Databse for circuit voltage measurements Good ide bad ide ??

[solderman]

Hi all
Sitting here at work on my lunch break and doing a bit of surfing and popping in here for a check if anything interesting is going on. I find a post by a guy who has a problem with his Orange Squeezer. He has fulfilled all the trouble shooting analyze and posted his measurements. But being at work, at least I don't have all voltage for the circuits I've built in my head. I do have some in my computer at home But not the orange squeezer. To get those I have to unscrew and release the PCB to be able to measure. To my point.
Why not add a database/wicki or some ting searchable where people can post there measurements for a successful build. Then we have a baseline for that kind of Circuit. Add info what kind of IC or tranny. Trim pot voltage etc. All mods that effects the measurements results in a different post of a "Type B" circuit XX. Or what ever
It's in just that moment when you have got it all together and it's working OK that you probably are most on the go to take those measurements and write them down. After a month or so and in the box the interest fades. Or?
Stupid idée or something someone else would find practical??
//Solderman

[aron]

I think it's a great idea and we should put voltages in the schematics forum.

[MohiZ]

Yes, it's a good idea! I can open up all my working pedals and take the measurements, 'cause this would be really helpful for builders.

[anchovie]

Must be careful though over cases where multimeters measure things like bias voltages too low because of their internal resistor being seen as the easier path.

[cpm]

I have never needed voltage masurements for debuggin. I mean, comparing to anyone else's build. The only useful voltages worth noting in schematics would be special bias points, like an unbalanced vref, or a somewhat specific transistor biasing. Having voltages annotated all around the schem would turn into a mess.

Common sense and a bit of understanding of basic electronics is enough for debugging almost every circuit. Sometimes i've had to spend some time reading and understanding what an IC really does in order to know why it wasnt working as expected. Also, you can learn a lot of useful things in the way.

[MohiZ]

You are absolutely right, cpm. You do learn a lot that way. But I think it's too much expected from beginners to start calculating the voltages in a circuit. It would be quicker and easier to have a look at some reference voltages to find out what's wrong with your circuit. Most of the time if I have a circuit that's not working, I'm so frustrated about it that I just want to get it running as quickly as possible. That is not to say I wouldn't be interested in how the circuit works, but I can do the research afterwards. And some people just like to follow schematics to build effects, and not delve into the specifics of how they work.

[mnordbye]

This would certainly make troubleshooting easier. And i like the idea of a search-able database!

[WLS]

I suggested that to Aron about a month ago, he said it was a great idea and that he would tie it into the layouts area.

Haven't seen anything though!


Bill