review video.If you require a soldering station you could invest money into a Hakko FX-888. I bought it recently and I am stunned by the quality of it, it sure is a worthwhile investment.Assuming you do not have a oscilloscope, you can buy a Rigol DS1052, but that will set you back around 280 pounds or so. OR you can pick up a used analog oscilloscope for under 100 pounds.As far as components go, I buy them either from eBay or from Tayda Electronics, it saves you loads of money.

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 01:17:05 am
content: once again thank you mint your a star just looking up your suggestions now but defo need a good soldering station although i dont know if my budget will streght to a osilioscope but well worth a looky lol

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 01:22:15 am
content: Quote from: warner on April 08, 2012, 01:17:05 amI started off with the component kit, and then I built on from then. So start small and just keep buying things as you go along and when you really need them, don't buy everything at once!

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 01:42:39 am
content: that sounds like an excellent idea to me but the main problem in stuggling with the most although im loving the look of the hakko soldering station is the power i know or i should say assume which mean's im normally wrong , that use beginners use batterys, where as im looking at bench power suppies any advise you can give me on that topic maintly due to the fact im terrible when it comes to recharging batteries i always forget lol and prefer both direct and batteries

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 01:53:23 am
content: Well honestly to say, I power my circuits very rarely using batteries. I have built myself an LM317T variable power supply and I just chuck in 12 volts from a wall wart (just a charger with the leads cut off) and it gives me 1.25 volts all the way up to 10.6volts. I was considering buying a bench power supply, but haven't bought one yet. So unfortunately I cannot give you any advice as far as bench power supplies work.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 01:57:57 am
content: Quote from: Mint. on April 08, 2012, 01:53:23 amAnd a big heatsink at full power and minimum voltage ?A simpler one is thishttp://www.dealextreme.com/p/mini-dc-dc-voltage-stabilizer-regulator-module-red-126106

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 02:07:52 am
content: Quote from: Dave.S on April 08, 2012, 01:57:57 amWell honestly, saying I have got a heatsink on it, but the 317 never gets hot, because I am still a beginner and my projects are not that advancedHowever I thank you for the link, I will consider the module for future use

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 02:09:09 am
content: cheers mint i think i would prefer to make my own bench power supply as i would love that lol but is there a power supply that i would be good to buy for a starter well beginner really lol

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 02:11:06 am
content: sorry mint that didnt sink in the first time i read it thats a hell of a good idea

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 02:16:12 am
content: this could be a silly question but how do you get a variable power charger from as i have alot of different chargers but they are all fixed tbh i didnt know they did variable chargers

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 02:24:58 am
content: Quote from: warner on April 08, 2012, 02:16:12 amSorry. I think I made you misunderstand what I said. The thing is si that you do not require a variable charger, just a fixed voltage and then using the LM317T you can regulate that fixed voltage. Here is a schematic:The capacitors are there to remove any ac ripples in the circuit and then the resistors just adjust the voltage of the output and the thing is that you can input 28v or less. Have a look at the data sheet for a bit more info:http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm117.pdf. I found building this circuit really educational and it extended my knowledge in various parts of electronics. Besides reading the data sheet, research on the internet about it, theres heaps of good resources!

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 02:44:49 am
content: thank you very much mint your a star and i was just about to ask if this was any usehttp://www.maplin.co.uk/dc-3-12v-3a-compact-bench-power-supply-96963but yes your right i did mis understand thank you for clarifing and the diagiam is awesome.........god im sooooo looking forward to getting the stuff so i can start my little projects to be able to work on my main project

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 02:59:12 am
content: Don't get hung up on getting the gear first and then "doing" electronics. So long as you aren't testing mains voltages and high currents then a cheap meter is fine! There is an awful lot of snobbery on here about equipment, and I may have Fluke hand helds and a Tek bench meter but 99% of what I do can be done with a £10 meter anyway.

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 03:09:38 am
content: Quote from: Zad on April 08, 2012, 02:59:12 amAgreed

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 12:41:22 pm
content: ive amanged to find a fairly cheapish extech 330 muitimeter from amazon works out about £35 which ive checked out review for and seems pretty good to me lso managed to find a dencentish soldering station from circuit specialists not a hakko but dont seem to sell them in england without ridicious delievery chargers and i have already order a components set from box bits i think its called the place you suggested mint but i am really thankful for all the advise as i would of messed up and got things i dont really need lol but i have every intention of following your advise and i really like this forum some excellent suggestions and ideas i would of never though of using a normal charger and adapting it i think you guys are awesome and would love to keep in touch cheers guys:D

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2012, 12:55:12 pm
content: oh question is it really worth while me getting two although saying that i do have an old one tht should work if i get some new batteries lol

author: eevblogfan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2012, 06:45:07 am
content: heywell , as for a beginner , I think you can use one only no worries , but , for a power measuring , go for 2 of them ( and also for more confidence , you'll be able to compare both against each other to see if there is any drift )as Dave said on the 50$ shootout , buy either of thous :1) Extech EX330 (the winner)2) Amprobe AM220 ( the 2n'd winner )oh , and BTW , I would recommend you watch all Dave's episodes , you'll learn allot .

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2012, 04:20:55 pm
content: thank you mate ive already decided to get the extech ex330 basic on daves multimeter review i just need to find a good soldering station something that is good for a beginner but not too expensive for now ie above 100 quid i would like something i can trust no just somethign that will last a week lol and i have got some new batteries for my old mulitmeter seems to be working ok although not had proper test yet although saying that id would rather test against the multimeter im am playing on buying

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2012, 06:28:47 pm
content: Quote from: warner on April 12, 2012, 04:20:55 pmumm ... Maybe this ?http://www.dealextreme.com/p/hanko-fx-888-70w-soldering-station-ac-220v-126505?item=1

author: Mint.
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2012, 09:05:15 pm
content: Quote from: Dave.S on April 12, 2012, 06:28:47 pmWeren't we just talking on the other forum post that this is a fake Hakko?

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2012, 09:19:18 pm
content: cheers guys althogh i woul dlike to know if its fake or not

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2012, 09:51:15 pm
content: 1) It's been debunked , a similar looking one from aliexpress is a original , so it is . Just that it's made for china market , get it ?

author: warner
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2012, 09:58:26 pm
content: ya i get ya class looks like i will have my first soldering station soonthanks all