I rarely do hardware repair (okay sometimes, but not often) and I know how to use multimeters and oscilloscopes. In a repair stream on twitch I saw someone using a logic-probe today and it's such a nice tool. For example I own an oszi, but it's a crt model, so it's quite big and therefore on a shelf 2m away from the workbench, just for space reasons. The small size of these logic probes is a BIG advantage. Thx for the nice explanation.
Great video! Explains what a logic probe is in a nut shell. Yesterday I relied on the same model Logic probe to diagnose why the 6 digit displays were not working on my Gottlieb System 80 Counterforce. All of the MPU boards display section TTL chips tested fine. The connections were fine. Ended up being trouble on the power supply. A Zenner diode needed to be replaced. The displays then lit up like new. My DDM found the troubled component on the power supply but the Logic probe verified the circuit boards ic chips were functioning properly. A great tool for anyone repairing and troubleshooting their own circuit boards.
I literally looked up one of these, a logic probe, on Amazon earlier. Trying to work on my Xenon pin, but I am also starting to work on arcade PCBs, so I figured something like this would be helpful. Now that I see how easy it is to use, i'm gonna order one. Thanks.
Dumb question, but can you use these to work on cb radios to find things like why the radio doesn't have receive or transmit? Will it be able to tell where a certain circuit stops like a bad component?
While I haven't repaired a cb radio, your best bet would be to use an oscilloscope. With a schematic and diagrams you can trace the circuit starting at where the signal begins. The logic probe is better used for simple logic circuits. Like if the digital display on a cb radio wasn't working correctly. For an oscilloscope you don't need a fancy one. Just a very basic one.
Great question, it could be used on modern IC components. An oscilloscope might be more useful. But the logic probe is a low cost solution to check for activity on a data line. Or on an Arduino it could be used to check the status of it's logic outputs.
Thanks for this video. I try to understand what a logic probe does. If I'm right, it helps to see the states (LOW/HIGH) of a pin (below or above 5v)...ok. Does this information helps for checking if an IC has a normal behaviour ? How can you check for example if a Z80 dip 40 is OK ? Do you rely on reading "states" ?
Glad you liked the video! From my limited electronic understanding an ideal logic state of high is 5 volts and a low state is 0 volts. For checking a Z80 the logic probe could be used for looking at activity on data lines, clock lines, or reset signal. In certain applications you may not see a pulse and an oscilloscope should be used.
@@PinballMayhem Thanks a lot. I've just ordered a second hand logic probe. I have 2 faulty Sega Megadrives and the probe will help me understand what's going on. Maybe one day I'll invest in some oscilloscope.
This is mostly for logic circuits, so in a car you'll usually have 5v regulators feeding electronics. It does say you can use it with these higher villages, but I'm not sure what benefit you'd get from this over e.g. a test light
I rarely do hardware repair (okay sometimes, but not often) and I know how to use multimeters and oscilloscopes. In a repair stream on twitch I saw someone using a logic-probe today and it's such a nice tool. For example I own an oszi, but it's a crt model, so it's quite big and therefore on a shelf 2m away from the workbench, just for space reasons. The small size of these logic probes is a BIG advantage. Thx for the nice explanation.
Thanks,
Great video! Explains what a logic probe is in a nut shell. Yesterday I relied on the same model Logic probe to diagnose why the 6 digit displays were not working on my Gottlieb System 80 Counterforce. All of the MPU boards display section TTL chips tested fine. The connections were fine. Ended up being trouble on the power supply. A Zenner diode needed to be replaced. The displays then lit up like new. My DDM found the troubled component on the power supply but the Logic probe verified the circuit boards ic chips were functioning properly. A great tool for anyone repairing and troubleshooting their own circuit boards.
I literally looked up one of these, a logic probe, on Amazon earlier. Trying to work on my Xenon pin, but I am also starting to work on arcade PCBs, so I figured something like this would be helpful. Now that I see how easy it is to use, i'm gonna order one. Thanks.
Thank you.
Cool helpful video, thanks for showing the clock signal, I’m gonna try that.
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback. Glad you liked it.
Just busting my logic probe out today. Just trying to get enough information on it before I start poking around. Good video!
Thanks! As long as you don't bridge 2 pins of a chip you should be OK.
Very helpful thanks
Great pointers
Great video!
Thank you! I was just using it tonight on a pinball circuit board 😎
Can you check any i.c. without worry of damage ?
Dumb question, but can you use these to work on cb radios to find things like why the radio doesn't have receive or transmit? Will it be able to tell where a certain circuit stops like a bad component?
While I haven't repaired a cb radio, your best bet would be to use an oscilloscope. With a schematic and diagrams you can trace the circuit starting at where the signal begins. The logic probe is better used for simple logic circuits. Like if the digital display on a cb radio wasn't working correctly. For an oscilloscope you don't need a fancy one. Just a very basic one.
@@PinballMayhem Ok, thank you!!
i'd like to know what the input voltage for the probe is?
Great question Stan, Digi Key has a DP 21 that looks the same as mine (has a nice data sheet too). Operating voltage 4-18 volts.
Can it check the modern IC? Like computers etc
Great question, it could be used on modern IC components. An oscilloscope might be more useful. But the logic probe is a low cost solution to check for activity on a data line. Or on an Arduino it could be used to check the status of it's logic outputs.
25 bucks on amazon in Canada.
Thanks for this video.
I try to understand what a logic probe does. If I'm right, it helps to see the states (LOW/HIGH) of a pin (below or above 5v)...ok.
Does this information helps for checking if an IC has a normal behaviour ?
How can you check for example if a Z80 dip 40 is OK ? Do you rely on reading "states" ?
Glad you liked the video!
From my limited electronic understanding an ideal logic state of high is 5 volts and a low state is 0 volts.
For checking a Z80 the logic probe could be used for looking at activity on data lines, clock lines, or reset signal. In certain applications you may not see a pulse and an oscilloscope should be used.
@@PinballMayhem Thanks a lot. I've just ordered a second hand logic probe. I have 2 faulty Sega Megadrives and the probe will help me understand what's going on.
Maybe one day I'll invest in some oscilloscope.
Good luck on the repairs
For a Z80, check +5V, Reset, Clock, DO, D7, A0, A15, if you get pulse activity on those your Z80 is probably ok.
What if it's less than 5v but more than zero volts? The application is 12 volt automotive systems
This is mostly for logic circuits, so in a car you'll usually have 5v regulators feeding electronics. It does say you can use it with these higher villages, but I'm not sure what benefit you'd get from this over e.g. a test light
Voltages, not villages, naturally 🤣 swiping typing is great but not perfect...
@@rpavlik1 Testing pulsing of injectors / coil on plugs etc - can be handy to use without disconnecting.
Crazy
40 bucks, for the price of two logic probes you could get a whole oscilloscope these days...
Great video mate. Cheers from Australia mate 👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
Thanks!
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