I realise that to some people this will be akin to asking if anyone knows a source for pre-grated cheese
but does anyone know a UK retail source for leads with one 3.5mm jack on one end, and a pair of crocodile clips on the other?
The ones google has found me so far are either out of stock, or want 5 times the cost of the lead to ship the thing across the Atlantic.
A couple of leads of this nature would be ever so handy to use with the new Korg Tekt NTS-2 oscilloscope I just got
A decent soldering iron from RS or one of the other reputable suppliers costs peanuts these days. Think of the wonderful sense of achievement you'll get from making your own lead. And - top tip - just pick up a 3.5mm lead, I've chopped them off in the past from things like disposable earbuds or Poundland, where I've seen 3.5 to twin RCA leads, then just solder the croc clips on the other end which requires only the most rudimentary soldering skills.
If you don't like soldering then just cut the end off a mini jack to mini jack cable, strip the wires and then use a couple of leads with croc clips on each end.
Yes I could do that but it will fall to bits in 5 minutes and manage to be even more of a mess than the insides of the 40 year old analogue synths I'm trying to calibrate
ramthelinefeed wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 4:56 pm
Yes I could do that but it will fall to bits in 5 minutes and manage to be even more of a mess than the insides of the 40 year old analogue synths I'm trying to calibrate
In which case I'd use the right tools for the job - proper scope probes.
Heat shrink plastic is your friend. A miracle solution for protecting and strengthening dodgy connections and just use a disposable lighter to shrink it. A little box with all sorts of different diameters is cheap.
ajay_m wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 8:34 pm
Heat shrink plastic is your friend. A miracle solution for protecting and strengthening dodgy connections and just use a disposable lighter to shrink it. A little box with all sorts of different diameters is cheap.
I second that emotion, that heat shrink plastic is up there along with sliced bread, gravy granules, the plectrum and tv remotes when it comes to most useful inventions of the modern world
James Perrett wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 7:49 pm
In which case I'd use the right tools for the job - proper scope probes.
I'm sure they have the place, but honestly I think crocodile clips seem handier for most of my machines? They generally have little 'test point' hoops or hooks on the board, which are ideal for snapping with a crocodile clip.
(I guess probes are most use when you're trying to do diagnosis on a circuit? That's a bit beyond me! I'm usually just following calibration instructions in a Service Manual)
ramthelinefeed wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:56 pm
They generally have little 'test point' hoops or hooks on the board, which are ideal for snapping with a crocodile clip.
They're designed for attaching the retracting hook in proper scope probes!
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound...
(But generally posting my own personal views and not necessarily those of SOS, the company or the magazine!)
In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual...
ramthelinefeed wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:56 pm
They generally have little 'test point' hoops or hooks on the board, which are ideal for snapping with a crocodile clip.
You are much more likely to short and damage something with croc clips than you are with a scope probe. It really is the right tool for the job - take it from those that know!
