Help needed getting an ESR meter...

[stj]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

I purchased the Bob Parker 'BLUE ESR Meter' from Alltronics LLC/Ana Tek Instruments earlier this year. I am very happy with its performance and accuracy. Yes, you can test caps in-circuit, though I prefer to test out-circuit, with accurate results. One of the best pieces of test equipment I own now. My repair success rate has increased since caps that would give good uF test readings CAN give bad ESR readings, causing circuit malfunction.

you could still get caught.
my new tester gives me capacitance, ESR, and Vloss (leakage)

i'v found a number of used caps in my stash with good capacitance and ESR, but high Vloss.

[pfrcom]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

i am using this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181861030068

Seller's 4th pic shows a three headed test probe noted as Not Included

Do you know if that's a standard item ?

And if so, where to get it / what to search for ?

[stj]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

the cable is included, the test-clips on the end arent.

test clips
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371193424125

hell that seller has everything imaginable!
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/t-happy?

[csh]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

OK, deffo getting some el-cheapo from Ebay.
If it's good for stj and csh (*waves to neighbour*) it's more than good for me.

I bought this one because of ZIF socket.
If desoldered cap has really short leads you have to hold it on the contacts for SMD elements. Kinda pain in the ass to work with.

you could still get caught.
my new tester gives me capacitance, ESR, and Vloss (leakage)

i'v found a number of used caps in my stash with good capacitance and ESR, but high Vloss.

Interesting.
Was checking some datasheets, is vloss the same as "Dissipation factor"?

I see some models have leads with hooks. Would that help with measuring desoldered caps with short legs?

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

@stj: Do you have schematics/info for the rotary selector and/or zener testing?

[stj]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

rotary encoder schem is in the pdf, it also needs 4 resistors.

the zener circuit is on the forum i think was linked in a previous thread.
or a seperate one i posted about in a previous thread that works with your multimeter.

[stj]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

I bought this one because of ZIF socket.
If desoldered cap has really short leads you have to hold it on the contacts for SMD elements. Kinda pain in the ass to work with.



Interesting.
Was checking some datasheets, is vloss the same as "Dissipation factor"?

I see some models have leads with hooks. Would that help with measuring desoldered caps with short legs?

they dont come wih the hooks - only the wires.
it's more usefull with big transistors & stuff, but you could use it for caps.
keep in mind the cable length may effect the esr reading.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

rotary encoder schem is in the pdf, it also needs 4 resistors.

the zener circuit is on the forum i think was linked in a previous thread.
or a seperate one i posted about in a previous thread that works with your multimeter.

Ok, I see that, thanks. I guess I don't understand what a rotary encoder actually is. Some kind of dual-pole switch with a knob? I'm sure I must have seen one on something or somewhere and didn't pay attention but I'm in dense-mode and drawing a blank here... getting older sucks.

Ok, let me re-ask, what TYPE of rotary encoder will work?

[stj]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

rotary encoder looks like a pot but goes 360' and often clicks as you turn it.
it has a pair of switch contacts in it.

the good ones also have a switch in them that is under the shaft so you push the knob to "select" stuff.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

Thanks. I guess the question should be can you give me an example of one I can get that would work with the tester when I get it?

[stj]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

they arent cheap, half the cost of the tester for a cheap one.
atleast from suppliers - i have not checked ebay. (yet)

[ivtec]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

I use this one and it's pretty good.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkzj9Z4GQ7c

[budm]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

Rotary Encoder.

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

Thank you. Wouldn't a DPST momentary-on pushbutton switch do the same thing?

[stj]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

no.

i found this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231241921964

will order one and see how well it fits - and if it's enabled in the firmware!

[SteveNielsen]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

Ok, so it's not a passive device then. There isn't a lot of explanation that I can find online as to how such a device actually works. I am left to assume it produces some sort of timed logic pulses?

BTW, the part you linked to does not ship to the US.

[vinceroger69]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

once stj has verified its in the firmware etc i bet a few of us will do the mod if stj gets it working and dosntmind posting pics and how to do the mod.I need to learn how to use my old tester first better yes im fine on testing capacitors and resistors but when it comes to testing transitors etc im still learning what a good or bad reading should be.

[stj]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

it's a passive device, but it's not a case of up / down contacts.
the contacts switch in order based on the direction you spin it.

as for ebay, search the part "ec11 a617" there are a number of sellers.
there are cheaper ones sold in 5's but they look like shit.

here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181361695762

[stj]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

btw, it just dawned on me you can find a rotary encoder in a mouse wheel - although not the type for fitting to the board.

[budm]

Re: Help needed getting an ESR meter...

Digikey sells them.
http://www.digikey.com/product-searc...coders/1966131

http://www.digikey.com/product-searc...=0&pageSize=25