Cheap LCR meter

[HardBoot]

So, I have a cheap $40 Chinese multimeter, it's pretty accurate, 3/4 digits spot on(compared to my neighbour's gossen from work), HRC fuse, some input protection, didn't blow up when I stuck it into 300 VAC.

Can anyone recommend an LCR that's pretty accurate for $40-70?

[T4P]

$40 HRC FUSE? 
Show me!

[HardBoot]

$40 HRC FUSE? 
Show me!

It's not a very sturdy one, cheap no-name chinese thing, they're pretty common in decent $40+ meters.
They don't blow when you pop them with low voltages, but they often explode when you pop them over ~300v, amperage wise they don't seem to explode unless you have stupid-high amperage. FakeRC, more than HRC, but a big step up from glass.
Capacitance is completely worthless, it takes ages and if you hold it on too long it just gives an error.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-8-lcd-handheld-auto-range-multimeter-voltage-current-resistance-temperature-3-aaa-37888?item=4
I wouldn't recommend it unless all you want is something that can measure Resistance/Voltage/Amperage, the other features are junk.
Auto ranging is a little slow, but you can just manually set the range.
Oh ya, amperage wise it's only accurate from 2 milliamps to 9 Amps, resistance 0.2 to 20M, voltage 0.05 to 240, if you try reading something outside of those ranges it's not very accurate, but spot on within.

[Fraser]

Take a look at the Uni-Trend offerings on ebay....they appear too cheap to be any good but mine has performed very well with more than acceptable accuracy. I bought the UT-603 for around US$30 two years ago. There may be newer models available now.

If you kill it with an overvoltage accident, no great financial loss.... buy another shiny new one 

Aurora

[notsob]

We'll this is not quite an entry level unit - kit is available for approx $100
from AADE.com
http://www.aade.com/lcmeter.htm#order

[JackOfVA]

We'll this is not quite an entry level unit - kit is available for approx $100
from AADE.com
http://www.aade.com/lcmeter.htm#order

AADE's meter is not bad at all. I did an extensive review of one - read it at http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/Documents/AADE%20Reveiw.pdf

My main objection to it is that you have no control over the frequency at which the measurement is made. This can be a problem (a) if the core has significant change in permeability with frequency or (b) if the inductor has a lot of distributed capacitance so that its self-resonant frequency happens to be in the vicinity of the frequency at which the AADE meter makes measurements.

[T4P]

That's actually a mastech.
Anyway most 4000 counts meters i come across have really slow cap measurements,
one should rather buy a UT61E anyway, if not for the gossen like protection

[w2aew]

We'll this is not quite an entry level unit - kit is available for approx $100
from AADE.com
http://www.aade.com/lcmeter.htm#order

AADE's meter is not bad at all. I did an extensive review of one - read it at http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/Documents/AADE%20Reveiw.pdf

My main objection to it is that you have no control over the frequency at which the measurement is made. This can be a problem (a) if the core has significant change in permeability with frequency or (b) if the inductor has a lot of distributed capacitance so that its self-resonant frequency happens to be in the vicinity of the frequency at which the AADE meter makes measurements.

I was going to recommend the AADE unit also - I have one, and it works very well, considering the comments above.

[0xdeadbeef]

Not perfect, but pretty decent and you can get it for ~83€ including VAT:
http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_lcr40.html

[HardBoot]

I'm eyeing AADE's unit, but I don't really need something that good, I just really need a "the part seems OK" meter.
How disastrous are these?:
MS8222H
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-MS8222H-LCR-Meter-multimeter-tester-fit-FLUKE-CE-/280682266774?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item4159f78096
DM4070
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/DM4070-LCR-meter-capacitance-2000uF-compared-w-FLUKE-/280663630924?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4158db244c
Seller claims all units are tested to a very wide spec before shipping... if they are within the claimed test spec, they'd be plenty good enough for me.

[G7PSK]

Here is a very cheap LCR meter, I got one the other day to look at it works!! works quite well in fact on the low capacitance range it works better than my UNI T 61E or the Amprobe, so as a start meter its ok. How long it lasts is another matter but if it proves to you that you do need a specialist meter you you will have an experience base to go on when selecting the one you upgrade too.

[HardBoot]

Here is a very cheap LCR meter

I think you forgot something...

[HardBoot]

Here is a very cheap LCR meter

I think you forgot something...

If it works nicely and nobody has issues with it, don't ask people if they forgot.

He didn't say what meter he's using...

[ProBang]

Here is a very cheap LCR meter, I got one the other day to look at it works!! works quite well [...]

At least we are knowing yet: There's a very cheap LCR meter in Great Britain that's working quite well.
Anyway a start. Perhaps there is more to estimate...

[tramjoe]

Here is a very cheap LCR meter, I got one the other day to look at it works!! works quite well [...]

At least we are knowing yet: There's a very cheap LCR meter in Great Britain that's working quite well.
Anyway a start. Perhaps there is more to estimate...

Well, we even have more clues: I was still up for sale a few days ago and it is small and light enough to be carried to work

[G7PSK]

Hopefully the link I meant to put in is now here.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390107818232?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_4032wt_952

[tramjoe]

Hopefully the link I meant to put in is now here.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390107818232?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_4032wt_952

I can testify it does work this time :-)
Thanks for the update!

[HardBoot]

Hopefully the link I meant to put in is now here.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390107818232?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_4032wt_952

Can that thing pick up small inductance? It says it has a 20mH range and 1999 readout, so can it pick up 0.01 mh or does it bottom-out before that?

[tramjoe]

Does anyone have any clue on that german LC kit (no R), the AE20204  with prebuilt, RS232/USB, case and SMD adapter options ? It's available for approx. €34 off of eBay or their online shop.

Their specs:

Capacitance (C): approximately 0.01pF to 1uF (no electrolytic capacitors),
inductance (L): 10nH up to 100mH

Resolution:

Capacitance (C):    
0.01pF - 999.999pF:    0.01pF
1nF - 999.999nF:    10pF
> 1uF:    10nF
Inductance (L):    
10nH - 999.999uH:    10nH
1mH - 999.999mH:    10uH
Measurement Frequency: 15kHz - 750kHz sine

Measuring voltage: <2.5Vpp

Accuracy: + / - 0.5% reference

Display: 2x16 character dot matrix LCD with LED backlight

PC Interface: USB or RS232

Operating voltage: 7.5-12V DC voltage such as 9V battery

Auto-cal and zeroing functions

[Wytnucls]

This is the UYIGAO UA4070L LCR meter I just bought in Kuala Lumpur.
It's only a 2000 count meter, but is fairly well made and accurate. It comes with a set of nice small probes with silicone leads.
I opened it up and didn't see anything alarming in the workmanship.
Powered by a 9V battery, with removable holster and LCD screen backlight.
Probably has the same innards as the one presented earlier on in the thread.

[maxpayne]

From where did u bought this meter in kualalumpur ? how much is d price ?

[Wytnucls]

Jalan Pasar, Pudu. 80.00 Ringgits (about 20.00 Euros).