$20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project

[timelessbeing]

In the "Markus" firmware, you can select your hardware options in config_328.h
Find out what chip drives the display, and enable that header in the code.
Compile from source.

[madires]

It looks like you don't post code changes, only releases. And no bug tracker. Is this the case?

Yes and yes. But I document the bug fixes in the CHANGES file.

[madires]

Single sided board, 128x160 Color display.

I soldered a header on, the AVR is locked of course, so I can't dump the firmware to just give it a shot. I browsed the subversion repo and google'd all the different display variants but didn't notice one that would be appropriate for this one.

That tester seems to be a basic one with a ST7735 display. When the default pin assignment doesn't work check out the pin wiring and change the pin assignment accordingly. If you got it working please send me the configuration changes and I'll add them to the sample config for clones. I'd guess the OFF button is connected to PC6 (Reset). It could be possible that your tester has a power circuitry similar to the Fish8840 which has a design flaw draining the battery via the voltage divider for the battery monitoring when switched off. This is explained in Karl-Heinz' documentation, also including a simple fix.

[indman]

Single sided board, 128x160 Color display.

Hi, everybody!
At the Russian-speaking forum vrtp.ru we call this device as Fish8840TFT!
The participant of the forum bdk100 who owns such tester provided the schematic diagram(spl format) and the file of a configuration for madires firmware. I attach these files to the message.
This clone has some features which complicate compilation of own firmware.
1. Resolution of the display - 160х128, but the front frame superimposes a part of the image therefore it is necessary to move and offset the picture a little.
2. The LDO at 3.3V  from power which the display - very not reliable and ceases to work in case of connection of the programmator. Therefore it is recommended to disconnect or unsolder it before programming of the processor.

[joeyjoejoe]

Thanks! It looks like indman provided the configuration needed. Perhaps a mega328_fish8840_TFT directory could be made for this variant?

Could someone confirm my steps? First time flashing this.

1. I've downloaded https://github.com/svn2github/transistortester/blob/master/Software/Markus/ComponentTester-1.32m.tgz
2. Used the config_328.h that indman so nicely provided
3. Reviewed some of the config.h values, but only disabled a few things (PWM, signal gen)

Compiling it with avr_gcc, no errors, I have a hex file. Good to flash?

[HighMans]

Hello all! This is a really long thread, and I don't exactly know where to start, but I've three questions.

1. What would be the reason as to why my component tester is showing 15-18v as the battery voltage instead of the 9v's from the 9v battery? This is the particular kit I bought, but I reckon it's all the same.

2. How do I go about upgrading this kit to the custom firmware that's around on the internet? I'm at version 1.12k currently.

[timelessbeing]

1. What would be the reason as to why my component tester is showing 15-18v

Sounds like you mixed up some resistors. Double check the schematic.

2. How do I go about upgrading this kit to the custom firmware that's around on the internet? I'm at version 1.12k currently.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg810893/#msg810893
You might try a search next time.

if I go to the selection menu and select selftest, it works fine. What've I done wrong?

I recommend you read the firmware Readme

[HighMans]

I looked at the resistors according to the assembly instructions provided to me and all of them do seem to be in place correctly.

Thanks for the link to the firmware, I tried clicking the search button on this forum thread but the results came up empty.

Finally, I figured out the selftest issue -- pebcak error as always.

Thanks again!

[timelessbeing]

What do you have on PC5?

[HighMans]

PC5? I don't see that on the silkscreen.

[timelessbeing]

pin 28 on the atmega

[HighMans]

Wow. Looks like I ripped out the connection for that pin on the IC Socket. I'm going to have to get a new one. Thanks for the help!

[JonnieCache]

Wow. Looks like I ripped out the connection for that pin on the IC Socket. I'm going to have to get a new one. Thanks for the help!

I’ve done that before. They come out sometimes, but you can put it right back in. When you solder it, it will work just fine!

[HighMans]

That'd be fine if it wasn't for the fact that it's long gone now! I "fixed" it by cleaning out the solder, and sticking in a solid wire to make a connection -- works well enough

[joeyjoejoe]

2. The LDO at 3.3V  from power which the display - very not reliable and ceases to work in case of connection of the programmator. Therefore it is recommended to disconnect or unsolder it before programming of the processor.

Totally fried this thing

I removed it, and now I can program (haven't yet), but the display is also working?! If the 3v3 is supplying power, with that removed, I'm not sure how this is possible based on that schematic....

[joeyjoejoe]

To set the proper offset for FISH8840_TFT, find in ST7735.c:

Code: [Select]

#ifdef LCD_ROTATE
  /* swap X and Y */
  #define LCD_PIXELS_X        LCD_DOTS_Y
  #define LCD_PIXELS_Y        LCD_DOTS_X
  #ifdef LCD_OFFSET_X
    #define LCD_SHIFT_Y       3     /* shift y by 4 dots */
  #endif
  #ifdef LCD_OFFSET_Y
    #define LCD_SHIFT_X       1     /* shift x by 2 dots */
  #endif
#else

[Argiros]

Well I finally did it. I follow the schematic and found the PD1 and PD3 pins from the CPU which in my case goes to R21 and R22  10K resistors (SMD 103) and they connect to A0 and SDA LCD pins respectively, for my Display ST7735 although in Karl's doc it says RS and SI for ST7565. So one can solder BEFORE the resistors or else it wont work. I pulled out the selection button and place in his place the rotary and it works perfectly! Better than the other which came with his build in rotary encoder. The only catch is that it powers on with the other reset button and when I put in power it opens automatically. Maybe I miss something from the other side of the circuit in the selection button. Now it is a usefull device, and I dont know why they designed it with only two buttons reset and select, when there are menus , choices etc. Now I can play with the software to make it work as I want, for ex the display I want it rotated in landscape and not portrait. Thank you madires and all the other friends who helped me.

<Argiros>
Can I add a rottary switch button to this model GM328B ? Where I can solder this ?

or else can I add 3 more buttons for using them for scrolling up down and for back ?

<madires>
You can use two push buttons for up/down (increase/decrease) instead of a rotary encoder (k-firmware: WITH_ROTARY_SWITCH 4, m-firmware: HW_INCDEC_KEYS, and check the portpins). The test button is mandatory, either as a separate push button or integrated in the rotary encoder. And there's no back button. As timelessbeing already has mentioned, the wiring is explained in Karl-Heinz' documentation.

[timelessbeing]

I'm trying to put the Karl-Heinz firmware on my "M328" tester



I tried the firmware from all these folders which seemed relevant:
mega328_GM328
mega328_st7565
mega328_st7565_kit

But the display turned out upside down and backwards each time. Also the rotary encoder didn't work. So I guess I'll have compile from source.

Does anybody know where these options are configured? The KH code is much more difficult to follow, than MR's.

[mauroh]

I have the same variant. The mega328_st7565_kit folder is the correct one.
I didn't try the latest build, but you shouldn't need to modify anything, it should just works.

If not try different combinations of the following settings in the Makefile
CFLAGS += -DLCD_ST7565_H_FLIP=0
CFLAGS += -DLCD_ST7565_V_FLIP=1

Mauro

[mauroh]

I just tried the latest 791 build.
The files inside the mega328_st7565_kit folder works fine without any change on my tester (same as your picture).
Mauro

[timelessbeing]

You're right. I must have gotten some files mixed up, but it works now. Thanks for confirming.

Do you know how to enable the protection relay in the firmware? I didn't find anything in the documentation.

[madires]

You don't need to enable anything in the k-firmware for using the protection relay. It's part of the basic code.

[mebel]

I have added a protection relay to my tester. It is essentially the same as described in the KHK manual.

Can you place some pictures here?

[upsss]

Here is a picture of my 10 pounds of sh.. in a 5-pound bag: Relay protection, Rotary encoder, Li-Ion battery, USB charger, Step Up converter, High voltage converter for Zener testing, Banana sockets and a new 16Mhz crystal.

[timelessbeing]

You don't need to enable anything in the k-firmware for using the protection relay. It's part of the basic code.

hmm... at which exact moment is PC4 supposed to go high?