Cheap LCR meter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 11:35:33 am
content: So, I have a cheap $40 Chinese multimeter, it's pretty accurate, 3/4 digits spot on(compared to my neighbour's gossen from work), HRC fuse, some input protection, didn't blow up when I stuck it into 300 VAC.Can anyone recommend an LCR that's pretty accurate for $40-70?

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 11:40:33 am
content: $40 HRC FUSE?Show me!

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 12:19:04 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on August 01, 2012, 11:40:33 amIt's not a very sturdy one, cheap no-name chinese thing, they're pretty common in decent $40+ meters.They don't blow when you pop them with low voltages, but they often explode when you pop them over ~300v, amperage wise they don't seem to explode unless you have stupid-high amperage. FakeRC, more than HRC, but a big step up from glass.Capacitance is completely worthless, it takes ages and if you hold it on too long it just gives an error.http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-8-lcd-handheld-auto-range-multimeter-voltage-current-resistance-temperature-3-aaa-37888?item=4I wouldn't recommend it unless all you want is something that can measure Resistance/Voltage/Amperage, the other features are junk.Auto ranging is a little slow, but you can just manually set the range.Oh ya, amperage wise it's only accurate from 2 milliamps to 9 Amps, resistance 0.2 to 20M, voltage 0.05 to 240, if you try reading something outside of those ranges it's not very accurate, but spot on within.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 12:31:30 pm
content: Take a look at the Uni-Trend offerings on ebay....they appear too cheap to be any good but mine has performed very well with more than acceptable accuracy. I bought the UT-603 for around US$30 two years ago. There may be newer models available now.If you kill it with an overvoltage accident, no great financial loss.... buy another shiny new oneAurora

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 12:57:55 pm
content: We'll this is not quite an entry level unit - kit is available for approx $100from AADE.comhttp://www.aade.com/lcmeter.htm#order

author: JackOfVA
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 02:26:29 pm
content: Quote from: notsob on August 01, 2012, 12:57:55 pmAADE's meter is not bad at all. I did an extensive review of one - read it athttp://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/Documents/AADE%20Reveiw.pdfMy main objection to it is that you have no control over the frequency at which the measurement is made. This can be a problem (a) if the core has significant change in permeability with frequency or (b) if the inductor has a lot of distributed capacitance so that its self-resonant frequency happens to be in the vicinity of the frequency at which the AADE meter makes measurements.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 02:46:23 pm
content: That's actually a mastech.Anyway most 4000 counts meters i come across have really slow cap measurements,one should rather buy a UT61E anyway, if not for the gossen like protection

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 03:05:03 pm
content: Quote from: JackOfVA on August 01, 2012, 02:26:29 pmI was going to recommend the AADE unit also - I have one, and it works very well, considering the comments above.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 05:04:48 pm
content: Not perfect, but pretty decent and you can get it for ~83€ including VAT:http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_lcr40.html

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2012, 06:26:51 pm
content: I'm eyeing AADE's unit, but I don't really need something that good, I just really need a "the part seems OK" meter.How disastrous are these?:MS8222Hhttp://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-MS8222H-LCR-Meter-multimeter-tester-fit-FLUKE-CE-/280682266774?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item4159f78096DM4070http://www.ebay.ca/itm/DM4070-LCR-meter-capacitance-2000uF-compared-w-FLUKE-/280663630924?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4158db244cSeller claims all units are tested to a very wide spec before shipping... if they are within the claimed test spec, they'd be plenty good enough for me.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2012, 03:28:00 pm
content: Here is a very cheap LCR meter, I got one the other day to look at it works!! works quite well in fact on the low capacitance range it works better than my UNI T 61E or the Amprobe, so as a start meter its ok. How long it lasts is another matter but if it proves to you that you do need a specialist meter you you will have an experience base to go on when selecting the one you upgrade too.

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2012, 01:50:05 am
content: Quote from: G7PSK on August 02, 2012, 03:28:00 pmI think you forgot something...

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2012, 01:07:01 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on August 03, 2012, 04:48:54 amHe didn't say what meter he's using...

author: ProBang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2012, 01:54:28 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on August 02, 2012, 03:28:00 pmAt least we are knowing yet: There's a very cheap LCR meter inGreat Britainthat's working quite well.Anyway a start. Perhaps there is more to estimate...

author: tramjoe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2012, 02:31:40 pm
content: Quote from: ProBang on August 03, 2012, 01:54:28 pmWell, we even have more clues: I was still up for sale a few days ago and it is small and light enough to be carried to work

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2012, 09:30:02 pm
content: Hopefully the link I meant to put in is now here.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390107818232?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_4032wt_952

author: tramjoe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2012, 09:54:01 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on August 04, 2012, 09:30:02 pmI can testify it does work this time :-)Thanks for the update!

author: HardBoot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2012, 11:10:16 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on August 04, 2012, 09:30:02 pmCan that thing pick up small inductance? It says it has a 20mH range and 1999 readout, so can it pick up 0.01 mh or does it bottom-out before that?

author: tramjoe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2012, 07:28:58 am
content: Does anyone have any clue on thatgerman LC kit (no R), the AE20204 with prebuilt, RS232/USB, case and SMD adapter options ? It's available for approx. €34 off of eBay or their online shop.Their specs:Quote

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 09:20:19 am
content: This is the UYIGAO UA4070L LCR meter I just bought in Kuala Lumpur.It's only a 2000 count meter, but is fairly well made and accurate. It comes with a set of nice small probes with silicone leads.I opened it up and didn't see anything alarming in the workmanship.Powered by a 9V battery, with removable holster and LCD screen backlight.Probably has the same innards as the one presented earlier on in the thread.

author: maxpayne
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2012, 06:15:13 pm
content: From where did u bought this meter in kualalumpur ? how much is d price ?

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2012, 06:25:31 pm
content: Jalan Pasar, Pudu. 80.00 Ringgits (about 20.00 Euros).