[sdiy] Useful equipment

[Steve Begin]

How about oscilloscope probes?  Will I need one for the kind of work I plan to do?  If so, is there anything special I need to know before I buy buy one off e-bay?

> Steve Begin



-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Gravenhorst [mailto:music.maker at gte.net]
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 7:16 AM
To: Steve Begin
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Useful equipment


"Steve Begin" <Steve.Begin at pwgsc.gc.ca> wrote:
>Sorry, I feel like I'm abusing a good service by coming on to 
>this list and asking all sorts of beginner questions when I have 
>nothing to offer in return, but I am genuinely interested and 
>have yet to find any sort of mentor and I hope you guys 
>understand. 

One thing about this list is people here are *nice*.  Don't worry,
you may design something down the road that you can share.  Being
a newbie on this list is not the curse it is on others.  We all
like to help here, regardless of the level.



Regarding the equipment (I work ONLY with Audio frequencies):

Scope:
Tektronix 2225 Dual channel, 50 MHz 

I survive with a BKprecision 20 MHz dual trace.  I think this piece of
gear is essential and gets my butt out of a lot of trouble.  
"Seeing is believing".
============================================

Func. Gen.
Krohn-Hite 1400 sine, triangle, square, logic level; sweep; tp 3MHz

I have a crappy SWTPC sig gen kit that goes to about 100 KHz, does what I need.
I use it as a bench signal source when I making waveshapers and such like.
============================================

DVM
Beckman DM25L 3 1/2 Digit

Mine is a Fluke 2060a (DMM really) (a gift).  DVM is really necessary.
============================================
VOM
Simpson 260-8P multimeter with overload protection (essential!)

I don't have one, I use my DMM.  Voltages I work with are in the range of +/-
24 and less.  Currents are usually no greater than 1 ampere.
============================================
Power Supply
B&K Precision 1630 0-30v, 3A linear

Nice to have, but I just build my own when I need them.  I don't 
have a commercial bench supply, just a home made one on my breadboard (see below)
============================================
Breadboard (Powered)
Global Specialties PB503 3 supplies (+5V, +/-15V), function generator including 
logic level; debounced switches, 8 LED indicators 

I built a powered solderless breadboard with +/- 15 and +5.  Greatest thing
since sliced bread for most development.  Not perfect by any means, but 
usually can be used for proof of concept.
============================================
Breadboards, not powered
Global PB-105 set of six strips, mounted
Global UBS-100 single strip (beware of cheap imitations.)

I don't know why you would *need* an unpowered breadboard.  Mine is "unpowered"
if I don't connect the power!  My powered one has binding posts for the 
outputs and ground.
============================================
Logic Probe
OK PRB50 O,K IndustriesL 50 ns glitch
or HP545A

I use an O-scope for this.  Don't see it as absolutely necessary.  A decent Oscope
allows you to see glitches if you use it correctly.
============================================
Resistor Substitution Box RD111 (contact easy) 1ohm to 11Mohm in 1ohm steps; +/- 
1% or ohmite ohm-ranger 3420.

I don't have this.  If I need to substitute resistors, I'm in the design phase
and things are on solderless breadboard.  Unplug resistor, plug in different one.
OR I use a pot, make the circuit work, yank it out, measure it with DMM and sub 
in a fixed of that value.
============================================
Capacitor Substitution Box
Ohmite 3430A Cap-Ranger
100pF to 11.111 uF in 100pF steps; +/- 2% accuracy.

Same paradigm as for resistors, except no pot (c:
============================================
Resistor Kit
Ohmite CAB-54 "little devil" 1/4 watt carbon composition; 10ohm to 10Mohm

I have a rather large sorted selection of resitors that I bought over time.
The kit may be a good way to get started.
============================================
also it says (your choice) a frequency counter: occasionally very helpful.

My Fluke DVM has one, I've used it only once.  I do tuning by ear
since I have an extremely accurate sense of musical tuning.
============================================


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-- Scott Gravenhorst | LegoManiac / Lego Trains / RIS 1.5
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