I really want to play around with
-diode limiters
-cutoff limiting
-clamping circuits
-separator circuits
-voltage multipliers
-voltage limiters
And all that where the input is a signal and the circuit consists of not much more than a diode, a resistor, and a capacitor :tu:
Should be cool
Then down the line introducing DC and zener diodes and transistors etc
I think the first item of business is gonna be constructing this circuit
IMG_20260817_224048719 (1).jpg
But instead of introducing AC I want to use DC for the signal and attempt to measure test and observe each step observing how the output responds to the input. The book gives a play by play but I've read it slowly a thousand times and I can nod my head and go oh hell yeah that's how it works sign me up :tu: but I'd rather see it in slow static motion xP
Obviously some of the time I'll have to be slowly increasing or decreasing the DC and paying attention
Speaking of paying attention I think I just realized I better start with AC and find a good combo of capacitance and resistance to produce a nice outcome.
:grr
The first problem out the gate
Why can't variable DC power supplies have positive and negative
Like my function generator does
IMG_20260514_205203592_HDR (1) (1).jpg
As of now I'm trying to dream up something I can take an ordinary say 0-20V DC power supply and convert it to a symmetrical -20 to +20 DC power supply
Now I learned earlier that to make a waveform like a sin wave go up (add DC) just put the DC in series so that is not so hard for me to comprehend
But how does Hickock put neg DC in series in all at the control of a single knob
I need to look at some amp schematics and stuff where they have a pos and neg rail that shouldn't be so hard
But how to bring them together without an explosion 💥
So I'm thinking ok get a neg rail and a pos rail and maybe put a variable resistor between them
But that sounds like a disaster :lmao: shorting pos and neg rails
I haven't ruled out taking the lid off of the Hickock to see how they did it because I can't find a schematic :grr
Like this :dbtu:
Alltest-Agilent-Keysight-6827A-21157.jpg
Now that WOULD RULE :tu:
So I got to thinking wow maybe I have a (fixed) bipolar power supply at my house
And I do :tu: it's called a Peavey Audition Chorus xP
Looking at the schematic it looks like if a bridge rectifier is constructed from four diodes then
-neg voltage can be obtained from the node in between the anodes
-positive voltage can be obtained from the node in between the cathodes
So I'm looking forward to making a circuit like that and checking it out :tu:
xP
Looking at my signal generator I noticed wow I can really slow things down
IMG_20260514_205203592_HDR (1) (2).jpg
Now I'm wondering if I could construct the clamping circuit shown connect meters and actually see in real time voltages changing ala capacitor charging and discharging in real time xP
Also put probes across the diode to watch when it gets busy xP
Now I wonder is 0.03 hz gonna still be too fast to see 🙈
Or
Is the signal generator actually gonna deliver that low
Quote from: saturated on August 20, 2026, 09:32:22 PMAlso put probes across the diode to watch when it gets busy xP
Why dont ya use an LED xP
One less meter display to watch :grr