Raising Funds For New And Improved CLD Test Rig
Donation protected
My name is Chris Purdue. For those that don't know, I'm TOOSTUBBORN2FAIL from the DIYMA forums, the same guy that did the large CLD Testing thread. The premise of that testing was to educate myself and others on the best products to use to reduce vibration and resonance for car audio use. I was able to extract and provide a lot of information that the community had not seen before, and help a lot of people make better choices (including myself).
However, I was never 100% happy with the information. The entire setup was built with less that $150 and materials and test equipment I had on hand. It had an accuracy rate of +/- 0.75 decibels, and over time, the wood that made up the clamping system deteriorated due to repeated tightening. On top of that, I was only able to test at one temperature, due to the open nature of the test rig. I've always wanted to re-perform testing with a better rig.
With the closing of SDS, the best performing product of that test cycle, along with a few other companies, and the arrival of some new companies like Resonix, now seems the best time to get into this. Unfortunately, I am in a position with a lot of spare time, but no funds to do this. Hence I must turn to fundraising.
I have designed a new test rig that will address all of the issues I mentioned with the previous rig. This would be a permanent addition to my garage, weighing in at about 1000 pounds. The actual test rig will be enclosed inside a larger enclosure that allows testing at multiple temps, and should significantly reduce noise floor from the last testing. The measurement mic will be permanently attached to the rig, but decoupled, and will be used with REW. In addition, there will be a recording mic so that the sound difference between products can be heard, as well as analyzed using audacity. There will be an IR thermometer with a display on the outside of the test enclosure monitoring internal temps. The clamping system for the test panels will be made of steel this time, so that they wont degrade noticeably with repeated tightening.
I will need to build a low budget computer that will stay disconnected from the internet to run the test equipment. During the last testing cycle, a windows update wrecked REW's usability for me, and wasn't fixed for two REW updates.
All funds donated will be accounted for publicly, including scans of receipts so that donors know how and what they provided for the testing. If the project doesn't fully fund, I will use what does fund to first build the test rig assembly, and then order the testing equipment that I can. If I am unable to get it assembled to the point where I can begin testing, I will start a new fundraiser at that point.
All testing will be published on a new youtube channel that will be started for that purpose. This is to both keep people in the loop with regards to testing, and provide total transparency on the testing procedure and products. Ideally a website will also be created where this information will be databased.
This is a basic list of materials and equipment that will be needed.
4'x8'x3/4" MDF Sheets x 6
50lb sand bags x 10
Green Glue x 6 Tubes
Sparkfun MLX90614 IR Board x 1
Sparkfun OLED Board x 1
Dayton UMM-6 x 1
Dayton RS225-4 x 2
Audio Technica AT2020USB+ x 1
AS2.100 Hypex Plate Amp x 1
5" Heavy Duty Casters x 4
Ultra-touch insulation x 1 bag
Misc hardware, screws, hinges, latches, wire, computer parts (psu, motherboard, processor, ram, harddrive, EST under $300.
However, I was never 100% happy with the information. The entire setup was built with less that $150 and materials and test equipment I had on hand. It had an accuracy rate of +/- 0.75 decibels, and over time, the wood that made up the clamping system deteriorated due to repeated tightening. On top of that, I was only able to test at one temperature, due to the open nature of the test rig. I've always wanted to re-perform testing with a better rig.
With the closing of SDS, the best performing product of that test cycle, along with a few other companies, and the arrival of some new companies like Resonix, now seems the best time to get into this. Unfortunately, I am in a position with a lot of spare time, but no funds to do this. Hence I must turn to fundraising.
I have designed a new test rig that will address all of the issues I mentioned with the previous rig. This would be a permanent addition to my garage, weighing in at about 1000 pounds. The actual test rig will be enclosed inside a larger enclosure that allows testing at multiple temps, and should significantly reduce noise floor from the last testing. The measurement mic will be permanently attached to the rig, but decoupled, and will be used with REW. In addition, there will be a recording mic so that the sound difference between products can be heard, as well as analyzed using audacity. There will be an IR thermometer with a display on the outside of the test enclosure monitoring internal temps. The clamping system for the test panels will be made of steel this time, so that they wont degrade noticeably with repeated tightening.
I will need to build a low budget computer that will stay disconnected from the internet to run the test equipment. During the last testing cycle, a windows update wrecked REW's usability for me, and wasn't fixed for two REW updates.
All funds donated will be accounted for publicly, including scans of receipts so that donors know how and what they provided for the testing. If the project doesn't fully fund, I will use what does fund to first build the test rig assembly, and then order the testing equipment that I can. If I am unable to get it assembled to the point where I can begin testing, I will start a new fundraiser at that point.
All testing will be published on a new youtube channel that will be started for that purpose. This is to both keep people in the loop with regards to testing, and provide total transparency on the testing procedure and products. Ideally a website will also be created where this information will be databased.
This is a basic list of materials and equipment that will be needed.
4'x8'x3/4" MDF Sheets x 6
50lb sand bags x 10
Green Glue x 6 Tubes
Sparkfun MLX90614 IR Board x 1
Sparkfun OLED Board x 1
Dayton UMM-6 x 1
Dayton RS225-4 x 2
Audio Technica AT2020USB+ x 1
AS2.100 Hypex Plate Amp x 1
5" Heavy Duty Casters x 4
Ultra-touch insulation x 1 bag
Misc hardware, screws, hinges, latches, wire, computer parts (psu, motherboard, processor, ram, harddrive, EST under $300.
Organiser
Chris Purdue
Organiser
Visalia, CA
