How do you set gains with a oscilloscope(sp?)?

[FurbiesAndBeans 10+ year member]

I recently found out my friend's grandpa has one in his garage and he'll let us use it. I've read that you can set your gains easily with it, but i don't know how. Sorry for the noobish question.

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[Twistid 5,000+ posts]

Well it depends on what you consider "easy." First off you might need a proper Power Meter or transducer depending on the model. A quick google search came up with this http://oscilloscope-tutorials.com/

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[jrgreene1968 10+ year member]

not hard...put a test tone in headunit, 50hz for sub..and i use 1k for full range door speakers. Disconnect speakers@amp hook scope to + and - of amp....set headunit volume to 75% of max, now with scope on, slowly turn amp gain up until peaks go flat at top /"\ then back off gain until its a sharp peak /\

 

[FurbiesAndBeans 10+ year member]

not hard...put a test tone in headunit, 50hz for sub..and i use 1k for full range door speakers. Disconnect speakers@amp hook scope to + and - of amp....set headunit volume to 75% of max, now with scope on, slowly turn amp gain up until peaks go flat at top /"\ then back off gain until its a sharp peak /\

Thanks, thats what i was thinking. But shouldn't they be smooth as a sine wave? Oh and if its ok to use a 60hz test tone?

 

[jrgreene1968 10+ year member]

with gains all the way down the scope will be smooth, when you start turning gain up the peaks form, just turn up till peak goes flat up top, then back off...i guess 60 would work, never tried it

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

not hard...put a test tone in headunit, 50hz for sub..and i use 1k for full range door speakers. Disconnect speakers@amp hook scope to + and - of amp....set headunit volume to 75% of max, now with scope on, slowly turn amp gain up until peaks go flat at top /"\ then back off gain until its a sharp peak /\

Um, I've never seen anyone use a sawtooth waveform for setting gains. I much prefer a sine wave.

 

[zack39648 10+ year member]

Um, I've never seen anyone use a sawtooth waveform for setting gains. I much prefer a sine wave.

x2

 

[jrgreene1968 10+ year member]

dont know...thats the way it was showed to me at a install shop..i checked it with a dmm later, and it was spot on, so thats the way ive been doing it. i use a fluke portable scope..crystal clear and no problems

 

[PSturmer 10+ year member]

for any daily setup all you need at most is a dmm. no point to complicate things.