ESR meter again... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2010, 01:44:04 am
content: From all of the schematics available online does any have large scale from 0-1R?? This is most important measurement range and most of the schematics are built so that 0-1R range takes only 5% of the full analog meter deflection...I would love to build one meter that has 2 ranges:0 - 50R0 - 5RThis way we can test those 1000uF and up with accuracy.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2010, 02:31:39 am
content: probably not the answer you were looking for but personally id buy one rather than build one. I'm not really a fan of building test equipment when a bought one is available at a good price and is likely to be better anyway.Having said that, you do learn a lot from making your own gear so if thats the goal, go for it.If i needed one id probably buy this for ~ US$129 + $12pnp(I'm quite pleased with my LCR and component tester from them)http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr70.htmlMeasure capacitance and ESR.New enhanced dynamic range of 0.00 to 40.0 ohms.ESR Resolution as fine as 0.01 ohmsSupports capacitors from 1uF to 22,000uF.Capable of In-Circuit measurement of ESR.Polarity free, connect any way round.Great for low DC resistance checking tooProtected against highly charged capacitorsTests at the industry standard 100kHz.Automatically carries out a controlled discharge procedureThey also make a cheaper one for US$109 which only goes to 20R instead of 40Rhttp://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr60.html

author: tjw
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2010, 12:13:55 pm
content: Hi,have you seen Bob Parker's ESR meter ? Have a look herehttp://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/It uses a Zilog Z8 MCU and is a top class product. Full schematic and a description of the circuit operation is supplied with the kit. Bob has a lot of information on his site about the meter and how to use it.I have built one and prefer it to a commercial unit since I can fix it if there are problems and I learnt something along the way.I recall that these kits were being sold in the US a few years ago, but cannot remember who was selling it. In Australia you can get it herehttp://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=K2574Regards, tjw.

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2010, 05:00:28 pm
content: Great link tjw

author: Zyvek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2010, 08:43:06 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on December 30, 2010, 02:31:39 amI have this meter and I'm pretty happy with it, I also considered theBlue ESRBob Parker meter as well, but I liked the extra bells and whistles the ESR70 provided. I'd love to see a head to head comparison.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2010, 09:52:00 pm
content: Quote from: Zyvek on December 30, 2010, 08:43:06 pmi think you mean the other purple one that's a little cheaper, the blue one is the component tester for testing transistors fets diode leds etc..I have the yellow LCR and the blue DCA and i may get the purple ESR70 and red SCR at some point in the future.

author: Zyvek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2010, 10:14:38 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on December 30, 2010, 09:52:00 pmDoh, Sorry for the mix up, I actually have the ESR70 (Purple) , the DCA55 (Blue) and the LCR40 (Yellow) meters. I'm happy with all three, even if I can't keep the model #'s straight.

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2010, 12:09:44 am
content: I want to build analog meter, I found it better than digital... Its faster to work with.The reason I want to build one is because I want to make it with a large analog instrument, the ones you can buy are all with small instrument.I bought MUL3333 but its 0-1R measuing range is so small.Looks like a people who have no expirience in repairing stuff are the one who design this kind of stuff..