I'm new to all this...

Vedran · Post by **Vedran** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:00 pm

I was just wondering how I could get myself more... hardware literate. I want to be able to build stuff like you guys. I was wondering if there is any way for me to learn to work with the hardware like Ben and the users in this forum. If it helps, i took apart an old RC car and I have pieces of it.
Thanks,
-Vedran

diggerdanh · Post by **diggerdanh** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:02 pm

Experience is the best teacher.

Seriously, just jump in - that is the best way to learn.

Vedran · Post by **Vedran** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:23 pm

Could you possibly give some more information? I know what you mean by "Jump in" but, i just stare at the parts and have no idea of what to do...
-Vedran

Post by **gannon** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:25 pm

yeah, also, look around google, there's lots of guides on the internet.

http://howstuffworks.com is a good site

Vedran · Post by **Vedran** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:30 pm

Thanks, if it helps any I have some LED lights, some socket connectors, a circut board (i think thats what its called) and a bunch of wires, gears and motors.

Vedran · Post by **Vedran** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 2:37 pm

Hmm, anyone got any ideas on what i should try to make/search for?

cennar · Post by **cennar** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 3:36 pm

ah copulate composite video is yellow.. if you have a console with a yellow plug comming out of it plug that in to a pocket tv you dont mind messing up... then take the tv and console... rember you need a controler.
duck tape them all to gether and put battrys in them... there you have your first portable.. sorry i can be mean to nubies when i get back home i may not be as much of an ass.

-cennar (learn by distruction)

Vedran · Post by **Vedran** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 4:12 pm

Can anyone help me connect a 9V Battery clip like this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?c ... &hp=search

To a slide on/off switch like this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?c ... ite=search

Which i want to connect to an LED.
My main problem is, i dont know which of the battery clip's wires to connect the the on/off switch since the on/off only has two slots for wires, and i would imagine I need one slot for the led?

Sorry if I wrote too much, or if I am wasting anyones time by being a noobie.
Thanks,
-Vedran

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:17 pm

ok you'd better watch out hooking an LED directly to 9v battery, you'll probably melt the plastic of the led.

here's a simple thing to do take the positive wire of the battery plug, i beleive it's red, and attach it to one end of the switch. then hook up say an 100 Ohm resistor(it really depends on the LED, if you've got more info on it post it so i can tell you the exact amount of ohms you need in a resistor) to the other end of the switch. solder the positive end of the LED(longer peice of metal, i beleive,) to the Resistor then the other end of the Led to the battery adapter's black wire. You should have a complete loop the goes in the order, Battery, switch, resistor, led, battery. When the switch is switched to on the LED should light up. That's pretty simple.

In electronics the main thing to remember is that in order for electricty to flow you need a closed loop.

A switch like your using works by opening and closing the loop, or disconnecting and reconecting power.

Thats about as basic as it gets. There are more things to learn like Volts, Amperage, OHMS, and other fun stuff, but you can find that on google with ease

Vedran · Post by **Vedran** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:59 pm

Thanks a lot, and if you want to know, my LED is this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?c ... &hp=search

I also have some of these:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?c ... &hp=search

Again, thanks.