DIY basics explained?

LEDBE
737mech

737mech

Enlightened
Joined
Apr 11, 2009
Messages
443
Location
Seattle
As a newbie to DIY flashlights I have TONS of unanswered questions. I am a mechanic by trade and pretty good at figuring things out but DC voltage/amperage is my weak point. I can take apart and put things back together with no problems but have no technical expertise in electronics whatsoever. So I have searched my arse off in this forum but I am having a hard time with all the acronyms and tech terms used throughout this forum. Is there a thread or threads where most of the basics are explained? I have looked in the wiki but its limited. I want to learn about bin codes, voltages, batteries do's and don't ect so I can piece together my own light and not have to worry about damaging my new and expensive parts:poof:. There are so many good threads I probably have missed one somewhere. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.:thumbsup:
 
 
I'm an EE student and the way I first learned about current and voltage sounds a bit lame but I'll explain it:

Voltage is the energy level of a source relative to a known point (often ground), current is the amount of charge that flows. Imagine a bunch of dump trucks driving down the road; voltage is the amount of load each truck carries, current is the number of trucks driving down the road. Therefore, if you have less voltage (smaller load in trucks) you need more trucks to deliver the same amount of energy (meaning more current).
 
Wiggle said:
I'm an EE student and the way I first learned about current and voltage sounds a bit lame but I'll explain it:

Voltage is the energy level of a source relative to a known point (often ground), current is the amount of charge that flows. Imagine a bunch of dump trucks driving down the road; voltage is the amount of load each truck carries, current is the number of trucks driving down the road. Therefore, if you have less voltage (smaller load in trucks) you need more trucks to deliver the same amount of energy (meaning more current).
Click to expand...


Or using the classic water analogy, voltage is the water pressure, current (amps) is the flow rate.
 
Yep that works too. I also like the dump trucks because imagining them lose some of their load on bumpy (resistive) roads is a very easy mental image:thumbsup: Of course, this all falls apart when talking about AC but that's a different ball game.
 
Marduke said:
Or using the classic water analogy, voltage is the water pressure, current (amps) is the flow rate.
Click to expand...

I have heard it as voltage being the speed of the water (similar to water pressure), while current is the width of the hose/river/whatever. If the water is going slowly (low voltage), then the river has to be wider to move the same amount of current (basically the same thing).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Monocrom
A genuinely affordable non-DIY Integrating Sphere!
Replies
5
Views
702
iacchus
iacchus
C
DIY flashlight projector
Replies
3
Views
992
SYZYGY
SYZYGY
S
Any basics?
Replies
7
Views
1K
Monocrom
Monocrom
C
Show me the way...lens/optics types explained.
Replies
3
Views
734
3_gun
3_gun
R
Anduril UI, ultra newb, your first time, starting with the bare bones basics.
2
Replies
26
Views
17K
ZebraCraig
Z

Latest posts

Top