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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Pictures => Topic started by: psychedelicfish on July 05, 2014, 06:53:49 PM

Title: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: psychedelicfish on July 05, 2014, 06:53:49 PM
A quick search revealed nothing, so I thought I'd start a thread for DIY test equipment pics!

I'll start with my recently completed XR2206 based Function Generator:
(http://s20.postimg.org/3xkwdui89/2014_07_06_10_19_37.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3xkwdui89/)

Back:
(http://s20.postimg.org/70h13h7t5/2014_07_06_10_20_21.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/70h13h7t5/)

Guts:
(http://s20.postimg.org/lky3yb2rt/2014_07_06_10_21_53.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/lky3yb2rt/)

Waves:
(http://s20.postimg.org/vnhhes72h/2014_07_06_10_28_18.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/vnhhes72h/)(http://s20.postimg.org/4hzxgjbgp/2014_07_06_10_28_52.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4hzxgjbgp/)(http://s20.postimg.org/yiuklnb2h/2014_07_06_10_29_40.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/yiuklnb2h/)

Labelled Picture of the front panel:
(http://s20.postimg.org/5uhmif8w9/Labelled_Panel.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5uhmif8w9/)

What Test Equipment have you guys made?
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: duck_arse on July 06, 2014, 07:49:27 AM
I've got an xr2206 based audio sweeper. somewhat modified. looks like you might have room on the board, psych ......
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: apollomusicservice on July 06, 2014, 08:57:20 AM
Audio impedance meter
I made this impedance meter for quick measure impedance of pedal effects, output trafos etc.
Details and schematics published on http://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=21829

(https://m.ak.fbcdn.net/sphotos-b.ak/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/10294294_1493253130898694_2030193205551591546_n.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: psychedelicfish on July 06, 2014, 07:54:49 PM
Quote from: duck_arse on July 06, 2014, 07:49:27 AM
I've got an xr2206 based audio sweeper. somewhat modified. looks like you might have room on the board, psych ......
I was thinking of using another XR2206 to generate sawtooth waves, which I could plug in to the FM input of my Function Generator and the sweep input of my oscilloscope and look at the frequency response of various circuits. While I may have room on the board, I don't really have room on either of the panels, so I'd have to build it in a separate box.

Quote from: apollomusicservice on July 06, 2014, 08:57:20 AM
Audio impedance meter
I made this impedance meter for quick measure impedance of pedal effects, output trafos etc.
Details and schematics published on http://www.....org/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=21829
Looks pretty cool, useful too. I may have to make myself one sometime
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: duck_arse on July 07, 2014, 08:41:58 AM
my sweeper uses a 4060 (?) and resistor ladder for the ramp. I was looking in recently, to see how I could make it a fixed/variable output, instead of sweeping to a freq. dead easy, and I've got an unused pot on the front panel. one day, when it's warmer.

the impedance box looks nice, at the dreaded ellipses.org.
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: Calambres on July 08, 2014, 05:45:27 AM
Function generator based upon the NUXIE design:

(http://www.pisotones.com/GF/imgs/GF1.jpg)


(http://www.pisotones.com/GF/imgs/GF4.jpg)


More info (in spanish) here:

http://www.pisotones.com/GF/GF.htm
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: monksanto on July 08, 2014, 09:35:16 AM
Quote from: apollomusicservice on July 06, 2014, 08:57:20 AM
Audio impedance meter
I made this impedance meter for quick measure impedance of pedal effects, output trafos etc.
Details and schematics published on http://www.....org/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=21829

Where is that schematic link..? I am interested in this. Thanks!
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: apollomusicservice on July 08, 2014, 03:59:53 PM
Here's the schematic.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10487397_1520762128147794_8180781832987510129_n.png)
More infos on my FB page.
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: alanp on July 08, 2014, 05:35:38 PM
If you've got a modular synth (it's fun to build :D ), it's worth building Cat Girl Synth's CGS60V1 module. That way, you can use VCO's as an oscillation source, you can chop 'em up into a trem with a VCA/LFO, imagination is the limit :)
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: tca on July 08, 2014, 06:06:31 PM
I've always wanted to transform an old CRT TV into an BIG oscilloscope. Any tries?

Cheers.
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: psychedelicfish on July 08, 2014, 06:38:36 PM
Quote from: tca on July 08, 2014, 06:06:31 PM
I've always wanted to transform an old CRT TV into an BIG oscilloscope. Any tries?

Cheers.
It's possible, but it sounds dangerous, difficult, and ultimately unsatisfactory. An oscilloscope is a measuring instrument, so a hacked together sweep generator and any old vertical amplifier would give you some fairly sub par results. IMO it wouldn't be worth the effort or risk to make something even close to being satisfactory.
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: amptramp on July 08, 2014, 08:57:11 PM
Quote from: tca on July 08, 2014, 06:06:31 PM
I've always wanted to transform an old CRT TV into an BIG oscilloscope. Any tries?

Cheers.

I have seen it done with a vertical trace for the time base and horizontal for the amplitude.  The input signal is sent through a variable delay that varies with the input on the horizontal signal.  The delay feeds a spike into the video so you get a raster-based oscilloscope.
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: Calambres on July 09, 2014, 04:19:26 AM
Quote from: apollomusicservice on July 06, 2014, 08:57:20 AM
Audio impedance meter
I made this impedance meter for quick measure impedance of pedal effects, output trafos etc.
Details and schematics published on http://www.....org/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=21829

The link is broken...
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: Lurco on July 09, 2014, 04:26:41 AM
http://www.dos4ever.com/uscope/uscope_e.html
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: apollomusicservice on July 09, 2014, 07:02:47 AM
Quote from: Calambres on July 09, 2014, 04:19:26 AM
Quote from: apollomusicservice on July 06, 2014, 08:57:20 AM
Audio impedance meter
I made this impedance meter for quick measure impedance of pedal effects, output trafos etc.
Details and schematics published on http://www.....org/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=21829

The link is broken...
Procedure for measuring.
(https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/10157400_1493253277565346_6023205665750567029_n.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: Calambres on July 09, 2014, 07:26:09 AM
Thanks!
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: free electron on July 09, 2014, 04:58:33 PM
Here is a few of mine:

1. 10 - 100kHz DDS signal generator, 3 waveforms, sweep mode. Project developed on Polish tube enthusiasts forum trioda.com. I designed the PCBs

(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/314_tr/forumpics/ddsgen2_zps937a4b4d.jpg)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/314_tr/forumpics/ddsgen3_zpsfa8aa0ec.jpg)

2. Not really DIY, but i hacked it. Component tester (http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR_Transistortester), Chinese clone for about 20€ from *bay. I added the stand offs, battery holder and the ISP header to be able to upgrade the firmware to the most recent one. Amazing piece of gear for the money! Kudos for the guys who developed it:

(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/314_tr/forumpics/cptester1_zps92f9364b.jpg)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/314_tr/forumpics/cptester2_zps4a7c356c.jpg)

3. This one is still in the develop phase: small V/I/P meter with alarm function (beeps if the current consumption is above the set threshold). What is done for now:
To do:

(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/314_tr/forumpics/PowerMon_1_zps14270129.jpg)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/314_tr/forumpics/PowerMon_UART_zps86bafc59.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: therecordingart on July 16, 2014, 11:27:54 AM
If any of you are willing to create a PCB layout for this in Eagle then I'm willing to mill you a few boards in exchange. I'm getting my feet wet with PCB milling, but suck at PCB layout. Alternatively, I'll etch the boards as well, but would rather take the opportunity to play with my CNC.



Quote from: apollomusicservice on July 08, 2014, 03:59:53 PM
Here's the schematic.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10487397_1520762128147794_8180781832987510129_n.png)
More infos on my FB page.
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: apollomusicservice on July 17, 2014, 02:42:10 PM
This is PCB.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/10469725_1523657667858240_6998757870173890190_n.png)

(https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/10509579_1523655321191808_8262765994633257212_n.png)

Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: duck_arse on July 30, 2014, 10:08:19 AM
the worse for wear, but MUCH [?] the better for mods, here is my now modded xr2206 sweep/spot generator.
(http://i.imgur.com/mpuf3FP.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/h5Yjfss.jpg)

made from a kit, published in electronics australia. dunno what the bloke designed the board was thinking, it is a right mess, wires everywhere, possible easy mods made v. difficult, etc. and my mods haven't improved the insides, either, and have included a bug. I took out the microphone amplifier and meter, never once used them, hence the burns blanking plate.

@psych - can you show or link to your circuit, my triangle has square tops.
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: bluebunny on July 31, 2014, 03:08:20 AM
Quote from: duck_arse on July 30, 2014, 10:08:19 AM
dunno what the bloke designed the board was thinking, it is a right mess, wires everywhere

Looks like one of Rob's designs.   ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: psychedelicfish on July 31, 2014, 03:36:37 AM
Quote from: duck_arse on July 30, 2014, 10:08:19 AM
@psych - can you show or link to your circuit, my triangle has square tops.
There you go (http://www.eemetric.com/applications/communications/function-generator-using-xr-2206). I'm running mine on regulated ±9V, your square tops could be due to a low supply voltage, but it's more likely to be something to do with pin 2 (see the amplitude control on the schematic linked above).
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: Kipper4 on July 31, 2014, 05:02:51 AM
Anyone tried makeshift Vactrols bound in plastacine for test purposes. breadboard maybe?
Whats your thoughts?
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: duck_arse on July 31, 2014, 10:50:30 AM
mmmm, I wish it was rob's, I could curse him properly then.

I was dreading that resistor, because mine is single supply, with fixed resistor to V/2, and a volume pot for level. and I've got no more switch positions .... I feel another stupid mod coming on.
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: Hemmel on July 31, 2014, 11:03:28 AM
I tried searching for the thread but can't find it. Someone posted (about 2 months ago) something about small voltage LED displays, bought from China on eBay (I think).
Someone remember where that thread is ?

I thought it would've been in this one, or on a breadboarding thread.... can't find it...
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: duck_arse on July 31, 2014, 11:28:59 AM
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=107481.msg981137#msg981137

this one? another curse on rob!
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: Hemmel on July 31, 2014, 11:41:42 AM
Thanks d_a !!!
My bad, I looked fast through the thread looking for a picture....

Now I have it, thanks again!
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: Valoosj on August 02, 2014, 09:58:45 AM
This is my little setup to check if a pedal is working, and find out some other things too.

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/155894717/Photo0055.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/155894717/Photo0056.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Test Equipment
Post by: kaycee on August 11, 2014, 04:19:49 PM
No scopes for me, just some basic but useful tools that see a fair bit of service.

(http://i.imgur.com/qpWRlLwl.jpg)

They are all placed on my bread/breakout board and clockwise from top right are.

Noisy Cricket amp with built in distortion circuit (i don't like firing up the valve amp just to find it doesn't even pass signal at all!)

New addition, one of those multi component testers, I have a Peake but the batteries are expensive and don't last long. this does all I need and more.

The coil of wire with a plug is a signal probe.

The black box is a tone generator.

My trusty multimeter.

And last but by no means least, when all these fail, 'The Pliers Of Death' - the final solution