$20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project

[Obelix2007]

... the mod is only a rotary/switch encoder for better menu selection. No need for programming but helpfull in daily use.

Also I changing the xtal from 8 to 16 MHz.

Sorry my bad english.

Greetings Horst

[mspec]

Thanks for the info. Your English is great 

[Andbro]

Hi,

Is it possible to upgrade the MK168 ?


Thank

[madires]

Yes, k-firmware still supports the ATmega168. However, I'd suggest to replace the 168 with a 328 to get more flash memory. This way you can use most features of the current firmwares (k & m).

[indman]

I'd suggest to replace the 168 with a 328 to get more flash memory.

Madires, the ATMEGA328 processor has already been installed in the MK-168 model. The model name does not reflect its internal content.
ATMEGA168 apparently installed in this model for a very long time.

[Andbro]

Hi,

For me, inside it's a ATMEGA168P. I have found the firmware Rev804En(8Mhz), but it's for an ATMEGA328.
And if i try to makefile with PATNO = m168p, i have this message:

> "make.exe" all
rm -rf ../Obj/TransistorTester
mkdir -p ../Obj/TransistorTester
mkdir -p ../Obj/TransistorTester/dep
avr-gcc  -Wall -DNO_ICONS_DEMO -DFONT_7X12 -DWITH_SELFTEST -DAUTO_CAL -DSHORT_UNCAL_MSG -DWITH_UJT -DWITH_PUT -DFET_Idss -DWITH_AUTO_REF -DREF_C_KORR=10 -DREF_L_KORR=40 -DC_H_KORR=0 -DWITH_UART -DRMETER_WITH_L -DCAP_EMPTY_LEVEL=4 -DAUTOSCALE_ADC -DREF_R_KORR=3 -DESR_ZERO=20 -DNO_AREF_CAP -DUSE_EEPROM -DNO_LONG_PINLAYOUT -DPULLUP_DISABLE -DANZ_MESS=30 -DPOWER_OFF -DBAT_CHECK -DBAT_OUT=150 -DBAT_POOR=6400 -DBAT_NUMERATOR=133 -DBAT_DENOMINATOR=33 -DEXT_NUMERATOR=10 -DEXT_DENOMINATOR=1 -mcall-prologues -I. -DLANG_ENGLISH -DF_CPU=8000000UL -DF_CPU_HZ=8000000 -DMHZ_CPU=8 -mmcu=atmega168 -gdwarf-2 -std=gnu99 -Os -funsigned-char -funsigned-bitfields -fpack-struct -fshort-enums -MD -MP -MT lcd_hw_4_bit.o -MF ../Obj/TransistorTester/dep/lcd_hw_4_bit.o.d  -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -DSamplingADC -c -o ../Obj/TransistorTester/lcd_hw_4_bit.o ../lcd_hw_4_bit.S
avr-gcc  -Wall -DNO_ICONS_DEMO -DFONT_7X12 -DWITH_SELFTEST -DAUTO_CAL -DSHORT_UNCAL_MSG -DWITH_UJT -DWITH_PUT -DFET_Idss -DWITH_AUTO_REF -DREF_C_KORR=10 -DREF_L_KORR=40 -DC_H_KORR=0 -DWITH_UART -DRMETER_WITH_L -DCAP_EMPTY_LEVEL=4 -DAUTOSCALE_ADC -DREF_R_KORR=3 -DESR_ZERO=20 -DNO_AREF_CAP -DUSE_EEPROM -DNO_LONG_PINLAYOUT -DPULLUP_DISABLE -DANZ_MESS=30 -DPOWER_OFF -DBAT_CHECK -DBAT_OUT=150 -DBAT_POOR=6400 -DBAT_NUMERATOR=133 -DBAT_DENOMINATOR=33 -DEXT_NUMERATOR=10 -DEXT_DENOMINATOR=1 -mcall-prologues -I. -DLANG_ENGLISH -DF_CPU=8000000UL -DF_CPU_HZ=8000000 -DMHZ_CPU=8 -mmcu=atmega168 -gdwarf-2 -std=gnu99 -Os -funsigned-char -funsigned-bitfields -fpack-struct -fshort-enums -MD -MP -MT lcd-routines.o -MF ../Obj/TransistorTester/dep/lcd-routines.o.d  -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections -DSamplingADC -c -o ../Obj/TransistorTester/lcd-routines.o ../lcd-routines.c
make.exe: *** No rule to make target `../Obj/TransistorTester/i2lcd.o', needed by `../Obj/TransistorTester/TransistorTester.elf'.  Stop.

> Process Exit Code: 2
> Time Taken: 00:03

Thank for your help

[indman]

Andbro, in what year did you buy this clone? I'm just wondering,in 2014, the Chinese already installed the 328th processor in such models. Can you show a photo of the circuit board with the processor168 installed?

[madires]

make.exe: *** No rule to make target `../Obj/TransistorTester/i2lcd.o', needed by `../Obj/TransistorTester/TransistorTester.elf'.  Stop.

I there a rule like

Code: [Select]

$(OBJDIR)/i2lcd.o: ../i2lcd.S $(MKFILES)
        $(CC) $(INCLUDES) $(CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
in the Makefile?

[indman]

For me, inside it's a ATMEGA168P. I have found the firmware Rev804En(8Mhz), but it's for an ATMEGA328.
And if i try to makefile with PATNO = m168p, i have this message:

You used a makefile from the old revision 804, so you got an error when compiling.
In more new releases of k-firmware,the structure of the source files has been changed,so it is necessary to compile the firmware based on a makefile that corresponds to the new structure. The Default folder already has a ready-made firmware in English for ATmega168 (9V).

[Andbro]

Hi,


I have bought at very low price last week on Amazon. On board, you can see the year 2015. The firmware version is 1.07k.


Thank

[Andbro]

Hi,

Problem resolved for the MK168 with ATMEGA168P. MCU replaced by ATMEGA328P and crystal 8Mhz replaced by 16Mhz.

Last question, where i can find the latest firmware for this model ?


Thank for your help and support

[madires]

One page back I've posted the links for the repository. Presumably you need to configure and compile the firmware yourself. For the k-firmware you could try the Makefile from mega328_2X16_menu and change the MCU frequency to 16 MHz.

[Chris02]

Hello,

my T7 has 8mA sleep current. Did I anything wrong with compiling SW? After plugging in battery idle current is a few nA. But after the first measurement it won't go to sleep again.

@Markus
At resistor measurement with E24/E96 function will it be possible to show color code and value?
E.g. you are measuring a resistor, tester shows E24 5% 150 & 160  and you will be able to compare colors to select the right one. At the moment you have colors or value. Maybe for SMD resistors EIA-96 code (e.g 01C = 10k) will be a nice  feature.

[Andbro]

Hi Madires,

All is working very well for my New Old Stock MK168. An ATMEGA168p  replaced by a ATMEGA328P, a crystal from 8Mhz to 16 MHz and the latest firmware.


thank

[madires]

my T7 has 8mA sleep current. Did I anything wrong with compiling SW? After plugging in battery idle current is a few nA. But after the first measurement it won't go to sleep again.

Are you using the two-transistor mod? What have you set for POWER_CTRL (_PORT and _DDR)?

At resistor measurement with E24/E96 function will it be possible to show color code and value?
E.g. you are measuring a resistor, tester shows E24 5% 150 & 160  and you will be able to compare colors to select the right one. At the moment you have colors or value.

IIRC, you can enable both (_CC and _T) at the same time.

Maybe for SMD resistors EIA-96 code (e.g 01C = 10k) will be a nice  feature.

Sounds like a good idea. I'll add it to my to-do list.

[Chris02]

my T7 has 8mA sleep current. Did I anything wrong with compiling SW? After plugging in battery idle current is a few nA. But after the first measurement it won't go to sleep again.

Are you using the two-transistor mod? What have you set for POWER_CTRL (_PORT and _DDR)?

No, I'm using SW mod at U4.

Power control is set like you mentioned in "clones"
/*
 *  power control
 *  - can't be same port as ADC_PORT or R_PORT
 */

#define POWER_PORT       PORTD     /* port data register */
#define POWER_DDR        DDRD      /* port data direction register */
#define POWER_CTRL       PD2       /* controls power (1: on / 0: off) */

At resistor measurement with E24/E96 function will it be possible to show color code and value?
E.g. you are measuring a resistor, tester shows E24 5% 150 & 160  and you will be able to compare colors to select the right one. At the moment you have colors or value.

IIRC, you can enable both (_CC and _T) at the same time.

It is working, thanks.


You wrote in "clones"

- boost converter for Zener check
  (runs all the time, non-standard voltage divider 100k/12k)

I guess you are talking about R5/R6. Which is standard value? (maybe it will be a useful info in "clones") I have two testers. One with 100k/10k and the other one with 120k/7,5k. Maybe this is already my standby problem?
Edit:
with 100k/12k  you mean R17/R18. Maybe you can add it to "clones". My one is also 100k/12k. So I need to replace it?

I guess I also found my problem about sleep current but not the solution yet. After the first power on there are still 2.2V on 5V VCC. On 78L05 IN is only 1,6V. Shorting 2.2V to discharge all Cs doesn't change anything, There are still 2.2V

[madires]

No, I'm using SW mod at U4.

Power control is set like you mentioned in "clones"

#define POWER_PORT       PORTD     /* port data register */
#define POWER_DDR        DDRD      /* port data direction register */
#define POWER_CTRL       PD2       /* controls power (1: on / 0: off) */

The settings seem to be fine. I'm wondering about the low quiescent current. With its original firmware U4 draws around 1mA or so.

You wrote in "clones"

- boost converter for Zener check
  (runs all the time, non-standard voltage divider 100k/12k)

I guess you are talking about R5/R6. Which is standard value? (maybe it will be a useful info in "clones") I have two testers. One with 100k/10k and the other one with 120k/7,5k. Maybe this is already my standby problem?
Edit:
with 100k/12k  you mean R17/R18. Maybe you can add it to "clones". My one is also 100k/12k. So I need to replace it?

The standard values for the Zener voltage divider are 180k/20k (10:1). If your tester uses a divider with a different ratio you can adjust that in config.h (enable ZENER_DIVIDER_CUSTOM, and set ZENER_R1 and ZENER_R2). No need to change resistors. The boost converter of the TC-1/T7 is running when the tester is powered on. So it shouldn't effect the quiescent current.

I guess I also found my problem about sleep current but not the solution yet. After the first power on there are still 2.2V on 5V VCC. On 78L05 IN is only 1,6V. Shorting 2.2V to discharge all Cs doesn't change anything, There are still 2.2V

Please see https://disk.yandex.ru/d/yW8xa5NJgUo5z for the schematic.

[indman]

The settings seem to be fine. I'm wondering about the low quiescent current. With its original firmware U4 draws around 1mA or so.

The use of U4 is an unsuccessful circuit design solution that creates many problems in the tester's work.
The cardinal solution is to replace U4 with a circuit of 2 transistors ,which was proposed by madires and update firmware.
On my TC1 clone after deleting U4, the current consumption is 0.0042 mA(4mkA) in sleep mode.

[madires]

Chris02 said that he programmed the alternative firmware for U4 and after connecting the battery the quiescent current was just a few nA. That's what I'm curious about since the current should be much higher with U4.

[indman]

my T7 has 8mA sleep current.After plugging in battery idle current is a few nA. But after the first measurement it won't go to sleep again.

The problem with a large current consumption in sleep mode after updating the U4 alternative firmware is observed by almost every TC1-T7 owner. A lot of owners put an additional power switch due to the fact that the tester does not turn off normally,and also freezes after several measurements.

[Chris02]

Thanks for your replies. If the solution is to replace U4 with this simple circuit I'll do it. It is much better then having a empty tester every time you need it
I'll post result after mod is done.

[tsmith35]

So after looking at U4 on my TC2, I see that it is now a SOT23-6 marked B628. This corresponds to an LN3608 / SX1308 which is a high-efficiency 1.2 MHz 2A step-up converter as opposed to the STC15L104W 80c51 mcu used on prior versions.

[indman]

tsmith35,on the board of the T7Plus v0.1 version, the STC power management chip is marked U3.

[tsmith35]

tsmith35,on the board of the T7Plus v0.1 version, the STC power management chip is marked U3.

Okay, good information to have. Thank you!

[H202]

What "ERROR!" means during adjustment in 1.43m ?
Closed/open calibration are OK, then it displays reference/comparator voltage, and ERROR.

Measured capacitors are 1.5..2 times bigger than nominal value (1.13K firmware measures much closer to nominal).
Also it frequently can't reliably detect component on 1-3 terminals, instead uses 1-2, 1.13k detects better.

M328P @8M, powered from LiPo with XC6206.
Vref LM431, divider resistors 10K/3K 1%, but instead of 3.2..3.3V it displays Vbat=3.53..3.56V - IMHO too big difference...