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 Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software » MusicFromOuterSpace.com designs by Ray Wilson
WaveFreaker Wiring Question
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Etamin



Joined: Jan 05, 2011
Posts: 26
Location: NJ, USA

PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 11:41 am    Post subject: WaveFreaker Wiring Question Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

This board has been sitting taunting me for too long now.

Ray's documentation recommends using coax cable to connect Input Jack to Input Level pot, and then to the board (Also X3 to board)

Should I connect the shield to ground?

If so, at both ends or just one?

Thanks, and apologies if this is a stupid question. I know enough not to hold the pointy end of the soldering iron, but my electronics knowledge is not very deep Embarassed

Peter
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JingleJoe



Joined: Nov 10, 2011
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 5:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I would connect both ends to ground, although I don't know for certain if that's what Mr Wilson would advise, but that would be the standard thing to do when connecting equipment together with coax leads.
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Etamin



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PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi Jingle

Thanks. I don't know if Ray advises that, as I could not find it in his documentation. I was trying to avoid emailing him directly, partly to reduce his load, and partly, because the answer will probably benefit others here.

I will take your advice and connect the shield at both ends. I thought about it as I read your reply, and if I am not happy with the results, I can always disconnect one end, and/or the other. I assume Ray's recommendation to use coax is to reduce noise, so I will report back when I have tested.

Nobody should hold their breath on an update though, this is in my backlog, and may still be months from completion. I tend to get bogged down at the front panel layout stage.

Thanks, Peter
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elmegil



Joined: Mar 20, 2012
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Wouldn't connecting both ends create a ground loop?
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Etamin



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PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 6:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I understand ground loops in a Piper Cub, but not in electronics Confused
My patch cables all have two cores, signal and ground, and I don't think I hear A/C hum, so I don't know why this would be different.

I am open to suggestions (read - I need help!)

Thanks, Peter
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elmegil



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PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

That's a good point Smile

I'll have to leave it to someone better versed than myself to say for sure.
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Mongo1



Joined: Aug 11, 2011
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Typically it's best to connect 1 end of the shield. Frankly though with the length of cable we're talking about, I'm not even sure shielded cable is needed at all.

Gary
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Etamin



Joined: Jan 05, 2011
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 8:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi Gary

Thanks. Well Ray recommends use of coax, explicitly in his doc, and I don't think I have ever seen him mention it elsewhere.

So, since I have some here, I will use that, and maybe follow your suggestion and only connect one end of the shield. Having the shielded cable shouldn't be detrimental, and I can always connect the second end of the shield or disconnect the first - that is easier than replacing the whole cable if I start with plain hookup.

I assume there must be something about this part of the circuit which is particularly susceptible to induced noise or something.

For general module wiring, I just use stranded Cat-5E cable with the sheath removed, and I haven't experienced any problems - well, none that my untrained ears can detect. I just have a lot of it, and the multiple colours help when making the connections.

Thanks, Peter
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JingleJoe



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PostPosted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

elmegil wrote:
Wouldn't connecting both ends create a ground loop?

if i understand correctly, thats not how ground loops work. can we get a diagram of the connection being made?

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Etamin



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PostPosted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 10:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi Joe

This is a link to the project page http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/forums.html?MAINTAB=SYNTHDIY&PROJARG=DELAYEDMODULATION/DELAYEDMODULATION.php&VPW=1024&VPH=547

This is a link to the first page of the schematic as a PDF, although it does not show the Input attenuating pot http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/WAVEFREAKER/pdf/wavefreakerschematic_schem.pdf

Ray is recommending coax between the input jack and the 100k audio input attenuator pot (sig in one side, ground the other side, sig out fro the wiper), and from the wiper to the board, where it enters at point X6 about 2/3 down on the left side of the schematic linked above.

I just opened the link to a picture at the top of the document, which is here http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/WAVEFREAKER/images/wave%20freaker%20during%20test%201.jpg

From that it definitely looks like it is NOT grounded where the coax connects to the board, but I cannot see clearly if it does so on the panel. He doesn't explicitly show a ground connection on the coax on the panel wiring diagram here http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/WAVEFREAKER/pdf/frontpanelwiring_assembly.pdf

and Ray is usually very thorough. However, with my limited knowledge, I do not understand how coax with the outer shield just 'floating' would help.

Sorry for the lengthy post, I think I should just experiment, as nothing is going to break if I do/do not connect the shield.

Thanks for your help and advice.

Peter
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Mongo1



Joined: Aug 11, 2011
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Quote:
From that it definitely looks like it is NOT grounded where the coax connects to the board, but I cannot see clearly if it does so on the panel. He doesn't explicitly show a ground connection on the coax on the panel wiring diagram here http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/WAVEFREAKER/pdf/frontpanelwiring_assembly.pdf

and Ray is usually very thorough. However, with my limited knowledge, I do not understand how coax with the outer shield just 'floating' would help.


Yeah - if you don't ground it at all, it's kind of pointless. I don't typically bother with Coax on my stuff, but if I do I take a small piece of stranded wire and solder it to the coax shield, and then heatshrink around that. That makes it easy to attach the shield to a ground lug on the panel.

Gary
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Etamin



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Location: NJ, USA

PostPosted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi Gary

Thanks again, your heat shrunk ground lead sounds helpful, that will make it easier to manage at the panel, and easier to test with/without the ground connection.

Thanks, Peter
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