$20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project

[Yuriy_K]

Here are all the modified files to check my previous post.

If you replace CAP.C with a similar file from 1.50m, then everything works fine ...

[madires]

Using a smaller cap I'm able to reproduce the issue. And yes, the best solution for now is to take 1.50m's cap.c.

[madires]

To fix 1.51m's cap issue edit function LargeCap() in file cap.c. At the beginning of LargeCap() insert

Code: [Select]

  int16_t           U_temp;        /* temporary voltage */

And further down replace

Code: [Select]

    /* consider zero offset */
    if (U_Cap > U_Zero)            /* voltage higher than zero offset */
      U_Cap -= U_Zero;                  /* subtract zero offset */
    else                           /* shouldn't happen but you never know */
      U_Cap = 0;                        /* assume 0V */
with

Code: [Select]

    /* consider zero offset */
    U_temp = (int16_t)U_Cap;       /* explicit type conversion */
    if (U_temp > U_Zero)           /* voltage higher than zero offset */
      U_temp -= U_Zero;                 /* subtract zero offset */
    else                           /* shouldn't happen but you never know */
      U_temp = 0;                       /* assume 0V */
    U_Cap = (uint16_t)U_temp;      /* take result */


[indman]

madires, thank you! Perhaps it will be easier for someone to replace the old cap.c file with the corrected one.
I've added it below. Right? 

[pizzigri]

In fact, this work has already been implemented for you by the author of the extended ATmega644-1284 tester scheme - dear Nick Lanchak. It is his great contribution to the development of this project that Karl-Heinz mentions in his manual.You can read the full documentation on his device here
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4yqyYy2Daakfl9DeTBkMEJVTVNwajkzNGtjVi0wcjdMUG5ZODJXa216WFZEZG1ZZE1ud3M&usp=sharing&tid=0B4yqyYy2DaakZzBVU3JDSXB6S1E
Alternative link
http://vrtp.ru/screenshots/3588_Rev_A0.02C_m1284.zip

Hello Indman,
It took a year - health problems and more.... but, I have managed to find basically all of the parts needed to build Nick's design - except the BFR93A,215 and BFT93,215 transistors  from NXP Semiconductors. Both are out of production, and I cannot find an equivalent. I already tried ebay and two on two, from different vendors, were fakes. Is there a source, or a replacement you - or Nick -  can suggest, that is available i.e. on Mouser?
Thank you so much!
Franco

[indman]

Hi pizzigri!
This problem with buying real BFR93A and BFT93 is well known to me.
I made 4 attempts to order these transistors on Aliexpress and only in the last parcel the seller included really high-frequency specimens. In the other 3 cases, they sent me a fake in the form of cheap MOSFETs.
I haven't purchased anything from Mouser, so maybe someone else can help you with this.

[pizzigri]

Wow! Thank you. Would you mind sharing the aliexpress source of these real high frequency parts? In PM also if you want! The way the circuit is designed makes it really difficult to replace these parts.
Franco

[Bibbbi]

How can I compile the madires Transistor project via PlatformIO/VSCode IDE instead of WinAVR. Are there instructions?

[prashk20]

Hello!

I have designed a small compact board based on Component Tester project that works using a single 3.7V LiPo battery. I have also added LiPo Charge Boost Protect circuit made by Great Scott with improvements. This combined project serves as Component Tester along with a Battery or USBC powered Power Supply providing 4.5-15V, ~1.5A and Power Monitor in the form factor of an Arduino Uno.

The only thing I have added in the code is a Power Monitor page measuring ADC Voltage of current measured using a Hall Effect Current Measurement IC - TMCS1108A4B and it's adjustment value at 0amps.

Attached are some its pictures.

Blog entry with more pictures, specifications and demonstration video: https://pk17r.wordpress.com/2023/12/18/ultimate-tester-component-tester-lipo-charge-boost-protect/
Project Github, Hex, EEP file: https://github.com/pk17r/Transistortester-Warehouse/tree/prash/ComponentTester-1.50m
Project Schematics, PCB, Boost resistors and E-Fuse resistor calculations, BOM and Gerber Files: https://github.com/pk17r/Transistortester-Warehouse/blob/prash/ComponentTester-1.50m/UltimateTester_PCB.zip

I did this to have the Component Tester project as well as a Power Supply in a small form factor. Thank you to everyone who helped me debug bringing up the Component Tester project on Arduino Uno a few months back, as well as @Madires to maintain the big project!
I am learning PCB design, if you have any feedback on the design or have suggestions on things I could have done differently, please feel free to comment on the blog entry.

Thank you!

Prashant

[matt09]

Could someone please post a working link to a current genuine 328 meter on Aliexpress?
I just spent a while searching the reviews in every single TC1 / 7 I could see for a confirmation of a genuine unit, but all I found was confirmation of fake ICs 

Thanks!

[Messtechniker]

This has become a major problem. Even if you get a recommendation, you can never be sure, because things change so fast.

[slybunda]

Really appreciate that. Here's the manufactured PCB's. I have a few spares I can send out for postage. I'm in the UK

will this check capacitor esr? if so id be up for one board im in West Midlands UK if thats close to you for collection otherwise post is fine thanks.

[slybunda]

Anyone built one of these:
https://youtu.be/mogaMWEWWlQ?si=3ij6w7viWwfwyJh3

This looks very simple to do and cheapo.

[madires]

will this check capacitor esr?

Yes, if you run one of the two OSHW firmwares (k or m).

Anyone built one of these:
https://youtu.be/mogaMWEWWlQ?si=3ij6w7viWwfwyJh3

This looks very simple to do and cheapo.

Several users have built their Transistortester based on an Arduino (Uno, Nano, Mega). But I'd recommend to go for one of the two OSHW firmwares to get all features. The adapted Arduino sketches are limited in that regard.

[slybunda]

will this check capacitor esr?

Yes, if you run one of the two OSHW firmwares (k or m).

Anyone built one of these:
https://youtu.be/mogaMWEWWlQ?si=3ij6w7viWwfwyJh3

This looks very simple to do and cheapo.

Several users have built their Transistortester based on an Arduino (Uno, Nano, Mega). But I'd recommend to go for one of the two OSHW firmwares to get all features. The adapted Arduino sketches are limited in that regard.

Is there a link to where to get started on building one of  those oshw ones?

[madires]

k-firmware: https://github.com/kubi48/TransistorTester-source
main documentation: https://github.com/kubi48/TransistorTester-documentation
m-firmware and more: https://github.com/madires/Transistortester-Warehouse

[jdev99]

1st, thank you to all that contributed to this project. It is amazing.

I noticed something interesting on a  ST7735 display when I un-commented these 2 lines in the config_644.h file:
I wanted to see the effect, thought it would "move" the display to the side and to the bottom by 4 and 2 pixels.

#define LCD_OFFSET_X     4               /* enable x offset of 2 or 4 dots */
#define LCD_OFFSET_Y     2               /* enable y offset of 1 or 2 dots */

The display did not work 100% after this, had some "interference" on 2 sides, and some other odd effects on the displayed contents.
So I just put the // back in-front of the 2 lines, but the display did not return to its previous, good state.

I then did this, and it was good again.

#define LCD_OFFSET_X     0              /* enable x offset of 2 or 4 dots */
#define LCD_OFFSET_Y     0               /* enable y offset of 1 or 2 dots */

Is this the normal way to "reset" these settings?

[indman]

The display did not work 100% after this, had some "interference" on 2 sides, and some other odd effects on the displayed contents.
So I just put the // back in-front of the 2 lines, but the display did not return to its previous, good state.

This means that you did not apply or save changes to the edited rows. Therefore, the firmware compilation chose the previous values.
Or you programmed the old firmware by mistake.
You could try an offset of 2 and 1 pixel respectively for your display.

[pizzigri]

Karl-Heinz's 1.13K manual covers a Atmega644 schematic, with many add-ons, including a relay based protection - But, no definite PCB design.
Please help...

In fact, this work has already been implemented for you by the author of the extended ATmega644-1284 tester scheme - dear Nick Lanchak. It is his great contribution to the development of this project that Karl-Heinz mentions in his manual.You can read the full documentation on his device here
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4yqyYy2Daakfl9DeTBkMEJVTVNwajkzNGtjVi0wcjdMUG5ZODJXa216WFZEZG1ZZE1ud3M&usp=sharing&tid=0B4yqyYy2DaakZzBVU3JDSXB6S1E
Alternative link
http://vrtp.ru/screenshots/3588_Rev_A0.02C_m1284.zip

Dear Indman,
I finally managed to source everything NickL's project needed. The last parts are on their way and hopefully they are real - BFR93A and BFT93.
I will be starting stuffing the board soon. I sourced the LCD specc'd by NickL for the project, but I have a few questions. Is the FW able to drive this obscure LCD, and is it replaceable by a color version?
Also, the PCB silkscreen requires a 8MHz xtal, however it is ambiguous if the mods needed for a 16MHz Xtal are already there or not - the BOM somehow did place a 16MHz part in the order, but I cannot remember if I modified it or that it was in the xls file.
Which FW should I use with the larger memory I have available using a 644 or even a 1284? I have both MCU on hand for the build.

It took a year... and finally i am going to build it! And, the heck - the parts for this build add up to almost 140 Euro. Not complaining, as most parts have a level of accuracy (i.e. 0.1 resistors!) that will undoubtedly reflect in great precision - and here is one more question, there is a resistor (R35) that can go from 15k to 175k - and the value must be "found adjusting", however it is not clear how to find this value. I was actually thinking of replacing it with a 200K SMD trimmer.

[indman]

I will be starting stuffing the board soon. I sourced the LCD specc'd by NickL for the project, but I have a few questions. Is the FW able to drive this obscure LCD, and is it replaceable by a color version?

NickL is a very competent, intelligent person and specialist who made a very big contribution to the development of this project, so his tester designs are well thought out and designed, and are also equipped with detailed documentation and proven firmware. Therefore, feel free to repeat what he suggested and everything will work if you do everything correctly.

Also, the PCB silkscreen requires a 8MHz xtal, however it is ambiguous if the mods needed for a 16MHz Xtal are already there or not - the BOM somehow did place a 16MHz part in the order, but I cannot remember if I modified it or that it was in the xls file.
Which FW should I use with the larger memory I have available using a 644 or even a 1284? I have both MCU on hand for the build.

It is better to use 1284, as this will allow you to connect a color display in the future, which requires more memory for all options. With a monochrome display you can leave the crystal at 8MHz, but a color display will require a higher clock speed as well as a hardware SPI connection. If you understand compilation, you can easily assemble your own firmware with the options you need.

[ogulpal]

Hi, I'm looking for this kind of tester. I've checked the PDF (https://github.com/madires/Transistortester-Warehouse/blob/master/Documentation/English/Clone-Comparison-Chart.pdf) that lists all the clones and it looks like the Hiland M644 is a decent option. But the PDF is a few years old and I can't find this particular model anywhere on eBay or Aliexpress.

I liked that it can test Zener diodes above 5V and would have liked it to have external power too.

Are there updated recommendations? If not, what happened to this model and where to find it?

Cheers!

[Messtechniker]

Be careful. I'seen the transistor tester being advertised as "Hiland M644", whereas the corresonduing pic showed a 328 processor of some sort. The current situation is pretty bad, since you will in advance never know what you will actually get.

[moimem]

New builds for LCR-T4 NoStripGrid with cap fix

[SA]

Hello

I have put a config of the m firmware here https://gitlab.com/a11059/t7_328_m.git that works on my recenlty purchased T7 with atmega 328 image below.
There's also a schematic in there, it may have some errors/ommisions.

Thankyou Markus.

(Attachment Link)

I am a newbie. I fried my TC-1, looks exactly like your picture with atmega328p DIP ic. The only way to repair it by replacing the atmega328p. I will be thankful if you provide the Hex , Epp and fuses for it......

[ogulpal]

But so what do I even look for? Hiland m644 has no hits on Alibay.