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Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

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    Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

    Hey guys, what do you think of all the cheap ESR type meters on ebay from China? The ones that look like a hobby board with an LCD screen soldered on there for like 15 bucks shipped. I need a meter for testing caps, but not enough to want to buy anything significant if I can get away with a cheapo unit.

    If not those, can anyone suggest something decent?

    Cheers,
    Alex

    #2
    Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

    I got one similar but cost about $24

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D6BNDWM

    It works fine for what I need and it's very useful for me. I soldered some curved wires to connect alligator test leads to so I don't have to fuss with the little pin jacks and that helps. It's a little clumsy not being in a box but it's useable.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

      that's the old design.
      i think he meant these:
      http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251581148174
      or these:
      http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251471851226

      they look good - i plan to get one.
      they do sell them cased btw.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

        Yeah, those look nice. If I didn't already have the one I have I'd want one of those too.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

          Ive got the same one as you have steve does the job ok for me.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

            Just curious, but on their specs page, they list the capacitance range of 30pf-100mf. Is the 100mf their way of stating 100uf?

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

              i think it is.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                yes, a good example is valve radio diagrams where you will find caps marked as mf instead of uf.
                Things I've fixed: anything from semis to crappy Chinese $2 radios, and now an IoT Dildo....

                "Dude, this is Wyoming, i hopped on and sent 'er. No fucking around." -- Me

                Excuse me while i do something dangerous


                You must have a sad, sad boring life if you hate on people harmlessly enjoying life with an animal costume.

                Sometimes you need to break shit to fix it.... Thats why my lawnmower doesn't have a deadman switch or engine brake anymore

                Follow the white rabbit.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                  Interesting.... I looked a little more closely at the links stj posted and in one of the photos the cap measured at 408uf. Not bad if the ESR meter is rated at 100uf!
                  Last edited by jetadm123; 07-09-2014, 04:10 PM.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                    100uf is probably an error because it's way to low to be practical.
                    10,000uf would be more likely.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                      1 mf = 1000 uf
                      100 mf = 0.1 farad
                      Machina improba! Vel mihi ede potum vel mihi redde nummos meos!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                        coolio. ordering one. tired of replacing every single cap on a board just cause.

                        Thanks guys.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                          search sellers other items - get the one in a case for a few $ more.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                            You do realize that in order to get a reliable reading, you have to desolder the caps off the board (or lift one leg) in case they are in parallel (or possibly affected by some other components in circuit)??
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                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                              Hi,
                              What do u think about this ESR meter?
                              http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-LCD-Tran...-/181164691633

                              Comment


                                #16
                                Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                                same as my links - just more expensive.

                                there are 2 styles of that meter, big display and compact display.
                                and you can get it in a case.

                                and there are several sellers - do some searching before you buy.

                                Comment


                                  #17
                                  Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                                  Originally posted by stj View Post
                                  same as my links - just more expensive.

                                  there are 2 styles of that meter, big display and compact display.
                                  and you can get it in a case.

                                  and there are several sellers - do some searching before you buy.
                                  Its the same as yours the second one and cost the same
                                  But do u know if its good?
                                  Cuz i checked the feedback and all say good things about it.

                                  Comment


                                    #18
                                    Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                                    Nobody knows if those new big screen ones are good - no-one has one.
                                    Please upload pictures using attachment function when ask for help on the repair
                                    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39740

                                    Comment


                                      #19
                                      Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                                      Hey,
                                      If i desolder the wire of the 9[V] jack and put there a 9[V] 200[mA] power supply like this one it will work fine yes?

                                      http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Converter...-/221232824063
                                      Last edited by predator0357; 07-10-2014, 01:42 PM.

                                      Comment


                                        #20
                                        Re: Cheap ESR meters on fleaBay, what do you think?

                                        i will be getting the compact one, because the big one is not avalable in the case.
                                        i think the display is the only difference though.

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