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Getting up to speed

Doppleganger
Doppleganger over 3 years ago

Morning

Temporarily retired Canadian here. Ive been trying to teach myself some basic electronics, mostly for a hobby but if i feel confident ill go back to the local college in the fall. Unfortunately ive been getting jammed up on the math. Numbers weren't a huge priority when i was a kid, so sadly im really far behind. Does anyone know of a reliable site to learn electronics specific math, and schematics while im at it, should probably get better at that too before i start melting too many things.

Doppleganger

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  • Doppleganger
    Doppleganger over 3 years ago

    Thanks everyone for the welcome. For those that asked about temporary retirement, i left my last job with the intention of taking a few years off to learn a new trade. Admittedly its going slower than i anticipated, but progress is happening. 

    I appreciate everyones response and im slowly getting through all you suggestions of videos, forthcoming books, web links et al.

    While i have everyones attention, where do i buy parts? I do have an electronics store in town, but they seem to cater to Bell employees and their needs. Amazon is bunk, either they don't have what i need, have 3 month shipping, or an outrageous markup. Is there a goto site for bits and bobs of the electronic variety?

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  • shabaz
    shabaz over 3 years ago in reply to Doppleganger

    If you're learning and want to experiment, then these three kits of components are very good (saves a lot compared to buying the parts individually):

    Resistor kit

    Ceramic capacitor kit

    Electrolytic capacitor kit

    They are parts kits available from Newark, prepared by Velleman, they are of decent quality, and low-cost. I've purchased these kits at least a couple of times in the past and still use them, they are perfect for beginners and for prototyping stuff up on a breadboard quickly. I can't buy these parts cheaper individually, and they will all mostly get used, so there's no waste.

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  • shabaz
    shabaz over 3 years ago in reply to Doppleganger

    If you're learning and want to experiment, then these three kits of components are very good (saves a lot compared to buying the parts individually):

    Resistor kit

    Ceramic capacitor kit

    Electrolytic capacitor kit

    They are parts kits available from Newark, prepared by Velleman, they are of decent quality, and low-cost. I've purchased these kits at least a couple of times in the past and still use them, they are perfect for beginners and for prototyping stuff up on a breadboard quickly. I can't buy these parts cheaper individually, and they will all mostly get used, so there's no waste.

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  • anniel747
    anniel747 over 3 years ago in reply to shabaz

    Yes, I'm talking 500 same value. I'm certain hobbyists only use a few values out of those kits.

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  • shabaz
    shabaz over 3 years ago in reply to anniel747

    I've not seen them cheaper at Farnell (unless it's per-part but purchased in much larger quantities), especially the wire-ended ceramic capacitors, which are quite expensive now. Maybe it's cheaper at Newark, or other suppliers? I've seen lots of packs of generic resistors/capacitors etc on Amazon/eBay, but I don't know what I'm getting if I buy that. The Velleman parts kits have been the same for at least a decade. 

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  • anniel747
    anniel747 over 3 years ago in reply to shabaz

    Those generic parts are cheaper individually in same quantity. About 1/3 the price for same quality. 

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