Want to build a capacitance meter, suggestions welcome

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  • Agent24
    I see dead caps
    • Oct 2007
    • 4951
    • New Zealand
    #1

    Want to build a capacitance meter, suggestions welcome

    The subject of ESR meters seems to be much more prevalent on the forum here (for obvious reasons) but now that I have my ESR meter I now want a capacitance meter too.

    My DMM can't do it and I don't want to buy one that can, considering most I've seen don't go above 200uF or so anyway. (Which is no use for PSUs and motherboards)


    I found what looks like a pretty nice design in Silicon Chip May 1990.
    I have scanned and uploaded the article here. I don't think anyone will mind given the age of it.

    Measuring from 1pF to 9999uF it's got the best range for a kit I have seen so far.

    Has anyone built this or knows about it and what it's like?


    Or does anyone know of a better design they could recommend?
    Attached Files
    "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
    -David VanHorn
    Tags: None
    • bigbeark
      Badcaps Veteran
      • Jan 2010
      • 661
      • Canada
      #2
      Re: Want to build a capacitance meter, suggestions welcome

      Di you see my thread? https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12499.
      I can measure 4700uf caps with it, and it wasn't very expensive.

        Comment

        • Agent24
          I see dead caps
          • Oct 2007
          • 4951
          • New Zealand
          #3
          Re: Want to build a capacitance meter, suggestions welcome

          I saw it.. and it looks nice - but I like to build things myself, more fun.. and I'll have a schematic etc if it breaks. Plus I'm sure to learn something new as I build it (always useful)

          How much was yours, though?
          "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
          -David VanHorn

            Comment

            • bigbeark
              Badcaps Veteran
              • Jan 2010
              • 661
              • Canada
              #4
              Re: Want to build a capacitance meter, suggestions welcome

              My meter cost $31 including postage.

                Comment

                • Agent24
                  I see dead caps
                  • Oct 2007
                  • 4951
                  • New Zealand
                  #5
                  Re: Want to build a capacitance meter, suggestions welcome

                  That sounds like quite a good price actually
                  "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
                  -David VanHorn

                    Comment

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