Comment on How do I get my oscilloscope to read voltage correctly?
PriorityMotif@lemmy.world 1 week agoThank you for your very detailed response! My goal is to do automotive diagnostics so I’ll be working on the 13v range at the most. It looks like I should have sprung for the 2 channel picoscope which cost around $200. I knew going in that this scope would have limitations, but I didn’t fully understand what they are. Fortunately many sensors used for diagnostics work in the mv range. I’m mostly looking at relative comparisons such as cam and crank sensor correlation, an amp clamp (1mv output per amp), canbus, voltage fluctuations, and pulse sensors.
litchralee@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
I wish you the best of luck in your automotive endeavors. But specific to that field, be advised that automobile power can have a lot of voltage spikes, most notably right after the starter motor shuts off after ignition. So if you’re not probing during this dynamic event, then your scope will likely still be useful.
I will also note that a used benchtop scope can be had for about $200, often with good tactile controls and acceptable bandwidth and voltage capabilities. A cursory search on eBay shows a 2-channel 50 MHz Siglent SDS1052DL with 400 volt inputs. For general technician and hobbyist diagnostics work, that’s a good deal for an instrument that is one step above what a competent DMM can provide.