Fay Reid
From:
Orono, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 13 Oct 2007 1:08 pm |
|
Signal isn't coming through to the amp? Check the patch cords with the DIY Patch Cord Analyser.
The two led's indicate if the cord is "Good", "Open Circuited", or "Short Circuited", so you can more easily find and remedy the problem.
The project could be built using a project box which I originally used. Subsequently, a 4" length of 1 1/2" (I think) ABS pipe substituted very well for the project box, and I might add, was much cheaper and easier to find. About a dozen of these were made of which one was given as a door prize at a Joe Wright seminar in Whitby, Ontario, Canada.
Two holes the size of the led bulbs, but smaller than their bases, were drilled to allow the bulbs to protrude slightly from the inside. Drill two more 3/8" holes to accept the two female 1/4" jacks. The holes for led's and jacks were drilled near one end of the pipe about 90 degrees to each other in pairs, such that the two ends of the patch cord can be inserted without difficulty. Solder the circuit together, if possible, before the final "fit".
Two 1/4" doughnuts were cut from another piece of the pipe. A section was cut from each doughnut to allow each of these to be squeezed to a smaller diameter and glued to the inner surface of each end of the project pipe. This not only gives better aesthetics to your project, when sanded flat, but tends to hold in the 9v battery at the one end. Do not glue these until final assembly is complete and tested. But do fit them loosely to make sure that the holes for led's and jacks are positioned correctly. The inner surface of the battery-end doughnut may have to be filed to allow for insertion of the battery. File "square corners to allow the battery to just fit. It's less likely to fall out later. Place a tissue or suitable insulator between the terminal end of the battery and the rest of the circuit.
Don't worry if you make an error. The pipe is cheap!Don't use larger pipe than necessary since everthing is a friction fit, not glued. The battery doesn't want to be slopping around on the inside.
Scotch tape a small piece of paper with the analysis code to the pipe for later reference. ie what both led's' lighting means or only one or neither. You'll likely forget the code, later.
Parts list: 2 coloured (red) led's
2 female jacks
4" length of ABS pipe and glue
9v battery
9v battery terminal
1 470ohm resistor
paper insulator
Required tools: hacksaw
soldering gun
drill press
It takes about 1 hour to plan and construct.
I would assume that something similar could be made for testing xlr cords as well. Circuitry would have to be a little more complicated to allow for the added wiring of xlr cables.
While I have given most of the ones I constructed away, one of my friends sold one to a friend of his for $20.
Any questions? Email me at efay@porchlight.ca.
Have fun! |
|
