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Introduce Yourself
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Topic starter
2020-10-18 10:35 pm
Hello to all of you,
I know very little about electronics, I would love to know more. I am retired now and it is time to try learn a little for fun and enjoyment. Maybe actually combined with mechanics I can build something that would give me a lot of satisfaction - I also need to learn about mechanics..!..but this will add to the fun hopefully. I am looking forward to the journey, Thank you for providing the opportunity.
magic wand
2020-10-20 7:38 pm
Welcome aboard!
Topic starter
2020-11-02 12:03 am
Thanks, as a complete novice I am not sure where to start first - there is just so much. I think I need some really basic electronic learning and then maybe return here. I ordered an Arduino Uno and a sensor kit that arrived the other day, it reminded me of my first PC computer years ago. When it arrived I couldn't wait to unpack it, then, when I did I didn't know what to do and just sat looking at it. I got there eventually, and hopefully I'll do the same with electronics.
P.S. Any suggestions on a beginners subject/project/lesson would be very much appreciated.
This post was modified 3 years ago by magic wand
2020-11-02 2:57 pm
Thanks, as a complete novice I am not sure where to start first - there is just so much. I think I need some really basic electronic learning and then maybe return here. I ordered an Arduino Uno and a sensor kit that arrived the other day, it reminded me of my first PC computer years ago. When it arrived I couldn't wait to unpack it, then, when I did I didn't know what to do and just sat looking at it. I got there eventually, and hopefully I'll do the same with electronics.
P.S. Any suggestions on a beginners subject/project/lesson would be very much appreciated.
Hello magic_wand 🙂
Though I am not retired yet, I am on a very similar boat as you - a 50 year old who knows only soldering and recognition of some schematic components.
I have been following the very basics of Arduino from YouTube. I have been following Paul McWhorter's lessons on YouTube. There are two series - an older one and a revised and updated one. I completed the First Series - gave me an idea of what actually the UNO is and what are the capabilites. And then, presently I am going through the updated/new series.
Oh and in between, once I had finished the first series, I started reading and watching the DroneBotWorkshop's channel as well (sort of advanced learning, but having understood some about UNO, it all makes sense).
For my Basic Electronics lessons, I am still trying to find time (amidst my work, my 4 year old daughter, Arduino Lessons) to follow up Instructables - https://www.instructables.com/class/Electronics-Class/
I hope all of this along with the community here, it all can make sense.
Welcome Aboard.
Life is exploring and learning
2020-11-02 5:22 pm
Hi Magic Wand. Starting with an Arduino is an excellent choice. You will be introduced to electronics, breadboarding, and Arduino C language programing. Installing the Arduino Integrated Developer Environment (IDE) and USB driver software on your computer is the first step. Be sure to visit the Arduino web site ( https://www.arduino.cc/) for resources. Are you new to programming? The Arduino community is large, and there is a lot of information on the web. Did your kit come with a book? There are several great project books available. There are also many types of Arduinos. I have an Uno board with the ATmega328P microcontroller and another that came with the Elegoo starter kit with the Mega2560. What board to you have?
ZoolanderMicro, where small ideas are a big deal
2020-11-02 7:27 pm
P.S. Any suggestions on a beginners subject/project/lesson would be very much appreciated.
My journey teaching myself electronics started when I was still a teenager. I ended up with many electronic books because back then there was no internet. After building my first electronic computer kit I became hooked on programming as well. The Arduino combines both subjects.
I noticed in the tutorial suggested by Sid they use a ball analogy to explain electronic concepts and measurements. Personally I found water in pipes the best way for me to visualize electronic circuits when I first started. The little introduction booklet that came with my first Arduino kit uses the water analogy. "Getting Started with Arduino", Massimo Banzi co-founder of Arduino.
An Arduino can essentially be thought of as a programmable electronic chip that you can use as a component in an electronic circuit just as you might use any other electronic chip.
You can do a formal electronics course or you can learn electronics in stages with each new project.
Topic starter
2020-11-08 12:31 am
Thanks very much for your replies, they really are very helpful for me. Robot builder, I get your point with water, I also find it easier to imagine the electrical flow in my mind using this method. If it does have a flaw I think it's that amps are often took as volume of electricity due to the 'current flow' example/explanation - instead of watts. But there you go, its not easy to show the path of electricity clearly in all situations, in particular, where that path of resistance is compromised with additional conductive 'mass'
The kit contained a generic Arduino called Sainsmart. I did send for another two Uno boards but the tutorial board shows R3 printed on it - both of mine just show 'Arduino Uno'
Zoolander, the boards I have are - 1/ Sainsmart Uno - came with the kit.
boards 2 and 3 are identical in bearing the name Arduino Uno, but no R3 is showing as in the video tutorial.