LCR METERS FROM CHINA - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: lionelkjh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2019, 09:24:07 am
content: Hello everyone! I have two CRL meters recovered from a friend down. The first starts, passes a test page, and hangs showing: CELL. I think the software part has to be involved; because I did not find anything abnormal when opening it. A mini USB port on the side should probably match the programming, but I did not find the software. The second one does not work anymore. 2 legs of the MEGA 328P microcontroller are short-circuited. The microcontroller is easily found, but I do not have the software to program it, and on the map some points are soldering with a programmer but I do not know how to be able to regrogram it entirely. I attach the photos as attachments. Thanks for your help!!

author: lionelkjh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2019, 09:24:46 am
content: the following.....

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2019, 10:21:55 am
content: STM, Atmega and some others are (almost) fully open sourcesupported - with so far many advantages to post hereover the "locked down" "some studio ****" bounded ones...This is not kinda trivial stuff which any script kiddocan do with some dozens 'press button' like...Please check the following: (based also on CLANG and LVM)http://sdcc.sourceforge.net/https://sourceforge.net/projects/gputils/https://sourceforge.net/projects/linux-hotplug/files/fxload/2008_10_13/https://www.intra2net.com/en/developer/libftdi/download.phphttp://www.nongnu.org/avrdude/http://www.nongnu.org/avr-libc/latest two is kinda GCC for AVR and stuffRegardsPaul

author: lionelkjh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2019, 11:06:30 am
content: Sorry but i don't understrand.....What you said?

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2019, 11:23:52 am
content: Well.. if you can not understand that you probablywill not be able to handle the not trivial stuff there too.The links posted form a (almost) complete environmentfor compiling, linking and deploying (uploading) the requiredfirmware for several MCUsBase code of this particular LCR can be easily downloadedwith more than 3 dozen versions... once compiled you justupload the new firmware.Assuming the hardware still works..Next step is to DITCH FOR GOOD the proprietary"visual press button.." IDEs.a remarkable mention is Microchip MCUs which areNOT very friendly in doing open source support..that said..the other two (STM Atmega) are far more "recommended"Paul

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2019, 11:26:48 am
content: Those are transistor tester clones. For documentation and firmwares please seehttps://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR_Transistortester.

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2019, 11:33:17 am
content: Quote from: madires on November 30, 2019, 11:26:48 amyep a good reference tooAnd for the record.. that particular LCR test code..They do compile perfectly fine under **ANY** **NIXwith the proper GCC/SDCC tool chainPaul

author: lionelkjh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2019, 03:21:27 pm
content: Hello, thank you for your return! I did not find the software of my first ESR meter (the first two photos attached); can anyone help me ??

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2019, 06:11:31 pm
content: Does that one have an ATmega168 or 328?

author: lionelkjh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2019, 07:25:25 am
content: Hello; the microprocessor is an ATMEGA168 smd version. Cdt

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2019, 10:47:18 am
content: In that case a firmware updates doesn't make much sense because the ATmega168 has only 16kB flash which is too small. BTW, "CELL" means that the tester detected some voltage at one of the test pins. Could be a shot MCU pin. I'd suggest to replace the 168 with a 328.

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2019, 10:54:20 am
content: Quote from: lionelkjh on December 02, 2019, 03:21:27 pmCheck here under downloadshttp://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR-Transistortesterand make sure you have the proper firmware for your MCUPaul

author: lionelkjh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2019, 02:58:14 pm
content: Hello, thank you for this information. What I do not know is for the failure of the first (the one that displays cell): do I have to replace the microprocessor and enter the programming; or, with this same software, can I directly reprogram the blocked microprocessor (is it erasable?). The programming of each of these CRL METRE must be able to be done directly on the map. But I do not know how, because I do not know anything about programming. I own the RT809H and TL866CS programmers. I need some serious help .....

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2019, 03:29:28 pm
content: All these MCUs are "reprogrammable"You just re-flash the new firmware there..assuming the MCU is in working conditionthere is no need to replace it just re-flashthe proper firmware or some "upgrade" versionPaul

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2019, 03:38:44 pm
content: Search for "how to program AVR"

author: lionelkjh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 11:46:22 am
content: Hello; once the software is found: how to install the programmer on the card to program it? (I own the RT809H and TL866CS)

author: PKTKS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2019, 11:49:16 am
content: Quote from: lionelkjh on December 09, 2019, 11:46:22 amSearch the "how to program AVR" this tip is essentialYou may need severl skills to do so..As stated earlier this is not trivial ...You will need to attach the wiring to the boardstablish communication - recognize the MCU to start.Paul