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Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: 6PTsocket on January 05, 2019, 07:10:08 pm

Title: Mega 328 selection
Post by: 6PTsocket on January 05, 2019, 07:10:08 pm
I've  decided it might be handy to have one of these component testers. I see there are some in cases, some with multi colored display, various software versions. I will use mine with whatever version it comes with. A factory case seems like a good idea.  I hate things hanging by wires. I see there are also separate cases but at that price I would prefer one ready to go unless there is a better 328 that is  only sold loose They are so cheap it is no great investment. If somebody has culled through the various  ebay offerings for a good choice, I would appreciate a link. A few word on the pros and cons of the variants would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Title: Re: Mega 328 selection
Post by: bitseeker on January 05, 2019, 11:11:51 pm
For details, see the $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/) thread. Usually, you can glean most of what you need from the last 10-20 pages. The first post has links for the rest of what you need including firmware updates.

In short, the one nicknamed the AY-AT version is the one to get for the most bells and whistles.
Title: Re: Mega 328 selection
Post by: 6PTsocket on January 06, 2019, 04:31:44 pm
For details, see the $20 LCR ESR Transistor checker project (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/) thread. Usually, you can glean most of what you need from the last 10-20 pages. The first post has links for the rest of what you need including firmware updates.

In short, the one nicknamed the AY-AT version is the one to get for the most bells and whistles.
Thanks. I checked Amazon and ebay and Bang Good and while they show a lot of variants they are thin on things like version numbers and any comparisons. Most of the ebay sellers also sell hair curlers and key rings and all reprint the same blurb. There seem to be two rectangular boxed versions with a wavy design on the front in two color schemes, called the A and B models. Both use a 9 voltt battery but I have no idea how they vary. Then there is a square boxed version that uses a rechargeable lithium. That one even reads IR remote code. That one seems to have the most bells and whistles. I guess what I am asking for is a link to a seller of the model you reccomend because no ad tells you very much. Thanks again.

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Title: Re: Mega 328 selection
Post by: coromonadalix on January 06, 2019, 05:24:30 pm
When you check some avr testers  the biggest differenc is the board layout,  some of them have the isp pinout to program the 328 on board, some of them have a few parts removed to have cheaper costs, but the pcb layout is sometimes complete, and you can add thoses missing parts ...

And finally on the display you can have the simplest 2x16 lcd or a bigger graphical one

You have an huge thread here as Bitseeker wrote:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/)$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/
Title: Re: Mega 328 selection
Post by: bitseeker on January 07, 2019, 03:11:47 am
Yes, there are many variations. The so-called AY-AT is typically a red PCB with a rotary encoder (instead of just a push button) and screw terminals for the signal generator, frequency counter, and I forgot what the other one is for.

You can see, for example, on the listing below, that the PCB has on the silkscreen 2570AY-AT. Some may or may not have "AY-AT," but will have the same layout and components as this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Component-Tester-Transistor-Diode-Capacitance-ESR-Meter-Signal-Generator-Tool-LA/282543742903 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Component-Tester-Transistor-Diode-Capacitance-ESR-Meter-Signal-Generator-Tool-LA/282543742903)

Some come with an acrylic enclosure, like this one, some don't. Hope that helps.

Do check the big thread for the latest info.
Title: Re: Mega 328 selection
Post by: 6PTsocket on January 07, 2019, 03:26:15 am
When you check some avr testers  the biggest differenc is the board layout,  some of them have the isp pinout to program the 328 on board, some of them have a few parts removed to have cheaper costs, but the pcb layout is sometimes complete, and you can add thoses missing parts ...

And finally on the display you can have the simplest 2x16 lcd or a bigger graphical one

You have an huge thread here as Bitseeker wrote:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/)$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/
The rechargeable one (TC1) seems to have a pretty high failure rate; a lot of bad reviews. The ZIF socket is mounted directly to the pc board. The color graphics look different from the other one, too. In one video an electrolytic had an ESR of zero. Not promising. I really want to use something, as is. I have no plans to reprogram anything. I admit I never went through a lot of that thread, that seems to involve various versions and upgrades. The problem is I don't know how to march any of that up with what is for sale. Without a link to a seller, I will pick sort of blind. It is not a huge investment. Thanks.

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