AR-II Test Bench PICTURES!

bit_slicer

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It still needs a couple of parts, and some sticker labels for the knobs and switches, but it's fully functional:

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Despite being sick most of this week I was able to finally finish it to the point where I could test the first AR-II. Works great! :)

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Just curious...what's the meter in your box for? Is it for reading voltage...a la, built in volt meter? Looks very good!

Edward
 
Wow, even if it didn't work it looks cool as hell, add the fact that it works too! Bitchin'

Makes me want to build one of my own.
 
It still needs a couple of parts, and some sticker labels for the knobs and switches, but it's fully functional:

Nice job and I like the voltmeter addition. I did notice the "slight" rigging there on one of the connectors. Did you run out of connectors (doh)? Very nicely laid out and very usefull.
 
Thanks for the comments guys! :D Yeah it was quite a bit of work - much more than I anticipated. And it seemed that whatever could go wrong, did, like holes not lining up (is it too obvious? :)), and yes running out of connectors! If you look close there's a small piece of cardboard between the two rows of exposed pins. Do'o'oh!! Yes this thing is quite dangerous. (HA!) Parts are on order though.

Dangerous indeed! Certain combinations of voltage and resistance should not mix on this thing. I need to make up a little crib sheet to remind me not to select +22V with 1 Ohm of resistance. That's about 480 Watts of dissipation!!! (theoretically) Can you say China Syndrome??? :p

Just curious...what's the meter in your box for? Is it for reading voltage...a la, built in volt meter? Looks very good!

Edward

Yeah that's a panel voltmeter. I had one laying about so I figured I'd put it in there. There's also a couple of test lugs to attach a digital meter for more accuracy.

Nice work. I may have a few that I need looked at. Lemme know when you are up and running!

Will do! I haven't really looked into how much should go into test and repairs yet, but that is the plan for the near-term.

I have at least 20 of them to sell.

That direction too! I've got a couple of lines in the water already, but I will shoot you a PM today.

How much did you spend on materials on that thing?

Most of the parts came from a local electronics graveyard so I was able to get them cheap. Although I had to make multiple trips, and they ding you for at least $10 per bulk purchase, so all in all it came to about $60 bucks, not including the Atari power brick and test AR-II. Not too bad.
 
Now what is the speacker for? Does it say "This board good" :001_sbiggrin:

Great idea! :D A feature for the v2.0 release!

Seriously tho, the AR-II has two audio amps. In the load box there's a signal generator (555) which drives the audio amps, and then the amplified audio goes back into the box and to the speaker. Also there's no current-limiting resistor in the return path, so itz reely loud!! :p
 
Dangerous indeed! Certain combinations of voltage and resistance should not mix on this thing. I need to make up a little crib sheet to remind me not to select +22V with 1 Ohm of resistance. That's about 480 Watts of dissipation!!!

Shoulf have tracked down a 2-pole rotary, so the load would change w/ the voltage selection...
 
Seriously tho, the AR-II has two audio amps. In the load box there's a signal generator (555) which drives the audio amps, and then the amplified audio goes back into the box and to the speaker. Also there's no current-limiting resistor in the return path, so itz reely loud!! :p

Use the RC input to the 555 instead of the output, and you'll get a lower amplitude sawtooth that may sound less harsh.
 
Shoulf have tracked down a 2-pole rotary, so the load would change w/ the voltage selection...

Actually I bought a couple of those to try, but they were too deep for the box. :( I'll just have to be careful I guess.
 
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