Multi-Sim Type "Free" Program?

For learning, it is best to start with a meter.

then a breadboard, with resistors, small capacitors, etc.

the basics start well before learning circuits, by learning each component.. (ie, capacitor charging, voltage drop across a resistor etc.) learning how to use a meter is probably one of the most crucial skills and knowledge sets. then move on to simple battery (9v) , switch, and light circiuts.

Diodes and Transistors are next..

http://search.4shared.com/q/1/electronics

Chris

Thanks, but we went through that already. He has learned Ohms law, Kershovs law and Coulombs law. I got him the old Radio shack 150 in 1 kit and he is running with it!

Now he wants to get into the design aspect. He has put allot of time into drawing schenatics by hand.

GA Chris.

You are right, at that age they need "hands on".....

Practise, not so much theory....

Get him a breadboard and some parts from Radio Shack. Experimenting is half the fun. Most surplus stores will have plastic bags full of parts so burning up a few will not cost a fortune. I built my first stereo sound system from parts scrounged from the disposal bin and assembled a working TV from parts left in junked chassis. Only later did I learn all the relevant theory to explain how it all worked.

Recognizing the smell of over heated component epoxy is an essential diagnostic skill.

He has done a few projects that were in the Radio Shack 150 in 1 kit on bread boards and put them into enclosures. He loves taking them to school and sharing them with his classmates.

We are going to local swap meets and the one and only local shop for parts. Thankfully we have eBay too as Radio Shack has really scaled down on carrying parts. Always looking for the "magic smoke" or Genie when first powering up.

I got the TINA! Awesome program, even if it's only TI parts. This will be a good place to start. Thank you very much!

Another note

When you run some simulations it complains that all circuits need at least one IC, to get round this for more simple circuits you can place an IC not connected to anything to the side of your circuit and it 'fixes' it.

I looked at that and was a bit taken aback. I bought two of the TI Launchpad to cover this aspect of his education.

I looked at Launchpad. Different target audiences in my opinion. Arduino programming is secondary to the system prototyping capabilities.

I'm also doing some commercial prototype work with Arduino. While TI pays lip service to Open Source I couldn't find any very specific license provisions/restrictions. With Arduino, it's all very clear.

One of the things I like is that if my prototype works out I could even manufacture a more targeted look-alike Arduino board tailored to my specific needs for commercial use.

Hooker

If cost is still important, then PICAXE should not be ignored.....its a sort of cheaper version of Arduino to my mind.....

Goto:-

http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/

There are suppliers in most countries and all the software you need is free!!! As is a simulator too!!! Which you can use before investing a single cent!!!

We use this free program. Free tutorials are online just search for PSPice student.

PSPice includes trouble shooting and run simulations.

*Download locally from Dr. Roppel's web site (file name = 91pspstu.exe). This is the student version 9.1. When you install the student version, be sure to choose SCHEMATICS as your interface, not CAPTURE. (Note: the file size is about 28 MB)

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3945305/Multisim_10.0