I have an idea. I'v mentioned it before. It's getting to where, while I like helping others with their car, and will continue to do so, too many of us are too dependent on shops that can't seem to fix electrical issues. The average "mechanic" has no more expertise when it comes to electricity or electronics than the average person on the street. This is getting silly (speaking in general, not just about Crossfires.)

I asked myself, "Could I teach the average 'wrench head' to learn to handle most electrical/electronic issues on their own?"
I have been tagged at work, again, to teach an intro to RF (radio frequency) theory and application. If I can teach THAT, certainly I can teach basic electricity and electronics.

I have worked out a PDF document I will post here, if you are interested in learning what I am talking about teaching, please read thru it and, if you are interested, send me email feedback as I describe at the end of the document. The cost of setting up an "online classroom", developing the materials and presentation, and starting with students who will largely NOT be familiar with concepts involved is quite an undertaking, but I teach similar stuff at work so I do have a lot of material ready to go. IF there is enough interest, I would take this project on. Fact is, after so many years, I am TIRED. I can't spend so many hours helping others here and on Facebook. Perhaps I could train a few replacement, as well as train individuals who just want to learn.

Again, read the attachment, instructions on how we might proceed are in the last paragraph.

 

pizzaguy ... I commend you for this adventure ... I have had other types of training in my past that were "use it or Loose it" type ... meaning it was something you could forget if you didn't regularly use what we were taught ... Do you find the electrical side of things fall into that area? I have often thought it would be good to know and understand what I was checking and why ... but checking and/or working on electrical is not something I do on a regular basis ... Thank for offering this to us, and thank you for sharing your vast knowledge of electrical an Crossfire's

 

This might be the most thought-provoking or 'thought-provoked' comment I've had (I have posted this on all the Fakebook pages and have had considerable response, it's surprising that there is no interest in this group.)

You bring up a good point, but I would still assert that, if you take the course and LEARN the material, it can stick with you such that you know enough to be effective AND, when the time comes to use the knowledge, you will not only have the class materials, but also the basic knowledge with which you can 'google' answers quickly. I have done almost NO component-level electronic repair since 2010 and yet, on occasions where I find myself working on a radio or similar device, I find "it's all right there". Of course, I did the work for 28 years, so maybe I am off-base a bit.

But I do think that explains some of what appears to be a lack of interest - the belief that the average person would not use what they learned. There IS some validity to that concern. It just appears (as much on Fakebook as here) that there is a desire to know more and understand more. I think I also based my guess that there was a lot of interest on the fact that I see, both here and over there, a LOT of people giving advice who clearly dont understand what they are talking about. I'd like to empower these very people to KNOW what they are talking about such that they can become an asset to the community and not do the damage they do by wasting people's time with nonsense advice. I really thought that these people would overwhelmingly respond to the offer, but Dunning-Kruger is strong, and many probably fool themselves into thinking they are giving good advice.

 

pizzaguy, I have read your syllabus and I think it is a great idea. I would like to better my understanding of automotive electric diagrams as well as trouble shooting components.
I did take a computer electronics course back in 1986. As you know a lot has changed since then. Most of what was taught would be more applicable to basic home alarm wiring.
Over my 34 years with a VERy large telecommunications company, I did do a lot of wiring and basic trouble shooting with various meters.
My only concern would be the time of the class. I've sent an email as requested.

 

@pizzaguy I looked at your syllabus and it's pretty complete. I really like the layout of the class. Considering the breath of the material that you have laid out, it is most definitely a multiday class. Since I am very new to the community, during the meetups, has anybody kicked around mini-classes? For example a four hour class on very basic electrical troubleshooting with a meter and some hands on examples. The other classes could go over common mechanical failures, troubleshooting the ragtop, ect?

 

I and others have tried, we've even offered driving classes - but our events are social/driving events, it is vacation time. It's the wrong venue.

And with my current offering, I've posted it here and on five Crossfire Facebook pages - I have only two people ready to attend. No one is interested OR they think they 'cant learn that stuff'. In either case, the idea has just about died. I tried.

I will no longer try within the Crossfire community, there simply is no serious interest. I understand that meets are not the place for this, I thought a separate, online class was the answer, it wasn't.

 

Can bus has added another dimension to auto electrics in my experience and it seems like something that you need to deal with regularly in order to retain any learnt expertise. Then there is the equipment required. I was reading something on line about using a OBD breaker box and multimeter to fault check and thought that would be reasonably simple to learn and retain but the cost to me of a box was a bit silly so I wondered how effective that fault finding method would be and if the Mercedes system was the only way to go although it sort of ties you down to that one make. Auto electrics is a pretty complex business now, some seem to have a knack for it, others not so much.

 

The CAN BUS is far beyond the scope of what I offered. You can't talk to the average person about diagnosing the car using the CAN BUS when they have NO clue about electricity or electronics in general. Having said that, there is a guy on Youtube who does a TREMENDOUS job of explaining the CAN BUS both at the physical (layer 1) level and the higher levels. I had his stuff bookmarked on my old laptop, but have not tried to find him again, as I am far too busy with other stuff and have no interest right now in spending time learning it. Much of my 'down time' is spent on my Vulcan 2000 (mods and cosmetic stuff).

And with essentially NO response to my offer here, a CAN BUS offer would, I imagine, be even more of a waste of time. People do nott want to learn, look at our tech help threads here, most want to be just 'told what is wrong' and refuse to even help us help them. Such people are invited to take their car to the local Chrysler Dealer, where it won't get fixed, but maybe the dealer will give them $1500 off on a new car.

I learned a lot with this offer: I learned that the only help people REALLY want, is to be told on one sentence, what is wrong with their car, based on a poorly worded post on this forum. Once we all become mind-readers, we will be all set to help such people.

 

Pizzaguy, did you get the email I sent to your gmail account listed on the syllabus ?

 

No and I just found M60's, GMAIL had sent it to SPAM. What the HELL did it do that for?
STill looking but you might resend.

 

Well shoot. I would love a class like this. I will keep watching…

 

I am very discouraged. But I admit the emails keep trickling in, so maybe.........................................

 

resent

 

Just sent you an email regarding the class...

 

I just saw your post from 2 years ago. This is exactly what I want. I’m sick and tired of paying for things not to be fixed and having to fix things myself then after re bodywork, electrics etc on both the Motorhome and Crossfire. Did you proceed further with this? I’m hoping so.

 

There wasn't enough people interested, so it was cancelled. Which is a shame because pizzaguy has excellent knowledge of electronics and how to teach.

 

The link will take you to a site that I have subscribed to for about a year ($3.99 monthly) The guy who gives lectures is a DIY type, but has taught himself automotive electronics so he is easy to relate.
His teachings has help me considerable. The first lessons are important; They lay the foundations so do not skip them. Do the math and it sets you up for the ongoing instructions. You have to use the info,or you lose it. It is not Crossfire specific, but what you learn is applicable: Schrodingers

 

I'm trying to post again. For some reason (cookies?) I can't see my previous post.
Here is a link I have subscribed to for the past year ( $3.99 monthly) and find it most helpful. He will teach you electrical car diagnostics: Schrodingers

 

It happens occasionally to me to but both of your posts do appear here