Electronics repair as a hobby

[Spikes]

I'm curious how many electronics repair buffs are among us. I got into this hobby about 5 years ago whilst trying to decide what would be a good distraction from a destructive habit I gave up. I took electrical and mechanical engineering in school, but that was back before the large dinosaurs were wiped out, so i didn't remember much past the basics. I've had a ton of fun learning the function of various components and learning to solder SMD components the size of a grain of sand, and it's been great therapy for me.

As I sit at my desk at work, I don't have a great picture of my bench, but I'll attach what I have on my phone. My biggest projects so far were 3 medical lasers that froze, liberating the contents of the cooling systems onto the sizzily bits. They all work properly now. I have grown a fair base of 'customers' who bring me anything from TVs to appliances to tools to repair, I've never charged for my time, only a dollar or two for the components I use, but if things get too busy I may ask a small base fee.
This weekend's projects will be a faulty power station I purchased on eBay and a Snap-On battery charger that a neighbor is dropping off.

Anyone else like to torture themselves with this stuff?



Laser repaired

 

[Bert_]

I'm not particularly good at it but I have moments. I don't know enough theory to really understand more than a basic circuit. Helps that 50% of problems are something simple.

 

[cvairwerks]

Got a bunch of SCR-269 and SCR-274 radio stuff waiting on a massive bench clearing and reconfiguration to be gone thru, including overhauling the dynamotors. My new 60 mHz function generator is supposed to be here later today.

 

[WildBill]

I have been working on electronics since I was a kid, I also have a steady stream of new and interesting things to repair being handed to me by friends/family, as well as the weird stuff I pick up to mess with. Just repaired a batch of Dodge truck fuse panels with broken traces for a friend yesterday.

 

[cvairwerks]

Spike: A couple of RCA AVT-15's I managed to pick up for two friend's restorations. All I did was source these.

 

[The Cobbler]

I admire electronics gurus . I have a good friend that is retired but still dabbles. His eyesight is not that good anymore so it's tougher for him.
I watch a few guys on you tube, My MAte Vince & Buy it Fix it , both from UK and they are spectacular in my opinion

 

[niget2002]

I've replaced some capacitors, but that's about it. I have a huge Sub with a blown built-in amp that I need to try to fix that would sound great in the shop.

I do a lot better with net-new designs I come up with. I never did like troubleshooting broken electronics. Which is funny since one of my focuses in college was mixed-signal testing. But I also don't have access to a Teradyne here at home

 

[cvairwerks]

A good meter, a couple of sets of test leads, a high voltage probe and a decent scope and power supply is all you really need for most things.

 

[Skellyii]

I think I started tinkering around with stuff in JR High, then took all of the Radio/TV servicing classes in High School. I fixed a lot of stuff on the side, which gave me beer and gas money.
I ended up majoring in Electronic Engineering in college, but ended up in the IT field. With a full time job, kids, etc I didn't do much more than my own stuff for years.

Now that I'm retired, I got back into vinyl and vintage audio, so I've been rehabbing/repairing vintage audio gear.

 

[Spikes]

I admire electronics gurus . I have a good friend that is retired but still dabbles. His eyesight is not that good anymore so it's tougher for him.
I watch a few guys on you tube, My MAte Vince & Buy it Fix it , both from UK and they are spectacular in my opinion

They are both great.

 

[CoogarXR]

I have also been dabbling in electronics since I was a kid.

I enjoy it. The knowledge has benefited me tremendously over the years. Not just fixing things, but designing circuits too. It's a super-handy skill. I find it relaxing and mentally stimulating at the same time.

 

[Spikes]

I have also been dabbling in electronics since I was a kid.

I enjoy it. The knowledge has benefited me tremendously over the years. Not just fixing things, but designing circuits too. It's a super-handy skill. I find it relaxing and mentally stimulating at the same time.

Electron movement does translate well to other mediums, plumbing for example.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I've always wanted to get a bit more into electronics repair. Need to set up a good bench somewhere that's only for that purpose - maybe in my basement. Too many projects going on in the garage to have tiny screws and parts laying on the workbench.

I've replaced some capacitors, relays, basic stuff. I think if I had a good bench power supply and a better setup I'd be doing more.

 

[ronkz650]

I was in the electronics repair business for 34yrs, primarily TVs. Had to give it up because virtually nothing is worth repair anymore, but if you do it for yourself and buddies there is still a lot of good in it. I never throw anything out until I at least give repair a shot, and still enjoy it.

 

[paulsomlo]

I was in the electronics repair business for 34yrs, primarily TVs. Had to give it up because virtually nothing is worth repair anymore, but if you do it for yourself and buddies there is still a lot of good in it. I never throw anything out until I at least give repair a shot, and still enjoy it.

I've got a pretty fair electronics background, but in this age of surface mount, firmware, and cheap consumer electronics, I won't spend more than an hour or so messing with something before it goes in the can.

 

[PWC Repair]

I probably know enough to be dangerous. If it's broken, I take it apart and look for an obvious sign of damage. A blown resistor or diode I can replace.......troubleshooting the circuit is beyond my knowledge base. But it's great so many of you actually know what you're doing...........SO WHO WANTS to try fixing some jet ski electronics for me ??!!?!

 

[fourjeepin]

I bought a good soldering station and have tried a couple of things with less than stellar results. I was thinking just yesterday that I wish I was better at this when I saw a high end car for sale cheap due to electronic issues.

 

[DGersic]

I'm curious how many electronics repair buffs are among us.

~40 years ago, I bought a pinball machine from the local arcade. I didn’t know anything at the time, especially not about board mounted NiCad batteries that eventually leak.

So, a few years later, my game died. I didn’t know anything about repairing it, but my boss at the time was formerly employed by Williams Electronics, and owned a couple of pinball machines, so he helped me take a look at it.

Then things got more “interesting“. Most commonly, pinball machines were built by one of the three big Chicago companies. Williams, Bally, Gottlieb. Maybe Stern. Mine wasn’t any of those. It’s a Zaccaria, made in Bologna, Italy. Completely different from anything he, or anyone else, is familiar with.

We found battery damage. We, mostly he, managed to repair it and got the game working again.

Then it died again. And that launched me in to repair. I got mine working again. I started getting boards from other people to repair. I started a website. I started making replacement parts. I built a test bench, and started adding diagnostic tools. I wrote my own code and burned it in to ROMs to drive the boards under my control, allowing for better and easier troubleshooting.

 

[dante2]

I took electronics class in high school but didn't get much out of out because it was a coaster class and the teacher was the head coaster. The Jeep in my avatar start having issues with the ECM so I dove in to find info on repairing it. Got it fixed and started hunting MP for more to repair and sell. I've finally got to the point where electronics and wiring diagrams aren't a foreign language.

 

[gizardlizard]

I do it for work currently. Mostly working on plastic injection molding machines, robots, cobots and sprue pickers. We have so many machines, it’s a daily thing.

 

[Snip's]

Four years after I sold my shop, the new owner called me about a problem with the 12 foot hydraulic shear not working...
The shear was made sometime in the 60's and control boards were no longer available...
He ran out of ideas after contacting a few people that wanted nothing to do with trying to get the shear up and running...

Shear is the green machine in the upper left corner...



I pulled the control board and did a quick visual exam and noted a couple of resistors that showed signs of heat damage...
Used a VOM and tested the bridge rectifier and the bank of SCR's... Found a couple of separated circuit board traces...

Identified suspect parts and went to ebay for NLA parts, found some at Mouser Electronics...
Replaced and soldered in new parts and got the shear back in operation... Still working 2 years on now...

 

[rollinlower]

i started this adventure about 7-8 taking apart a crawling army man my grandfather got me from a mall kiosk (sp?) but after a few cracks of the belt i got it working again with fewer pieces it came with and papaw just laughed been doing it ever since

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've had a ton of fun learning the function of various components and learning to solder SMD components the size of a grain of sand, and it's been great therapy for me.

That is when I gave up !

 

[Snip's]

Had to get out my VOM this afternoon...
Long story short... My wife had both knees replaced a year ago and is now ready to step up her exercise program...
She asked me to look into her elliptical step machine...
The LCD screen was acting up and the programed routine wasn't starting...

Took the screen apart and found computer motherboard / daughter boards...
Noticed a 3 volt CR1220 lithium cell on the motherboard... Tested @ 0.7volts... Replaced it and now it works...

 

[ronkz650]

~40 years ago, I bought a pinball machine from the local arcade. I didn’t know anything at the time, especially not about board mounted NiCad batteries that eventually leak.

So, a few years later, my game died. I didn’t know anything about repairing it, but my boss at the time was formerly employed by Williams Electronics, and owned a couple of pinball machines, so he helped me take a look at it.

Then things got more “interesting“. Most commonly, pinball machines were built by one of the three big Chicago companies. Williams, Bally, Gottlieb. Maybe Stern. Mine wasn’t any of those. It’s a Zaccaria, made in Bologna, Italy. Completely different from anything he, or anyone else, is familiar with.

We found battery damage. We, mostly he, managed to repair it and got the game working again.

Then it died again. And that launched me in to repair. I got mine working again. I started getting boards from other people to repair. I started a website. I started making replacement parts. I built a test bench, and started adding diagnostic tools. I wrote my own code and burned it in to ROMs to drive the boards under my control, allowing for better and easier troubleshooting.

Yea, you're well known among pinball folks. A pinball machine is a good example of a product that is generally well designed and made with repair in mind, and for good reason, as they do need repair to continue the enjoyment.
The restaurant/bar next to where I worked let me work on the machines if I felt the need, as I couldn't stand seeing them in the shape they were as the owner didn't know anything about electronics repair.

 

[djbmw]

"I'm curious how many electronics repair buffs are among us."....

"Anyone else like to torture themselves with this stuff?"

Count me as a badge-wearing member of the group. However, It's generally for my own equipment and/or very close friends and family as I simply dont have the time. Mostly ECU repair, audio amplifiers, stove/range control panels,... my kids toys,.. anything that fails really. If it's a SMD that failed I'm OK fixing it as long as it isnt smaller than 0603. I've swapped out a few 0402's before and its not fun - in fact, it's down right frustrating.

 

[DGersic]

Yea, you're well known among pinball folks. A pinball machine is a good example of a product that is generally well designed and made with repair in mind, and for good reason, as they do need repair to continue the enjoyment.
The restaurant/bar next to where I worked let me work on the machines if I felt the need, as I couldn't stand seeing them in the shape they were as the owner didn't know anything about electronics repair.

I am indeed. Some of that is longevity, I’ve been at this a long time. Some is being the only fish in a very small pond.

But, its also kinda funny where that notoriety turns up.

I was following a thread on the HAMB where a French guy was building a cool kustom out of some cheap French car. I see a Farfalla in the background. Asked him about it. Turns out that he knows who I am because Farfalla.

 

[Max]

~40 years ago, I bought a pinball machine from the local arcade. I didn’t know anything at the time, especially not about board mounted NiCad batteries that eventually leak.

So, a few years later, my game died. I didn’t know anything about repairing it, but my boss at the time was formerly employed by Williams Electronics, and owned a couple of pinball machines, so he helped me take a look at it.

Then things got more “interesting“. Most commonly, pinball machines were built by one of the three big Chicago companies. Williams, Bally, Gottlieb. Maybe Stern. Mine wasn’t any of those. It’s a Zaccaria, made in Bologna, Italy. Completely different from anything he, or anyone else, is familiar with.

We found battery damage. We, mostly he, managed to repair it and got the game working again.

Then it died again. And that launched me in to repair. I got mine working again. I started getting boards from other people to repair. I started a website. I started making replacement parts. I built a test bench, and started adding diagnostic tools. I wrote my own code and burned it in to ROMs to drive the boards under my control, allowing for better and easier troubleshooting.

Love the Tek 7904 - great scope.