$20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project

[all_repair]

Actually there are some Chinese $20 LCR testers that come with adapter for SMT parts for a long while but not as well done and integrated as the russian units.

[Pukker]

Hi everyone,
I have this tester, building the kit is OK and it works OK.

http://www.ebay.nl/itm/191869802386?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

My question: When I like to update firmware,
which firmware I have to use?
I don't know the display type.
What are the config bits settings?

I can use an minipro TLC866 programmer.

Thanks for advice.

BTW  Great project, thanks to devellopers and everyone who makes it better.

[madires]

You can choose between k and m-firmware. The display is a ST7565. You might want to read https://www.eevblog.com/forum/other-blog-specific/55-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-error-and-reprogram/ and watch the video. There's also a post with the pre-compiled m-firmware and the fuse settings (in the avrdude command line). Your programmer should be fine for the DIP ATmega.

[Pukker]

Thank you Madires, I wil try as soon as posible,
with an spare mega328.

[indman]

Hi, friends! madires, Pukker is a few not such tester as you told. The display is constructed on the ST7735 controller on TFT technology. It has permission of 160x128 pixels. Are installed the power voltage on 3.3V and the transformer of levels on HCF4050 on a reverse side of the display. The Chinese firmware works normally, but it is locked for reading. If to load to k-firmware svn 669, then the image will be turned by 90 degrees. I drew the diagram of this tester and to send Karl-Heinz Kubeller, and also corrected files of source codes for turn of the image sent.

[Pukker]

Hi indman and madires, thanks for your information.
I tried the ST7565 software and that didn't work.
But I can read the software from the controller.
I have read it out, programmed in an other processor and that works fine.
Software version shows 1.12k
Used TLC866 programmer for reading and writing.
Attachment files are the originals form the tester.

Thanks for your attention.

[indman]

Pukker,thanks for an original firmware, I checked, it well works. But she is brought together on older revision and therefore has no additional opportunities. There is no inductivity measurement by a resonant method, the generator with the fixed frequencies. A pleasant bonus in the Chinese firmware that it is possible to change randomly through the menu color of a font and background.

[madires]

Hi, friends! madires, Pukker is a few not such tester as you told. The display is constructed on the ST7735 controller on TFT technology. It has permission of 160x128 pixels. Are installed the power voltage on 3.3V and the transformer of levels on CD4050 on a reverse side of the display.

Ah, so that specific kit has a ST7735 display with a level shifter which is nice. The m-firmware doesn't support the ST7735 yet, but writing the driver should be easy since the protocol looks very similar to the ILI9341. I just need samples

[Pukker]

Indman, yes it is an older version.
BTW, kit looks good, pcb is OK, all parts are complete,
replaced the 680 and 470 resistors with 0.1% types and
replace TL431 with LM4040AIZ.
As far I can check, the measurements are accurate and OK.
Display a little small, but good readability.
And standard with protection parts mounted.
When it would become updatable it would be all good.

ehh, I'am Dutch, Englisch is not my native language.

[indman]

Still I will add that commands for ST7735 are suitable also for the ILI9163 controller. 

[madires]

Thanks for the hint!

[indman]

Karl-Heinz Kübbeler added support of the discussed M328KitTFT clone in new revision of SVN 680. You watch a firmware in the "mega328_color_kit" folder

[Pukker]

Thank you indman for the hint,
Thank you Karl-Heinz Kübbeler for the great support.
Programmed already and working fine. 
Thanks. Great project.

BTW Programmed directly with the data en code files from Karl-Heiz Kübbeler,
used the config settings as read from original en posted in post 2130

Ha, better I could not get it.
Received yesterday, build yesterday, today newest sofware.
Karl-Heinz Kübbeler couldn't have better timing.

[stj]

that's it - i'm getting one of those TFT displays for my GM328A unit. 
a nice upgrade 

[Pukker]

that's it - i'm getting one of those TFT displays for my GM328A unit. 
a nice upgrade 

Yes, but for about $ 12.- you have an complete kit.

[stj]

but i have a heavily moded GM328A already, and the TFT display is only about £2.30

[madires]

While working on a driver for PCD8544 compatible displays I'm looking into UJTs (not PUTs), but I haven't found any at my favoured shops. Do you know any source or could spare a few?

[TheSteve]

Hi everyone,
I have this tester, building the kit is OK and it works OK.

http://www.ebay.nl/itm/191869802386?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

My question: When I like to update firmware,
which firmware I have to use?
I don't know the display type.
What are the config bits settings?

I can use an minipro TLC866 programmer.

Thanks for advice.

BTW  Great project, thanks to devellopers and everyone who makes it better.

I picked up one of these as well to experiment with. I'm happy to test any other firmware if needed.

[bitseeker]

Hiya Steve,

Is this your first of these testers or just this particular variation?

[TheSteve]

Hiya Steve,

Is this your first of these testers or just this particular variation?

It is the first of a tester like this. I have other test equipment that can do all of the same stuff but for the price it just seems it is worth buying one to play with. We also use Atmel AVRs at work and have a product or two that drive small displays so there is the possibility of re-purposing these kits. We can't buy all of the parts used in the kit in small quantities for the price of the entire kit.

[bitseeker]

Yeah, it's a neat little unit. I have one of the prior generation versions. The one you got has lots of updates to the hardware and costs less than mine from last year.

I know what you mean about cost of parts. Economies of scale certainly make it worthwhile to buy modules and kits for one-off (or a few-off) solutions, even if you're just borrowing parts from them.

Since you have other test equipment (LCRs and whatnot), it'd be interesting to see how this compares as far as applicability for certain uses. Obviously, $10-20 is no replacement for $$$ devices, but knowing when it's good enough and when it's not would be useful for those considering getting a kit for home/hobby use or more.

[Pukker]

I've bought the kit and it is a complete with al parts you need.
For the price you can't buy al the components en pcb is very good.
Handy is the DC jack, so I can Use and 12 Volt adapter,
no worry of dead battery when I need the tester.
Replaced the 680 and 470 resistors with 0.1% types and
replace TL431 with LM4040AIZ.
For better accuracy.
Main purpose for me is the ESR check for capacitors,
wich works very well.
checked with capacitor and the result was 210 uF and ESR 0.06 ohm.
with a resistor of 0.1 ohm in series I get 209 uF and ESR 0.16 ohm.
I have an good Fluke meter with capacity test which is good,
but capacity is not only important to check, ESR is also an important value
Very handy for checking what for transistor type is this and what is the pinout.
New version of software works fine. Revision 680

[stj]

does this colour-kit have a schematic or decent foto's of both sides of the board without the display fitted?

[bitseeker]

It's based on the original schematic. Photos of the PCB were posted a few dozen messages ago.

[stj]

i found the top image, but no underside shot.