Woo Hoo Looking forward to joining the club!

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igmo
 
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Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 10:39 am

Woo Hoo Looking forward to joining the club!

Post by igmo »

Just got my order in for the Adafruit Arduino Starter Pack and the Motor Party Kit this morning!

I am a computer repair technician at a locally owned repair shop. I understand the VERY basics of electronics on a theoretical level. (I know OHMS law, I know what parallel vs series is, I understand that switches will bounce back and forth, Pull-down resistors (or pull-ups) escape my grasp currently)

I have a background in Mathematics, I have done simple programming before (making complicated macros, some C++, and other tasks that require breaking down tasks into very simple if/then relationships)

I have always been envious of Electrical Engineers, it was a career path that was denied to me earlier in my life (Who knew that Anti-biotics could screw up birth control BANNED? Right? My oldest daughter taught me that....)

I have spent the past two weeks of free time reading the tutorials, following along with the programming, and mentally predicting the outcomes of the tutorial experiments. I have been to most Arduino sites that google and following links has allowed me.

My Arduino was bought as nothing more then an educational device. I have limited means and will not be able to purchase a new one if I should blow this one up. What are the most important things that I can do during my experimenting, to make sure that I protect my Arduino and my few motors/servos? When I get to be more experienced, I would certainly purchase more Arduino type devices, or possibly embark on having PCBs made.

What kind of things are appropriate to do with these small motors/servos, I would be ECSTATIC to see a servo move a specified number of degrees on my desk, but if I could make it accomplish more, I think I would wet myself.

The poor Arduino UNO that is going to be included with my kit is going to be abused (and re-abused) beyond most reasonable measures.

I can't wait until I get my first LED blinking at my every whim!

I look forward to any suggestions of things that I could try with my new purchases!

Thank you for your attention!

iGmO

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am

Re: Woo Hoo Looking forward to joining the club!

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Welcome aboard! :D
What are the most important things that I can do during my experimenting, to make sure that I protect my Arduino and my few motors/servos?
The Arduino is fairly robust, but it is posible to damage it by overloading outputs or letting higher voltages or currents go where they are not supposed to go. A few things you can do to avoid damage:
  • Follow the step-by-step tutorials.
    Double check wiring before powering things up - especially when working with motors and other high-current loads.
    Remove power before making changes to the wiring.
    Stick or bolt your Arduino to a stable base (The plastic mounting plates in the shop are nice, but a scrap of plastic or plywood works just fine too).
    Keep your work space neat and free of stray parts and wires that might short something out.

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