Yes, experimental setup does require some skill. Sometimes you even have to build a test connection to the scope with a connector on it. Then on the scope there are setting for "DO coupled" or "AC coupled and for placing in low pass filters and trigger level and on the digital scope even more settings with menus three levels deep
Logic analyzers are another good tool. These can have 8 or 16 onput channels and can have very complex triggering and recording, Mixed signal scopes combine both. Some good logic analyzers can be had for only $10. People with no budget can make-do with make-shift things like setting up a iPhone camera to video-record a 1970's vintage analog scope. Then you can scroll back and look. Many times the key is being smart in how you rig the experiments. For example measuring inductance with a scope takes some thinking and a plan. The nest subject after buying a scope is scope-probes. These are not just simple wires with clips. Almost always they ate 10 to 1 attenuator but I have some 100:1 that switch to 1000:1 Probes are a whole field of study in themselves. On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 11:16 AM John Dammeyer <jo...@autoartisans.com> wrote: > I'll agree with Andy here. I have a dual trace older digital scope and a > 4 trace digital that can even decode CAN, SPI and I2C messaging. I bought > a small Digilant PC development kit version for $400 or so to get UART > decoding for a PAN-TILT system that was misbehaving. The add on module for > the scope to do that was $1200 so a no brainer. Haven't used it since we > solved the serial port issues 3 years ago. > > But my 4 trace I use all the time. The 2 trace has spent time out in the > shop by the mill but was useless for determining what the issue was with > the out of spec DC servo that only lost steps in one direction and never > the other. The G-54 zero crept in one direction resulting in the center > drill peck holes being in one place and then a bit later the drill bit for > those holes not lining up. > > In a noisy shop environment just getting the scope to see real data as > opposed to the noise it picks up may be impossible. I saw that at a > Siemen's plant in Regensberg Germany back in the early 90's. We scoped a > CAN bus and could barely see the signal on the differential pair yet the > system operated flawlessly. Just couldn't find the right ground or > whatever... > > So the money spent on a scope may not be worth anything. > > John > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: andy pugh [mailto:bodge...@gmail.com] > > Sent: October-13-21 3:22 AM > > To: phodg...@uk22.net; Enhanced Machine Controller (EMC) > > Subject: Re: [Emc-users] Fwd: Rogue Index Pulses > > > > On Wed, 13 Oct 2021 at 11:13, Peter Hodgson <peterjohnhodg...@gmail.com> > wrote: > > > > > I'm watching a couple of Oscilloscopes on eBay so might take the > plunge. > > > > I am going to go against the consensus and suggest that if you don't > > already have an oscilloscope, and don't know how to use one, then you > > might not find it much help. > > > > I certainly got nowhere trying to use one to track down false > > triggering of limit switches. And I have owned a 'scope for decades > > (though not used it more than a few times a year) > > > > -- > > atp > > "A motorcycle is a bicycle with a pandemonium attachment and is > > designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and > > lunatics." > > � George Fitch, Atlanta Constitution Newspaper, 1912 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Emc-users mailing list > > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > > > > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > -- Chris Albertson Redondo Beach, California _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
