Where a Noob Should Start - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SuperShermanTanker
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 09:31:20 pm
content: All this electrical stuff looks like a mountian to a beginner but I think I'm up to the challange does anyone know where to start. I already know how to build a PC and I am almost done taking my pre calc class in high school so any advice or ideas?

author: Aodhan145
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 09:49:05 pm
content: Start with the basics like ohms law, basic transistor circuits there are a lot of websites and youtube videos for learning electronics which are a valuable resource. If you are into books the Art of Electronics is always praised around these forums but I cannot vouch for it as I have not read it myself.As for as components go pick up some nice kits of transistors, resistors, LEDs, capacitors, diodes, breadboards and jumpers from ebay as they are quite cheap. Pick up some 555 timers and maybe a couple of op-amps and some 4xxx series logic as you need it. Micros can be a nice start coming from a PC background. Arduino is a nice micro environment to begin on for its simplicity and the clones are so cheap ( If your not one for buying genuine ones ). With all of these you should be able to make any simple circuits you find on the internet, beyond that what ever else you will need you will know you need it for a specific purpose so you can pick it up.Kits like this are nice and cheap and come with the majority of things you may need.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELECTRONIC-COMPONENTS-2000-PCS-KIT-FOR-BEGINNERS-STUDENTS-GCSE-ESENTIALS-/151417641781?hash=item234131db35:g:EQkAAOSw5VFWMqNXYou might not need mainy tools to begin with with basic breadboard circuits you can use usb for a powersupply. You may need some wire strippers, wire cutters and some nice pliers.I do recommend you get a multi meter and a soldering iron. A cheap one of each will do for the beginning just dont go near the mains with a cheap multimeter and actually dont go near the mains at all when you are still beginning stick to things like phone chargers as powersupplies. A bench powersupply is a valuable resource, the cheapest way to get one is to mod a shit PC power supply and there are thousands of videos out there on how to do that which would be a decent project for you to try.Thats all I can think of off the top of my head, I hope you find this useful.

author: SuperShermanTanker
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 09:57:09 pm
content: Thanks I will definately find this useful do you know of any good cheap meters and soldering irons?

author: Aodhan145
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 10:42:42 pm
content: Quote from: SuperShermanTanker on May 30, 2016, 09:57:09 pmExtech EX330https://www.amazon.co.uk/Instruments-EX330-12-Function-Multi-Meter-Non-Contact/dp/B000EX0AE4This meter is full of all the functions you will need and is safe enough for what ever you will be doing. It won Dave's $50 multimeter shootout.Mjlorton has a lot of meter reviews on his channel if you want to look for one your self.https://www.youtube.com/user/mjlortonSoldering Irons depend. When you first start you may not be soldering much and a simple mains iron may do. When you start soldering a lot more you will have to consider a real station. These can vary in price widely. For a cheap station ~$60 a 936 clone is always recommended by people on the forum but I have not used one my self. Ebay is full of them.These tools are budget ones they can get the job done with no big investment. there are some nicer thing just above this price range but a beginner would not really need such things and if you do go further then you will be beginning to invest more and will know what you want.