Topic: How do I learn about electrics?

[KB02]

Lets fce it, as inteleigent as I like to think that I am I'm just a dummy when it comes to electronics.

I just recently got the latest DENNIS KIRK catalog and as I was flipping though it I cam across a DYNA ingintion for the SOHC. My initial question is "Can I use my stock coils with this ignition?" I performed a seach and found that I should be able to, but won't see as big of a benifit as I would if I were to buy lower Ohm coils (According to one post - "If my eletrical system can handle them"). Why? Why not?

I guess my basic problem is that I don't know the difference from Volts to amps, Ohms to resistance or ground to hot (okay, I DO[/i][/u] know that one). Does any one have a good place to go (website) or a good book to read that I may learn a little bit more about eletronics?

[Gordon]

Uh Oh!! 

[Vatch]

You might want to start with some basic electronics theory.  There are a lot of books out there that would do, anything like "Teach yourself electricity and electronics."  There's probably an "Electronics for dummies" book out there, or something like it.  From there you can get into more specialty material like electronics for bikes/cars.

Anyway, I learned most of what I know from two books and then trial and error.  A little theory goes a long way.

[TwoTired]

You could try this one.

http://www.circuit-magic.com/laws.htm

Cheers,

[72cafe]

Nikoli Tesla created Alternating Current. 

[Bob Wessner]

I thought it was Al Gore. 

[TwoTired]

Nikoli Tesla created Alternating Current. 

Nikola Tesla 
The Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and scientist

Born on July 9/10, 1856 in Smiljan, Lika (Austria-Hungary)
Died on January 7, 1943 in New York City, New York (USA)

Inventions: a telephone repeater, rotating magnetic field principle, polyphase alternating-current system, induction motor, alternating-current power transmission, Tesla coil transformer, wireless communication, radio, fluorescent lights, and more than 700 other patents.

[dusterdude]

I thought it was Al Gore. 

no bob,he invented the internet.

[cb(r)]

Nikoli Tesla created Alternating Current. 

Nikola Tesla 
The Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and scientist

Born on July 9/10, 1856 in Smiljan, Lika (Austria-Hungary)
Died on January 7, 1943 in New York City, New York (USA)

Inventions: a telephone repeater, rotating magnetic field principle, polyphase alternating-current system, induction motor, alternating-current power transmission, Tesla coil transformer, wireless communication, radio, fluorescent lights, and more than 700 other patents.

probably one of his biggest accomplishments.   www.neuronet.pitt.edu/~bogdan/tesla/niagara.htm
dont forget the 80's rock band "Tesla".  Awesome!
sorry other than that I can not help with this topic.

by the way thanks again TWOTIRED for the website.  another good and bookmarked site.

[72cafe]

Uh Oh!! 

Boy!! Gordon called it on this one. Didn't expect it to go this way, eh?

OK. to help a little with this question. Ohms are resistance. Ohms are the unit of measurement used for resistance.  Therefore, if the coils have less Impedence (resistance, ohms) more current will pass through the coils-making a bigger spark. I think the idea is that the Dyna S kicks out a bit more juice, so the coils need to be a little less restrictive or they will get too hot.

The formula is

I=current, V=voltage, R=Ohms

I=V/R

So if you have these values, you can figure it out-I think the stock Toyo Denso's are 6 Ohms. Your alternator kicks out 12 Volts.

I=12/6
I (current)=2 Amps

Dyna coils are 3 Ohms
I=12/3

I=4 Amps




http://www.howstuffworks.com/
http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/EddyCurrents/Physics/currentflow.htm

It's been a while since basic electrical theory for me. I suck at memorizing stuff that I don't use on a daily basis. This is off the top of my head as far as units go.

[oldbiker]

KB02, a simple analogy helps. Think of water or hydraulic systems, I'm sure you understand water pressure and water flow.  Volts are the equvalent of pressure and Amps are the equivalent of flow. So if the battery is discharged and the voltage is low then you get less amps ie. less current flow.
Now you know the difference between Volts and Amps.

[KB02]

Thanks, guys! Eletrics has always been one of my down falls when it comes to working on anything mechanical.

[jdpas29]

the best way to learn is on a vehicle you don't care too much about with a bucket load of extra fuses.  just trial and error stuff and learn what the ground color is first!!!  then go from there.  most of the time it's not as complicated as it looks.

like on a lot of these CBs, almost all of your grounds up front are green.  then the hot wire with be the variant and depending on its color, that's what part on the bike it will get power to.  a clymer manual has decent diagrams in the back that will help you along. 

[Vatch]

Just remember, smoke makes electronics work.  When the smoke comes out, you've broken it. 

[fhoffman]

Haynes has a good manual called "Electrical Techbook" by Tony Tranter(3rd Ed), which I have found very helpful.  While you're purchasing that one, get the "Fuel Systems Techbook" by John Robinson. They are available though Whitehorse Press online.
They explain the concepts clearly and professionally, without talking to you like the "________ for Idiots" books do.  I use them as references, and there has only been one case when the answer I was looking for was not there... and that was the Starter Safety Box on my 1976 CB550... which is a strange and unnecessary piece of electronics, as demonstrated by it's removal for the 1977 model year.

Frank in Cleveland

[carsholduptraffic]

i like to get drunk before doing any electrical work to the beast.
i do auto wiring all day, so getting drunk makes it fun for me. i don't recommend this approach for newbies. you will set fire to something.
the only way to fix a 30yr old wirimg harness is to replace it.
cb750's dont draw a lot of juice (amps) so 3mm wire is fine.
sourcing the multiple entry bullet connectors is hard.
solder is good, but not on its own. that is why crimp connections rule the world.
the cb750k is simple from an electrical view. the diagram is complicated.
pay attention to earths(grounds, ve-. etc) and maintain them. lanolin (wool grease) works a treat.
the cb750 (k2) alternator is weak and my beast seems to smile more after a spell on the charger. i do run a small battery though. a topic of more research.

but if you persist with fixing up an old harness- get some flux amd a good so;dering iron, and find out why running a new wire is so much better...........

it is just wires after all..........

[chippyfive50]

http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/WiringDiagrams/MCwiring.php

[n9viw]

3mm wire? That's 9AWG! Stock wires this thing had was only 18AWG, except for the battery cables (Batt- to frame, Batt+ to solenoid, solenoid to starter) which were 6AWG.
The two biggest drains on the system are the coils and the headlight. Headlight is 3.5-5A (40-60W/12v), coils are 2.4A for stock and 4A for 3-ohm aftermarkets. Everything else, such as the turn signals ((27W/12)x2=4.5A momentary) and brake light (27W/12=2.25 temporary) are negligible. For all of this, 18AWG/600v is more than sufficient, providing 16A for total chassis wiring current and 2.3 for power transmission, which is based on a very conservative average.

[KB02]

http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/WiringDiagrams/MCwiring.php

That sight brings up another question, though. I have a 1976 F (1?). That sight does not list a wiring diagram for my bike. Should I use the "K" diagram for the same year instead?