Welcome to Crash Course Instrumentation!
I’m Ryan, an Instrumentation & Controls Instructor at Bellingham Technical College. Before teaching, I spent nearly 20 years as an I&E tech at two oil refineries, was a licensed electrician in Washington, and earned ISA certification as a Control Systems Technician.
This channel is all about making the amazing world of instrumentation clear, engaging, and accessible. I use real-world experience and hands-on knowledge to walk through key concepts, supported by the excellent open-source ModEL PDFs created by Tony R. Kuphaldt.
Whether you're a student, a tradesperson, or just curious about how complex systems work—this channel is for you.
Each video brings textbook content to life, helping you better understand the field and its applications.
Special thanks to Tony R. Kuphaldt and the open-source community for making these resources free and available to all. Explore more at: ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/socratic/model/
Let’s dive in!
CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
🧰 I’m adding a new tool to the bag.
I’ve officially launched a new series on the channel: Blue Collar AI.
We aren't using AI to generate art or write poems. We are applying First Principles thinking to the trade. I'm going to teach you how to use free tools (like ChatGPT and Gemini) to kill the administrative headaches that slow us down in the field.
🗓️ The Schedule: New tutorials will drop every Thursday.
👇 What we’re covering: ✅ Automating Field Reports (Stop typing on your phone in the rain) ✅ The "PDF Killer" (Chat with manuals instead of scrolling) ✅ NEC Code Lookups (Find compliance answers instantly) ✅ PLC Logic Assistance (Drafting structure before you code)
The goal is simple: Less time on paperwork, more time on the wrench.
The Pilot Episode drops this Thursday. We are solving the "Fat Finger" problem—turning messy voice notes into professional, auditable PDF reports in 10 seconds.
Turn on notifications 🔔 so you don't miss the first upload.
1 week ago | [YT] | 0
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CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
🧠 Experimenting with a New Format (+ Free Downloads)
Hey everyone! I’m trying something a little different for the next few episodes.
Instead of the usual video style, I’m moving to a "Slide Deck + Voiceover" format. The goal is to reduce "cognitive load"—basically, I want the visuals to perfectly match the explanation so you can focus purely on the physics and troubleshooting logic without distractions.
We are kicking this off with deep dives into Fields, Energy Storage, and Diagnostic Fundamentals.
🎁 Also, a quick reminder: If you need written reference materials, I have uploaded Bilingual (English/Spanish) Field Guides to my Lemon Squeezy store. They are completely FREE.
These are great for studying offline or sharing with Spanish-speaking colleagues to help bridge the language gap in the field.
Let me know what you think of the new slide format in the comments! 👇
cci.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/ac69aa1a-9558-44…
cci.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/ab1e07a8-a3a5-4d…
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
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CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
What's wrong with this installation?
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
Stop using Google Translate for safety-critical instructions. 🛑
Most translation apps think "Ground" means "Soil" (Dirt). In our trade, "Ground" means "Earthing", "Puesta a Tierra", or "Aterramento".
The difference matters.
I just released 3 Free Bilingual Jobsite Cheat Sheets for Instrument Techs and Electricians.
They cover the Top 25 Phrases you need for LOTO, Signal Checks, and Stop Work authority.
Download the PDF for your crew (Free):
🇪🇸 English ↔ Spanish: cci.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/ab1e07a8-a3a5-4d…
🇧🇷 English ↔ Portuguese: cci.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/61e5171b-e15f-45…
🇮🇳 English ↔ Hindi: cci.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/ac69aa1a-9558-44…
Print it. Fold it. Keep it in your pocket.
Stay safe out there.
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
Technicians really only have three moods. Which one are you today? 👷♂️📉
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
If this is your internal monologue every Monday morning, could we talk?
I see so many people stuck in careers where they are "straight-up not having a good time" because they don't see the value in what they do. They sit in Zoom meetings, move data around, and worry about AI taking their spot.
Here is the antidote: Learn to fix things that are real.
When you troubleshoot a control loop or calibrate a valve, you get immediate, tangible feedback. You fixed it. The plant runs. You go home. No ambiguity.
Poll: What’s the biggest reason you are (or want to be) in I&E?
Leave your answers in the comments!
🔘 Job Security (AI can't calibrate). 🔘 The Money (Six figures is nice). 🔘 The Puzzle (I like fixing things). 🔘 I just hate meetings.
** 👇 If you are ready to pivot, start with the Core Protocol:** cci.lemonsqueezy.com/buy/d9bfae7e-d347-4255-9e2f-9…
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
The Full Field Guide is Here (Sections 0–3 + Worksheets) 📘
You asked for the complete manual, and it's finally ready.
I’ve released the Industrial Troubleshooting Field Guide (Core Protocol). This isn't just a list of tips—it's the standard operating procedure for solving 90% of the loops you'll face in the field.
What’s in the bundle:
Section 0 (Safety & Tools): The "Safety Gates" that keep you out of trouble, plus the Printable Troubleshooting Log.
Section 1 (The Workflow): The 10-step roadmap and the "Fix vs. Repair" framework.
Section 2 (Electrical Reality): How to find hidden resistance and corrosion using the Voltage Budget Worksheet (included).
Section 3 (Input Logic): The "Input Injection Test" to prove if a card is lying without lifting field wires.
It’s available now for $15.
Get the Core Protocol here: cci.lemonsqueezy.com/buy/d9bfae7e-d347-4255-9e2f-9…
Stop guessing. Start troubleshooting like a scientist.
1 month ago | [YT] | 2
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CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
Free Field Guide Drop: The Troubleshooting Quickstart 📉
A lot of you have asked for a printable version of the workflows I teach in the videos. I finally put it on paper.
This isn't a textbook definition list. It’s a field-ready guide designed to stop you from "shotgunning parts" when the radio goes off and the unit is down.
Inside the PDF:
The "Triangulation Move": A simple mental model to isolate faults between the DCS, the Transmitter, and the Process.
4-20mA Triage: A "Control Room to Field" map of exactly where to measure.
Fast Loop Math: Know instantly if 12mA is 50% (Linear) or 25% (Flow/Square Root).
Price: Pay What You Want (Enter $0 to grab it for free, or drop a few bucks if you want to support the channel).
Link: cci.lemonsqueezy.com/buy/98581429-c2b1-4515-85b0-1…
Stay safe out there!
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
Scenario: You have a cooling water valve on a critical exothermic reactor. The instrument air line to the valve snaps. For safety, should this valve fail OPEN or CLOSED?
2 months ago | [YT] | 1
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CRASH COURSE INSTRUMENTATION
Question: Pop Quiz: Current is entering the POSITIVE (+) terminal of a component. Is that component acting as a Source or a Load?
See why at 1:15 in the new video! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wiaqt...
2 months ago | [YT] | 0
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