Ducati Monster Forum

Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: Billyzoom on June 09, 2012, 11:03:11 AM

Title: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: Billyzoom on June 09, 2012, 11:03:11 AM
I really have no excuse for going this long without having learned this...

I want to get an understanding of basic electronics (understanding the basic concepts, understanding wiring diagrams, soldering, etc.)  I'm primarily interested in being able to do electronics work on my electric guitars, and eventually perhaps on effects and amps. 

I'd also like to have my motorcycle electronics system make sense to me and be able to troubleshoot things.

I have spare time, but I have an unpredictable work schedule that would make it tough to do something like take a community college class. 

Any recommendations?  Thanks for your help.   
Title: Re: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: ducatiz on June 09, 2012, 11:24:29 AM
http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Idiots-Guide-Electronics/dp/1615640959 (http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Idiots-Guide-Electronics/dp/1615640959)

very good basic guide.
Title: Re: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: brimo on June 09, 2012, 02:34:53 PM
Being a qualified Electrical/Electronics type, I get asked this quite often by people I work with, the Instructables series is pretty good
http://www.instructables.com/id/Basic-Electronics/ (http://www.instructables.com/id/Basic-Electronics/)

I am also more than happy to answer any questions you might have. It has been a very rewarding career for me.
Title: Re: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: ducatiz on June 09, 2012, 04:48:12 PM
Quote from: brimo on June 09, 2012, 02:34:53 PM
I am also more than happy to answer any questions you might have. It has been a very rewarding career for me.

It's not shocking that you get such a charge out of it then..
Title: Re: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: brimo on June 09, 2012, 11:14:20 PM
Quote from: ducatiz on June 09, 2012, 04:48:12 PM
It's not shocking that you get such a charge out of it then..

Don't start me on electrical puns, you'll never win, I can do that 'til the cows come ohm. Resistance is futile.
Title: Re: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on June 09, 2012, 11:26:24 PM
Guys could we keep this thread grounded, please?
Title: Re: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: ducatiz on June 09, 2012, 11:51:28 PM
Quote from: brimo on June 09, 2012, 11:14:20 PM
Don't start me on electrical puns, you'll never win, I can do that 'til the cows come ohm. Resistance is futile.


Watt makes you say that?  Don't tell me it hertz to hear. 

Quote from: Dwead Piwate Woberts on June 09, 2012, 11:26:24 PM
Guys could we keep this thread grounded, please?

...and I was getting all amped up!   :(
Title: Re: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: Howie on June 10, 2012, 04:58:00 AM
Here is an excellent, even if it is dated, beginner book
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3137551/Radio-Shack-Basic-Electronics# (http://www.scribd.com/doc/3137551/Radio-Shack-Basic-Electronics#)

Hope you find the book to be positive and well grounded.

Title: Re: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: sno_duc on June 15, 2012, 05:38:54 PM
I'll give you a key concept.
All electrical/electronic components, big or small, simple or complex are full of Magic Smoke.
If the magic smoke ever leaks out, the device ceases to function.


back on topic, look for a good book on op-amps. I've built alot of electric guitar accessories using op-amps. (overdriving one gives great "fuzz")
Title: Re: Recommendations on understanding basic electronics/electrical concepts?
Post by: JohnEE on June 21, 2012, 11:01:50 AM
^^^^ sno_duc is very right about the magic smoke


http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Art-of-Electronics-Paul-Horowitz/e/9780521370950?r=1&cm_mmc=Google%20Product%20Search-_-Q000000630-_-Art%20of%20Electronics-_-9780521370950 (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Art-of-Electronics-Paul-Horowitz/e/9780521370950?r=1&cm_mmc=Google%20Product%20Search-_-Q000000630-_-Art%20of%20Electronics-_-9780521370950)

That is what i use as a reference book as a EE. It starts off very simply and starts building on that. Very good book. Covers almost everything you would ever need.