electronics nerds??

gamerdude1989 · 4 Sep 2016 at 03:07

guys, i really need help..
What seams to be simple to others, I cannot get my head around schematics..

I am very good at soldering etc, and can reliably use multi-meters, esr meters etc, i just cannot read schematics!

please please please, could someone please simplify this down for me?

i have ordered the 555 timers in sockets, but really dont know how to read the schematics as to what to do..

thanks

banja · 4 Sep 2016 at 03:34

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

horseunderwater · 4 Sep 2016 at 04:31

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-read-a-schematic this should help

m3csl2004 · 4 Sep 2016 at 09:05

What specifically do you need help with? Do you know what the components are? Do you know which pins/leads on the components relate to their schematic counterparts? Are you building on Strip-board? Breadboard? PCB?

My general advice for simplifying this, without more information, is to split it into 3 sections:

The first 555 (Carrier signal generator).
The second 555 (Modulation signal generator).
Everything after (Output section).

This method allows you to build section 1 of the circuit, and test it, confirm it is functioning, before moving on. This always improves my confidence in my build, and my knowledge of the circuit.

If you understand what your signal should look like at the key parts throughout the circuit, fault finding is much more rewarding. You could easily simulate this circuit in SPICE.

Good luck!

Kronos · 4 Sep 2016 at 10:38

banja said:
Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Brizzles · 4 Sep 2016 at 16:53

Don't cut the red wire.

Orionaut · 4 Sep 2016 at 18:13

You do know that Tasers are classified as a firearm!

Jamauk · 4 Sep 2016 at 18:14

Brizzles said:
Don't cut the red wire.

It's a trick, don't cut the green wire, cut the red one.

garsands · 4 Sep 2016 at 18:14

Have you tried opened up the battery cover and rolling the batteries with the tips of your fingers.

Rroff · 4 Sep 2016 at 18:18

As m3csl2004 said you want to break it down to each discrete functional section.

I dislike schematics generally - I usually just reassemble them as something that makes sense to me bit by bit starting with the power supply section in ExpressPCB - not necessarily as a PCB layout just as a layout that I can use to get my head around everything.

HoneyBadger · 4 Sep 2016 at 18:19

I assume you found that diagram from a crashed ship at Roswell?

FloppyPoppy · 4 Sep 2016 at 18:59

Orionaut said:
You do know that Tasers are classified as a firearm!

^

Rroff · 4 Sep 2016 at 19:09

@OP are you building this on etched/multilayer PCB or prototype/strip board? prototype board can take a bit of practise to really build stuff well on :S

Orionaut said:
You do know that Tasers are classified as a firearm!

I believe in this case it is "intended" for pain relief.

SickAsAParrot · 4 Sep 2016 at 21:20

Careful of that transformer, it may be a robot in disguise.

gamerdude1989 · 4 Sep 2016 at 23:10

m3csl2004 said:
What specifically do you need help with? Do you know what the components are? Do you know which pins/leads on the components relate to their schematic counterparts? Are you building on Strip-board? Breadboard? PCB?

My general advice for simplifying this, without more information, is to split it into 3 sections:

The first 555 (Carrier signal generator).
The second 555 (Modulation signal generator).
Everything after (Output section).

This method allows you to build section 1 of the circuit, and test it, confirm it is functioning, before moving on. This always improves my confidence in my build, and my knowledge of the circuit.

If you understand what your signal should look like at the key parts throughout the circuit, fault finding is much more rewarding. You could easily simulate this circuit in SPICE.

Good luck!

its not the symbols i have an issue with, i know those, and know what components are.. capacitors, resistors, etc etc..
I just dont know how to follow a schematic

Like for instance.. there are lines that connect with a black circle, i dont know what that means.

i will be building it on a breadboard mate

cheers

Rroff · 4 Sep 2016 at 23:15

If lines cross with a circle it usually means they connect - if they just cross (which I hate as sometimes it means someone might have forgotten to include a connection) or one has a _/\_ shape over the other then they normally don't connect at the intersection.

Its handy to have the datasheet for the ICs to hand as well to give you a guide to the pinout. You are also gonna have to familiarise yourself with the pinout for the pots and how they correspond to the schematic.

Tefal · 4 Sep 2016 at 23:20

gamerdude1989 said:
its not the symbols i have an issue with, i know those, and know what components are.. capacitors, resistors, etc etc..
I just dont know how to follow a schematic

Like for instance.. there are lines that connect with a black circle, i dont know what that means.

i will be building it on a breadboard mate

cheers

The black circle means they are connected.

The little "arch" where 2 cross means they arent connected.

Tefal · 4 Sep 2016 at 23:21

You building an Estim device for your sex dungeon?

Rroff · 4 Sep 2016 at 23:25

^^ I believe the circuit is for a TENS machine (EDIT: Is that any different to an estim device?

)

Tefal · 4 Sep 2016 at 23:30

Rroff said:
^^ I believe the circuit is for a TENS machine (EDIT: Is that any different to an estim device? )

Basically the same thing, programable tens machines get turned into estim devices often as its easier than building one.

Often youll hook up one electrode to the person and youll hold the other so your finger/orher body part compeltes the circuit when you touch them so they get the tingle/shock from you

Used to know a guy who worked for BAE system who used to build really really good ones (all differnt wave forms/frequencies etc) that where nicely compact too