TC1 lcr-meter transistor-tester fix

[madires]

Is there a newer firmware available for the TC1 ?
My tester has version 2.12k

That's a modified k-firmware (modified by the manufacturer). I don't know if there's a newer version, but I'd recommend to upgrade to the OSHW firmware (k or m). And don't forget to reprogram U4 (https://github.com/atar-axis/tc1-u4) or replace it with a small circuit (https://github.com/madires/Transistortester-Warehouse/blob/master/Hardware/TC1-Mod.kicad.tgz).

[ceut]

i bought this TC1 unit with expectation it is the same as M328 variant that i bought and worked charmingly earlier, but now my brother is using it now so i have to buy for myself. it turn out this is different atMega324 with STC15W104 chip, this turn out to be nightmare. and then i found this thread. after back and forth reading this thread i managed to get something from STC-ISP...

Checking target MCU ...
  MCU type: STC15W104
  F/W version: 7.2.5T

Current H/W Option:
  . Current system clock source is internal IRC oscillator
  . IRC frequency: 32.975MHz
  . Wakeup Timer frequency: 36.825KHz
  . Do not detect the level of P3.2 and P3.3 next download
  . Power-on reset, use the extra power-on delay
  . RESET pin behaves as I/O pin
  . Reset while detect a Low-Voltage
  . Thresh voltage level of the built-in LVD : 2.66 V
  . Inhibit EEPROM operation under Low-Voltage
  . CPU-Core supply level : 3.74 V
  . Hardware do not enable Watch-Dog-Timer
  . Watch-Dog-Timer pre-scalar : 256
  . Watch-Dog-Timer stop count in idle mode
  . Program can modify the Watch-Dog-Timer scalar
  . Do not erase user EEPROM area at next download
  . Do not control 485 at next download
  . Do not check user password next download
  . TXD is independent IO
  . TXD pin as quasi-bidirectional mode after reset
  . P3.3 output HIGH level after reset
  . Testing time: 2017-9-22

  . MCU type: STC15W104
  F/W version: 7.2.5T


  Complete !(2018-10-08 01:17:05)

if i choose STC15L104W as demonstrated by earlier experimenters, i wont get any report from the chip.

the problem when i got this unit is the shorted C11, so i changed with 100nF, no more short, but when battery is applied, lcd turn on white for half a second or so and then random garbage before turned off immediately. pressing start button do nothing. sometime the tester did turned on and firmware on mega324 did start, but its just luck. after reprogramming STC15W104 with frodo's tc1_u4_v0.3.1.hex, now its totally blank. removing and applying battery, there is no more white screen, no start button respond nothing. ah F the STC chip what was that? support us people of China guaranteed powerful home grown business FU so much so for anti disturbance super strong chip.

earlier i removed the STC chip and connect Vbat pin to the next pin controlling the boost dcdc chip (AL673 marking), the atmega did start but halted at welcome screen its like waiting for signal on either P3.3/PD2 or P3.2/PD1 i suspect to start measurement. i have to experiment later. i think i will remove the STC chip and glue it to blank space on the pcb so it can wave dick all day long all its like. i need to find a way to start the atmega chip the hard way. or anybody else can help me make program for the STC15W104 chip? i will be gratefull, for now i dont have time to play/install with Keil or whatever. i just want it to work and then move on.

btw,
1st picture: thermal imaging superimposed when shorted C11 is installed. the SD6271 got hot 73degC as registered by my camera.
2nd picture: how i connect the STC15W104 to USB-UART converter. need few experiment though since warning from people to use 3.3V rail, 5V may damage the fucked up super strong STC. it turned out i just use 5V UART and it just worked fine.
3rd picture: the fucked up super strong anti disturbance STC15W104 chip made home grown in China, please support it people of China. i really pissed off can you imagine by now?

thanks to people directly or indirectly contributed to this thread esp OP zappenduster, frodo and others, but your FW doesnt work with mine and schematics providers indman and azure.
edit: added 4th picture with its IO state to PD1/PD2 from my crude test.. and the mega fw wont start by simply toggling PD1 pin, so there must be the right sequence to turn it on

Hello,
I have exactly the same problem on my brand new LCR TC1 (DOA).
No power on, only charging, and 22mA of continous current draining from the battery .
There is no voltage on the switch when not pushed (pin1 of U4), and it seems that it's U4 who drains that 22mA, so I think that U4 is blank or something like that.
But don't know how to flash it...

No problem on capacitors C11/12 but I have changed them to a 15µF/100V
No problem on diode array,   neither on zener.

Someone has succeed to fix similar problem ?

Thanks !

[ceut]

So with only the U4 with only the power pin only on it (PIN2 Vcc and PIN4 GND), I have my "famous" 22mA continous draining.

I don't know why they use a MCU for power managing but it seems to be a bad MCU.

Also I don't know how to bypass this to power on all.

I have tried to apply +5V on the Atmel and I have the boot logo on screen, but nothing else, seems to wait for something and I think it's a link with this bad MCU.

[ceut]

I have reflashed the STC with the 0.31 hex and a modded USB serial adapter: no more 22mA draining from it, and it starts when press switch, but freeze on the boot logo.

I think I have to find another Atmel firmware to solve my problem.

So it was really a Dead On Arrival: the STC was flashed with something corrupted or wrong flash.
(After emailing and uploaded a video for them, the store where I bought it send me a new one, but wait again for about 3 weeks).

[ceut]

Final words from me: I have flashed the Markus 1.34, and it's working, but I'm not a big fan of it 
I think I will not use it, and waits for the new one.

Hope that someone will find and post the "famous" original STC firmware then we can put the original graphical firmware 

[madires]

https://yadi.sk/d/yW8xa5NJgUo5z/LCR%20%D0%A2%D0%A1-1/Firmware/Original, but I don't know if it will run with the alternative U4 firmware. BTW, the "original" tester firmware is a modified k-firmware with more graphics and less functions. The only additional feature is the IR decoder supporting just one protocol (the m-firmware does about 15). It's a trade-off between fancy graphics and features.

[ceut]

https://yadi.sk/d/yW8xa5NJgUo5z/LCR%20%D0%A2%D0%A1-1/Firmware/Original, but I don't know if it will run with the alternative U4 firmware. BTW, the "original" tester firmware is a modified k-firmware with more graphics and less functions. The only additional feature is the IR decoder supporting just one protocol (the m-firmware does about 15). It's a trade-off between fancy graphics and features.

Hello,
Yes, I have tried this one, and in fact it's the original graphical firmware for the Atmel 324pa: it starts but freeze on boot logo with the alternative U4 firmware - I have not found the original U4 fw, it seems to be keep securely somewhere   

For the m-firmware, it is good, but for me not very user-friendly 
I have an old LCR T4 which I found better (I have put the latest fw from www.mikrocontroller.net).

Will wait for the new one and hope that it will work (so I will keep this one for spare part)

[ceut]

Received the new one today, shipping was fast, despite of corona virus !

The new one works flawlessly.
A difference with the previous one: the battery was at about 60% and it has directly booted when I have pressed the button.

Will try to understand what U4 really tells to the Atmel for unlocking the boot of it.

The color screen is very readable, I like it.

[cuistots]

hi i have a ts7h wich a problem, could you tell me for repair it.
lot of thanks

[madires]

I'd suggest to check the power supply circuitry first.

[cuistots]

could you tell wich ref to verify ?

[madires]

U5 should be a 5V voltage regulator. Check in and out.

[cuistots]

u5 is good when a usb is connected 6.35v in and 5v out.

[madires]

Does display show weird stuff when USB is connected?

[cuistots]

no it's the same of photo.

[madires]

The next step is to check the signal lines for the display. Any bad solder joints? If you have a scope also check the SPI signals.

[cuistots]

no bad solder joints.
and i haven't a scope.

[madires]

In that case you could try another display. IIRC, it's a ST7735.

[cuistots]

Here is the reference of the lcd display, I will try to uncloud it to see its driver

[cuistots]

it's exactly my problem:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg2168986/#msg2168986

[madires]

Then give it a try and add the two MLCCs.

[cuistots]

the mlcc is already on the board.
i don't understand the problem 

[madires]

Power the display module with 5V and check the output of the 3.3V regulator.

[indman]

the mlcc is already on the board.
i don't understand the problem 

If 3.3V regulator normaly works - with a very high probability, the source of this problem may be a malfunction of the U1 level converter chip
What is the marking on her case?

[cuistots]

this u1