Current Flow

[benoit]

I've been hellbent on building an amp from scratch ever since I heard my first TW clip. I started from having next to no experience with electronics, so I have been reading electronics books, radio manuals, etc. Those are all well and good, and have explained to some extent how individual components work, and how to make calculations on components in series in parallel. What I have NOT seen yet is a book that clearly explains how a more complex circuit works. Even something as simple as a 'wreck or a champ circuit is pretty well Greek to me. I also have yet to see a clear explanation of what exactly a capacitor or resistor of any given value does to an audio signal. So here are some questions, the answers for which can be explanations, or links, or book recommendations, though book links aren't that helpful because I'm on a VERY tight budget.

1. If as was explained in the books I've read, a capacitor charges up and once charged ceases to pass current. How does it discharge, and what does this mean in practical terms. What function (or what are some functions) does a capacitor serve in a circuit?

2. How does one trace the path of current through a circuit... that is, what do I need to know to understand where the electricity is going and what is actually happening.

Those are all the specific questions that come to mind right now, though if my questions reveal something else I don't know please don't hesitate to shed some light on that as well.

[smokin' tone]

An often recommended read is the AX84 P1 theory document. You can get it here.
http://www.ax84.com/?pg=associateprojects&project_id=p1

It is the first download in the list.

[Johnhenry]

Hi, If you will Email me at johnhenry2112 at sbcglobal.net, " you know what to do the @ " I'll send you an old time amp repair book that has a lot of the info your asking for, this book is in PDF so you need Adobie reader to look at it, O.K.,
Just ask and Thow Shall Recieve !
Johnhenry

[tomrasdf]

Hi, If you will Email me at johnhenry2112 at sbcglobal.net, " you know what to do the @ " I'll send you an old time amp repair book that has a lot of the info your asking for, this book is in PDF so you need Adobie reader to look at it, O.K.,
Just ask and Thow Shall Recieve !
Johnhenry

Mind if I get in on that? I'm about 3 steps beyond Benoit and am trying to slurp up everything I can get my hands on as far as literature on the subject goes.

Even something as simple as a 'wreck or a champ circuit is pretty well Greek to me.

Stick with it. It's an amazing feeling the first day you can go to schematicheaven.com or the file section here and understand everything you're looking at. It just keeps getting better.

[Johnhenry]

Sure Tom, just give me a email and I'll send it to you also, it's an old book but I respect the guy that wrote it and it has basic amp info.
Johnhenry
P.S. Ben, do you like the book ?

[benoit]

The book is great. I actually had a copy a while ago but wasn't ready for it at the time. Now I'm at the stage where I'm almost comprehending it. I've got a fantastic book on how tubes work and a radio manual with some really good basic electronics stuff so I'm that much closer. Thanks for the help.

[Stevehabberley]

Hi

Give me an email and I will explain exactly what goes on in relation to the charging/discharging, reactance etc of caps (and inductors)

Steve Habberley@yahoo.co.uk