DIY electrical drawings

[nickburt]

In another topic, @Road and I got into a discussion that touched on being able to produce electrical wiring diagrams, in particular solar power and battery charging etc...
In part of that we both commented on trying to find free CAD software - something I've been after for a while now, rather than using shapes and stuff in Excel or Word.
So, I've been doing some hunting today and on a yacht cruising forum (don't ask ....) found TinyCAD.
After a bit of reading and then downloading it (scanned - because I'm skeptic about free stuff on the internet), 10 mins later produced the attached.
I think it has potential.

 

[Kent R]

In another topic, @Road and I got into a discussion that touched on being able to produce electrical wiring diagrams, in particular solar power and battery charging etc...
In part of that we both commented on trying to find free CAD software - something I've been after for a while now, rather than using shapes and stuff in Excel or Word.
So, I've been doing some hunting today and on a yacht cruising forum (don't ask ....) found TinyCAD.
After a bit of reading and then downloading it (scanned - because I'm skeptic about free stuff on the internet), 10 mins later produced the attached.
I think it has potential.

Thank you!

 

[Road]

In another topic, @Road and I got into a discussion that touched on being able to produce electrical wiring diagrams, in particular solar power and battery charging etc...
In part of that we both commented on trying to find free CAD software - something I've been after for a while now, rather than using shapes and stuff in Excel or Word.
So, I've been doing some hunting today and on a yacht cruising forum (don't ask ....) found TinyCAD.
After a bit of reading and then downloading it (scanned - because I'm skeptic about free stuff on the internet), 10 mins later produced the attached.
I think it has potential.

Very cool, @nickburt, thanks for doing the heavy work of searching diligently for software that will work for this.

Now I just have to teach myself what all the different symbols for electrical diagrams are . . .I think I have a good Key graphic somewhere.

 

[nickburt]

Very cool, @nickburt, thanks for doing the heavy work of searching diligently for software that will work for this.

Now I just have to teach myself what all the different symbols for electrical diagrams are . . .I think I have a good Key graphic somewhere.

Just guess - keep us all amused for hours

 

[Road]

Just guess - keep us all amused for hours

Well, appears that won't work on a Mac, but one of these might fit the bill for Mac users: https://alternativeto.net/software/tinycad/?platform=mac

 

[nickburt]

Well, appears that won't work on a Mac, but one of these might fit the bill for Mac users: https://alternativeto.net/software/tinycad/?platform=mac

Doh, sorry. Just checking out KiCad, and another I found on one of the yacht forums - Draftsight.

 

[Road]

Doh, sorry. Just checking out KiCad, and another I found on one of the yacht forums - Draftsight.

I thought I might just make up my own symbols, like you said, to keep everyone guessing! Then I'll do my diagrams with crayons. . . .

 

[nickburt]

Well, Draft sight really is a CAD application, draw everything from scratch. There must be some libraries I'm not finding at the moment.

 

[nickburt]

Well, Draft sight really is a CAD application, draw everything from scratch. There must be some libraries I'm not finding at the moment.

Yup, needs the premium (paid) version to get many of the plug in tool boxes.
Would still be good for drawing trailers, racks, etc... etc...

 

[nickburt]

And KiCad is more for pcb design ...... doh.

 

[SubeeBen]

Just thought I’d throw my 2 cents out there. I do not like electricity but I got a diagram on Pinterest for wiring up my home built teardrop trailer & it was dummy proof. I did all the wiring myself & knock on wood everything works great. Just my 2 ✌

 

[Phil Preston]

I've used Smart Draw several times and works off of web browser so doesn't care what OS your running. Also I've used Sketchup, specifically Layout, pretty good as well for doing schematics for free.
https://www.smartdraw.com/wiring-diagram/wiring-diagram-software.htm

 

[Phil Preston]

Honestly with the right plugins you can do alot of 3d cad work in sketchup. I have full versions of creo, pro e, solidworks and autocad for work but the licences only work when i'm on my works sever, so i use sketchup at home for projects and builds works great.

 

[Road]

Just thought I’d throw my 2 cents out there. I do not like electricity but I got a diagram on Pinterest for wiring up my home built teardrop trailer & it was dummy proof. I did all the wiring myself & knock on wood everything works great. Just my 2 ✌

I've used Smart Draw several times and works off of web browser so doesn't care what OS your running. Also I've used Sketchup, specifically Layout, pretty good as well for doing schematics for free.
https://www.smartdraw.com/wiring-diagram/wiring-diagram-software.htm

Thanks @Jku Ben - thanks for the info, though we're looking for software we can use to draw up our own electrical diagrams, schematics, and small circuit plans of the way we've wired our trailers, deep cycle batteries, solar systems, etc.

@Phil Preston - the Smart Draw link looks pretty cool, I'll check it out more thoroughly later. I've used SketchUp extensively in designing a number of large and small things, but never for electrical diagrams. I'll look into what I can do with SketchUp and Layout in that regard.

Thanks guys!

 

[Phil Preston]

Hey guys, I went to play around with smart draw since I noticed it looked like it had new stuff when I found the link to post, and they now only offer a 15 day trial. sorry :(

 

[nickburt]

Hey guys, I went to play around with smart draw since I noticed it looked like it had new stuff when I found the link to post, and they now only offer a 15 day trial. sorry :(

Smart Draw was one that I really liked the look of, but I'm on a mission to find something free

 

[nickburt]

I've used Smart Draw several times and works off of web browser so doesn't care what OS your running. Also I've used Sketchup, specifically Layout, pretty good as well for doing schematics for free.
https://www.smartdraw.com/wiring-diagram/wiring-diagram-software.htm

Thank you, Ill have a look at Sketchup again. Last time I tried it for drawings some tanks with various stabbings and connections I found it a bit clumsy, but then it might have been the way I was using it.

 

[smritte]

Was reading this and found https://qelectrotech.org/download.html.
Mac, Win, Linux.
Going to play with it a bit and see how it works.

Scott

 

[Road]

Thank you, Ill have a look at Sketchup again. Last time I tried it for drawings some tanks with various stabbings and connections I found it a bit clumsy, but then it might have been the way I was using it.

Sketchup has a HUGE warehouse of items, products, miscellaneous stuff that other users have upload for free use in our own drawings. I’m out at brunch now, but will check it out when home.

But when you have a drawing started you can go up to the menu and import all sorts of things like cabinets, appliances, furniture, etc, even vehicles. All to scale, some better than others, and all free. So I would not be surprised that someone has done some tanks, connections, etc.

I’ll check when I get home.

 

[nickburt]

Was reading this and found https://qelectrotech.org/download.html.
Mac, Win, Linux.
Going to play with it a bit and see how it works.

Scott

Just downloaded it, let's see what it's like.