Schematic Software

[knots2u]

Originally Posted by GILow

Really...?

We know about pocket-dialling. The danger of the CF app and reading in bed is somnambu-posting or maybe nocturnal submission is more apt. Pardon my thumbs.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[St. Elsewhere]

Originally Posted by SteveSails

Matt,

Try this; ExpressPCB - Free PCB layout software - Low cost circuit boards - Top quality PCB manufacturing

Steve

Great suggestion! I happened to need to make a circuit board when I came upon this post. I did both the schematic, and the board design. I just hit the send button, and have an acknowledgement that the completed boards will arrive in a few days. It was not difficult, and it does provide a connection check tool that enables finding any missing connections. I'll know if the bits all fit properly later this week.

Thanks for posting it Steve!

[botanybay]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Another vote for good old Visio. Low learning curve, easy to use, lots of predefined objects.

Great topic! Looking for something to do the entire boats electrical system!

[gremar]

Originally Posted by capt-couillon

List of usable tools Here Tried several, found Schemelt worked best for me. Here is a simple (in progress) schematic for Solitaire drawn with Schemelt.

Online (no-download req) and tied to DigiKeys parts database, its geared more towards electronics than straight electrical, but ability to create your own components is helpful. BlueSea fuse block and meters in referenced schematic are "custom" components. Little learning curve, but I was drawing right along within an hour.

Have fun...

Capt, are you able to share your finished electrical diagram.

[gremar]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

I've found TinyCAD (Windoze) to be about the fastest dedicated electrical/electronic CAD for quickly doing schematics.

There are a number of symbol libraries, but I haven't yet found a good marine-oriented one, but it's fairly easy to create and save your own symbols. I have a "marine" library started but it's not yet comprehensive.

Would you share your marine library
Greg

[SoonerSailor]

I’ve been using TinyCAD too, but haven’t tried to create my own symbol library. I too would like to see Lake-Effect’s library.

[Spot]

Old thread but fun to hear what's going on...

I have been using KiCad and have tried Fusion360's schematic capture.
Both comparable with the industry-level stuff I used in the late 90's.

The advantage of the schematic software versus 2D CAD* is easier moving symbols and traces around, maintaining connections, and generating a bill of materials when done.

*If one was careful with groups and blocks one could fake it in 2D CAD too.

For KiCAD I have drawn a couple simple symbols to match my solar controller, etc.