occiloscope - what would you do?

[24X28]

Cleaning out a garage, we found an occiloscope. Maybe early '80s vintage, about the size of a toaster oven, may or may not even have all cables/leads or what not. Don't know much about it, and I really haven't used one before, other than watching output from a power supply once.

Anyway, it was offered to me, but without having a practical application for the thing, I'm going to pass on it. I've gotten by for years with a multi-meter, am I missing out by letting it go?

So, what would you do if you had one? Any practical DIY auto applications? Alternator output is all I come up with.

Thanks

 

[BigE]

If you get into modern cars at all and know how to work it, they can be invaluable. You can look at the output of the sensor to see what it is actually doing. It may appear to be working because it has voltage, but it may be coloring the signal leading to a malfunction. They are very expensive to purchase new.

 

[lestat]

You can also measure clipping/distorsion in car and home audio systems. I have a PC based rig and keeping it solely for that purpose.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

labscope ..give it a try
the big allen test and sunscopes made great dust collectors

 

[fivespdcat]

I would never pass on a free o scope. We use them all the time at work and they are way better than a multimeter. Leads are pretty easy to come by for most automotive voltage uses but can get expensive for current and higher voltage. With scopes you really want to look at the acquisition rate and number of channels. Then if you want to record, what the output is and what type of media. Scopes generally run from expensive to mortgage the house depending on features and requirements.

 

[Outlawmws]

Learning to use a scope is a lot higher learning curve than using a Voltmeter. Unless you already know how to use one, you didn't lose anything by passing unless they were going to put it in a dumpster (they always have some retail value).

 

[rsanter]

free seems like a fair price to me
I am lucky in that I have one available to me at work....and never seem to need to use it

bob

 

[Danglerb]

Scope is fun
Scope is bulky
Leads aren't cheap.
For a scope to actually be useful you kinda need to know how it works and what your doing electrically and electronically.

 

[w1im]

What is the manufacturer and model?

I use oscilloscopes all the time. Some are fairly user friendly and some are quite difficult to use. Post the info and see if anyone is familiar with the one you have.

Did you find any probes or other accessories with it?

 

[xwarp]

i have two that i use quite a bit for my electronics work at home and then some pretty fancy stuff at work.

 

[24X28]

Alright, I'll go back for it. If it somehow saves me $5 it'll be worth it.

Thanks

 

[impactims]

I have a Fluke portable oscilloscope.

Basically is graphs voltage over time in such a way that you can see what is happening in an electrical system in REAL TIME. Something a volt meter cant do.

Some automotive related things to use it on:

O2 sensors
TPS sensors
ECT sensors
Ignition coils
ACT sensors
Knock sensors

and lots more........

There are countless non-automotive uses as well.....ie exact amplifier gain matching.

 

[JASTECH]

The oscilloscope is good to have around, you can add a DMM module to some to save space on bench. Or have it on a cart. Get a set of long leeds of good quality. It may very well save you bunchs of money, instead of replacing a high dollar eletrical item it just be a 2.37 cap! The first automotive scope I used was a Sun 1011. I want to do tune-ups on CB & Ham radios so now I need a older Tectronix unit I can trade tools for.

 

[Alchymist]

Depending on type, many uses in many fields. Here's a shot of mine, unfortunately it has to be stored in the garage.
Anyone needing Tek style probes, PM me. I might have a spare or two.

 

[PrecisionTools]

Mmmmm...7000 series Tek. If he scored one of these for free he *****! Very nice old unit.

 

[Greatbear]

Depending on type, many uses in many fields. Here's a shot of mine, unfortunately it has to be stored in the garage.
Anyone needing Tek style probes, PM me. I might have a spare or two.

Oooh, a Tek 7104. First rig to break 1GHz bandwidth, pure analog, realtime. One of my all-time faves. I have two 7904s, with lots of varied plug-ins, including two spectrum analyzers. As old as the stuff is, it keeps right on working.

 

[JASTECH]

Yes, they are great. I am need of 7000 series and leeds for it. I have a Wavetek 3010 and need the output leed.

 

[davesnothere]

For free? Grab it! If nothing else, a lot of the older ones are loaded with nice vacuum tubes great for audio applications... way off topic, but factual.

 

[Drew_flux]

Grab it and sell it. Or offer it to someone here if they pay shiping.
Scopes can do all sorts of things, after you know how to use one. Plenty of good sites around to help you get started.