BOOKS FOR AN ELECTRONICS DUMBASS??

[daddywinz]

electronics make my brain melt.
i'm a mechanic, contractor, and even a house electrician, but the magic in computers escapes me.
i have friends & family that know it well, but i can't afford them, and wouldn't want to be a burden.

i'm ramping up for being an arcade collector, but i really need reference books to bring me up to speed.

i've started a wish list on amazon, but any insight would help.

thanks, fellow geeks,
kevin

[iankellogg]

what kind of things do you specifically want to learn? For most issues with arcade boards a lot of the mechanical approaches you are familiar with probably will carry over quite well.

if you want to learn how to read schematics https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-read-a-schematic is a good place to start.

if you want to learn more of the physics of electronics, such as how current and voltage work. there is a whole course at KHAN that would be helpful https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/electricity-and-magnetism

Those two things will help you understand at least the very basics of electronics. Always feel free to post questions here and someone will reply to you.

[daddywinz]

well, i won't be repairing any boards, unless there's a picture tutorial.
mostly i need to understand the function of all components, so i can diagnose and replace.
REMOVE & REPLACE and spit n polish will be my methods.

as far as electronics theory, i get it, but i lack the attention span to finish tracing a circuit and remembering why i started tracing it.
  seriously. 

i think i'll start with several i've seen on amazon.  they'll at least get me familiar with terms and brand nuances.
aside from that, i really need to just peel into some cabinets.

[iankellogg]

It sounds like you want to learn about logic gates.  Since everything else is going to be more technical than you want to devote time to.
http://www.skot9000.com/ttl/

That website has basically every data sheet for 7400 series logic chips. These cover a solid 90%+ of chips found on pre early 90s games.

[John's Arcade]

Best book ever. I love it:

http://www.radioshack.com/getting-started-in-electronics-book/6200100.html#.VJJNB2TF9Ns

It hasn't changed in 30 years either. it's amazing.

nice review of it with some pictures:

http://mightyohm.com/blog/2008/12/the-greatest-electronics-book-ever-written/

[lesoleil70]

Good thread, could be a sticky.

[offset]

+1  I read this book so many times as a kid.

Best book ever. I love it:

http://www.radioshack.com/getting-started-in-electronics-book/6200100.html#.VJJNB2TF9Ns

It hasn't changed in 30 years either. it's amazing.

nice review of it with some pictures:

http://mightyohm.com/blog/2008/12/the-greatest-electronics-book-ever-written/

[offset]

Found this free pdf on soldering

"Soldering is Easy"
http://mightyohm.com/soldercomic/

[daddywinz]

excellent.  thank you all.
i did save the list of 7400 logic chips, but i noticed my eyes crossed pretty quick when i'd actually look at it's contents.
i ordered the book about beginner's electronics, and i look forward to getting into a new field of study.
thanks for the little soldering comic, too.

hey, is tracing an unknown problem on a pcb done all the time?
seems like i'd stare at it for about 6 hours, then guess wrong.
perhaps more will become clear after some reading.

kevin

[iankellogg]

Of course tracing issues on pcbs are done all the time.  It's what I do every day.

[daddywinz]

i meant by dumbasses, like me.
i can read and understand diagrams and pcb gadgetry, but if there's any magic going on in those square insects and round firecrackers, ...i'm out.

also, a library sticky would be great.
electronics, yes, but also good collector's/evaluation books.
heck, maybe even the Hardy Boys: Trouble at the Arcade!  or not.

[yocke]

Wish I could buy that book John recommended in Japan, but I kind find it for a reasonable price!!
！(◎_◎;)