How do I learn to repair electronics?
[2] Read electronics textbooks to absorb the fundamentals in your spare time. Scour new and used bookstores for textbooks that deal specifically with the diagnostic and repair aspects of electronics. One of the major advantages of textbooks is that they present a thorough overview of important ideas.
Is it possible to learn electronics at home?
However, it’s also possible to teach yourself the fundamentals at home using helpful resources like textbooks, magazines, and video tutorials, along with some good old-fashioned tinkering. Tinker with different devices for a firsthand look at electronics in action. There’s no better way to master a technical craft than to get your hands dirty.
Is it possible to build your own electronics from scratch?
As your knowledge grows, you can play around with modifying, upgrading, and switching out components, which will serve as a valuable introduction to building your own electronics from scratch. Think of figuring out how things function as solving a puzzle.
How do you restore vintage electronics?
0:0223:43#25: A few tips for working on vintage electronics - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn this video we're going to talk about several things to be aware of when working on and restoringMoreIn this video we're going to talk about several things to be aware of when working on and restoring vintage electronics all of this information is available in different places in books and magazines.
How do you fix vintage radio equipment?
4:2916:09Vintage Stereo Repair - The Parts And Tools Needed To Fix Old Audio ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWorking on vintage audio equipment. Please don't and consult a professional to do vintage audioMoreWorking on vintage audio equipment. Please don't and consult a professional to do vintage audio repair. You need a good soldering iron. First. I've had this Jaco 808 for many years works.
How do you fix vintage audio?
9:3230:27Repairing Vintage Audio Equipment. Solid State & Tube. How ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWorks the first thing that you should do is to go to hifiengine.com and download the service manual.MoreWorks the first thing that you should do is to go to hifiengine.com and download the service manual. For your particular piece of equipment.
How do you recap a vintage receiver?
8:4110:17Six Common Mistakes Made When Recapping Vintage ElectronicsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGo in maybe recap the power supply then hook the unit up make sure it still. Works then go recap theMoreGo in maybe recap the power supply then hook the unit up make sure it still. Works then go recap the preamp. Board make sure it still works go repaint recap one of the driver.
How much does it cost to restore a vintage receiver?
A modern receiver with that level of sound quality is near impossible to find at that price. But a vintage receiver in need of repair will run you about 30 bucks, and can be brought back to better-than-factory condition for about 50 to 70 dollars, plus a couple hours of your time.
How do I fix my stereo receiver?
How to Fix a Stereo Receiver That's Not Making SoundCheck the power. Ensure that all plugs are firmly seated in their respective sockets because sometimes a plug can slip out halfway and not draw power. ... Check the speaker/source selection. ... Check the speaker wires. ... Check the speakers. ... Check the source components.
What can you do with old amplifiers?
Stereo amplifiers count as electronic equipment. As a result, they should be recycled with other e-waste such as computers, televisions, cell phones and electronic toys. Best Buy accepts audio equipment for recycling at many of its stores. You do not have to purchase a new item before recycling your old one.
What can I do with an old stereo receiver?
How to Recycle Your AV GearLeave it on the street next to your trash cans on trash day. ... Throw it in the dumpster at work. ... Dump it behind the nearest Goodwill and drive away before they see you. ... Utilize local recycling centers – Check your city or town's website for a list of e-waste recycling centers.More items...•
How do you connect vintage stereo equipment?
0:097:39A Beginners Guide To Vintage Electronics, HOW TO TutorialYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipToday we're taking a beginner's look at how to set up some vintage hi-fi equipment if you're aMoreToday we're taking a beginner's look at how to set up some vintage hi-fi equipment if you're a beginner.
Are vintage receivers worth it?
Yes, it will cost you. They're obviously a better value for someone who knows how to do the repairs himself. Otherwise, the true savings might not amount to much, given that modern 2-channel receivers start a bit over $100 and refurbed AVRs probably under $200.
Can I replace a capacitor with a higher uF in amplifier?
Mostly, yes, if the bigger one will fit, and the voltage rating is the same or higher.
How do you make a vintage component sing again?
How to Make a Vintage Component Sing AgainA vintage Marantz Model 1060.Ripple before adding a storage capacitor.Ripple after adding a storage capacitor.A first order low pass filter commonly used in power supplies.A bulged and leaky electrolytic capacitor.Heater supply in an Audio Research D51 power amplifier.
How do you clean an old radio tuner?
4:285:28Quick tip: cleaning a noisy FM tuning condenser - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically you can do a brief RF touch-up for the FM.MoreBasically you can do a brief RF touch-up for the FM.
How do you fix an old amp?
2:2517:52How To Restore an Old Power Amplifier from 1977 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI begin by opening up the unit to see what kind of capacitors are in there so i can order the rightMoreI begin by opening up the unit to see what kind of capacitors are in there so i can order the right ones as well as to see if there's any physical damage to the unit.
How do old radios work?
Radio works by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves. The radio signal is an electronic current moving back and forth very quickly. A transmitter radiates this field outward via an antenna; a receiver then picks up the field and translates it to the sounds heard through the radio.
Do tube radios still work?
Even though they're ancient by today's standards, these old tube radios can almost always be brought back to life, and there's still plenty of broadcasts out there for them to receive!
What are the problems with old receivers?
These issues stem from the limited lifespan of certain components. Three main issues are:#N#Old capacitors: electrolytic and paper capacitors degrade with age. Paper capacitors tend to change their values, while electrolytics break down chemically and essentially turn into a resistor. When power is put through them, they heat up, boil the liquids inside, and go boom. For this reason NEVER PLUG IN AN OLD RECEIVER RIGHT AWAY. Capacitors have a shelf life of anywhere from 10 to 30 years, but a usable life of 1000 to 5000 hours, depending on application and quality. For those reasons it can be assumed a receiver from the 1970s has bad capacitors.#N#Scratchy controls: the potentiometers that control volume, balance, and EQ need maintenance to function properly that almost was certainly never done. Dirt collects inside of the pots and wipers and traces (depending on material) corrode. Also, the lubricant inside the pot can gunk up with use and needs to be cleaned out and reapplied. If a bad pot is turned, the audio from the speaker often crackles and pops, or even cuts out. While the effect of a bad pot is dramatic, often a cleaning is all it needs and that is easy enough.#N#Blown bulbs: most receivers that fall into the vintage category preceded widespread use of LEDs. For this reason, small incandescent bulbs were the source of illumination. Being incandescent, they burn out over time. Thankfully, replacement is easy if you can find a bulb, but if you can't an LED conversion is possible.
Why are vintage receivers better than modern receivers?
They use high quality materials (often all metal) and wood too. Sound quality: vintage receivers often have very low harmonic distortion that often rivals modern receivers.
How long do capacitors last?
Capacitors have a shelf life of anywhere from 10 to 30 years, but a usable life of 1000 to 5000 hours, depending on application and quality. For those reasons it can be assumed a receiver from the 1970s has bad capacitors.
How to clean a potentiometer?
One is the more drastic method of opening it up and using a pencil eraser to clean the carbon contacts, remove corrosion from the wiper, lubricate and reassemble.
What is the role of an amplifier in an audio system?
The amplifier in an audio system serves as the central command unit in a way, as it takes the audio from the source, amplifies it, and sends it to the speakers. A receiver, or integrated amplifier, is even more involved in its role, as it has source selectors, speaker selectors, equalizers, and often a radio receiver, as well as other functions.
Which is better, vintage or satellite radio?
When it comes to receiver choice, there's two main categories: new and vintage. Vintage is generally preferable, as long as you don't need satellite radio, an iPod dock, wireless streaming or other superfluous features. Vintage receivers are better than modern receivers with the same features for a few reasons:
When is the golden age of receivers?
The first is the age. The golden age of receiver quality is often thought of as being from 1970 to 1985 (ish). The second major consideration is brand.
How to test a radio?
Test the radio using a dim bulb tester, which is a 60 to 100 watt lightbulb wired in series with your radio’s line voltage. If the bulb glows dim after a while then there are likely no shorts across the B+ lines within your radio. You might even hear a crackle or some signals coming through.
How to check if a resistor is bad?
Often a bad stage in a tube radio is due to a resistor that has increased in value to the point of biasing the tube into cut-off. Tubes are usually not what caused the radio to be put out of service. The quickest way to find bad resistors is to probe the tube pin voltages. There will be a tube pin voltage chart in your radio’s service manual given a specific volt meter impedance. Wherever you find a voltage out of tolerance (greater than 10%), then check the resistors connected to that pin or to other circuits connected to that pin.
What capacitors decay with age?
There are several flavors of capacitors but the ones that typically decay with age are the electrolytics (usually found in power supply and on audio output circuit) and the wax-paper coupling capacitors. Find a service manual. Most are available online.
What was done to a TRF receiver in the 1920s?
The power supply capacitor was replaced as well as a small number of paper coupling capacitors. Dust and grime were cleaned off. The wood enclosure was cleaned and waxed . For many TRF receivers like this one, an alignment is not needed. Performance was surprisingly good for a very sensitive receiver.
Why is my tube radio bad?
Often a bad stage in a tube radio is due to a resistor that has increased in value to the point of biasing the tube into cut-off. Tubes are usually not what caused the radio to be put out of service. The quickest way to find bad resistors is to probe the tube pin voltages.
What to do if your station is too weak?
If the stations are too weak then perform an alignment following the procedure in the service manual.
When was TRF radio used?
Example of a TRF radio architecture used in the mid-to-late 1920’s.
How many parts are needed for vintage amplifiers?
We also replace other components known to fail or degrade over time, including key transistors, and resistors, diodes, etc. Often as many as 40 to 100 parts or more. This of course varies by make and model.
Can you restore a radio tuner?
Please note that unlike the amplifier and power supply sections, tuners use components that have no new replacements. As a result, we may not be able to restore the radio section to full operation . We can however install a Bluetooth receiver as an alternative.
Does recapping apply to turntables?
For turntables, recapping also applies to all direct drive, and some belt drive turntables. In addition, turntable service includes the following:
How long does it take to become an electronics technician?
Programs like an Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Engineering Technology or a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Systems Engineering Technology are offered at many local colleges, universities, or vocational schools and can last anywhere from two to four years. These programs typically contain coursework in the following areas:
Where do repairers work?
Work Environment. Repairers often work in factories or repair stations. The former environment can be loud, and temperatures may run hotter than office environments. Repair shops are likely to be cooler and quieter. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What training do repairers need?
They also need to have both the technical knowledge to complete the job as well as customer service skills.
How to keep electronics clean?
Avoid this by keeping your prized electronics clean and dust-free in a cool, dry place. Keep them covered with archival paper products if possible. To control humidity, I use electric dehumidifiers that run 365 days a year, and I pair that with a HEPA air filter to reduce spores in the air and the dust that they can feed on (more on that in a minute).
How to keep electronics from getting termites?
So as you store your electronics in a cool, dark, dry place, try to cover all potential points of pest entry with archival tape (if the surface is suitable and cleanable, such as polished stainless steel) or enclose the entire gadget in an archival safe paperboard box or paper bag so pests don't get inside. The paperboard box needs to stay dry or it will become a breeding ground for mold. Also, low humidity discourages the incursion of termites seeking cardboard boxes, which I have also had trouble with in the past.
How to tell if a capacitor is bad?
Along with batteries, electrolytic capacitors represent the primary source of electronic circuit damage from failing components. Over time, almost all electrolytic capacitors fail, and that can manifest itself in a loud smoky pop with the capacitor literally bursting when powered up. Or the plague may be silent as they leak their electrolytes all over a PC board, damaging circuitry (or making shorts across traces) without making a peep. A sure sign of a failing capacitor is a canister bugled out top, as seen in the photo. Another sign is a tiny dried puddle of clear fluid sitting at its base on the circuit board.
How to tell if plastic is oxidized?
As with the case of the Super NES seen here, a sure sign of plastic breakdown is discoloration. Plastics often discolor when exposed to UV light—or merely oxidation—over time. Both UV and oxygen drastically accelerate the chemical breakdown process.
What causes plastic to warp?
While you're at it, avoid extremes of heat and cold in general. Expansion and contraction can cause materials such as plastic and metal to crack and warp or become brittle over time.
Do batteries leak in a PC?
Many devices with battery-backed RAM (to save settings, etc.) or internal clocks use small internal batteries (usually lithium), and sometimes they come soldered to the PC board. While lithium batteries do not leak as often as alkalines, they still represent a ticking chemical time bomb. Remove, clip off, or desolder those embedded batteries before they leak and destroy the surrounding circuitry.
Can you use rechargable NiCd cells on a laptop?
The same thing goes for vintage laptops and portable computers, which typically used rechargable NiCd cells. Remove battery packs and isolate them in plastic bags before they inevitably leak. If necessary, safe the plastic battery pack casing so you can rebuild it with fresh cells in the future.
Description
Electronic systems troubleshooting is an essential skill for electrical engineers and hobbyists alike. Knowing where to look for issues and what to look out for in general can prevent both catastrophic failures and costly replacements.
Instructor
Hello! I'm Shubham Tiwari, an Electrical Engineer, and a Hobbyist. I have quite some experience with hardware product development, PCB design, and above all, a passion for Electronics and Technology. I have worked as Teaching Assistant, teaching basic electronics to students, and as a PCB designer for IoT products.
