BSIDE ESR02 Pro Transistor Tester (teardown & quick test)

[sorenkir]

Hello,

I have bought this small device ($22 shipped):



It is cute (wine red box, as stated on the box, I like that  ) and well thought: external 9-12V DC jack, test probes jacks, SMD socket, plug-in sockets, discharge resistor, ESR chart (on the back).
The two buttons have the same function: for left & right handed .

A few additional functions:



The most useful is the "continuous" capacitance/ESR meter (C+ESR): no need to press the button for measurements.

Even a decent "user manual" is provided:


Don't turn it on, take it apart:


Atmel MEGA328P, LM339 comparator, AMS1117 3.3V & HT7150-1 5V LDO regulators:


Quick test:
330? resistor:


10mH inductor:


SMD 1mH inductor:


White LED:


470 uF capacitor:


Transistors:



Not impressed by a big power NMOS:


No accuracy specification but measured values roughly agree with other instruments I have. Ideal for component identification.

Michel.

[Gyro]

Quite a nice case variant of https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/

[CustomEngineerer]

Hopefully didn't cost more than $20. 

[doctormord]

I find it a quite neat interpretation of the original "Komponententester" by Karl-Heinz Kübbeler.

I made one myself in the past:

http://www.360customs.de/2013/12/transistortesterkomponententester-das-universalgenie/

Tooling yourself a nice (handheld) case isn't normally achieved at $20, so the price looks good to me. 

Regards, doc

[precaud]

I find it a quite neat interpretation of the original "Komponententester" by Karl-Heinz Kübbeler.
[snip]
Tooling yourself a nice (handheld) case isn't normally achieved at $20, so the price looks good to me.

Likewise. I picked one up a couple months ago and have found it to be well executed and quite useful.

[dirtcooker]

I just bought one of these from Amazon, and the build quality is very good. Software is v 1.11 I've tested a variety of components, and the results are reasonable close to values obtained using my Fluke DVM.
Has anyone been able to measure coil Q and L via sampling (putting a calibrated capacitor across the coil) with this meter? I've tried a variety of L and C combinations and the meter always returns only an Ohm value, as if a resistor were being measured. Calibration step 13 (connect capacitor to pin 1 and 3) is present, so evidently the tester is configured with the samplingADC function.

[malagas_on_fire]

That's the rugged version of the ESR tester and the ATmega 328 is present has well. Will it hold some bumps? Or has some input protection??

[rhb]

I just got one of these.  I'm fairly impressed.  I notice that the reviewer and I used a 2N3906 and got similar numbers.

Does anyone know how compatible with the other generic 328 based testers these are?  It would be nice to have  source code for the device even if it's not the factory software.

[xrunner]

Nice designer color they chose - "Wine Red". 

[precaud]

Powered mine up a couple days ago, it only shows a blank white screen after pushing the Test buttons to null the leads. I was fairly happy with it up till then. Probably not worth trying to repair... sigh.

[indman]

I already showed an new firmware which is suitable for a clone in this topic.
BSideESR02 has no protection of measuring ports! If you have connected the capacity which had a charge, then the processor it is necessary to replace with new.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg1495258/#msg1495258

[001]

I already showed an new firmware which is suitable for a clone in this topic.
BSideESR02 has no protection of measuring ports! If you have connected the capacity which had a charge, then the processor it is necessary to replace with new.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg1495258/#msg1495258

Thanx a lot
Is it actual firmware version for Bside?

[indman]

001,yes!

[001]

is bside unit good variant of marcus design?

[indman]

I have collected an firmware only for the Karl-Heinz 1.13k version. I think that there are no obstacles to use the version 1.33m Markus. 

[001]

I have collected an firmware only for the Karl-Heinz 1.13k version. I think that there are no obstacles to use the version 1.33m Markus. 

What did You mean? Is factory firmware for BSIDE so old?

[indman]

The Chinese firmware of BSideESR02 is based on the version 1.11k  Karl-Heinz!
It is already quite outdated firmware which has no new opportunities of the version 1.13k.

[001]

The Chinese firmware of BSideESR02 is based on the version 1.11k  Karl-Heinz!

Sorry
Is BSideESR02 is ONE chineese version housed in fabric-made enclosure?

[precaud]

BSideESR02 has no protection of measuring ports! If you have connected the capacity which had a charge, then the processor it is necessary to replace with new.

Yes, I always discharge capacitors before testing. But I wasn't testing capacitors last time it was used - I was sorting thru a box of pulled transistors,  separating FETs from BPs. It's quicker than looking up the numbers    So this failure is unexpected.

[indman]

Sorry
Is BSideESR02 is ONE chineese version housed in fabric-made enclosure?

This clone can have the name chineese version DTU-1701. They are identical on an firmware and a hardware stuffing.

Yes, I always discharge capacitors before testing. But I wasn't testing capacitors last time it was used - I was sorting thru a box of pulled transistors,  separating FETs from BPs. It's quicker than looking up the numbers    So this failure is unexpected.

I don't find any serious obstacles not to manage to repair this device. The scheme is rather simple in understanding if to study a detailed manual from dear Karl-Heinz.

[001]

Sorry
Is BSideESR02 is ONE chineese version housed in fabric-made enclosure?

This clone can have the name chineese version DTU-1701. They are identical on an firmware and a hardware stuffing.

Yes, I always discharge capacitors before testing. But I wasn't testing capacitors last time it was used - I was sorting thru a box of pulled transistors,  separating FETs from BPs. It's quicker than looking up the numbers    So this failure is unexpected.

I don't find any serious obstacles not to manage to repair this device. The scheme is rather simple in understanding if to study a detailed manual from dear Karl-Heinz.

Thanx

I`m looking for version with BIG monochrome display for my old eyes
Any ideas?

[indman]

I have also weak eyes therefore I have here such clone with the big monochrome blue display!
https://ru.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-New-12864-LCD-Transistor-Tester-Capacitance-ESR-Meter-Diode-Triode-MOS-NPN-LCR/2044590569.html? spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.274233edI9VCwo
But he has no case.

[all_repair]

Powered mine up a couple days ago, it only shows a blank white screen after pushing the Test buttons to null the leads. I was fairly happy with it up till then. Probably not worth trying to repair... sigh.

My piece failed not long after I got it, but I was testing some uncharged cap .  After putting a new chip, so far it has been lasting quite a while.  I am suspect the original chip might be 2nd rated part.  I don't and can't  fault them at such a low price they are selling.

[precaud]

Interesting. I wonder if there's a difference between DIP and flat pack packages in this respect?

[rhb]

How does one do a FW update?  Is there a pinout for J6 somewhere?   

I can think of lots of features to add such as Vbe at Vce_sat.

[indman]

rhb,this photo will help you?

[all_repair]

How does one do a FW update?  Is there a pinout for J6 somewhere?   

I can think of lots of features to add such as Vbe at Vce_sat.

I could not ado an in circuit programming through JTAG as some signals were being loaded.  I removed the chip to reprogram.

[rhb]

Is there a schematic somewhere?

[SailorBob]

Can this be used for in circuit ESR testing using probes?  Or does the ESR test only work at the dedicated CAP tester on the face?

[precaud]

Yes, it works. But make certain the caps are fully discharged. Sometimes hard to do in-circuit.

[vinlove]

Does it tell whether caps. are fully discharged or not?

[precaud]

Yes, if the caps have a charge, the screen turns white, and the unit stops working...

[vinlove]

I meant when you tried to discharge it using the tester's inbuilt discharger. 

[precaud]

No, those terminals are passive.

[vinlove]

Yup, I thought so, but just in case.

This is the same tester as my old MK-328, which I bought back in 2013 for 20£ from eBay seller in China.

My MK-328 still works great. But this ESR02 seems having more functionalities such as SMD checking and caps discharge capabilities. Not sure how useful the newly added features would be.

[vinlove]

Yup, I thought so, but just in case.

This looks like virtually same tester as my old MK-328, which I bought back in 2013 for 20£ from eBay seller in China.

My MK-328 still works great. But this ESR02 seems having more functionalities such as SMD checking and caps discharge capabilities. Not sure how useful the newly added features would be.

[001]

Yup, I thought so, but just in case.

This looks like virtually same tester as my old MK-328, which I bought back in 2013 for 20£ from eBay seller in China.

My MK-328 still works great. But this ESR02 seems having more functionalities such as SMD checking and caps discharge capabilities. Not sure how useful the newly added features would be.

Does Anybody turn it to 16MHz?

[tppc]

Quote from: indman on October 04, 2018, 06:07:02 am>rhb,this photo will help you?



Hi, there,
I damaged the ATMEGA328 on my ESR02 (forgot to discharge a HV cap before testing it).
The instrument still works, but it can no longer measure caps connected to PINS 1 and 3.

Of course, I could just buy a new one, but I thought it could be a good way to learn a bit more about microcontrollers.

I have a TL866 programmer and 2 brand new ATMEGA328

Now my question is :
- Can I just solder the new controller on the board and then program it "In System"?
or
- Do I have to use a socket adapter to program the new controller on the TL866 and then solder it in the ESR meter?

Thanks for your help.
Regards.

[all_repair]

The last time I tried mine, I could not do an in circuit programming as some of the pins used for programming are loaded.  I could not remember which parts(not difficult to trace) I isolated to allow for programming-in-circuit as I did not have an adapter for the chip.   

[Hydron]

I programmed mine the other day without any issue in-circuit. I used a usbasp programmer if that helps.

[tppc]

Hi there,
My ESR02 is the version with ALL ISP signals on J6.
I could connect the TL866 with no problems.

I then wanted to backup the old firmware but Lock Bits are programmed, so it reads only FFs.


I spent a few hours reading this Looooong thread https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/
but at the end, I was not able to find a link to a firmware that would fit in my BSIDE ESR02.

Can anyone help me finding the correct firmware and where to download it from?

I found this link https://www.mikrocontroller.net/svnbrowser/transistortester/Software/trunk/
but then I am lost 

Regards.

[tppc]

Hi there,
I finally found this post where Per Hasson attached a backup of his meter firmware 1.11k.

Yes of course, here you go.
Just one caveat to be aware of: it contains the calibration data from my meter.
So you should make a new calibration even though you will have no message telling you it's not calibrated....
And the fuses where set according to the picture included.

Atmega replaced and programmed In circuit with my TL866.
Tester recovered. 

Special Thanks to Per Hansson and all contributors.

P.S. If someone knows how to identify an updated firmware that would fit this tester, please post a link
Thank you

[001]

Atmega replaced and programmed In circuit with my TL866.

That is pinout for that? Thanx

[Brad808]

I'd be willing the buy a preprogrammed microcontroller chip if someone can mail me one. I too fried one of mine on a charged cap. I've since bought a new unit for component testing and now use an esr70 for testing caps since it will auto discharge for me... But since I'm a hoarder I didn't throw out the old unit I just tossed it on the shelf haha. I wouldn't mind spending a few minutes with hot air replacing the micro and getting the other one running again.

[tppc]

Atmega replaced and programmed In circuit with my TL866.

That is pinout for that? Thanx

Hi there,
there are 2 versions of the PCB. For my version, the pinout is there https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg2698438/#msg2698438
From Top to Bottom : V+, Gnd, Reset, SCLK, MISO, MOSI

For the other version, not all signals are available from J6, as shown there https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/bside-esr02-pro-transistor-tester-(teardown-quick-test)/msg1868543/#msg1868543

Regards

[glicos]

I have he same problem with my beside esr02. Following programming direction here, and use the firmware posted here by Per Hansson i have below problem:
Is my atmega 328p chip need to be replaced?? It suddenly stopped working..Thanks for the possible inputs..

[precaud]

Last year I jokingly told 001 that the ESR02 screen turns white and the unit stops working.

Well mine is now doing that. Last time used, I was sorting some FETs, not measuring charged capacitors.

Does this mean the 328 chip is fried?

[alelo]

this might be an obvious question but.... how am i supposed to connect probe 1, 2 and 3 toghether if my probes have only two leads???
I suppose the calibration process is to remove probes influence on next mesurements so i can't see the point to short the three probes from the smd connection pads ...... anybody can tell me how to calibrate this thing?

[tppc]

Hi there,
well, I did use a 3rd probe (same lenght and gauge) and just shorted them all.

Regards

[xikamo]

Firmwares for BSIDE ESR02 Pro and other TT https://yadi.sk/d/yW8xa5NJgUo5z

[tppc]

Hi there,

Firmwares for BSIDE ESR02 Pro and other TT https://yadi.sk/d/yW8xa5NJgUo5z

thanks for the link, however, I could not figure out how to download the archive.

edit : OK I finally got the hex file, will try to flash it later.

Regards

[Lucky-Luka]

Can this tester test triacs?

[Grandchuck]

Yup

[Lucky-Luka]

Do you think it's one of the best in this price range (<100E)?
p.s. does it even test thyristors?

[Grandchuck]

It tests low power unidirectional and bidirectional thyristors.

I have no way to judge if it is best or not.  To me, it is a good value.

[Lucky-Luka]

I see.
Sounds promising.
Does it come with some more features compared to LCR-T7?

[Grandchuck]

The LCR-T7 has an IR detector, thus giving it an advantage if you need that capability.  Otherwise, they are similar.

I have never used an LCR-T7 so cannot compare actual usage.

[madires]

If you like to have the IR receiver/detector use the m-firmware. Then you can simply connect an IR receiver module to the probes and have fun with remote controls (supports about 15/20 protocols).

[Lucky-Luka]

use the m-firmware.

how?

[madires]

Please see https://github.com/madires/Transistortester-Warehouse for documentation and firmwares.

[XerXes777]

Come from Germany. I would also like to buy the BSIDE ESR02 PRO. Do you have a recommendation where I should buy the device? If it is necessary I would also like to flash the device.  Have never flashed an AVR. What do I need for this? Are there more hardware versions of this device? Which I must consider when flashing?

[madires]

You'll need an AVR ISP programmer, e.g. a USBasp, and a PC (there are ton's of guides/videos on how to program an AVR). AFAIK, the BSIDE ESR02 PRO comes in two colors (red or black case) and you can get it at your preferred shopping platform.

[XerXes777]

I have received a BSIDE ESR02 PRO. With a different hardware version.
Which version can I flash there?
Where are the ports to flash? In the middle?
Which port is what?
Is there a ready compiled version for this board and which is also the latest?
Can I also measure a wire (eg coax cable) inductive or capacitive with this meter?

[madires]

You can program k or m-firmware via ISP (J6, needs a simple adapter). For the pinout please see https://disk.yandex.ru/d/yW8xa5NJgUo5z/BSideESR02(DTU-1701)/Schematic%20diagram/DTU-1701_V3.1.JPG. AFAIK, there's no current ready-to-use k-firmware available, and m-firmware needs to be customized and compiled anyway. Low inductance values (<10µH) can be measured by k-firmware's SamplingADC.

[XerXes777]

I'm sorry, but I don't understand which firmware is from whom.
m-firmware -> Markus Frejek
k-firmware -> Karl-Heinz Kübbeler
m and k-firmware modified -> https://github.com/madires/Transistortester-Warehouse

[madires]

Markus Frejek started the project originally but abandoned it after a while. The m-firmware is my crime scene. And that github repo too.

[XerXes777]

I read the documentation from https://github.com/madires/Transistortester-Warehouse/blob/master/Documentation/German/ctester-1.48m.pdf

Under point 7.3 i found the config for my test unit: BSide ESR02

So i can use these configs to setup the code and then i have to compile it?

And use the m-firmware?

sorry i read the threads, but i dont understand, what is the best firmware for this unit Bside ESR02.

[madires]

Yep, those settings are needed to set up the m-firmware for your tester. You can also find them in the 'Clones' file. Simply try both firmwares (k and m) and keep the one which suits you best.

[rogerdammit]

If it helps anyone, I just captured a quick guide to flashing the BSIDE: https://github.com/roger-/bside-firmware