$20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project

[perieanuo]

Has someone already tested (or seen) this Component Tester?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-DIY-Transistor-Tester-LCR-Capacitance-ESR-meter-Frequency-PWM-Generator-/191869802386
It is available as Kit or already assembled version.

Hi everyone I'm new here... I burn my first module the module above.. I bought another and tried to clone the ic.. but I think is lock I have tried all firmware  that you guys provide in the post so far non works. I found one in YouTube but it was Russian and I don understand... Anyone care to help or have the firmware...  I'll be very thankful if you share it....

Thanks

hi,
just write ay-at 1.29 hex+eep file with right fuses it works 100% you find it 1-2 pages before
if it didn't work you have a hardware pb
regards pierre

[N1cho]

Hi thanks...

 But mine uses 1.12k will it work?

 By the way about the fuses which fuses should I use?

Thanks

[N1cho]

hello everybody,
I just realised something is terrible wrong with my AY-AT compiling :
-so I have just compiled several times 1.29 for AY-AT (7735 LCD) with encoder on PD1/PD3 and I can't just get him measure capacitors.It shows almost double value.
everytime I put inside 1.25 version from trendy it starts measuring correctly,tried with 10 capas (pf,nf,uF).

besides that,the 1,2 and 3 inputs measure almost perfect resistances and identifies transistors.

calibration gives always error!

what i'm doing wrong in your oppinion?
here's the stuff,can anybody test/confirm my fw on ay-at board?

hi pierre,

is this the post you meant. yes my tester would turn on but keep testing and won't go to menu...

i guess something is wrong with the firmware, might be incompatible.

nicho

[perieanuo]

here you have all for 20 mhz quartz
just write ant calibrate
regards,pierre

[N1cho]

... I tried to reprogram the chip using the files from mega328_st7565_kit ...

For your tester (with TFT display) is designed firmware in the folder "mega328_color_kit".
You can use the firmware from the attached zip file.

yes...

finally this firmware work for me.. bu it's release 681

anyone have the final version of this

thanks

Nicho

[N1cho]

here you have all for 20 mhz quartz
just write ant calibrate
regards,pierre

thanks for the effort Pierre but mine is 8 not 20mhz.

manage to find one that work, like i said in my last post, but it's 1.12k  681.

but will yours work?

I"ll try that

thanks

Nicho

[N1cho]

here you have all for 20 mhz quartz
just write ant calibrate
regards,pierre

Hi Pierre,

i tried your firmware, it's nice but i guess it don't work because your is 20 mine is still 8 mhz

but i'll would be nice if you can make the 8

thanks

Nicho

[casinada]

You can download the K versions for the different hardware already compiled from the SVN repository:
svn://mikrocontroller.net/transistortester
The newest K version is 1.13K
For the m versions you have to compile them yourself.

[nitroburn]

It is not impossible to receive an ATMega that has problems with one port or even one pin. It would be easiest just to try another. Last I checked, pin 12 (PD6) was controlling the on/off state on 328s, so you may want to see what kind of voltages you're getting around the 27k resistors when the tester is off and when the button is pressed.

Thanks for the suggestions, I have tried multiple atmegas so its most likely a circuit issue. I'll do a bit more poking and prodding to see what I come up with.

As hapless already suggested, check PD6 (should be 5V when powered on). Also check the circuit around T3. The type of LED isn't important, only that there's one. I remember a few cases of the PNP having a too low hFE.

Will do, thanks for the suggestions. There are a few transistors there, which one had too low hFE in the cases you speak of? I have replaced them all except 7550 as I didn't have any of those around, but plenty of others.


-edit-
Well if I short the two right pins on the 9014 directly below the LED, it acts like it should on power up with LED on and all plus menus and testing, but removing the short promptly kills it again. The 9012 almost half way down the board shorting the right two pins turns it on as well, but without the LED and it dies on removal. Guess I'll try replacing a few more capacitors and testing the components off the board. I'll have to look a little more in-depth at the power side of the schematic and trace things back part by part. I don't want to throw my hands up and solder a switch.

[N1cho]

You can download the K versions for the different hardware already compiled from the SVN repository:
svn://mikrocontroller.net/transistortester
The newest K version is 1.13K
For the m versions you have to compile them yourself.

hi Casinada,

fyi i'm new. sorry if i asked a stupid question  how do i compile a new firmware? what do i need or where can i get a good guide. i have been reading here and there. maybe because i'm new to this just don't really understand.

i already install atmel studio, winavr, avrdudess, anything else i need?

thanks

N1cho

[perieanuo]

you have 1.29m compiled for 8m,test and feedback please
regards

[Willem52]

On my main AY-AT (color kit) Transistor tester I use the SVN700 version from member STJ.
It works very well and has both 8MHz and 16MHz files in the archive.

[maus]

As first. Hi to all!
I bought the the LCR ESR Transistor checker with just the TEST pushbutton, an I discovered just yesterday night the availability of frequency, function generator and other features. They appears to be activated by momentary BUTTON TEST actions, but very hard to activate.
How can I hack the circuit by adding the rotatory switch, also integrating / removing the test button?
Thanks to all in advance
Maurizio Maurizi

[jm_araujo]

You can find the original manual for the k version  in here: https://github.com/svn2github/transistortester/raw/master/Doku/tags/english/ttester_eng112k.pdf

Schematics are included and it shows how to connect a rotary encoder in section 2.2.5, page 13/14.

[Willem52]

@maus: Perhaps you can use the ideas from:
http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50720&highlight=transistor+tester

Where STJ describes the modification by adding a rotary encoder to the EZM GM328 tester.
This modification works well, but needs also a firmware update to enable the rotary encoder.

[Per Hansson]

I've been using Karl-Heinz firmware on my tester.
But today I felt I should try Markus firmware on it, however I can't get the encoder to behave properly.
I have tried setting "ENCODER_PULSES" to 1,2 & 4 but it moves erratically.
If I am very careful moving one indentation while in PWM mode it will count 2 steps no matter what I set "ENCODER_PULSES" to.
That is to say one indentation seems to correspond to two pulses.
If I however turn it at a "normal slow" speed it will go very fast, probably due to the double signals?
My encoder has 24 physical indentations or steps which I've set in "ENCODER_STEPS"
What can I do to troubleshoot this further, any more info I can provide?

[jakeisprobably]

I just finished part 3.
     Use this as a visual index reference. If you want to find where someone posted a reference to a problem or project in the past, these 3 index videos should help you find the page number visually.
    There are over 700 images total here. If anyone knows a good way for me to upload these pictures from an Android device to another website please let me know soon so I can do this before deleting them for space. I manually renamed them by their thread page numbers so the archive is very useful. I have removed some duplicates after I created these 3 uploads. I kept almost all pictures in these 3 so that you can visually identify every time a certain clone is discussed. I have also added a few pictures from links about the project that were posted and seemed interesting. Hopefully you find this helpful and interesting.
   If your new to this thread, are having problems with your device, or haven't gone through the whole thread, this will help you find interesting ideas highlights to look up on different pages, or others that have had the same problem as you. Everything worthwhile in this thread is accompanied by pictures.
Part 1
https://youtu.be/on1ZrWNt2Us
Part 2
https://youtu.be/RRJ5K752d18
Part 3 (new)
https://youtu.be/1ARlc1BHLUw

[madires]

My encoder has 24 physical indentations or steps which I've set in "ENCODER_STEPS"
What can I do to troubleshoot this further, any more info I can provide?

I'd guess your rotary encoder got 4 Gray code pulses per detent (ENCODER_PULSES  4). Have you set ENCODER_A and ENCODER_B (config_328.h) to match your tester?

[Per Hansson]

madires: Yes this is what I have right now:

#define ENCODER_PULSES   4
#define ENCODER_STEPS    24
#define ENCODER_A        PD1
#define ENCODER_B        PD3

[madires]

Could you please also post your display settings?

[Per Hansson]

Sure, this is what I've used:

Code: [Select]

/*
 *  ST7565R, SPI interface (bit-bang)
 *  - settings for Electronic Assembly EA DOGM/DOGL128-6
 *  - uses LCD_CS to support rotary encoder in parallel at PD2/3
 */

//#if 0
#define LCD_ST7565R
#define LCD_GRAPHIC                     /* monochrome graphic display */
#define LCD_SPI                         /* SPI interface */
#define LCD_PORT         PORTD          /* port data register */
#define LCD_DDR          DDRD           /* port data direction register */
#define LCD_RESET        PD0            /* port pin used for /RES (optional) */
#define LCD_CS           PD5            /* port pin used for /CS1 (optional) */
#define LCD_A0           PD1            /* port pin used for A0 */
#define LCD_SCL          PD2            /* port pin used for SCL */
#define LCD_SI           PD3            /* port pin used for SI (LCD's data input) */
#define LCD_DOTS_X       128            /* number of horizontal dots */
#define LCD_DOTS_Y       64             /* number of vertical dots */
//#define LCD_FLIP_X                      /* enable horizontal flip */
//#define LCD_OFFSET_X                    /* enable x offset of 4 dots */
//#define LCD_FLIP_Y                      /* enable vertical flip */
#define LCD_START_Y      0              /* start line (0-63) */
#define LCD_CONTRAST     22             /* default contrast (0-63) */
#define FONT_8X8_VF                     /* 8x8 font, vertically aligned & flipped */
#define SYMBOLS_24X24_VFP               /* 24x24 symbols, vertically aligned & flipped */
#define SPI_BITBANG                     /* bit-bang SPI */
#define SPI_PORT         LCD_PORT       /* SPI port data register */
#define SPI_DDR          LCD_DDR        /* SPI port data direction register */
#define SPI_SCK          LCD_SCL        /* port pin used for SCK */
#define SPI_MOSI         LCD_SI         /* port pin used for MOSI */
//#endif
On the LCD itself is this writing: LCM_12864_V1.30

[madires]

Ok, just wanted to check if there's a possible issue with the display in parallel with the rotary encoder. I don't have any further ideas at the moment. Sorry!

[Per Hansson]

Ok thanks, I changed the direction of the encoder like so:

Code: [Select]

#define ENCODER_A        PD3
#define ENCODER_B        PD1And then the error with moving it very slowly resulting in two counts disappeared.
Isn't that quite strange? I thought the direction error would just be a nuisance, not actually cause a real fault?
I.e. this problem no longer exists:
"If I am very careful moving one indentation while in PWM mode it will count 2 steps no matter what I set "ENCODER_PULSES" to."

Anyway after that has been done my error feels quite similar to that reported by mauroh linked below.
So I tried downgrading from v1.29 to v1.27 but there was no difference in behavior.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg1144496/#msg1144496

And just to be clear the issue is not only in PWM mode or Servo mode, even navigating the menu is difficult...

[madires]

Is it the same for ENCODER_PULSES 2 and 4?

[Per Hansson]

With ENCODER_PULSES set to 4 I can not get the tester to misbehave if I turn the encoder very slowly.
But with it set to 2 this behavior exists: "If I am very careful moving one indentation while in PWM mode it will count 2 steps"