Cheaper ESR meter

[techjoe]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

I like this simple design and planing to build it, but before I jump in to it, should I use a multimeter or one of those analog amp meter.. what is the best route?

also is this work reliably?


Thanks in Advance.

[gregmcc]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

I've build the ESR meter from here and can't seem to get it to work. I would appreciate a few pointers.


IC1A is generating a square wave. The collector is TR1 is shown here

and the collector of TR2 is here

If I short the cap out the RED should come on but it doesn't. The pins 5 and 6 of IC1 are both 0V

Any tips of where I could be going wrong. Any more scope screenshots of points would be helpfull.

[Harvey]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

I might, if I can find a 74HC14 in my boxes of junk, give this http://members.shaw.ca/swstuff/esrmeter.html a go over the next few days.
To me it looks too simple to be accurate, but time will tell.

[starfury1]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Hi Harvey

just wondering if you did knock one (of the above) up?

Haven't had a close look but think its really more "go/ no go tester".
From what I understand ESR when it goes it goes big time, in orders of magnitude
so it probably to some extend hinging on this fact.

Still I guess some type of ESR meter is better then none.

Anyway like I said just wondering

Cheers

[Harvey]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Actually, I forgot all about it I'll have to have a look over the weekend to see if I can find a HC14, but I've a gut feeling I've not not one, as its always the case that anything I actually want I've never got.

Hundreds of other 74 and 4000 chips, but never quite the right one I want....

It might work with a 4069 though - I should have some of them in the stocks.

[starfury1]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Hi Harvey, All
yeah I know how it goes...lol was just wondering
I should really have scrounge around myself....
not that I do much electronics these days, maybe its time to stoke up the iron

Cheers Harvey All

[Bob Parker]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

It might work with a 4069 though - I should have some of them in the stocks.

I don't think it'll work with a 4069, because the oscillator section depends on the hysteresis of that inverter.

[whiz]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

I have build the esr meter from the links gs3 gave and works...although with some problems.

[Kaine]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

oh yay i won't be resurrecting this thread too much.

Did anything further ever come of this project? is there a finalised design somewhere?

[whiz]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Did anything further ever come of this project? is there a finalised design somewhere?

Yes there is a PCB layout with parts list etc on this link...

http://www.yoreparo.com/foros/diseno...ico/39157.html

from my personal experiance i'm not satisfied neither from gs3's modifications
nor from the original design...

i'm using a PCB layout which is the same design as the above and you can
find it here:

http://www.yoreparo.com/foros/diseno...ico/80575.html

i'm using it with analog multimeter and resistors with 1% tolerance for the wheatstone bridge. Although it works i can't understand much...

With most used and brand new capacitors the multimeter neadle goes close to the end of the multimeter scale that i have regulated it. (about 300uA) and the differences that outputs in most of the cases are few uA (6-7uA)...which is not noticable with my analog multimeter, only with my digital.

For capacitors with the same value these small differences in current (uA) probably indicates small tolerance differences in capacitance or maybe small deterioration or faulty capacitor from the factory (high ESR evidance) but i think i need a capacitometer so i can conclude anything from the above.

In small and very small capacitors the esr meter either it doesn't output anything..or it outputs much less current and the neadle falls close to zero!probably due to corner frequency of the small capacitors (?) again the differences between the small capacitors is few uA! and my multimeter
is not so sensitive to read them!

i tryed some of gs3's recomendations... which he has said on the second link i posted. the one is that we can use a 1N4148 diode at the output to the multimeter so we can suppress the range (i didn't like it) and the second recomendation is to exchage R15-R16 (47K with 27K resistors) to solve a problem with the neadle that shows less when the probes are shorted and more when you test a capacitor. (this modification i think it lowers the gain (?) and makes the esr meter not to amplify enough the output signal...so
less sensitive in capacitor differences.


i'm not an expert but these are my opinions from the little things
i know on electronics. If somebody else has build it, i would like to
read his opinions!

[ai8h]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Hi Gang. I have just been working with a protoboard prototype of this ESR meter. It works great per the original article. Have made a few modifications such as using a pair of TL082s (virtual ground source and oscillator in one and the rest in the other), along with mods to expand the range down to .05 ohms (not yet determined, exactly). However, the pair of 22 ohm resistors can be changed to 10 ohms each in the bridge with good results. Using a GIANT 200uA meter that also helps tremendously. I have used the oscilloscope method for years to match capacitors in a series string of high voltage power caps, but this thing is super! And GS3's circuit description is great!

[ai8h]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Alrighty then - Almost 2 months later and it is all in a box working and useful. Changed to a smaller 0-1v meter, but can see that .05 ohm target ... about 3 needle widths off full scale on the lower scale. Added an extra range - switch to the right selects on the meter scale. Upper-right corner is the 'short' indicator. Binding posts to the right are to attach to a bench supply vs the coaxial wall wart connection above it.

Hand drawn scale! But will finish when a minor problem ironed-out, like a slight op amp offset problem. The zero adjust control is a must with the diode detector insensitivity to temperature.

Attached a before transfer from proto board and after. An extra-fun project!

[vecky]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

If any one is beginning to consider circuit design I offer this experimenter to whoever might want it.
It was my first in the line of prototyping boards. It's been in a junk box for years and years and I used and abused it.
During one late night test I smoked the pots out of it so your first experiment would be a rebuild of the unit. Have no manual but if someone wants this PM me and I'll send it. This is for a beginer or learner and I'm in the US only.

Hello arneson, I think that writing to you
I am new in this forum and maybe I am interested for your experimental board
because I need all that function on the same place for testing purpose.
Thanks in advance.

[mmir2012]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

I made it on Veroboard but hence it is not working. I need step by step trouble shooting or checking that where is the fault. I think you will help me in this matter. Please mention the test point to make the esr meter. Thanks

[mmir2012]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

I further checked, LED is now ON when I touch probes. I bought 100 micro ampere meter. My problem is that when I touched probes, meter needle not show full scale. Please help me.

[budm]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Which ESR circuit are you using? There are more than one in this thread.

[notallbad]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Hi Guys
So I shall start with letting you know I have little electronics knowledge but have the determination to get something done.
Also it may be relevant to point out that I am based in the UK.
I wish to build these ESR Meters as per
http://www.qsl.net/iz7ath/web/02_bre..._esr/index.htm
and
http://members.shaw.ca/swstuff/esrmeter.html
and
http://danyk.wz.cz/esr.html
I am in the process of acquiring all the components necessary and shall be initially building on a breadboard.
Anyone out there still that has already built these or just in the know and can provide more details and help in any way? Initially it will be to identify parts needed, namely diodes, resistors and caps.
Once the parts have been obtained I shall begin the build and report progress with plans and photos, not only will this help me document everything but also may help others.
Thanks

[budm]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

I build this one as an experiment:
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showth...t=18298&page=3
http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/y...%20experiment/

[notallbad]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Thanks Bud, I shall look into sourcing the parts and attempt to build.

[mmir2012]

Re: Cheaper ESR meter

Which ESR circuit are you using? There are more than one in this thread.

I am using TL084 IC based circuit. I have spent lot of time but 100 micro Ampere needle not moving.

Mubashir