Author Topic: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project  (Read 3407634 times)

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Offline madires

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #200 on: November 12, 2013, 12:26:46 pm »
I have a 475K 630V polyester capacitor that's reading 47.28nF shouldn't it be 4700nF (4.7uF)?  Any ideas?

Do you got similar problems with other caps too or just with that one?
 

Offline casinada

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #201 on: November 12, 2013, 03:48:17 pm »
Those versions don't have ISP headers as the Processor is in a Socket DIP package and not SMD like other versions with the 128. Just take the chip out and reprogram it.
 
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Online Shock

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #202 on: November 12, 2013, 10:55:54 pm »
Do you got similar problems with other caps too or just with that one?

Wondering why it would be out by almost exactly a factor of 100x.  Just this one so far I'll test some more, might be faulty and a coincidence.
Soldering/Rework: Pace ADS200, Pace MBT350
Multimeters: Fluke 189, 87V, 117, 112   >>> WANTED STUFF <<<
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Offline sync

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #203 on: November 12, 2013, 11:04:33 pm »
How big is it? A 4.7uF 630V film cap is huge. About 3-4cm.
 

Online Shock

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #204 on: November 13, 2013, 03:21:41 am »
It's small 4x5x2mm it says 475K 630V on it.
Soldering/Rework: Pace ADS200, Pace MBT350
Multimeters: Fluke 189, 87V, 117, 112   >>> WANTED STUFF <<<
Oszilloskopen: Lecroy 9314, Phillips PM3065, Tektronix 2215a, 314
 

Offline madires

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #205 on: November 13, 2013, 12:57:51 pm »
It's small 4x5x2mm it says 475K 630V on it.

Or maybe ".475K" ?
 

Offline sync

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #206 on: November 13, 2013, 02:02:00 pm »
It's small 4x5x2mm it says 475K 630V on it.
It's too small for a 4.7uF 630V film cap. The transistor tester is probably right with 47nF. I have no idea why it's marked 475K.
 

Offline Stonent

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #207 on: November 13, 2013, 08:08:21 pm »
Maybe a 475k ohm resistor with close wrapped wires with a break in them causing a capacitance? :)
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Offline cib3k

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #208 on: December 01, 2013, 09:05:03 pm »
I bought the one from here.

Here's how it looks inside:

 
     

I've labeled some of the components, in the pictures.

The values of the resistors, in KOhms, are the following:
R1: 0.680, R2: 470, R3: 0.680, R4: 470, R5: 0.680, R6: 470, R7: 10, R8: 32, R9: 3.3, R10: 27, R11: 100, R12: 10, R13: 3.3, R14: 0.56

R1-R6 are 0.1%, R7-R14 are 1%.

The ESR values of the Rubycon electrolitics (16V, 10uF) are 4.3 and 4.7 Ohms. They're high, but could be normal, according to some ESR charts. I couldn't find any official Rubycon documentation with ESR values.

The version of the board is 2.10 from 2013.06.20. Which seems rather odd, since 2.10 is an old version. I think I've seen a board labeled v2.10 with a 2012 date on it. There are also boards labeled v2.2, v2.4 and v3.0. So did they use an old hardware layout and slapped a 2013 date on it? I'll have to look more into it.

Anyway, it lacks an ISP header (not a problem) and the 2.5 volt reference. Anything else you notice?

I haven't properly tested yet, I'm a beginner and I don't have many components lying around.
« Last Edit: December 01, 2013, 09:08:28 pm by cib3k »
 

Offline JoeO

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #209 on: December 01, 2013, 09:22:17 pm »
Thanks for the nice write up and pictures.
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Today, only 26,000 remain.
 

Offline madires

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #210 on: December 02, 2013, 12:56:40 pm »
The ESR values of the Rubycon electrolitics (16V, 10uF) are 4.3 and 4.7 Ohms. They're high, but could be normal, according to some ESR charts. I couldn't find any official Rubycon documentation with ESR values.

Don't worry about them! Standard electrolytics are fine too.

Quote
Anyway, it lacks an ISP header (not a problem) and the 2.5 volt reference. Anything else you notice?

As long as you got an accurate voltage regulator the 2.5V reference doesn't give any benefits. It's more useful for a 7805 or 78L05. The PCB looks fine

Quote
I haven't properly tested yet, I'm a beginner and I don't have many components lying around.

Happy dumpster diving :-) E-junk is a good source for salvaging parts.
 

Offline Kavaelect

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #211 on: December 11, 2013, 11:25:34 pm »
Hi guys. Bought one to these testers and only did a few component tests when it started to display the word  "Cell!" every time now.

Tried replacing battery, shorting all three test points to enter self test mode but nothing I do has made a difference.
Would love some help to resolve the issue.

Searched the internet for info but can't seem to find anything helpful yet.

BTW....have already bought a new one on ebay and still waiting for its arrival.

I am desperately keen to find a fault in my NAD M15 surround sound decoder.

Thanks.
 

Offline madires

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #212 on: December 12, 2013, 03:15:07 pm »
Hi guys. Bought one to these testers and only did a few component tests when it started to display the word  "Cell!" every time now.

The tester tries to discharge what's connected to the probe pins before starting the tests. The default limit is about 3mV. Any higher voltage will cause the warning "Cell!". Have you checked some parts in circuit or a charged cap? If the tester worked fine before I'd assume that one of the MCU inputs for the probe pins might be toasted.
 
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Offline Hydrawerk

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #213 on: December 16, 2013, 10:12:06 pm »
I made the Markus Frejek's AVR component tester, too.

http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR-Transistortester
Amazing machines. https://www.youtube.com/user/denha (It is not me...)
 

Offline madires

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #214 on: December 17, 2013, 04:14:16 pm »
I made the Markus Frejek's AVR component tester, too.
http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR-Transistortester

The original project is a tad outdated :-) You'll find the successor at http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR_Transistortester offering much more features.
 

Offline Hydrawerk

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #215 on: December 18, 2013, 01:26:35 am »
Yes, but that did not work with my ATmega32.
Amazing machines. https://www.youtube.com/user/denha (It is not me...)
 

Offline Stonent

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #216 on: December 18, 2013, 11:18:40 am »
Quote
A connected capacitor can be measured in the range 35pF to 100MF with a resolution of up to 1 pF

Cool 100MegFarad. Will come in handy testing the decoupling caps at Comanche Peak. :)
« Last Edit: December 18, 2013, 11:21:27 am by Stonent »
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Offline madires

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #217 on: December 18, 2013, 01:46:58 pm »
Quote
A connected capacitor can be measured in the range 35pF to 100MF with a resolution of up to 1 pF

Cool 100MegFarad. Will come in handy testing the decoupling caps at Comanche Peak. :)

:-) The upper limit is 100mF. The highest value I've tested so far is 22mF and the m-firmware goes down to 1pF if the input capacitance including probe leads exeeds 5pF (should be always the case) and the self-adjustment is done.
 

Offline roli_bark

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #218 on: December 28, 2013, 01:52:25 pm »
Will this "cheapo" ISP programmer be capable of programming the ATMega168P & ATMega328/P MCs ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-ISP-Programmer-For-ATMEL-AVR-ATMega-ATTiny-51-Development-Board-New-/390641137707?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item5af406b82b

It is listed as capable for the ATMega168 (non-P).
 

Offline jav

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #219 on: December 28, 2013, 03:09:39 pm »
Will this "cheapo" ISP programmer be capable of programming the ATMega168P & ATMega328/P MCs ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-ISP-Programmer-For-ATMEL-AVR-ATMega-ATTiny-51-Development-Board-New-/390641137707?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item5af406b82b

It is listed as capable for the ATMega168 (non-P).
Yes. Works fine. I have one of those and it's an USBasp clone. Mine came with an old firmware (2007), but as I ordered two, I used one to update the other.
 

Offline roli_bark

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #220 on: December 28, 2013, 04:31:30 pm »
Will this "cheapo" ISP programmer be capable of programming the ATMega168P & ATMega328/P MCs ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-ISP-Programmer-For-ATMEL-AVR-ATMega-ATTiny-51-Development-Board-New-/390641137707?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item5af406b82b

It is listed as capable for the ATMega168 (non-P).
Yes. Works fine. I have one of those and it's an USBasp clone. Mine came with an old firmware (2007), but as I ordered two, I used one to update the other.
Thanks.

Another question - On my SMD TransistorTester unit I'm trying to replace the ATMega168P (TQFP-32) to its drop-in replacement - the ATMega328P. Found (in Ali-Express) the ATMega328P-AU (10 Pcs for $15). Is the *-AU part OK ?

http://www.aliexpress.com/cp/compare-atmega328.html
 

Offline madires

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #221 on: December 28, 2013, 08:26:35 pm »
Another question - On my SMD TransistorTester unit I'm trying to replace the ATMega168P (TQFP-32) to its drop-in replacement - the ATMega328P. Found (in Ali-Express) the ATMega328P-AU (10 Pcs for $15). Is the *-AU part OK ?

Should be fine.
 

Offline roli_bark

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #222 on: December 28, 2013, 09:52:49 pm »
10x !
 

Offline Benik3

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #223 on: December 30, 2013, 12:31:40 am »
There is a new firmware 1.10 :)
 

Offline paulie

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Re: $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project
« Reply #224 on: January 08, 2014, 06:34:41 am »
ive purchased one of these on ebay and want to add m328 but have trouble finding latest hex. the mikro site is a hodge podge of confusing tex and hex files with line numbers and dont resemble any file type that avrdude recognizes. can someone tell me how to get a normal hex file there or link to another location? im mostly interested in inductance and milliohms, your help here would be greatly appreciated.
 


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