Hi,
The 5 transistor ESR meter use parts that most people will have in their junk box. The circuit can be built with just about any transistors. The only parts that are critical are the two rectifiers in meter circuit. I used 1N5711.
The $20.00 device is capable of a lot more measurements than the ESR meter.
The ESR meter can measure the capacitors in circuit, this means you don't have to remove them for measurement. There are, of course, some exceptions. If you have two or more capacitors connected in parallel you can not measure the ESR of the individual capacitors.
I also designed the ESR meter Adapter.
This can be found in this thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/esr-meter-adapter-design-and-construction/In many ways this better than the 5 transistor meter, it is really robust, You can apply a charged capacitor or even line voltage, without damaging the adapter. This is really important if you are working on SMPS, because sooner or later you find a charged capacitor. It does use a few parts that you might not have in your junk box.
Regards,
Jay_Diddy_B
@m3vuv
thought the copper pour was better tbh,uses less etchant,is the image mirrored and ready to print and iron on?,cheers.
The image is mirrored and ready to iron on. I have marked dimensions for you to check.
Wow really nice, thank you!!
Mauro
NICE ONE,what a star !,cheers.
Hi,
The 5 transistor ESR meter use parts that most people will have in their junk box. The circuit can be built with just about any transistors. The only parts that are critical are the two rectifiers in meter circuit. I used 1N5711.
Can you recommend through-hole alternatives for the 1N5711 diodes?
Hi, thought I would post my build of the discrete version of the circuit. It could still use a bit of work on the graphic arts, but I built it about a year and a half ago and it's working fine as is (on the same batteries!) I don't use it quite as much as I thought I would since I picked up an LRC meter at a university surplus auction cheap.
Main variations on the original are use of 2N4401/2N4403 transistors and SD101A schottky diodes. I also dropped the voltage to 4V. The voltage regulator is a Microchip 1702 4V LDO. The circuit is built up on a 11 by 24 hole standard protoboard. The protection diodes and the meter tuning resistor are soldered freeform to the terminal posts. The meter is a ancient Micronta (Radio Shack) one I've had sitting around for years. I added a power on LED as well.
The case is 1/4" poplar finished with a stain and oil finish. The panel is 1/8" hard-board (Masonite) coated with black gloss enamel spray paint. The meter face was just marked off using various resistors to calibrate it.
entwiz,
It looks great!!
Thank you for sharing.
Regards,
Jay_Diddy_B
Any one have the pcb ready for print for this esr?
Any one have the pcb ready for print for this esr?
I might be able to help you. What are you looking for?
Are you looking for a picture of the artwork so that you can do toner transfer?
Are you looking for the Gerber files so that you can have the board made?
Are you looking to build a SMD version like my original unit or a thru hole version?
Let me know and I will see if I can help.
Regards,
Jay_Diddy_B
Since I think this 5 transistor ESR meter design is very clever, I decided to take a closer look at it in my latest "Circuit Fun" video:
Any one have the pcb ready for print for this esr?
I might be able to help you. What are you looking for?
Are you looking for a picture of the artwork so that you can do toner transfer?
Are you looking for the Gerber files so that you can have the board made?
Are you looking to build a SMD version like my original unit or a thru hole version?
Let me know and I will see if I can help.
Regards,
Jay_Diddy_B
After reading through this thread, I am confused as to what schematic goes with what. I am interested in the through hole version. Can you post the schematic, the component layout, and image for the through hole toner transfer together?
Thanks
After reading through this thread, I am confused as to what schematic goes with what. I am interested in the through hole version. Can you post the schematic, the component layout, and image for the through hole toner transfer together?
Thanks
Hi,
Here is a set of matching documents.
Note R24 is typically 12k Ohms but may need some adjustment. The 10K pot is place in series with the 50uA meter.
For this board:
The board size is 3.00 x 1.75 inches.
Regards,
Jay_Diddy_B
Thanks for posting all the files together Jay_Diddy_B.
What would be the best analog meter to purchase for this?
I have a couple lying around, both are microamperes meteres, and are 50uA. I have no idea what the resistance of them is. I tried looking one up, it is a Modutec 930031-214(number on the front), but I found noting on it. The other just says made in Japan on it. I am fairly new to the electronics game, and have not messed with analog meters till now. I appreciate the help.
Whichever one looks best to you, and where you can carefully dismantle it to change the scale ( or have a conversion table next to it if not) on it. the circuit will work with pretty much any 50uA meter, as the trimmer pot R24 ( a 10k pot for scaling) will handle pretty much any meter of 50uA, and is simple to calibrate by shorting the leads and setting for full scale on the meter.
I have searched for a voltmeter for this circuit and it would be better to get a jelly bean analog multimeter to house the circuit board and provide a simple set of test lead connections for the whole unit.
I found a few on ebay for less than 5 usd.
The only consideration is if the meter movement could be dissassembled to put the graphics inside.
jnicolas
Thanks for posting the through hole hole files. Have two boards eching now.
Got my interest up after watching Alans video.
Thank you very much for the design !!! I have some noob questions if its ok. Can I use 1n4148 diodes instead of es1j and also can I use a 1mA full deflection meter instead of a 50uA if I add a shunt resistor ?
Thank you very much for the design !!! I have some noob questions if its ok. Can I use 1n4148 diodes instead of es1j and also can I use a 1mA full deflection meter instead of a 50uA if I add a shunt resistor ?
The ES1J diodes are to provide some level of protection against charged capacitors. The 1n4148 will not provide enough protection.
The circuit is designed to use a 50uA meter movement, it will be difficult to get the circuit to work with a 1mA meter.
Regards,
Jay_Diddy_B
Thank you for the advice, I will try with other diodes 1n4007 for example, also do you know where I can get a 50uA
? On ebay they dont specify this spec, or do you know what I can change in the design to adapt with my 1mA meter?
Thank you very much for the design !!! I have some noob questions if its ok. Can I use 1n4148 diodes instead of es1j and also can I use a 1mA full deflection meter instead of a 50uA if I add a shunt resistor ?
The ES1J diodes are to provide some level of protection against charged capacitors. The 1n4148 will not provide enough protection.
The circuit is designed to use a 50uA meter movement, it will be difficult to get the circuit to work with a 1mA meter.
Regards,
Jay_Diddy_B
Hi group,
I have started the construction of the thru-hole version of the 5 transistor ESR meter.
Here is a picture of the blank PCB:
This was milled and drilled on my LPKF Protomat C60.
A few people have been asking about the 50uA meter. Here is a couple of pictures of the one that I used:
It is not critical. You need to be able open the meter to change the scale. This one is 'Hope Sun'. I am sure that 'Hopeless Moon' will work just as well
The ESR meter does not need to be super accurate, you just getting an indication if a capacitor is good or bad.
Regards,
Jay_Diddy_B
I made the poptronix esr meter (which is more or less like this one but with AOP instead of transistors the principle is the same)
I did not have any suitable meter display like this one.
so I made a small circuit with an LM3914 a small adjustable resistor , and 10 leds, it is more than enought to see if a cap is bad or not.
How would a 1N34A work instead of a 1N5711?
I have now other substitute in my junk and is the only other part I do not have.