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DIY Audio Probe
I'd like to think I know a bit about electronics but what I don't always have is the tools necessary to do more complex tasks such as tracking down an audio signal in a PCB. If you simply want to make sure you're getting audio from a specific spot on a circuit board, you don't need an oscilloscope - just make an Audio Probe. An audio probe is simply a "speaker on a stick" with the positive and negative terminals tied to metal probes. To use, turn up the volume on your audio player. Find a good ground and place one of the probes on it. Take the other (positive) probe and poke around until you hear music!
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There are many ways to do this but I used the following items:
Automotive 12V test light or similar probe
Earbud earphone or small speaker
Test probe lead
Soldering iron, solder, wire and heat-shrink tubing
Take the automotive probe apart. Disconnect the light bulb & socket and discard.
You will only need one "ear" so take one of the earbuds and clip the wires to about an inch or two from the speaker. Strip the wires and tin with your iron.
Grab a piece of wire and solder it to the center of the main probe as shown. This will be your positive probe lead. Solder the other end to the positive earphone wire. Remember to sleeve the shrink tubing before soldering!
Keeping the test probe lead intact, take the end of its wire and solder to the negative earphone wire. I drilled a hole in the probe casing to route it through.
Depending on the size and shape of your earphone, you will need to trim and/or glue the earphone in place on the end of the probe.
Test by using a known good audio source and a cable with an exposed end such as male/male 1/8" plug.
DONE!
Standard 12V Car Test Light . Old broken headphone, stripped
Test Probe, stripped
Speaker Positioned on Top
Connect Positive Terminal to Probe
Ground Terminal - Connect to Neg.
Tuck Everything Inside Housing
Probe & Listen! |
