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Availbale Products, Material- and Service suppliers => Do It Yourself => Topic started by: jadaro2600 on December 25, 2009, 09:10:33 AM

Title: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: jadaro2600 on December 25, 2009, 09:10:33 AM
The idea is to be able to do without an expensive scope and derive accurate assumptions about the waveform using equipment which can be purchased for under 120USD.

I think it would behoove us all to have such an ability to extrapolate this type of information and may help relieve hobbyists on shoestring budgets.

I have observed several multimeters which can asses the following:
Duty cycle,
Frequency,
Voltage DC and AC,

From these: voltage AC, voltage DC, frequency, and duty cycle; I think a reasonable assumption of the waveform can be derived.

I aim to find a method for doing so, and request help with the subject matter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One simple way to verify your AC is to test the AC voltage, ..then switch the multimeter to DC.  If there is a DC voltage, then the AC has a DC bias offset in the direction of the polarity of the voltage reading proportional to the voltage reading.

This is a[n unprofessional] way to do things but with limited resources . . .  I want to figure out a way to determine the characteristics of the waveform without having a scope or any professional ( expensive ) equipment.

As I do not have an oscilloscope, it would be nice if, when we do attempt to test the ideas, someone having one could verify the outcomes.

As it stands, the numerousness of circuits which create pulses, wobbling waves, unbalanced AC, etc creates a situation in which methodology takes precedence over a single circuit design.  Therefore, I think it unwise to attempt to match circuits diagrams and presume success without taking these things into account.

I hope to use math and perhaps a come up with some simple solutions.  Perhaps even create a Java web applet that can show an approximation of the waveform.

I know that only so much can be derived from basic measurements, however, we may also come up with a means or apparatus, which when employed, yields more data which can be taken into account.

One thing we may incorporate is the properties of the multimeter being used ( RMS ), etc, internal resistances, the list goes on.

Any additional information or ideas would greatly be appreciated, and I hope to collaborate a solution to the problem of not having the budget to afford ( say, ) a five thousand dollar shelf piece.
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: dankie on December 25, 2009, 09:37:47 AM
Even a professionnal engineer wouldnt do without an oscilloscope . You can always isolate the problem .

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A15%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1&_nkw=oscilloscope&_fcid=2&_localstpos=&_sc=1&_sop=15&_stpos=&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&gbr=1&_pgn=9
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: innovation_station on December 25, 2009, 05:13:50 PM
yes i highly reccomend a anolog o scope ...

mine cost me 100 bucks cdn it is about 40 years old or more ... but it works great!

this tool makes this a much easyer job ... but fact !

i did not have one ... when i figured it out ...

agin if your planing on rectifing and chargeing caps... 

YOU DO NOT NEED 1 ...

simply tune your coil to the highest rectified voltage ..

works EVERY TIME  agin diodes play quite a large roll !   out of all the diodes i have laying around and i have many!  i found the 2n4001 to work darn well  as well or better then schoky diodes .. mur diodes fr diodes crystal diodes ...  there was 1 i found better that was.... the switching diode 50 for 5 bucks at RS



WILLIAM!

and if you dont want the mess of diodes ...  DB107 1000V 1 AMP !
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: jeanna on December 25, 2009, 06:37:57 PM
Well mine cost $189 and gives me a digital readout of the frequency and volts it is seeing. I do not need to count squares as I see so many people doing on youtube.
It is a velleman 10HPS

I learned later that the improved version of this scope with a backlight is available for $140.
So, I say go for it.

They also make a similar one with a 40Mhz sample rate which comes with a scsi attachment. But I think that one is $250.

I use mine all the time.
I put the probes on the secondary jt wires and adjust the base resistor and I know exactly the information I need immediately.
I took it outside and read the volts and frequency on my earth battery all last summer.
etc.

Make it a winter solstice present to yourself.

jeanna
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: resonanceman on December 25, 2009, 07:32:38 PM
The idea is to be able to do without an expensive scope and derive accurate assumptions about the waveform using equipment which can be purchased for under 120USD.

I think it would behoove us all to have such an ability to extrapolate this type of information and may help relieve hobbyists on shoestring budgets.

I have observed several multimeters which can asses the following:
Duty cycle,
Frequency,
Voltage DC and AC,

From these: voltage AC, voltage DC, frequency, and duty cycle; I think a reasonable assumption of the waveform can be derived.

I aim to find a method for doing so, and request help with the subject matter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One simple way to verify your AC is to test the AC voltage, ..then switch the multimeter to DC.  If there is a DC voltage, then the AC has a DC bias offset in the direction of the polarity of the voltage reading proportional to the voltage reading.

This is a[n unprofessional] way to do things but with limited resources . . .  I want to figure out a way to determine the characteristics of the waveform without having a scope or any professional ( expensive ) equipment.

As I do not have an oscilloscope, it would be nice if, when we do attempt to test the ideas, someone having one could verify the outcomes.

As it stands, the numerousness of circuits which create pulses, wobbling waves, unbalanced AC, etc creates a situation in which methodology takes precedence over a single circuit design.  Therefore, I think it unwise to attempt to match circuits diagrams and presume success without taking these things into account.

I hope to use math and perhaps a come up with some simple solutions.  Perhaps even create a Java web applet that can show an approximation of the waveform.

I know that only so much can be derived from basic measurements, however, we may also come up with a means or apparatus, which when employed, yields more data which can be taken into account.

One thing we may incorporate is the properties of the multimeter being used ( RMS ), etc, internal resistances, the list goes on.

Any additional information or ideas would greatly be appreciated, and I hope to collaborate a solution to the problem of not having the budget to afford ( say, ) a five thousand dollar shelf piece.
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: resonanceman on December 25, 2009, 07:40:37 PM
The idea is to be able to do without an expensive scope and derive accurate assumptions about the waveform using equipment which can be purchased for under 120USD.

I think it would behoove us all to have such an ability to extrapolate this type of information and may help relieve hobbyists on shoestring budgets.

I have observed several multimeters which can asses the following:
Duty cycle,
Frequency,
Voltage DC and AC,

From these: voltage AC, voltage DC, frequency, and duty cycle; I think a reasonable assumption of the waveform can be derived.

I aim to find a method for doing so, and request help with the subject matter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One simple way to verify your AC is to test the AC voltage, ..then switch the multimeter to DC.  If there is a DC voltage, then the AC has a DC bias offset in the direction of the polarity of the voltage reading proportional to the voltage reading.

This is a[n unprofessional] way to do things but with limited resources . . .  I want to figure out a way to determine the characteristics of the waveform without having a scope or any professional ( expensive ) equipment.

As I do not have an oscilloscope, it would be nice if, when we do attempt to test the ideas, someone having one could verify the outcomes.

As it stands, the numerousness of circuits which create pulses, wobbling waves, unbalanced AC, etc creates a situation in which methodology takes precedence over a single circuit design.  Therefore, I think it unwise to attempt to match circuits diagrams and presume success without taking these things into account.

I hope to use math and perhaps a come up with some simple solutions.  Perhaps even create a Java web applet that can show an approximation of the waveform.

I know that only so much can be derived from basic measurements, however, we may also come up with a means or apparatus, which when employed, yields more data which can be taken into account.

One thing we may incorporate is the properties of the multimeter being used ( RMS ), etc, internal resistances, the list goes on.

Any additional information or ideas would greatly be appreciated, and I hope to collaborate a solution to the problem of not having the budget to afford ( say, ) a five thousand dollar shelf piece.

Jadaro

Interesting research

Do you  have any  recommendations yet?

Perhaps  this  would  be a good place for  people to put in a good word about  the equipment  that  has worked well for them,.........and  ways that  they  have been using it that might be unique

I  have been thinking  of looking  for a new DMM
Right now I don't  have anything  that will read current .
I also don't have anything that  reads over 600 V

One of the things that is keeping me from looking for  a good DMM is time
At this  point  I have to many ideas I want to try  to spend time  looking for  a DMM


gary
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: jadaro2600 on December 26, 2009, 05:17:33 AM
Thank you all for your recommendations; even so, for the advice as well.

IST is right, the device is a mainstay, however, for those budding hobbyists with a need...

I seem to have some ideas, but they are generally lacking coherency.  I will most likely wind up buying a scope so that I can test the ideas myself.  This may be a long time in the process though; it may even become a personal endeavor, seeing as how scopes were made for this purpose.. :P  Additional recommendations are always welcome!

Here's what I have so far, and not having a scope make things difficult to adjust or test:

Information is subject to the scrutiny of other forum dwellers! :) :) :) please be advised.

The duty cycle on most inexpensive DMM's is given as a percent, this is usually the same setting on the DMM associated with testing the frequency of the wave in question.

If a waveform has a 13% duty cycle, then it's 'on' for 13% of the of the time...  the closer it is to 50% the closer it is to being true alternating current ..granted, this could be sinusoidal OR square .. the measures without an oscilloscope, in this case, become unclear.

I recently took measures from a hobby transformer for a train set: on it's AC side...

AC voltage was 21.66
DC voltage was -0.039 ( -0.04 )
Duty cycle was 50.3%
Frequency was 59.9

In this instance, I can see that there is a DC component to the waveform as well as it being on more than it is off. Using these types of measure, I was hoping to derive a means to model the waveform.  I can see that the measure are somewhat unrelated though, after testing a few equations I had come up with.

(0.003*21.66 ) = .06498
Which is close to the DC voltage of the AC..but not exactly.

The problem is, most multimeters are RMS devices, which can bungle measuring DC on an AC source ...  which is where a bridge rectifier may be used ...of course, we would have to measure the properties and voltage drops across the diode and take this into account.

I will post more in the future about this, as I still believe it has some relevance.
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: jadaro2600 on December 26, 2009, 05:25:36 AM
Jadaro

Interesting research

Do you  have any  recommendations yet?

Perhaps  this  would  be a good place for  people to put in a good word about  the equipment  that  has worked well for them,.........and  ways that  they  have been using it that might be unique


Sears sells both Craftsman and Fluke multimeters, though a good fluke will set you back several hundred dollars, a craftsman will not, ..

I have two Crafsman DMM's, one which has a diode testing setting, measures current, AC/DC voltage, temperature with a thermojunction probe..measure frequency up to 10mHz ...  the other does all of these things, and has a transistor testing plug ( which I have not figured out how to use, and would greatly appreciate someone telling me what the readouts are supposed to mean :P ) Both measure up to 1000v dc, 650V ac., capacitance, continuity, resistance.  Very handy tools they've made.

The diode test setting tells me the voltage drop across the diode, which I find useful when I can't read the part number...   I believe the model for this DMM ( number ) is 82400, but craftsman doesn't seem to have any more for sale.  It was about 60USD... and for it's functionality, was well worth the money VS a Fluke which could do the same thing.  The other is the 82139.  Both can take relative readings, hold the screen so you can remove the probe..etc.
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: ATT on December 31, 2009, 07:02:43 PM
I've never used one, but pc scopes are available, even ones that don't require proprietary DAQ cards or USB interfacing.

The 'soundcard' ones look like they only read AC, but I imagine you could exercise a little creativity and come up with a linear VCO that was DC-drive to get the data past your AD converter.

Without access to the source code, you couldn't tell the scope you were reading DC levels, so you'd still be getting an AC waveform on the display from your VCO output.

Of course, it wouldn't be that big of a deal to cobble up a display just for DC, but this would preclude visualizing DC with an AC component or vice versa but, hey, it's a free scope, use it for waveforms and save them out right to your drive.

Think about buffering the input, limit the signal to 1.7v so you don't blow your sc.


good free example sc scope:
http://www.zeitnitz.de/Christian/scope_en

general info:
win:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2278973_use-sound-card-as-oscilloscope.html
linux
http://www.micahcarrick.com/06-06-2006/pc-sound-card-oscilloscope-linux.html
any:
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_6/chpt_4/13.html

Tony
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: wings on December 31, 2009, 07:21:15 PM
I've never used one, but pc scopes are available, even ones that don't require proprietary DAQ cards or USB interfacing.

The 'soundcard' ones look like they only read AC, but I imagine you could exercise a little creativity and come up with a linear VCO that was DC-drive to get the data past your AD converter.

Without access to the source code, you couldn't tell the scope you were reading DC levels, so you'd still be getting an AC waveform on the display from your VCO output.

Of course, it wouldn't be that big of a deal to cobble up a display just for DC, but this would preclude visualizing DC with an AC component or vice versa but, hey, it's a free scope, use it for waveforms and save them out right to your drive.

Think about buffering the input, limit the signal to 1.7v so you don't blow your sc.


good free example sc scope:
http://www.zeitnitz.de/Christian/scope_en

general info:
win:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2278973_use-sound-card-as-oscilloscope.html
linux
http://www.micahcarrick.com/06-06-2006/pc-sound-card-oscilloscope-linux.html
any:
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_6/chpt_4/13.html

Tony


try this free software site :
oscilloscope
wave generator
filter
toroid coil
...........

http://www.tech-systems-labs.com/freesoftware.htm
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: crowclaw on December 31, 2009, 07:35:26 PM
I have a PC scope which also works as a multimeter and frequency analyser.
I'm fortunate to own one, as I  work in electronics anyway. My instrument is approx 5_6 years old and works through the serial port of my PC. Pico technology make them here in the UK although other companies have similar instruments.
Being digital of course, means I can store wave form results for latter analysis etc. I have seen them for sale SH on Ebay so you may pick one up. You already have the display so it takes no room up if you're PC/laptop is nearby to your work area. Digital multimeter's can give very misleading readings on this type of pulse related work, so better be able to see what you are doing. Merv
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: crowclaw on December 31, 2009, 08:05:54 PM
Hi again,
So have been giving this matter further thought...mm-mm. Not ideal but would make an interesting project that could be expanded upon!! Use several miniature neon lamps wired in series to form a potential divider network, as each neon lights up a point of calibration can be set. The chain is high impedance so can't load up your output's. A series diode added will tell you the nature of the pulses -ve / +ve. Next how about adding a gated divider to count out the pulse train... calibrate a control for reading the frequency. And if you really one to be cool... think vintage wireless magic eye's. These tubes had fluorescent windows that lit up through their glass envelopes, the more grid bias applied the wider the display, so OK you had to have a filament voltage and HT supplies but what the heck. Food for thought but hey... don't mention a word to IST just imagine the fun he could have with it!! But I thought of it first. Merv
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: ATT on December 31, 2009, 08:55:49 PM
if you really one to be cool... think vintage wireless magic eye's.

Hey Merv,

You mean like the old Bell and Howell tape recorders used for a level indicator? Now -there's- a blast from the past...

Are you sure you're not sitting on a collection of old EE mags?

(that is a very cool idea, though...!).

Tony
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: crowclaw on December 31, 2009, 10:21:32 PM
Hi Tony,
spot on mate...and yes I have a collection of old mags too. Oh sad, good old days, good old days.

Happy New Year
Merv
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: jadaro2600 on December 31, 2009, 10:54:18 PM
Great ideas everyone, keep them coming.

I was recently watching some videos about how to turn an old CRT into an oscilloscope, but they lack grids, etc.  And the ability to freeze an image - I think the best solution is a PC related one, as it involves being able to screen capture and data log.

The sound card solution is always interesting, but it's limited to AC, as pointed out, and the measurement is capped at the frequency of the sound card's DAC ( audio processor frequency ( in higher end models, this is ~96kHz )..

Say, has anyone else noticed that the most stereo / surround receivers only output a max of 20khz, yet we're led to believe that we're getting otherwise because of a sampling rate delusion?
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: ATT on December 31, 2009, 11:27:38 PM
Say, has anyone else noticed that the most stereo / surround receivers only output a max of 20khz, yet we're led to believe that we're getting otherwise because of a sampling rate delusion?

I think in most cases, for audio, 20khz is considered the practical upper limit of  hearing.

That's pretty much been the case as long as I've been around.

Tony
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: crowclaw on January 01, 2010, 06:04:12 PM
I think in most cases, for audio, 20kHz is considered the practical upper limit of  hearing.

That's pretty much been the case as long as I've been around.

Tony

Correct, our top end hearing range limits way below 20KHz as we age, but with modern digital sound systems the DAC's samples way above. The higher the sampling rate, the better sound definition and subtle detail of clarity is perceived in our music listening pleasure. Isn't modern tech wonderful.  Merv
Title: Re: Doing Without an Oscilloscope!
Post by: ATT on January 01, 2010, 09:31:58 PM
The higher the sampling rate, the better sound definition...

Merv,

I first ran into 'sampling' from an old PAIA kit I built back in the '70s. I think the rule of thumb was to sample at something like four times the high-end it was expected to process.

Digital is pretty cool, you can emphasize sub-harmonics of the frequencies that might be out of range to psycho-acoustically augment 'perception' of clean highs.

And of course, no more noise-reduction hassles with digital.

Still, there's something about tube-amps and vinyl...

Tony