Re: Widebands That You Would or Wouldn't Buy
Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 3:28 am
Here is the other side of the PCB.
Again, "part number for part number" the same as the LC-1. With a few exceptions.
Some of them are so old, I would be worried about an EOL notice.
I did a little poking around with the scope. I verified that they are using PWM for DAC now, with an opamp for output buffering.
The 5v rail is pretty noisy.
Unlike the LC-1, there is no MAX202/MAX232 for the serial outputs. So, I will check to see if they still conform. Or, are just +12v and ground, now.
The case is semi-sealed. There is a channel for o-ring cord around the perimeter. But, no seal at the joints. The strain reliefs are pretty solid.
I don't understand the mounting ears. They are not flush with the back of the housing. So, if you tighten them down, they may break off or bend. It looks like it is intended to be mounted on standoffs. Maybe there is a kit.
It LOOKS like the +12v power ( red wires ) goes directly to the sensor heater. This could be a problem if power is hooked up backwards. Power would flow through the MOSFET's freewheel diode? Although, with the simplified wiring, it is probably a lot less likely to happen on the LC-2, than before. The LC-1 has a big blocking diode in that circuit.
The CPU is the same as the LC-1. Except for the different DAC interfaces, I say it's 50/50 whether the LC-1 firmware could run on the LC-2 and vis-versa. I don't have time to to buzz it out.
This one goes back into the drawer until they release new sw/fw to fix the "instant mode" issue. I ordered a new PLX 3rd Gen unit to play with. Seems this is the year of the new wideband design.
Again, "part number for part number" the same as the LC-1. With a few exceptions.
Some of them are so old, I would be worried about an EOL notice.
I did a little poking around with the scope. I verified that they are using PWM for DAC now, with an opamp for output buffering.
The 5v rail is pretty noisy.
Unlike the LC-1, there is no MAX202/MAX232 for the serial outputs. So, I will check to see if they still conform. Or, are just +12v and ground, now.
The case is semi-sealed. There is a channel for o-ring cord around the perimeter. But, no seal at the joints. The strain reliefs are pretty solid.
I don't understand the mounting ears. They are not flush with the back of the housing. So, if you tighten them down, they may break off or bend. It looks like it is intended to be mounted on standoffs. Maybe there is a kit.
It LOOKS like the +12v power ( red wires ) goes directly to the sensor heater. This could be a problem if power is hooked up backwards. Power would flow through the MOSFET's freewheel diode? Although, with the simplified wiring, it is probably a lot less likely to happen on the LC-2, than before. The LC-1 has a big blocking diode in that circuit.
The CPU is the same as the LC-1. Except for the different DAC interfaces, I say it's 50/50 whether the LC-1 firmware could run on the LC-2 and vis-versa. I don't have time to to buzz it out.
This one goes back into the drawer until they release new sw/fw to fix the "instant mode" issue. I ordered a new PLX 3rd Gen unit to play with. Seems this is the year of the new wideband design.