Hardware installation
General considerations
In the previous chapter we provided a brief summary of 8 features of SAP2. If you are only interested in features 3-7 (that is, without the recorder and live analysis components), skip to section 2B (Software Installation). If you already have a recording system that includes a multi-channel sound card, microphones connected to an existing experimental setup, and you want to implement SAP2 as a recorder - but not for operant training - you should read parts II and III of this section. Otherwise, you should read the entire chapter.
Section I: Hardware installation from scratch
Setting training boxes
Building your own sound boxes is easy and will save you several thousand dollars. The sound isolation quality will depend on the thickness of the foam used, and on the accuracy of application, but in general, it should be easy to achieve at least 30dB of attenuation. In zebra finches, we did not detect any penetration of bird vocalization sounds across boxes (as long as both boxes are closed and airflow is intact).
Coolers: There are many brand names (cost is bout $40-$60 per box). There are certain differences in the quality of hinges and ease of handling. We used Thermos 110 qt Coolers (Outside: 34 x 16 x 17; Inside: 32 x 14 x 15). It is very likely that you will have to replace the hinges after a few years of usage.
Sound isolation foam: The material cost is about $50 per box. We recommend SOUNDFOAM "M" from www.soundcoat.com/absorption.htm which is an acoustic quality, open cell, flexible polyether based urethane foam designed specifically to provide maximum sound absorption in minimum thickness. It is characterized by outstanding humidity resistance, excellent chemical resistance, fine and uniform cell size and consistent sound absorption. It is available plain, embossed, or with decorative and protective surface finishes of aluminized polyester film, Tedlar, and matte urethane film. Soundfoam "M" is supplied with one of several high performance pressure sensitive adhesives in “ready to use custom die-cut parts. Glazed ¾ and ½ “: thick for the sides and front lead:
Use silicon glue to suture the joints between sheets (you will need glue gun and silicon glue tubes). xzLatching: Remove the latches from the cooler and replace them by metal locks. We use Stanley LifeSpan USA+ from Home Depot.
Cages: 18 x 9 x 10 Previw-Hendrix Model DB (Breeding small cages with a split, which is not used for our application).
12 VDC Power Supply (http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/ps_specs.htm) of 5Amp can be used to connect at least 4 bars (namely for 4 cages). You will also need a 36” long LB1 Jumper – Power cable and at liest 2 Light Bar Mounting Tracks per cage. Overall cost is around $30 per cage (including the partial coast of power supply). You will need to do some soldering and make sure that the power supply is secured in an appropriate enclosure (the provided enclosure is not secure enough – place it inside an appropriate electric box).
Air supply: The airflow system should be centralized. We use 100W or 120W aquarium air pump model #LPH120. www.Jehmco.com or http://www.jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/HARDWARE_/Central_Air_Pumps/ This should suffice for 20 boxes or so. These pumps are very quiet since they are surrounded by a ‘sound box’. You can choose between a few different capacities. The highest one (xxx Amp) should suffice for 20 training boxes, whereas the smaller ones () can support 10 or 15 boxes. The pump cost is about $300 (about $20 per box).
Airline Silicon tubing: 250 ft, small diameter tubing with good damping of sound noises, from Foster & Smith. Price is about $30.
Racks: use any comfortable shelving solution, and get the coolers fixed (e.g., by bungee cords or by screws).
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