$20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project

[madires]

What a "large inductance mode" is? How to activate it? 

ESR02PRO is marked 0.01mH-20H on a front panel

I was talking about the LCR meter (DE5000). I don't have that model, but most have a button to select between serial and parallel measuring mode. Serial mode is meant for low impedance and parallel for high impedance.

[001]

What a "large inductance mode" is? How to activate it? 

ESR02PRO is marked 0.01mH-20H on a front panel

I was talking about the LCR meter (DE5000). I don't have that one, but most have a button to select between serial and parallel measuring mode. Serial mode is meant for low impedance and parallel for high impedance.

DE5000 is ok. I use it everyday. And choke is factory marked as 5H

[timelessbeing]

ttester was mentioned recently on the 'Andreas Spiess' Youtube channel. He thinks very highly of the developers.
Andreas does mostly microcontroller, sensor, and RF stuff. Worth a look.




It was also featured on Hackaday (back in 2015. Wow it's been going a while):
https://hackaday.com/2015/04/24/review-transistor-tester/

[madires]

One page back beanflying linked the video already.

[timelessbeing]

it's worth mentioning again 

[Macbeth]

it's worth mentioning again 

If Andreas Spiess is worth mentioning again, so is Dave who chucked it aside in a prior mailbag video and copped a lot of flack for it!

[beanflying]

Given the heft of this thread it might be worth seeing if @torch if he is still reading could mod his opening post a little to include them there. Or better yet make the opening post partly a curated index to notable content or resources?

[rhb]

Why not step up the game and test breakdown voltages and provide curve tracing and data output via ASCII over a USB serial port?

BSIDE has the AVR based OSSW/OSHW covered at a good price.  Peak has considerably more to offer in the DCA75, though not as good a package as the BSIDE.  But neither will measure breakdown voltages and a large number of other important datasheet parameters.

Really, this is all so "last year".

;-)
Reg

[beanflying]

Why not step up the game and test breakdown voltages and provide curve tracing and data output via ASCII over a USB serial port?

BSIDE has the AVR based OSSW/OSHW covered at a good price.  Peak has considerably more to offer in the DCA75, though not as good a package as the BSIDE.  But neither will measure breakdown voltages and a large number of other important datasheet parameters.

Really, this is all so "last year".

;-)
Reg

Peak shmeak everyone needs to just needs to get lucky or pony up for one of these. Arriving in my shack early next week  Or add one of the Thai made curve tracers to your collections eBay auction: #291319027845

[timelessbeing]

Dave who chucked it aside in a prior mailbag video

True but didn't he revisit it in another video a short time later after he learned some details, and decided it was actually cool.

[timelessbeing]

Why not step up the game and test breakdown voltages

That is an extension explained in the documention.

provide curve tracing

overkill

data output via ASCII

Pretty sure it does as of a few updates ago.

Many people have suggest that the tester should also do x, y and z. The answer is still the same: You missed the minimalist point of the project. It's intended to run on basic hardware, low part count, and low cost. You can easily breadboard it. Any fool can over-engineer something.

But it is open source so have at 'er.

[001]

Why not step up the game 

Done
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiM1qX1G1Is&feature=youtu.be

[rhb]

I scavenged some semiconductors out of an electronic fluorescent lamp ballast.  They were marked, so I was able to look up the datasheets.  A couple of the parts were BJT switching transistors with a 700 Vces breakdown and 400 Vceo sustaining.  Digikey stocks them for $1.10.

The BSIDE and the Peak told me a bit about them, but mostly just that they  still appeared functional.

I happen to think it might be useful to be able to measure more datasheet parameters than the BSIDE or Peak can.    And I don't want an analog curve tracer.  I want to put a part in a fixture, close the lid, generate a datasheet for it, put it in a numbered bag and add it to a parameter searchable inventory even if it is a house marked part.  And not spend $20k+ for being able to do that.

[timelessbeing]

I want to put a part in a fixture, close the lid, generate a datasheet for it

Me too!

[BradC]

I want to put a part in a fixture, close the lid, generate a datasheet for it

Me too!

It's open source and there are two of you, should be a doddle.

[rhb]

Yeah, sure. Piece of cake.

You design a digitally adjustable HV supply and get back to me about how easy it was. Next generate pulses 50-500 us long with a 1-2% duty cycle at up to 1 A and measure the voltages and currents.  Then collect all the datasheet parameters and curves.  Take a look at the manual for a Tek 57x curve tracer for how it was done 50 years ago.

Go price an Agilent 4155A or 4156A  used on ebay.  The Arduino based tester is very nice.  But I'm suggesting that something much more capable can be built for $100-200.

[timelessbeing]

mentioned again @ 16:50

[beanflying]

For those wanting a better component whizbang datasheet generator go start your own thread and by all means link it here but glorified Arduino run from batteries is NEVER going to be the hardware or the place to make it happen. It is what it is and in spite of owning two sets of expensive LCR tweezers mine is still seeing some use in my on site bag.

[madires]

Yep, we have no intention to develop a Transistor Tester HV Ultra. That might be an idea for a commercial product, and I doubt such a tester would be inexpensive. It would be also a niche product with a market for just a few units. The success of the current design is based on its simplicity and low cost. It makes my happy that so many people can afford a transistor tester helping them to repair electronics or to upcycle components.

[blurpy]

I bought a GM328 kit from Banggood, but they didn't send me all the capacitors, and their support person was not very helpful.
I need to get hold of a matching capacitor for the free spot on the top by the terminal.

The assembly instructions lists this:
ceramic capacitor
 100nF 20%
 silk( 104)
 RAD0.2

There is no mention of voltage rating here, and I'm not sure if it's important or not. Will 104s with a 50v rating work ok?

[madires]

Your kit is an AY-AT type clone and the missing cap is the bypass cap for AVCC which is 5V. So a 50V 100nF MLCC would be fine.

[blurpy]

Your kit is an AY-AT type clone and the missing cap is the bypass cap for AVCC which is 5V. So a 50V 100nF MLCC would be fine.

Thank you 

[Phenixg]

Have any of you guys checked how accurate this similar product "LC100-A Digital LCD High Precision Inductance Capacitance L/C Meter" is  compared to the AY-AT? It is only limited to L and C measurements and it is boasting some impressive characteristics.

[madires]

That L/C meter is based on an oscillator and frequency counter. Therefore it's more accurate, but it can't measure additional parameters. 

[madires]

Mr. Bohu has compiled an extended documentation for the m-firmware from a user's perspective, explaining settings and more. He has created a German and English version which are available via https://github.com/madires/Transistortester-Warehouse.