15 Jun
2006
15 Jun
'06
12:58 a.m.
On Saturday 10 June 2006 05:40 pm, Tony Duell wrote:
I would agree, but you can get away with only one when you're starting out.
For many years I used an analogue VOM only. To be honest, it's rare that
you need to make an accurate meashuremnt when repairing a classic
computer (you want to know if the 5V line is pressent and correct, but if
it's acutally 4.95V, things will still worl fine). Then I picked up a
cheap Fluke 85. I use that almost exclusively now, but the analogue meter
stays on my bench, it's better for osme things.
For electronic test instruments (not including
hand tools, etc), my order
would be something like
1) A good VOM (analogue) or DMM, whichever type you prefer.
You need both! Though I do tend to reach for the digital stuff more often than not, but that's more a matter of physical
convenience than anything
else (little teeny DMM sits on my desk AAMOF).
Tastes differ, I use one all the time. Actually, I've not used a normal
logic probe for the last 8 years or so, that's only because I bought a
LogicDart. But I debugged an awful lot of old computer stuff with a cheap
Radio Shack probe, and could do it again.
2) A logic probe
I've not found those as useful as I'd have thought at one time. Got one here
3) A bench
power supply (at least 5A output)
5A at what voltage? 4) The other of the VOM/DMM pair
Yes.
5) A 'scope or logic analyser, depending on
what sort of work you're doing
6) The other one of those instruments
Scopes I've been using for ages, but never had occasion to use a logic
analyzer. Or could afford one. I find it
helps when prototyping to be able to build one bit of the
circuit, check it works properly, then add a bit more, and so on. This is
easy with wire wrap, harder on a PCB.
That was the way I learned how to build things as well, only we started with
a hunk of blank sheet metal and ended up with a 5-tube radio. :-)