$20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project

[Protoncek]

Hello to all!

I've read some pages of this thread but didn't find my problem:
i have chinese GA328 tester with graphic LCD and DIP mega328. FW is 1.11k.
Now...when i make small changes in makefile (change lang to slovene) and i compile it, i get WAY bigger hex file than needed - about 105%, so logically i can't burn it into my mega. Fun thing is that even if i compile a pre-made file, say mega238_st7565 wihtout ANY changes in makefile, i also get too big hex file. What am i doing wrong? I have Windows 10 and WinAVR20100110. For make to work in win10 i've had to replace one file: msys-1.0.dll in folder Utils/bin, otherwise i get compile error no matter what.

I tried FW posted earlier (GM328_EZM_v1.12k_r508_EN) and works, but it's mirrored, so i would have to change that. Also fonts are maybe too big, it could be smaller. And, since i was the one who made SLOVENE translation, it would be really nice to have it in my local language.

And - where do you guys find these latest FW's ? latest on repository i'm aware of is 1.11...

[tom666]

... I've read some pages of this thread but didn't find my problem:
... when i make small changes in makefile (change lang to slovene) and i compile it, i get WAY bigger hex file than needed - about 105%
... if i compile a pre-made file, say mega238_st7565 wihtout ANY changes in makefile, i also get too big hex file. What am i doing wrong? ...

You read this discussion forum very little or absentmindedly
It's a notorious problem with the AVR-GCC (using an older version).
This problem has been being solved (several times) in the official discussion forum, but also (for example) here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg692100/#msg692100
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg736515/#msg736515
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg736815/#msg736815

... And - where do you guys find these latest FW's ? latest on repository i'm aware of is 1.11 ...

The latest version of the software (v1.12k) is still available as a test version. You'll find it here:
http://www.mikrocontroller.net/svnbrowser/transistortester/Software/trunk/

[Protoncek]

Damn...sorry, i don't have any good explanation, how i missed that...i guess i didn't pay much attention on posts regarding "arduino" (since i don't work with it), and now i see that solution is exactly there... i apologize for that.i use WinAVR mainly for making hex fromready-made C programs. Otherwise my strong point is Bascom (sorry...    )

Many thanks for the tip! I hope i'll manage to solve it.
Thanks for test version of FW also!

I must say that i use this tester more or less daily and it proved a great tool. Up to now i've had simple 2x16 LCD. After i saw that GLCD is possible i wanted to build a new one from scratch, but i saw that ready-made from china is cheaper...

[tom666]

...
After i saw that GLCD is possible i wanted to build a new one from scratch, but i saw that ready-made from china is cheaper ...

If I may advise, so definitely I recommend this KIT:
http://www.banggood.com/DIY-M12864-Graphics-Version-Transistor-Tester-Kit-LCR-ESR-PWM-p-986954.html

Seller can send this KIT directly from the EU - before ordering to be selected "EU Warehouse".

Here we solved the software for this tester:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg745437/#msg745437

[tom666]

Please, help me. I don't know identify the connector (type or manufacturer) on the attached pictures.
Thanks

[Protoncek]

OK, i've got it running, although not without struggle. First time after copying i've got some errors while compiling (some dll's not found...?). Then i uninstalled WInAVR, updated arduino and after that IF YOUR'RE WINDOWS 10 user, it's necesarry to copy/overwrite one file: msys-1.0.dll. Without it you'll get a ton of errors while compiling.

Now i already have my tester in Slovenian.

Many thanks again, Tom!

EDIT: I found one "odd" behaviour: when i measure capacitor and i connect it on pins 1 and 3 tester automatically goes into permanent measuring mode, consequently it never goes off. This doesn't happen if i connect it on pins 1-2 or 2-3. Is this behaviour ment to be this way?
(FW is v1.12)

[tom666]

I found one "odd" behaviour: when i measure capacitor and i connect it on pins 1 and 3 tester automatically goes into permanent measuring mode, consequently it never goes off. This doesn't happen if i connect it on pins 1-2 or 2-3. Is this behaviour ment to be this way? (FW is v1.12)

This is a new feature of the version 1.12k - separately measuring C and R. This mode is automatically activated if you have connected these passive components on the test points 1 and 3. Read more in the official manual.

[Protoncek]

Great. Once i'll get used to connect these components properly, i guess it will become very usefull function.
I guess the easiest way to shut down from this state is remove component and press test button, which will result in "no component" and shut down.

[Gyro]

Tacking on a pushbutton to ground the Reset pin makes a very convenient 'Off' button.

[tom666]

Exactly this is also used for forced power off in the Fish8840 tester.

[rddube]

Please, help me. I don't know identify the connector (type or manufacturer) on the attached pictures.
Thanks

Hi Tom666,

Tried searching with fotoforensics ans google image with no luck. What is the connector for and what is it installed on..maybe that would help lookup some other sources.
Tks,

Raymond

[tom666]

Hi Raymond,
thank you very much for your efforts and willingness to help me in the search. The connector is part of the tester case sold here. This connector I really like as an alternative to ZIF socket.
Thanks again.

bye
Tomas

[Trilitheum]

Hi, I have the tester kit and I checked the white connector and there are no identifying marks on it at all.

[yo0]

hello to all, i recently buy a mk-328 tester, it comes loaded with 1.11k with no menu enabled (dont know if menu is usefull in this model because it have a case), somebody can lead me to a prebuilt 1.12k firmware or tell me which version of the svn trunk is the right one?

photos:

http://www.mikrocontroller.net/topic/248078?page=7#4109458

any help will be really appreciated.

best regards

Pio

[tom666]

According to the available information, you should use folder "mega328_st7565".
Try the attached file contains a compiled software (v1.12k r521} with a modified file "Makefile".

Setting of fuses for the ATmega328p:
lfuse:0xf7 hfuse:0xd9 efuse:0x04 [0xfc]

[yo0]

thank you very much! i wil try it and publish results as soon as possible,


best regards


Pio

[rddube]

Please, help me. I don't know identify the connector (type or manufacturer) on the attached pictures.
Thanks

Hi Tom666,

Made numerous searches, spent a few hours and this is a very difficult connector to find! I ended up on digikey which allows to search in many ways and although I didn't find the exact one, here on this page there are similar connectors:

http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?pv88=24&FV=fff40016%2Cfff802f9&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25

But don't stop on that page if you go to "product index", you can do all sorts of searches. I'll keep looking, but if we are a few of us, maybe someone will stumble upon it.

[Willem52]

Hi Tom666,

I could find the wanted socket on aliexpress.com:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-Transistor-Triode-testing-socket-aging-test-seat-high-power-tube-test-socket-For-TO92-TO220/32353462427.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.9.jp3y0P&ws_ab_test=201407_4,201444_5,201409_4

[torch]

Hi Tom666,

I could find the wanted socket on aliexpress.com

I gotta love this forum. Is there no question that cannot be answered here? 

[tom666]

Many thanks, gentlemen

Best regards
Tomas

[rddube]

Hi Tom666,

I could find the wanted socket on aliexpress.com:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-Transistor-Triode-testing-socket-aging-test-seat-high-power-tube-test-socket-For-TO92-TO220/32353462427.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.9.jp3y0P&ws_ab_test=201407_4,201444_5,201409_4

Hey, great job Willem52! Also found it can be purchased in lot of 2 on here:

http://pt.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-Transistor-Triode-Test-Socket-Ageing-Test-Socket-Ceramics-Body-TO92-TO220-TO3P/32355460406.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.18.uMn5yC&ws_ab_test=201407_2,201444_6,201409_2

I think it is Aliexpress in Portugal?

Regards,

Raymond

[nowlan]

Is easier to buy the case with the socket already?
http://www.banggood.com/Supporting-Shell-For-DIY-M12864-Graphics-Version-Transistor-Tester-Kit-p-989949.html

[rddube]

Help please:

I have a voltage regulator like the one pictured, brand new. When I insert it in the transistor tester (I have 2 of them and the both give same results), I get a message "Part damaged or unkown ?? ".

Does the transistor tester recognize this type of voltage regulator or is there something wrong with my tt's ?



Thank you!

[yo0]

just a question, the frequency counter function in firmware 1.12k supports analog signals or just digital?

best regards

Pio

[Messtechniker]

The Transistor Tester is not capable of detecting
78xx, 79xx or LM 3xx voltage regulators, for example.
Even so, it is a highly versatile tool! It had better be called
"Component Tester". Anyhow.