Best “Cheap-O” LCR Tester / Meter of these 4? ...beat to death topic... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Tekjive
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 12:25:28 pm
content: I know this topic has been beat to death ...literally... I’ve been searching through the pulped remains for last hourIt’s come down to these 4 for me for an all-in-one, $20-$30 range meter that has the most “accurate” readings, with the most resolution on those readings, that has the most info that’s relatable to the component tested. I need it to be able to give “reliable” RDS readings so I can sort transistors for likeness for the banks they will be installed in (main hobby is car amplifier repair) I have just returned a TC-1 because the built in battery was complete junk but it gave decent readings with a decent amount of info per reading, I’d like one that has a 9v, for higher testing voltage, along without having to charge every time I want to use it, and/or not have to charge between every 15 uses lol.LCR-TC1 Diode Triode Capacitor Resistor Transistor LCR ESR NPN PNP MOSFEThttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SZQ7VTF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_C3Z4HGCW9QWGTMAB40M5M328 Mosfet Transistor Capacitor NPN PNP Transistor Diode Resistor Inductor Capacitance MOS SCR ESRhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LY8F8XK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_208JGCQ7AZ6CE1Q14HD4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1BSIDE ESR02 PRO Transistor SMD Diode Triode Capacitor MOSFET Resistor Inductance LCR ESRhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MKRBW2S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_68KT99GVRAE5G0C3K6FZ?psc=1MK-328 Transistor Capacitor ESR Inductance Resist LCR NPN PNP MOShttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B09132HM31/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_1AB3MQRWT310Y9BT5G86?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1These are pretty much the cheapest versions of themselves, excluding maybe an additional $2-5$ for useful add ins, but inflated costs due to brand, etc. My main question is which meter do members have the best luck with in regards to “reliable” readings, most info per reading, and most features per meter, software version is a big deal as well, along with being able to update/upgrade if possible. This is a DIY forum so opening it up and modding/etc if needed to get the most out of it is cool with me (updating software?) I’m torn between the last 3 as I’ve had the TC1 and can’t do the lame battery deal, but for the most part it hit all other targets (Sorting mosfets by RDS values, etc) does anyone know if the Bside or Mega328 give RDS? I know the MK-328 does as a YT amp repairer (Sam @ BareVids) I follow uses it, but he also stated watch out for awhile versions, but this looks to be the good one as it’s marked EZM/best version. But I love the Bside case/options but it looks to barely give any info and does it test everything the TC1 can? Guess I’m looking for a TC1 with more testing options like the Bside/MK328 and with a 9v battery and with software updating ...I know this is all random, I apologize, also I’m still learning all of this, I’m trying to cram learning multiple hobbies in one ...so ya, lol.Please give input if you have had any experience with the listed 4 meters, and if you know of a better sub$50 meter please chime in as well. I came across the XJW01 but that’s from China only (looking for USA sellers as I don’t want to wait a month) and it’s closer to $80 but looks damn nice, maybe other options in the $75 range for the hell of it? But as of right now my budget is between these exact 4.

author: Tekjive
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 12:34:38 pm
content: I came across the LCR-T7-H that seems to be able to test voltage regulators as well???Also the LCR-T4 is née and has upgradable software from what I’m reading?

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 12:48:39 pm
content: I believe they are all based on this ATmega controlled component tester:https://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR_TransistortesterThere's a forum thread about them here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/If so, all will have similar accuracy, and there will be very little to choose between them except the TC1 adds IR decoding, and personally, from a reliability, maintainability and usability viewpoint, I prefer the MK-328's design with wanderjack test sockets for its test leads and an adapter board carrying the ZIF socket.

author: Tekjive
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 12:58:22 pm
content: Yes I am considering that one over all others atm even those that Bside looks so damn pretty, maybe I’ll hack/mod MK328 guts into a Bside body lol. Ty for the links as well, I’ve been going through that thread too, I came across this link which I think is great giving the differences between them. Maybe I should have just added to that thread instead of starting my own 😅https://github.com/madires/Transistortester-Warehouse/blob/master/Documentation/English/Clone-Comparison-Chart.pdfOne last question, does the MK-328 test voltage regulators like the T7-H? Mainly looking for a meter that can test/read all class A/B & D amplifier components. Thx again for the input bro

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 03:14:09 pm
content: *NONE* of the simple ATmega based component testers can test regulators properly, because they all test the component by directly connecting it to the pins of an ATmega MCU with a couple of extra resistors per component pin going to other pins of the MCU. That means they can only apply logic high (5V) to a regulator input and check the output voltage, which means that any regulator much above 3.3V cant be checked. Also, AFAIK, there is no support for regulator testing in the usual open source firmware.Any component tester that offers proper regulator testing needs some sort of variable voltage source with current sensing, and some sort of variable load with voltage monitoring. This pushes cost and complexity up considerably, and once you start adding DAC controlled voltage supplies, one might as well add the few extra circuits to let it function as a full curve tracer. Also you'll usually find that LCR functions are omitted from dedicated semiconductor testers.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2022, 11:16:37 pm
content: I bought a BSide to replace a bare PCB unit that gave up....The BSide is fine but the middle spring connector "broke".Actually one of the wings of the connector folded back into the case. Could not see it.It was easy to just unsolder it from the back of the board and then resolder it after bending it back into shape.The one that gave up was like the cheap bare PCB you want to buy. I liked it I especially like the DIP type connector instead of the spring connectors on the Bside.

author: indman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2022, 06:40:11 am
content: Felipe Lacerda,there is a global topic on the forum in which Chinese clones are considered and discussedhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/7550/