I’ve learned how to use my Oscilloscope finally (at least I think I have) and in the process learned some pretty interesting things I wanted to share.

1) Looking at my first 555 circuit that is responsible for turning the main 555 circuit on and off, I noticed that instead of speeding up and slowing down, it actually changes the length that the circuit is turned on.  This would mean to me that instead of actually changing a frequency with this circuit, we are keeping the cycle of off consistent and stretching out the time the circuit is engaged.

2) While using my battery charger I discovered that whenever the charger turns on, it substantially influences the frequency that the circuit is sending to the cell.  This means that to have a consistent result, we are going to have to power the cell with a consistent power source.

3) Because the two 555 circuits are not exactly changing the frequencies at which they run, but rather are simply changing the time at which they stay active, they tend to cancel each other out in spots and the scope won’t trigger to lock in signals.  But I found that if you listen to the cell with your ear, when the cell gets at its highest pitch, the scope triggers and locks in on the current.  So there is a physical pitch to the cell at the point where it appears to resonate, and depending on where each timing circuit is positioned, it will affect that setting.  Also, there is more than one spot along each setting that seems to resonate but they are very difficult to tune in by hand.  It makes it a lot easier though, now that I’ve discovered the pitch, because it helps you hear approximately where and then you can look at the scope to fine tune.

4) Because the circuits are not really providing a constant frequency (at least not in my mind) to the cell, it would appear that perhaps they need to be adjusted a bit.  I am going to consult some of my new friends on this subject though because its possible I’m thinking about this all wrong…