Circuit building beginner

[Dragonflightpyro]

Hello,

I would like one day to construct my own electrical firing system. I know absolutely nothing about circuits or really anything electric. Does anybody have ideas for a complete beginner to get started in this field? Everything I've found is already over my head. I need something super basic. Like kindergarten level. Thanks.

 

Alex

[nater]

Go pyrouniverse.com In the forums there is a firing system section. A user named JoeRatman has several threads with wiring diagrams for different firing systems from a simple pinboard to a complex system.

[Arthur]

http://www.bigclive.com/pyro.htm

 

MOstly a site of things not to try! but this gives the working details of a single channel circuit. From there your controller can grow.

 

http://www.bigclive.com/halogen.htm Is OK for ceilings at least 10 metres high.

[deer]

For complete beginner I'd recommend to learn and memorize the basic units their physical meaning and real life effects (voltage, current, power, resistance, closed circuit, voltage/current distribution). When you have solid understanding and distinction between e.g. voltage and current, it's much easier to grasp why and what's happening. Everything else is just fancy details.

 

First, I'd recommend going trough appropriate section of elementary school physics book or some hands on video / lecture E.g.:

 

I wouldn't dive too deep into high school stuff, because it mentions lot's of complex physics and math ( electromagnetic waves, quantum effects etc), but are rarely needed in basic circuits. I'd jump straight to some more practically oriented university course about circuits and then something about power circuits / control. E.g.: http://opencourses.emu.edu.tr/course/view.php?id=3

Edited August 1, 2015 by deer

[Dragonflightpyro]

Thanks for the videos. That is exactly what I was looking for

[Col]

I`d say learning how to create top quality solder joints is equally as important as the electronics theory side. Learn the correct techniques and practice until you get perfect results everytime

[starxplor]

I`d say learning how to create top quality solder joints is equally as important as the electronics theory side. Learn the correct techniques and practice until you get perfect results everytime

 

This is a HUGE point. correct/quality solder points can make or break a system you will be carrying around out to sites and shooting fields.

 

I suggest looking for a local hackerspace in your area. They are usually open to guests when members are present though some have guest hours for crowd control, and they are almost always happy to teach people how to solder and give you scrap bits to practice on to your heart's content.

 

I dont see a location on your profile so try searching online for "<city> hackerspace" or "<city> makerspace" where <city> is the closest decent sized city. Some large cities even have multple spaces that may be nearer or farther from your location. (This comment is not brought to you by i3detroit. See more at https://www.i3detroit.org/)

[deer]

Large part of success in soldering comes from good quality tools and parts. I remember how my first circuits were done with 80W monster iron on punctured cardboard with solder scrapped off dead electronics - 90% of them didn't work because it was so difficult getting that crap to stick, I burned most semiconductors. Regulated soldering iron, flux and clean, unoxidised parts ensure success.

 

Also, in context of pyro I'd pay extreme attention to any transient states of device. Most circuits and examples online take care only to be "correct" when they are all powered up and operating. You must ensure that the system doesn't randomly trip when you turn it on or off, when the battery dies or is being replaced, what happens when you plug in or disconnect e-match etc. Also make sure operating mobile or keying a walkie talkie right next to the box and e-match wire doesn't cause it to ignite. If it does, add shielding and filtering.

Edited August 2, 2015 by deer

[Dragonflightpyro]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to buy some beginner's electronics set.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Discovery-Charles-Platt/dp/0596153740/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1438542474&sr=8-4&keywords=make%3A+electronics+kit

 

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Components-Pack-1/dp/B00T0UCLIK/ref=pd_sim_14_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WD26FMSR1WFZJGF9057

 

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Components-Pack-2/dp/B00T0UCLF8/ref=pd_sim_14_45?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WD26FMSR1WFZJGF9057

 

Does anybody know if this is setting me on the correct path?

There is also a soldering training kit I'm looking into.

[OblivionFall]

There are very simple ones and also complex igniter systems you can make. Could be as simple as a battery, a switch (with a safety) and wires to ignite fireworks with.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to buy some beginner's electronics set.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Discovery-Charles-Platt/dp/0596153740/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1438542474&sr=8-4&keywords=make%3A+electronics+kit

 

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Components-Pack-1/dp/B00T0UCLIK/ref=pd_sim_14_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WD26FMSR1WFZJGF9057

 

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Components-Pack-2/dp/B00T0UCLF8/ref=pd_sim_14_45?ie=UTF8&refRID=1WD26FMSR1WFZJGF9057

 

Does anybody know if this is setting me on the correct path?

There is also a soldering training kit I'm looking into.

My answer is allahu akbar

[Milyan720]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Firework-Control-Module/?ALLSTEPS

This is probably out of your reach but I thought I might aswell leave it here

http://www.instructables.com/id/Firework-Control-Module/?ALLSTEPS

This is probably out of your reach but I thought I might aswell leave it here

[Thedismisser]

I'd say if you are going to spend that kind of money buy a remote firing system use it and study it and learn how it works and then build off that one piece at a time . even if its just making your own receiver at first. they run off frequency and ebay offers all sorts of electronic parts to build transmitters and receivers. also you can get a parts list from the manufacturer of the controller you decide to go with and you can really get right down to making exactly what you purchased. they sell blank circuit boards and everything to do this.

Good Luck

[Nessalco]

Heck... nail boards are as simple as it gets.

 

http://www.pyrouniverse.com/show/firingsystems/nailboard.htm

 

 

Kevin

[stix]

Hello,

I would like one day to construct my own electrical firing system. I know absolutely nothing about circuits or really anything electric. Does anybody have ideas for a complete beginner to get started in this field? Everything I've found is already over my head. I need something super basic. Like kindergarten level. Thanks.

 

Alex

 

+

 

Heck... nail boards are as simple as it gets.

 

http://www.pyrouniverse.com/show/firingsystems/nailboard.htm

 

 

Kevin

 

= Solved.

 

Sometimes there's no need to over complicate things.

 

Although to sex it up a bit, instead of just touching contacts manually, you could use a momentary push button switch with screw contacts, therefore no soldering required.

[Arthur]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/2jLdvEF4DKk?wmode=opaque&controls=2

 

Some airshow pyro and they use bits of wire taped to the box they sit on! watch their HANDS (well second time through)!

[stix]

Thanks for posting that video Arthur.

 

I enjoyed it very much and recommend viewing by others. Not just for the point in this post, but for it's overall perspective on pyrotechnics in general.

[Arthur]

Note that at one point in the vid they have two IBCs of petrol! SFX isn't low budget.

 

Early in the Bond film Casino Royale (2006) there is a massive explosion sequence in an "African Embassy" If you see the Extras on the disc it shows these being fired with a nail board! If it's good enough for Bond, it's good enough for me! It works.

[deer]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/2jLdvEF4DKk?wmode=opaque&controls=2

 

Some airshow pyro and they use bits of wire taped to the box they sit on! watch their HANDS (well second time through)!

Wow, that's inspiring.

 

Sometimes there's no need to over complicate things.

IMHO, that's the best part of being amateur and enthusiast that you can afford to take pleasure in every detail of the activity and allow yourself the luxury to go beyond what's functionally and commercially good enough.

 

With DIY system you should start out by figuring how much channels you need and then pick a robust case where you could approximately fit all the connectors, battery and equal number of switches with some headroom. If you go into building the circuit first, you'd often end up with tentacle'y creature, not meeting your needs, that's a pain to fit in any reasonable case.