Backyard DIY Auto Repair and Backyard DIY Electronics Repair

[Delta Prime]

Experts know how to successfully do one task, every possible way wrong!
Trial and error will guide you to a particular approach to problem-solving that involves abstracting away a lot of complication to get to the simplest possible model that captures the essential elements of the problem.Probably comes off as annoyingly gnomic;but every field of electrical engineering, electronics along with the underlying physics involved will be identically difficult to grasp without mathematics.
The hardest thing to grasp about electronics isn’t any of the principles of the theory, but the mindset of the people who enjoy working with electronics like myself along with hobbyists, makers, dabblers, electronic assemblers , technicians, engineers, scientists.
I am almost 30 years old. What worries me is dying, without winning some small victory for humanity.

 

[poormystic]

Experts know how to successfully do one task, every possible way wrong!
Trial and error will guide you to a particular approach to problem-solving that involves abstracting away a lot of complication to get to the simplest possible model that captures the essential elements of the problem.Probably comes off as annoyingly gnomic;but every field of electrical engineering, electronics along with the underlying physics involved will be identically difficult to grasp without mathematics.
The hardest thing to grasp about electronics isn’t any of the principles of the theory, but the mindset of the people who enjoy working with electronics like myself along with hobbyists, makers, dabblers, electronic assemblers , technicians, engineers, scientists.
I am almost 30 years old. What worries me is dying, without winning some small victory for humanity.

Some people find, in the end, that this "Humanity" we want to serve is best served through kindness and care

 

[crutschow]

One difference to me between electronics and mechanics, is that mechanics would seem more visually "intuitive".
For example, you can likely pretty well understand how common vehicle engines work, and what all the parts do when you take them apart, if you understand the basic 4-stroke Otto or Diesel cycle, with no math required (but perhaps a YouTube video or two).
Hence the many backyard mechanics.

But the operation of electronics is mostly hidden from view. Any intuition about how they work doesn't come into play until you have a knowledge of basic electronics including resistors, inductors, capacitors, solid-state devices, and the math involved for such things as Ohm's law and phasor calculations, to understand how even a simple AC transistor amplifier works.
So, not so many backyard electronic repairers.

 

[John R Retired]

One difference to me between electronics and mechanics, is that mechanics would seem more visually "intuitive".
For example, you can likely pretty well understand how common vehicle engines work, and what all the parts do when you take them apart, if you understand the basic 4-stroke Otto or Diesel cycle, with no math required (but perhaps a YouTube video or two).
Hence the many backyard mechanics.

But the operation of electronics is mostly hidden from view. Any intuition about how they work doesn't come into play until you have a knowledge of basic electronics including resistors, inductors, capacitors, solid-state devices, and the math involved for such things as Ohm's law and phasor calculations, to understand how even a simple AC transistor amplifier works.
So, not so many backyard electronic repairers.

That is a good observation and and another angle on the issue and I agree. Also to take what you said even further, what "Delta Prime"
said about the higher Math and Physics involved. It's really the Physics of atom structure doing the actual work and you can't see it
except indirectly through 2nd hand devices like meters, scopes etc,which are showing the results via Mathematical Laws shown with
various visual displays, magnetic movements etc. It's working with an invisible force in atoms that can be manipulated in higher quatities
can knock you down on your ass or end your life or in tiny quantities give you access to the world via your smartphone.
(I'm Thinking Out Loud Here)
It's really accessing the direct functioning of Atoms and putting that to every day use. Pretty amazing when you think about that.
To my original question about electronics within a DIY backyard repair situation, it comes down to how much of a DIyourselfers time
it will take and if it is even worth it to figure out the electronics problem causing the malfunction,or worth to pay someone else to figure
out the problem. with so much throwaway and "buy a replacement" electronics around, it becomes a toss up. Having an old broken car
sitting in the backyard might compel a person to "figure it out", and it would'nt take high level math & physics to do it, where a non-working
computer wouldn't be worth it in most cases. Just buy a new computer. It's like if you have a decent tool box of Auto Mechanics tools in
the Garage, to have so you would be equipped to fix your car, then why not have a few Volt Ohm meters, an O-Scope, soldering iron
and other electronics tools next to your mechanics tool box to fix a random electronics device around the house and learn a few basic
concepts of electronics. Maybe yes maybe no. Household electronics devices seem to have become so cheapened for all general purposes it seems.

 

[poormystic]

Hi
Lots of modern consumer electronics and household equipment has a design lifetime of 2 years.
Computers, unlike most consumer electronics are modular and can often be repaired, but computer repairs might be a separate trade, really. It's not electronics.
And sadly most other stuff is just too crappy to bother with, even if you could get parts.

Otherwise...
Thank you.
You've pointed something out that I hadn't really signified - that it's the habit of abstract thinking that separates those who practice some trades and professions from others.
Then again, even in a profession such as medicine there are surgeons who are more concrete thinkers, as well as abstractly theorising clinicians... there's no difference in the amount of value these 2 examples contribute to society.

 

[John R Retired]

Hi
Lots of modern consumer electronics and household equipment has a design lifetime of 2 years.
Computers, unlike most consumer electronics are modular and can often be repaired, but computer repairs might be a separate trade, really. It's not electronics.
And sadly most other stuff is just too crappy to bother with, even if you could get parts.

Otherwise...
Thank you.
You've pointed something out that I hadn't really signified - that it's the habit of abstract thinking that separates those who practice some trades and professions from others.
Then again, even in a profession such as medicine there are surgeons who are more concrete thinkers, as well as abstractly theorising clinicians... there's no difference in the amount of value these 2 examples contribute to society.

Regarding your statements in red:

I suppose that is the bottom line for DIY repair when it comes to having a O-scope, VOM and other electronic repair gear in your garage
next to your mechanics (and household) toolbox. Even if you are proficient in higher math (as Delta Prime pointed out) perhaps DIY
backyard electronics repair is just not worth the time and effort, or so it seems. I was simply analyzing the practical justification to do it since there are only 24 hours in a day. I've saved thousands $$ on DIY repairs on my cars. Couldn't say the same w/DIY Elec. repair I suppose.
Hobbyist would be a waste of time for me (and probably others also), unless you love electronics with a passion and have extra free time.
I know a guy who has a vintage electronics audio repair shop which has a practical purpose, to make some money and do work he enjoys, but then you are a businessman dealing with all that goes with operating a business, more so than electronics per se'.