Topic > Building an Oscilloscope from an Old CRT TV

Index CONTENTS RESEARCH FAILURES, STRUGGLE, AND SUCCESSWorks CitedFor my Capstone project, I will be making an oscilloscope from an old CRT TV. Producing a way to alternate the different waves so that the electrons can be seen visually on the TV is my top priority. I've always been interested in electronics. Doing this project will expose me to the invisible movements of electrons and show how they move with different capacitor frequencies. We will experiment with trying to incorporate different potentiometers and oscillators to produce different variable sounds. This was done by researching transistors and testing how they create the Reverse Avalanche effect to produce a looping noise. The sound from the frequency tone generator would then be displayed on the oscilloscope, which would test the transistor theory. The reasons I dabble with this form of electricity include simply studying electronic movements in an intriguing way where I can manipulate waves with sonic variations. This will be a personal research project that will help me when I study electrical engineering. While we may never physically see electrons move with our eyes, this project will allow me to visually see electronic voltage signals instantly. In this research paper I will explore many types of electrical components and find out how to connect them so they work together to improve my oscilloscope. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To display my findings and research, I have two main headings that have multiple subheadings. I have organized my article into separate paragraphs based on different ideas and findings. Each paragraph concerns a certain individual aspect of the project. This essay also includes four paragraphs right before the conclusion that talk about my failures, struggles, and successes. RESEARCH CONTENTS drew inspiration from a YouTube series titled Look Mum No Computer by Sam Battle. I used what I learned from him and applied it to other things I was building. I eventually changed his oscillator design by building my own oscilloscope and figuring out how to implement oscillators to better reproduce wave displays. He taught me about reverse avalanche sound effects and how they are used to create oscillating loop noises. As for oscillators, transistors are used with 3 pins, but in the case of reverse avalanche, the middle pin is not in use. To achieve the reverse avalanche effect you need a certain voltage high enough to make the transistor oscillate. In some cases, like in Look Mum No Computer, Sam discusses the different transistors he's tried on his channel. He also listed a source he found and used by Kerry D. Wong and then Sam mentioned how: “…the one that caught my attention that I might have to try is SS9018 as it only needs 8 volts instead of the previous 12 volts! !! so I will try this too. This quote explains a segment of my research into how oscillators work and how they can be seen while projected onto an oscilloscope. It also basically states that playing with different capacitor values ​​will alter the oscillating pitch. For example, the higher the value of the capacitor, its oscillation will be extremely slow. When the condenser valve is low, the tone will be high and therefore will swing faster. Look Mum No Computer, also inspired me with information on what it takes to create the perfect scale for the operation of different capacitor ranges. Samgoes into detail and explains the oscillation speed as such: “bass skulls: 100uF tenor capacitor: 33uF tenor capacitor: alto capacitor: 10uF capacitor”. The knowledge seen from these videos inspired weeks of research, which led me to truly experiment with different capacitor values ​​and their impact on such sounds. This source of information is very vital for my project. Further research from Sam Battle's YouTube channel and personal website guides me to start imagining what my own electrical specs might look like. Coming up with a battle plan, no pun intended, was my next step. First, the battery will be connected to a resistor, then connected to the potentiometer, which is 10K. The 10K potentiometer will then be connected to the capacitor, which will have a variable uF unit. Then, it is connected to a transistor, which can vary depending on the configuration of each individual oscillator. Finally, it will be connected to another resistor which will eventually connect to the audio output. Additionally, the capacitor and the other side of the transistor will be connected to an LED to indicate that it is a working circuit, which will then be connected to ground. Keeping the transistor in mind, the middle leg of the 3 pins will not be in use and may even be chipped for more ability to oscillate better for the Reverse Avalanche effect. Finally, this YouTube channel and the Battle website helped teach me some of the most important aspects for the swing part of my Capstone project. Oscilloscopes and how they work. Later, after exploring the book entitled Electricity and Electronics, by Gerrish/Dugger/Roberts, I found that it also contained useful information relating to oscilloscopes and more technical aspects of their operation. Here in this source I discovered the actual definition of oscilloscope. It is said that: “A cathode ray tube (CRT) is used in an oscilloscope. It consists of a cathode that emits a beam of electrons that strikes a luminescent screen” (Gerrish et al 153). Deflection coils are defined as such: "The vertical deflection plates and the horizontal deflection plates control where the beam hits the screen" (Gerrish et al 153). The above quote explains the key components that I will learn and address in my Capstone project. Although cathode ray tubes are very antiquated in our modern world due to the more efficient resolution of televisions, I thought it would be very appealing and beneficial to my self-education to explore rather "simple", though still complex, forms of electricity. I really want to study electronics and electrical engineering when I'm older and when I'm in college. Studying simpler, obsolete technologies will be small steps, all involved in the series of actions taken to help me understand more complex technologies. This is the purpose of the Capstone project, to use current skills and deepen skills applied to research, to compose a project that will ultimately add to the CSI learning experience. Also, page 152 of Electrical and Electronics is wonderful for explaining how I can understand oscilloscopes. It states: If an AC voltage is applied to the scope, the vertical deflection circuit controls the magnetic strength of the vertical deflection plate. The vertical plate causes the electron beam to produce a wave of light on the display screen equal to the amplitude of the input voltage. This wave represents the instantaneous voltage as the AC input cycles. The horizontal scanning oscillator can be adjusted across a wide range of frequencies until it matches the frequency of the voltageentry (Gerrish et al 152). The glow-in-the-dark screen shows how amplitude affects pitch and how period represents width. Sine waves are usually the first types of waves you see in oscilloscopes. We learned about sine, cosine, and tangent in Precalculus. So, I think this project is very appropriate and useful for studying mathematical graphics, which is especially useful in college. The compiled works of Gerrish, Dugger, and Roberts in this book also taught me the formulas of OHM's law and Watts' law. I will use these mathematical formulas to explore and test the accuracy of the oscillators and oscilloscope combined. This book also demonstrates how the Watt is the unit of power displayed. This is important for my project because if too much power is displayed, it will be displayed on the luminescent screen as a circular light beam near the center of the TV. Dangers related to the brightness of the television. The statement of how strong the magnetic intensity is during this period was stated in Electricity and Electronics. I'm trying to learn how to prevent this from happening. This is why the various potentiometer resistors will be used for the safety of this project. Electricity and Electronics explains that “Focusing is used to make the wave appear sharper. It eliminates any blurry appearance the wave may have” (Gerrish et al 155). So, I will experiment with different controls. I will solder to work on the clarity of the sound waves displayed on the oscilloscope. Intensity is a word I also studied in this book, along with focus, both of which can kill the screen. This book also explains to the reader that the settings should always be set to a low value before turning on the devices so that the brightness and intensity can be viewed comfortably. When I view the graphical output of the audio input waves, I will observe them with an awareness of how the amplitude works. I reviewed what peak-to-peak means on a sine graph and also learned how to read what amplitude looks like on the graph. This can be documented via video as proof of performance, which I will take later in the process as proof of concept and perhaps take some slow motion footage that will be used to clarify the chart readings. This test data will be acquired without the pre-packaged store-bought data acquisition and transfer application, which usually comes with store-bought oscilloscopes that correctly display the data produced. Functionality of transistors. Studying further into the tiny, yet oh-so-vital aspects of this project, I checked out another book called Tab Electronics Guide to Understanding Electricity and Electronics by G. Randy Slone. Using transistors is important, but understanding them is even better. On page 155 the author writes: “A transistor is a three-layer solid-state semiconductor device… Note that a diode contains only one junction, while a transistor contains two junctions” (G. Randy Slone). Knowing that bipolar transistors have an emitter, a base, and a conductor point will help me correctly identify the correct placement of my transistors when using them.Soldering. Continuing further on this topic, the third book I used for research was called Electromechanical Design Handbook by Ronald A. Walsh. Referring to page 526, the various forms of all the things I have currently dabbled with for almost 2 years related to my welding experience are discussed. I wanted to work on the craftsmanship of this project to make it look as professional as possible. To accomplish this handcrafted aspect of my project, I haveI practiced welding stainless steel to see if I could weld a suitable professional box to safely enclose my tablet. I thought it would work and add a nice, refined touch to my project. For this to happen, I would use TIG, known as Tungsten Inert Gas or GTAW. I might even practice welding with aluminum to see which is best for my project and most durable for when the time comes. Gas tungsten arc welding can also be used with aluminum welding. To build the box, I will use the outside corner joint location and potential filler bar to melt the metal, “Welding is a melting process for joining metals” (Ronald A. Walsh 526). This provides the fundamental purpose of using welding in this process. If done correctly, my weld will be the strongest part or foundation of the welded box. Similar to solder, I used a 60% tin - 40% lead solder for the industrial manufacturing/production layout process of this project. This composition will protect the electrical components at all costs depending on the type of metal used. Performing this process would look very professional for my project. However, I encountered some obstacles in the soldering shop. The TIG booths were all used for welding certifications and ongoing performance tests. I could use MIG (Metal Inert Gas) to weld a box, but it would be made of steel which is unprotected and prone to rust over time. Because of this limitation, I will do my best to do all my homework in the welding class first so I can try building a box. If resources such as tungsten rod are not available in the welding shop, of which there is a shortage, I will not be able to complete this box. I may have to resort to making a wooden box, which will still look very professional with the craftsmanship. Components and what they do. Learning the individual aspects will help me actually understand how my project will work. Electroluminescence, which means emitting light, is what I will use to give an indicator of how it works. Resistors have colored bands that notify and label resistance levels and indicate how accurate the resistance value is with the color of the last band. Resistors do not have polarity like LEDs, capacitors, batteries and other components. Resistors are measured in ohms. Potentiometers are also like resistors but can be changed mechanically. The ones I use for my Capstone project consist of 16mm 10K potentiometers. As mentioned on the website www. Online encyclopedia of oscillators from Britainncia.com, the electrical device produces current that alternates electrically in tuned circuits which can then amplify depending on the variance. Potentiometers and resistors. In the Maker's Manual, by Andrea Maietta and Paolo Aliverti, we talk about "The two possible ways of using a potentiometer" (133). It explains how the three pins can be connected to three totally different slots or the center pin can be connected to the legs of the other pin so you can cement the manually set resistance value without it being tampered with. In my case, I will connect all three legs to different slots so that the user can manipulate the different inputs in the scope. The component I will use is called a variable resistor, while the blocking method is called a voltage divider. You could use a regular variable knob potentiometer or what's called a trimmer, which looks like a potentiometer but only has two legs and a screw-like function. It works like avoltage divider that contains a consistent resistive measurement unless actively changed. Capacitor Danger and How to Discharge a CRT TV. While I will be using different types of resistors, I will also be using different measurements of capacitors. This reduces unwanted disturbances. Capacitors end up working like sandwiches that cause current to have a hard time getting out and being used. When the capacitor is connected to a circuit, it essentially charges. So, when the capacitor is in use, the power that comes out of it alternates, depending on how you position the capacitor. Additionally, when a power supply such as a battery is removed from a circuit and the capacitor closes the circuit completely, the load will be used for a short time during this period as the capacitor's saved energy is used up. As for depleted energy, in order to work with an old cathode ray tube television, I will have to safely deplete the energy stored in the television. It's very important to get the power out of the TV before you start fiddling further with the vertical and horizontal CRT coil wires. To do this, I will break the plastic shell of the TV located at the back. There you will find a small circular rubber disk that will need to be disconnected to drain and exhaust the energy accumulated by the TV's capacitors. To do this, I will take a screwdriver and wrap copper around the metal part and feed a wire to the metal frame or other safe metal part to allow electricity to flow through it without touching me or the electrical components. This copper wire setup will allow me to gather under the flap of the black circle until a few pops are heard. The popping noises indicate that the TV should now be safe. I know there are other factors to consider as well. The dangers of Tesla coil variants on TV. One of the main components of cathode ray tube televisions is a variant of the Tesla coil. I really tried to research some of the key components for safety and readiness. Understanding the danger of these components is really necessary and I discovered this by reading Gordon McComb's Gadgeteer Goldmine!, by Gordon McComb. Gordon McComb writes, “A form of the Tesla coil is used in televisions to create high frequency voltage for cathode ray tube operation” (57). While researching older style TVs, I realize that I now know what the picture looks like on the TV. Research helped me understand that there are two coils inside a CRT television. One coil serves as a horizontal display, while the other coil serves as a vertical display. This is where you find the layout of the cables on where to connect them. This is where you check for continuity to see which of the four wires go together. Keeping this fundamental knowledge in my head, I researched the dangers of the Tesla coil. The TV I will work with contains variable strands of it. Tesla coils have a gap that allows the capacitor to sometimes discharge at the expected intervals. By doing extensive research, I discovered that this gap is what allows the horizontal and vertical beams to take the spark and funnel it into a pretty precise sharp line from a magnetic field. Growing up, I always heard my parents tell me not to sit so close to the TV. I have often asked myself this and I decided to research the reasons for realizing it in my project. Tesla coils must be used in a well-ventilated room according to Gordon McComb where he states: The open spark gap produces ultraviolet light, which can be extremely harmful to the eyes. Avoid looking at the spark gap and, if possible,enclose the spark gap in an opaque casing. The spark gap needs air to work properly, so make sure the case has holes for air to enter and escape. Additionally, the sparking action produces toxic ozone. Use the Tesla coil only in a well-ventilated room (Gordon McComb 60). Through the testing procedures, I can use my welding helmet as ultra-protection when testing with the Tesla coil mechanisms in the CRT TV. These are very important facts that helped me understand the security risks I will encounter during my project. FAILURES, STRUGGLES AND SUCCESS In any project there will always be successes and failures. Although failure is not seen as an option in today's society, I believe that as long as we grow from our failures, they can be used to teach us. Surely disappointments and failures arose from this project, but that didn't stop me. Many people told me I couldn't do this project and my response was "look at me". Here's my story: From the beginning, I'm unaware of anything I attempted in this project. I entered this Capstone Project almost blinded by my own passion. I knew nothing about oscilloscopes or oscillators. All I knew about this subject was that they were fascinating to watch and play with. This is something that has always interested me and I have always wanted to make one. These can be used to make electronic music, which is another of my passions: listening to electronic music. The quest ratio was the best part to work on and was even more advanced than I expected. This was all very foreign to me. The research began when I went to the library and accumulated almost the entire electrical section of their books. Not even knowing where to begin with this project, I first studied oscilloscopes and documented my findings by taking notes. I went to my absolute favorite place to study and it was at the bowling alley when my dad bowled in his league. I put my electronic music in my headphones and that was one of the main fuels that guided me through this project with motivation. All I remember was being at peace while I was in the zone of weeks of research and ideation. Reality hit me when I started building my project. Lotte. Building the oscilloscope from an old CRT TV went relatively smoothly because I didn't get fried while playing around and cutting wires from a TV with stored charge. This was the first electronic device I got into without any electrical specs or knowledge of TV amperage. It's so hard to get CRT TVs these days because a lot of times people scrap them and people have stopped donating them to thrift stores. Technology is changing and times are becoming different. I didn't know what kind of TV would work, so I bought every CRT TV I saw. I picked up two small TVs from the thrift store after visiting 5 stores. I also saw a 22 inch CRT television that this guy on my street was throwing away on a very snowy day. I was so determined to get him home that I had to look ridiculous trying to get him. Some would call it determination. I needed a backup TV so that if I burned or blew one up, which was expected knowing me, I would be prepared for Murphy's Law to kick in. Luckily nothing exploded. Prayers work significantly and have kept me safe. I had no idea how dangerous this little TV was. It did not include a specification with amperage information andto tension. This was due to the Salvation Army's "as is" purchase conditions. The TV also had to be used with my variable power supply that my friend had given me. It did its job, but the potentiometer on it gave misleading power signals and wasn't consistent with the TV's natural settings. There was no way to measure the output voltage on the low amperage 12 volt power supply. Ultimately, it can be difficult to get the right settings to turn on your TV remotely. I later converted it with a 12 volt, 2 amp power supply and a non-variable power supply that I received at Microcenter. Basically, Microcenter was my second home at the end of my senior year. Also, recently learning that the TV was running on 2 amps and that my hands were involved in working inside the TV, terrifies me because two amps could kill a person. Looking back, I could have tried looking up the TV's electrical specs online or looked up the model numbers. Some of the TV stickers were also in Spanish, which I assumed meant caution or danger. I have to get used to the fact that electricity is dangerous when I enter the engineering field. This project was a good practice. Over my years at CSI, dealing with engineering projects, I quickly learned that engineering is about doing everything without knowing how to do it, but being expected to know how to solve it. Nothing wrong with that teaching method, as it helped me strengthen my logical and problem-solving skills. Failure comes with trying, but without failure it would simply mean that your dreams aren't big enough. So I continued. Failures. Oscillators were the other main component I struggled with. The idea of ​​trying to connect the oscillators to the other factors was the hardest part. My oscillator didn't work right away, so I connected it to the TV. It didn't move the single stable point displayed on the screen, which made me disappointed, but not upset. This result didn't stop me from stopping, so I proceeded to rebuild it several times afterward. However, no success. I later found out that an amplifier is needed to make the signal show. Soon after a second visit to the library to get my second collection of e-books, everything came into play and the research process began again. Let's get ready to rumble... Now I've been wrestling with my brain trying to figure out how to make the amp work. I bought some op amps at Microcenter, but they didn't work even with further research into the concept of how to use op amp pins. To sum up, I was completely confused. I built it on a breadboard more than 10 times before I figured out how to connect it to the oscillator. Every time I connected it to the oscillator I didn't hear any intense high frequency noise other than the non-negotiable hum of the annoying TV. No luck with the change to single point display on the luminescent screen. I started to speculate that my op amp wasn't even working, maybe it was faulty. Later that evening I asked my dad if he had any old DJ equipment I could borrow to get it going. Luckily he had an old amp that I could tinker with. I played with the amp for two days until my dad said the amp needed an AV audio cable. Before he told me, I was just running the aux cables into the amp. Not only am I learning about older technology, but I learned that older TVs had certain deals vs/.