$20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project

[Per Hansson]

I've got this exact kit :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331873741389?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

and built it with the instructions i've found here.
But all I get is a blank screen.(no backlight)

When I press the encoder I just get the LCD to light up.
What could be wrong?

I'm probably going to gave to take it to the seller to send me a preprogrammed atmega (or refund me because I received something that does not work)

That seller is a muppet, I bought mine from him, as did vinceroger on this site.
They all came unprogrammed and without component schematic.
First the seller sent me a link to the "correct" firmware: which was the wrong bloody firmware (a model with a completely different LCD so no display with it).
The seller even sent me a new Atmega, and guess what: Neither it was not programmed!
The good news is after programming with the firmware that stj posted a while back it works great!

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg997651/#msg997651
"GM328x ESR tester (SVN684) - v2"

in your fuse settings lockbits i did not put anything in this section just the first three like you have set already and in extended fuse i set mine to 0x04
Thre is a good picture and zoomable so you can check the resistor colours etc in this thread post 349
 http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50720&highlight=esr+tester&page=18

I posted the same pictures here as well:)
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg983525/#msg983525

[belzrebuth]

That seller is a muppet, I bought mine from him, as did vinceroger on this site.
They all came unprogrammed and without component schematic.
First the seller sent me a link to the "correct" firmware: which was the wrong bloody firmware (a model with a completely different LCD so no display with it).
The seller even sent me a new Atmega, and guess what: Neither it was not programmed!
The good news is after programming with the firmware that stj posted a while back it works great!

I'm going to try the instructions as soon as the 22pF caps I ordered arrive!
I didn't have any in stock so I guess I'm going to have to wait.
I've just ordered them so it's going to take some time.

I've already sent a message to the seller about the issue ;I also asked for a refund or a ready built unit(without accessories etc)

I don't feel well asking for a refund and I avoid it if I can but since I haven't got what the listing stated (a working transistor tester) I think I am eligible for it.
My job was only to solder a bunch of components,not trying to guess what's wrong with or programming the friggin atmega!

I thought that proposing him to send me just the atmega was risky and here you are actually confirming my thoughts!

Funny thing is that yesterday I bought a dds function generator KIT from the same seller!
His/Hers feedback is very good; I didn't know better..
I'll let you guys know what happens.

[vinceroger]

did you see post Reply #2574 on page 103 if you do it that way i dont think you need the extra capacitors?

[stj]

you dont need any caps or crystal, they are already on the component tester pcb - just connect wires to the socket pins under the board.

[belzrebuth]

Okay,I wired the arduino directly to the tester socket underneath (6-wire pinout as shown in the instructables link).
I have arduino ide version 1.6.11 installed.
What should I do now?
I also copied my arduino folder from Program Files to Desktop in case I need to follow the instructables guide up to that point.

[belzrebuth]

Thanks flywheels;  I'd be very glad if you assist me thru this process!

I only have the UNO though.(and 6 wires:p)

If I don't need to purchase anything else we can do this whenever you can.

I found this page that should get me started on the arduino side of things.
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoISP

Here is how to Wire it up, see attachments. 

Then, Start Arduino IDE and upload example ArduinoISP.  Disconnect Arduino from USB.  Connect Tester to Arduino then plug in the USB.

Next I installed latest WinAvr.  It will install avrdude for you or just get it alone.  Then I go to command prompt and type:

Code: [Select]

avrdude -c avrisp -p m328p -P COM3 -b 19200 -e -U flash:w:"TransistorTester.hex":i -U eeprom:w:"TransistorTester.eep":i -U lfuse:w:0xf7:m -U hfuse:w:0xd9:m -U efuse:w:0x04:m
or for your tester might be

Code: [Select]

avrdude -c avrisp -p m328p -P COM3 -b 19200 -e -U flash:w:"TransistorTester.hex":i -U eeprom:w:"TransistorTester.eep":i -U lfuse:w:0xf7:m -U hfuse:w:0xd9:m -U efuse:w:0xfc:m

Wow!
I just saw this post
Trying it now..

[stj]

what o.s. are you using btw?
because win10 is junk and needs special treatment.

[vinceroger]

the firmware files you have downloaded for your tester remember too un zip them what i had to do is once i unzipped the folder was move the files into the avr folder but not sure if you need to do this as your using arduino maybe another member will confirm where you need too place the firmware files

[belzrebuth]

what o.s. are you using btw?
because win10 is junk and needs special treatment.

Win7 (not that crap of os win 10).

I have so far :

a)Uploaded the arduino isp sketch (forgot to unwire the tester while doing so ;so I did it again without the 5v going to tester attached).
b)Downloaded the winavr and installed it.
I have the EZM tester from this listing : http://www.ebay.com/itm/331873741389?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[vinceroger]

The firmware you need for the tester is in post 2566

[stj]

you dont need winavr

[belzrebuth]

I have the firmware; just don't know where to place the .eep and .hex files and how to send them to the tester.

[belzrebuth]

I have the arduino connected and the files placed in my c:\ folder.
I opened a CMD window and copied this command
avrdude -c USBasp -P usb -p m328p -U flash:w:TransistorTester.hex \-U eeprom:w:TransistorTester.eep \-U lfuse:w:0xf7:m \-U hfuse:w:0xd9:m \-U efuse:w:0xfc:m

but it says it can't find the usbasp device..
Maybe I should call it usbisp?!(I really have no clue what I'm doing now..)

[flywheelz]

Send the command in my previous post.  If you are using Arduino, you must use avrisp not usbasp. Also make sure that com port matches and baud 19200 unless you edited it the sketch.

The .hex and .eep files need to be in same directory where you open the command prompt.

[belzrebuth]

The command stops reporting :

stk500_getsync():not in sync :resp 0x00 < 00 not 60

[flywheelz]

The command stops reporting :

stk500_getsync():not in sync :resp 0x66

If the command is correct then if could be wiring problem.

Does the testers back light come on when you plug in USB in Arduino?

[belzrebuth]

Yes the backlight turns on!

[belzrebuth]

The firmware files are on C:\
Should I place them elsewhere maybe?
My port is COM4 btw.

[flywheelz]

The firmware files are on C:\
Should I place them elsewhere maybe?
My port is COM4 btw.

Make sure the tester is connected to Arduino, then plug in usb.

Start cmd.exe, type cd\, press ENTER.

Paste:

Code: [Select]

avrdude -c avrisp -p m328p -P COM4 -b 19200 -e -U flash:w:"TransistorTester.hex":i -U eeprom:w:"TransistorTester.eep":i -U lfuse:w:0xf7:m -U hfuse:w:0xd9:m -U efuse:w:0x04:m
press ENTER.

[vinceroger]

http://www.parkansky.com/arduino-error.htm

[belzrebuth]

The firmware files are on C:\
Should I place them elsewhere maybe?
My port is COM4 btw.

Make sure the tester is connected to Arduino, then plug in usb.

Start cmd.exe, type cd\, press ENTER.

Paste:

Code: [Select]

avrdude -c avrisp -p m328p -P COM4 -b 19200 -e -U flash:w:"TransistorTester.hex":i -U eeprom:w:"TransistorTester.eep":i -U lfuse:w:0xf7:m -U hfuse:w:0xd9:m -U efuse:w:0x04:m
press ENTER.

Still same error!
Problem is I don't have any wires going to pin 0!

[flywheelz]

The command stops reporting :

stk500_getsync():not in sync :resp 0x00 < 00 not 60

Something wrong with your Arduino.  I just disconnected the tester and issued:  avrdude -c avrisp -p m328p -P COM3 -b 19200

I get this,

Code: [Select]

C:\>avrdude -c avrisp -p m328p -P COM3 -b 19200

avrdude: AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions

Reading | ################################################## | 100% 0.05s

avrdude: Device signature = 0x000000
avrdude: Yikes!  Invalid device signature.
         Double check connections and try again, or use -F to override
         this check.


avrdude done.  Thank you.


[belzrebuth]

Maybe I need to erase the tester's chip first in case I accidentaly wrote something into it when I uploaded the sketch to the arduino?Or this procedure overwrites everything?
Maybe change something from arduino IDE like arduino as isp or something?
I checked for continuity and all the wires seem solid.
There's not much left except maybe a somehow damaged atmega..
My arduino is a clone btw..
Maybe just try re-uploading the sketch?

[vinceroger]

The firmware files are on C:\
Should I place them elsewhere maybe?
My port is COM4 btw.

Make sure the tester is connected to Arduino, then plug in usb.

Start cmd.exe, type cd\, press ENTER.

Paste:

Code: [Select]

avrdude -c avrisp -p m328p -P COM4 -b 19200 -e -U flash:w:"TransistorTester.hex":i -U eeprom:w:"TransistorTester.eep":i -U lfuse:w:0xf7:m -U hfuse:w:0xd9:m -U efuse:w:0x04:m
press ENTER.

Still same error!
Problem is I don't have any wires going to pin 0!

sorry yes just read the guides and look at pictures posted nothing connects too pin 0 have you used your clone tester before? maybe order a usbasp  from ebay there really cheap and do work but not sure how long shipping takes.

[belzrebuth]

I've used the clone only for a couple of simple sketches just to test it's working.nothing fancy..
I can upload sketches to it no problem so it shouldn't be defective..who knows though.

I'm going to order one of these usbasps,in fact I've just ordered one.Shipping's going to take a while.

I'm really curious what could be wrong here.The isp sketch I uploaded is this :
https://github.com/rsbohn/ArduinoISP/blob/master/ArduinoISP/ArduinoISP.ino

Just copied the text;verified and uploaded it to arduino.