Source hardware getting started

[Camboui]

Hi all,

I'd like to make some projects, but need to get started.
Where and how could I start to "learn" electronics ? (I assume there are dedicated forum)

Where to purchase components ?
I know digikey, farnell, rs-components.
Any ohers ? (findchips.com ?)
I'm in EU, so US based may not be interesting (shipping, customs...).
Maybe there are smart vendors in Asia with free or small shipping cost (components are almost all made there anyway).

How to draw PCBs ? (in 5min )
Who could make them ?
Can I draw a PNG, send it to some maker, and then recieve a 1/64 pcb (0.4mm) or thinner if I like ? (I saw 0.13mm exists )

Finally, how to assemble SMD ?
How to solder those, mainly exposed pads that are under ICs for example ?

Thanks !

I plan to purchase this as a very first start
http://www.goodluckbuy.com/smd-componen ... s-kit.html

[rperkins]

Hi
You have asked for a lifetime of information

How do you eat an elephant ???
One bite at a time

seriously though
It would probably help to mention what your goal is and your current experience level.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic ... automation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_grid_array
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0 ... sor&_frs=1
http://www.seeedstudio.com/service/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law

[Camboui]

I extended 4ch analog transmitters to 6ch, I played with 4000 cmos series, I did motor controllers with NE544 and BUZ11 fets, etc.
I also still have a working Hameg scope.
PCB drawn by hand on paper, 2.54mm pitch stripboards.
Selfmade in the 80's...
That's my summary as an amateur

Today, to start, I'm auto-suggesting to make a regulator based on the adp2303:
http://www.analog.com/static/imported-f ... 2_2303.pdf
See from page 18 and above, mainly page 22, pcb suggested.
It's all there, including recommended components from Murata, Vishay, Sumida, etc.

I just installed and tried Eagle Editor for pcb. I didn't find the Analog Devices ADP2303 chip though, so I'm already stopped.

That's not eating an elephant, more like eating an anchovy IMO
Or I'm completely off, you tell me.

[Rob Thomson]

Why not start playing with arduino?

It is a good starting block.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Camboui]

I thought that. It's like lego mindstorms, but more advanced.
Later.

For now I'd like to make my own pcb, preciselly voltage and current regulators (current is for LED).
As said, one based on ADP2303.
Is there a PCB design software easier and simpler than Eagle ?

[rperkins]

i bought some variations of these for my parts bin

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Mini-DC-DC- ... 53fdd7d640

most of the time I will take something already built and modify it for my needs as opposed to designing from scratch.

i've never tried eagle. generating a schematic in gschem is as far as I have gotten.

I have heard of the toner method for generating simple pcb, and have seen videos of the hot plate method for reflowing smd parts. I havent accomplished either.

and you are right. We have reduced the elephant to a more manageable size

[jhsa]

I also still have a working Hameg scope.

I have an Hameg too.. It's a Hameg 312 dual channel.. And I have another one even older, single channel.

João

[Camboui]

i bought some variations of these for my parts bin
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Mini-DC-DC- ... 53fdd7d640

Great !
It's the same as this one
http://www.goodluckbuy.com/mini-size-3a ... lator.html
but your source seems even cheaper

Others similar
http://dx.com/p/dc-4-75-24v-to-dc-0-92- ... lue-151065
http://www.goodluckbuy.com/fulree-2503- ... odule.html

[Camboui]

Whoaa, and I like the one in the middle:


Which is it ?

[Camboui]

Replying myself, I found these smaller footprints
http://www.ebay.com/itm/mini-DC-DC-Conv ... 162wt_1077
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Mini-DC-D ... 862wt_1360

[rperkins]

The one on the very right looks familiar also.
For awhile I just cruised ebay and bought whatever I thought looked cool and was within my price range. It almost became a hobby in itself collecting them. Usually if I add headers to them then they will fit in a breadboard , and I can work up whatever I am attempting to learn about.

Here is where I took a HK 3.3v BEC, removed it from its shrink wrap, re-positioned the filter cap, and got it all to fit into a JR module case. Glad the case wasnt clear cause the whole thing isnt that pretty
http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic ... 67&p=27745

If it is something I really need I will get a couple in case one doesnt work. But I have been very impressed that the stuff always works. Usually the spare comes in handy when I ruin the first one though

The arduino platform really ties a bunch of areas of interest together for me. electronics, interacting with the real world via sensors, and programming. The shear amount of software programs (sketches) and libraries make it easy to get up to speed on the software side. The hardware extensions (shields) give you the ability to interact with the real world in a lot of ways. The programming environment is java based and works in linux. mac, and windows . as you progress in your programming you can take off the training wheels and continue to learn more general programming techniques.

working for a living isnt so bad. It just takes up so much time that my ideals rarely see my reality.

[Camboui]

Maybe the guys who made the MegaSound 9x or the Smarties board could give some hints ?

[Camboui]

Any feedback about these pcb makers ?
-seeedstudio
-OSH park
-printed.cz
-pcb-pool
Or others to suggest.
Thanks.

[rperkins]

I ordered the open workbench logic sniffer and other items from seeedstudio and they delivered as promised. I think they make the logic sniffer for 'Dangerous Prototypes'. I have never used them to create my own pcb though.

[cilek]

Hi camboui, it is good that you are interested in electronics and as a beginner you can use many forums and for small projects I used Electronics4u and for the parts purchasing you can go with the given suppliers and also Mouser is a good option as it provides the parts at relatively low cost. For the PCB designing you can use Eagle as it is best for the simple projects and a lot of guidance is available on google for Eagle so it will be easy for you and after designing you can send the files to PCB manufacturer as they will provide the PCBs at very low cost and even they will assemble the components as SMD soldering is bit difficult so you need some time to learn it.

pcb prototypes