Electronics > Beginners
Is it even theoretically possible to organize test leads and scope probes
cur8xgo:
--- Quote from: bob91343 on June 28, 2019, 04:22:34 am ---While the Pomona rack is flawed, it does inspire a better design. How about a flip-over tab on each space that prevents cables from falling off?
Also the width of the slot needs to be tweaked or, perhaps, several slot widths.
A major problem is that you don't know what's on the ends and you don't know how long the cable is. So you grab a handful of dangling ends and poke through to see if what you want is there. Once you find it, does it have what you want on the other end?
I bought a box full of coaxial adapters at a swap meet. They don't even begin to solve these interconnection issues.
Has anyone been successful at installation of a BNC connector on to a cable? Not I. If it even makes connection without shorting it still pulls out of the shell. I tried following the printed instructions, probably written by someone who has never done it. How about the expensive crimpers? I am not optimistic. Plus, they seem to be specific for a single type connector.
We can buy a package of ten BNC male plugs on ebay for very little. Has anyone had good luck with these?
--- End quote ---
The cables fall off because they are in series..if the one you want isn't at the very front, you have to pull off the ones in front of it and that leads to at least one falling off. Or since they are all dangling and in close proximity it just tends to pull off one or more of the ones next to it.
And ya like you say, you have to look really hard to figure out what cable is what..they are all dangling around and tracing which connector ends belong to which wires is hopeless.
A new system is needed. Maybe we can figure out if anyone has solved this by looking at pics from well organized labs
cur8xgo:
Okay I have an idea...
Imagine a test lead organizer that has a slot for EACH END of the cable, and a spring loaded mechanism which pulls the cable tight (gently)
Now limit it to one test lead per slot, and make it so each spring loaded slot acts independently so it can auto adjust to various lead lengths.
Its kind of like a guitar, with test leads as the strings, under much less tension, at different lengths, and with very easy removal and installation.
The thing is, you don't want to have to mount the top slot 5 feet up and have this spring loaded slot down near the ground..thats very cumbersome
So maybe you pack things so this contraption floats all at 5 feet somehow and forms a U or something
Damn I think that will work
See attached pic.
So one side has a "combo" where all the slots are fixed in position, like the pomona.
Then you have a pivot of some kind a couple feet away that you wrap the test lead around..on its way to:
A set of spring loaded MOVABLE slots (one per test lead), that pull the test lead taut (gently)
You can repackage this and be clever to make it cheap and simple and take up the least amount of space.
But I think it solves alot of problems:
-1 test lead per slot means no confusion, you can instantly see both ends and know what each is
-Since its 1 test lead per slot, its not in "series" anymore..you only have to remove the one you want
-Spring loaded taut means no more tangled cables or snags, nothing falling out
-Spring loaded and taut means it looks much nicer than a wall monster rats nest. Still looks like an engineering item which is fine
-Loading and unloading fast and one-handed. Snag head, pull around slotted pivot (has guides too), lock head into spring loaded hook, release hand, satisfying twang as lead pulled taut (gently)
EDIT: I think you could rolls this into a tube so each hook/pivot/hook set is on the cicumference and you can spin the tube to get the one you want..takes up less space possibly so you can mount it under a shelf on your workstation, or vertically on a wall
TERRA Operative:
--- Quote from: bob91343 on June 28, 2019, 04:22:34 am ---Has anyone been successful at installation of a BNC connector on to a cable? Not I. If it even makes connection without shorting it still pulls out of the shell. I tried following the printed instructions, probably written by someone who has never done it. How about the expensive crimpers? I am not optimistic. Plus, they seem to be specific for a single type connector.
We can buy a package of ten BNC male plugs on ebay for very little. Has anyone had good luck with these?
--- End quote ---
I use Canare brand BNC with their crimper and stripper and haven't managed to botch a connection yet, they always come out perfect looking like they are factory made.
Their crimper and dies aren't completely ridiculously priced either.
Brumby:
--- Quote from: Mechatrommer on June 28, 2019, 01:57:12 am ---yes its theoritically and "practically" possible. one way is put each one of them in zip lock clear plastic,
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I have done this for my mass storage of various leads and cables - and some of those that get used often enough to keep close by.
--- Quote ---have them labelled each such as "alligator to banana", "alligator to alligator" etc,
--- End quote ---
Not quite there yet ;D
--- Quote ---arrange them nicely in a drawer. when you want it, just flip them read the label and pull the one you want.
--- End quote ---
Don't think I'll ever get that well organised.
--- Quote ---if finish work, put them again in plastic and drawer.
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That's the theory! :-+
--- Quote --- better if they are alphabetically sorted or grouped nicely, all cable with alligator in one place, all bananas in one place. much like files/books/papers in a drawer/rack in a library, hospital or forensic office or a stock warehouse.
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Hmmm... The best I've done is a rough grouping for my bulk storage - which has nothing alphabetical associated with it.
--- Quote ---i still prefer dangling and falling down wires experience :-\
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I'm leaning towards setting up something so I can experience this joy for myself.
--- Quote from: Tomorokoshi on June 28, 2019, 04:46:59 am ---It is, but only in the degenerate and trivial cases of 0 and 1 cables.
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Which is not the likely profile for members here.
--- Quote ---I'm starting to put them in left-over Digi-Key zip bags. It really helps with keeping them from getting tangled, and it's easy to sort and select them out. It seems to be reasonable space efficient, about the same as a bunch of cables thrown in a box.
--- End quote ---
Yes, great for preventing tangles and easy sorting. My plugpacks are also in ziplock bags.
Dundarave:
Maybe something similar to a dry-cleaners clothes storage mechanism: the test leads would hang from an endless chain with clips, each holding a single lead, around a pair of sprockets a meter apart and fastened to the wall. Wouldn’t take up much more space than a standard rack, and could be modified to support a third or even 4th row... Just spin the chain and select the lead.
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