Why you need an oscilloscope

I had a chance to play with my little DSO Nano digital 'scope and I thought I'd share what it told me about my system.

First I wanted to find the maximum volume setting from my HU. I monitored the front speaker outputs and input a 100Hz 0 dB source in the CD player. Classic clipping at 34/50 volume. With a -5dB source I could get to 38/50. I decided that 32/50 was my max setting. Note the voltage is 24v p-p which is battery rails. This is with engine off:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/8...2bb6f4d6_o.jpg

Next I checked the output of my David Navone LOC at 40 Hz and volume 32/50:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8...beac140f_o.jpg

Well now, that's a funky waveform. It cleaned up to a nice sine wave at 100 Hz but I think I'll send this to David Navone and ask him wtf.

My final revalation was when setting the gain on my sub amp (bridged rear channels) at 40 Hz volume 32/50:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/8...62316ace_o.jpg

The revalation is that with engine not running I only get 22.9 vrms = 131 watts before clipping. I started the engine and at 13.5 vdc I could get 200 watts. I did not expect that much difference. And no wonder my G3 sub barely moves...

What a useful tool this is. Worth the 80 bucks.

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Originally Posted by maylar

I had a chance to play with my little DSO Nano digital 'scope and I thought I'd share what it told me about my system.

First I wanted to find the maximum volume setting from my HU. I monitored the front speaker outputs and input a 100Hz 0 dB source in the CD player. Classic clipping at 34/50 volume. With a -5dB source I could get to 38/50. I decided that 32/50 was my max setting. Note the voltage is 24v p-p which is battery rails. This is with engine off:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/8...2bb6f4d6_o.jpg

Next I checked the output of my David Navone LOC at 40 Hz and volume 32/50:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8...beac140f_o.jpg

Well now, that's a funky waveform. It cleaned up to a nice sine wave at 100 Hz but I think I'll send this to David Navone and ask him wtf.

My final revalation was when setting the gain on my sub amp (bridged rear channels) at 40 Hz volume 32/50:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/8...62316ace_o.jpg

The revalation is that with engine not running I only get 22.9 vrms = 131 watts before clipping. I started the engine and at 13.5 vdc I could get 200 watts. I did not expect that much difference. And no wonder my G3 sub barely moves...

What a useful tool this is. Worth the 80 bucks.

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well worth $80. That second pic is showing a little distortion, but no clipping like the other two.

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Originally Posted by quackhead

well worth $80. That second pic is showing a little distortion, but no clipping like the other two.

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Which is why the scope is so valuable. A DMM would never reveal that.

Does this tool work as a dmm as well?

link to where to get one???

for $80bucks that's a deal...

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Originally Posted by BassAddictJ

link to where to get one???

for $80bucks that's a deal...

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there all over ebay, just search nano oscilliscope.

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Originally Posted by BrownVanMan

Does this tool work as a dmm as well?

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Volts and frequency. Not ohms.

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Originally Posted by BassAddictJ

link to where to get one???

for $80bucks that's a deal...

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Seems the price has dropped... here's the vendor I bought mine from:

ARM DSO Nano Pocket-Sized Portable Digital Oscilloscope | eBay

Interesting,is using a oscilloscope self explanatory?

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Originally Posted by CJL

Interesting,is using a oscilloscope self explanatory?

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Yes does it come with everything I need to inspect signals?

Have you thought about renting it out? Someone on here before was renting theirs out. Someone would deposit the amount on paypal that the item costs while using it and then once returned the owner would return it minus like 5-10 bucks. I'll need to use one when I get back and set my stuff up but dont feel like buying one just for the one time use.

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Originally Posted by CJL

Interesting,is using a oscilloscope self explanatory?

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Not really. You need to know what buttons to push to see what you want to measure. Especially when the functions are accessed through a scrolling menu instead of the more intuitive knobs on a full sized 'scope. The good news is that there are youtube videos showing how to use the common functions on this and other 'scopes.

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Originally Posted by West

Yes does it come with everything I need to inspect signals?

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You get the scope and a probe. NO OWNERS MANUAL OR INSTRUCTIONS OF ANY KIND. Google is your friend with this thing. The operating system firmware is open source and some very bright people have made upgrades to it that add features and fixed bugs with the factory firmware.

The main support forum is here: Seeedstudio Forum • Index page under a thread called "DSO firmware version 3.64 "

it has abuilt in test signal but you are still able to play your own through the HU right?

Would this be a better investment then a DD-1? Little new to car audio.

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Originally Posted by akillj

Would this be a better investment then a DD-1? Little new to car audio.

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Personally I would rather be able to see the signal than trust a box with an idiot light.

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Originally Posted by West

Personally I would rather be able to see the signal than trust a box with an idiot light.

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^^^This, every time.