IT8512(A+) or the M9812 ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 11:47:10 am
content: Hey You all,I'm thinking to pull the trigger on a DC (programmable) load. I have read the threads about the iTech, they seem to do ok (some software issues?). Yet, I can't make up my mind. Sounds familiar?After seeing Dave's comparison of the BK units (BK8601), im leaning towards the iTech. I looks a bit more "up to date". The prices are similar, so thats non-issue.I read someone said, on lower voltages the iTech performs not that great?Any thoughts?Thanks a bunch!

author: dav
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 01:45:29 pm
content: Did you see the new ITECH series? (IT8812 and so on...)

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 01:53:33 pm
content: HiWhat are you trying to do with the load? ( What is your typical application?)Bob

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 04:30:31 pm
content: @dav no i didn't see that, i also didnt see them available?@uncle_bob, basically battery discharge and some power supply testing. But im sure there will be more it comes in "handy"....I don't think i need the 300W version, i guess 150W would be enough. But as in general, you will see you run into something and then you regret.

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 05:43:08 pm
content: I have been using IT8512+ with a computer connection for battery and other testing (I uses my own software).It has been very stable and always worked as expected.

author: dav
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 03:47:32 pm
content: ITECH IT88 series:http://www.itechate.com.tw/en/product/conter40.htmAvailables on taobao.Maynuo loads seem to came uncalibrated (I read a lot of users with this problem)

author: VA3SU
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 04, 2016, 08:10:29 pm
content: This is a bit of a long shot but if you know someone in China you can pick up an IT8511A+ for $275! Yes, it's a fresh from the iTech factory for only $275. I had to add $80 for DHL shipping but from beginning to end it took a week. My client has an agent in Shenzhen and I needed an electronic load for our project so I asked the agent to source one for me. You can find the same thing on ebay but they add a fair bit to the price. My meter is the IT8511+ not that A+, I would have had to wait a few weeks for the A+ version and I didn't need the extra voltage.I forgot to add the usb to ttl 232 adapter so I ordered one from Mouser for the B&K version. It works fine with the "B&K" software, in fact it's running now on the battery test.It's a nice tool.Of course the agent in Shenzhen doesn't do this for free, I had asked my client if I could use him to source this for the project and of course he was fine with it.Kevin

author: stuartk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 12:59:02 am
content: Hi,I purchased the IT8512A+ on Aliexpress. $420 including the shipping.http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/FREE-SHIPPING-ITECH-IT8512A-DC-electronic-load-one-way-Programmable-150V-30A-300W/1727580_32521946782.htmlIt works well however the BK8500 software is buggy and not all that great.Unfortunately the BK8600 software is not compatible.If I would do it again, I would get the IT8800 series although I also haven't been able to find it easily available. I'm not sure if it has a USB port on it or it's compatible with the BK8600 software.It's probably worth an email to Itech to find out how much they would sell you one for.

author: stuartk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 01:06:44 am
content: QuoteHi HKJ,Can you post your software? There's not too much available for this load.thanks, Stuart

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 05:40:53 am
content: Quote from: stuartk on May 05, 2016, 01:06:44 amMy software is not a GUI, but a script based system that can log and partial control a couple of instruments. It is impossible to use without a detailed manual and I have never written one.For people that knows a bit about programming the Itech load is very easy to control from software (It is the same protocol as BK).

author: Floyo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 02:56:33 pm
content: I'm in the same boat at the moment, I looked at the Maynuo, Array and Itech loads, and Itech seems to have a slight upper hand, though there isn't much difference.I looked into prices and capabilities, and the IT8512A+ seems to come out on top. The 88 and 89 series are a *lot* more expensive, and the only big difference I found is you get is faster transient operation.Prices when importing to NL kind of kill the seemingly good deal on aliexpress (the cheapest compared to ebay and taobao). I contacted the European distributor, (http://www.arbenelux.com/merken/itech-electronics/) and their prices came out about 100 euros above the final aliexpress price. whether or not a local rep along with easy warranty is worth that I haven't quite figured out yet.One thing to note is that there is a bit of discrepancy in the Itech manuals with regard to the shorting resistance of the loads and the minimum voltage for full current. The shorting resistance seems to be right on all of them though, so use that to calculate the minimum voltage for full current.

author: vince53
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 03:19:44 pm
content: I recently purchased a Maynuo M9712 from this vendor:https://world.taobao.com/item/40584517871.htm?fromSite=main&_u=52kolcu21332Cost came to $300 plus shipping. I don't have the figure on shipping but I think it will be about $80. To test the vendor and system I first ordered the cable. No problem. For the electronic load DHL lost track of the package. When it was delivered the tracking info still showed it was sitting in Honk Kong.Working with the site was rather frustrating. The pages could be translated with Google but the content in the popup boxes was still in Chinese. Overall I'm very happy with the results and will likely use the process again.Vince

author: dav
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2016, 02:16:01 pm
content: Quote from: stuartk on May 05, 2016, 12:59:02 amYes, it has (on the back).http://setup-electronica.es/images/Datasheet/IT8811_DS_E.pdfThere are reviews, teardowns and youtube videos about the Maynuo loads, but none on the ITECH ones.ITECH owners please upload something!

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2016, 02:57:00 pm
content: Quote from: dav on May 06, 2016, 02:16:01 pmI do not have any plans on reviewing the Itech load, but I can say what I have used it for:http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.phphttp://lygte-info.dk/info/ChargerIndex%20UK.htmlAll curves recorded with my own program (As I wrote above).My LiIon tests are done with BK loads. They where the first loads I bought, but when I needed more I got some Itech, and they work just as well for my purpose.

author: DuPe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2016, 03:17:41 pm
content: Quote from: onesixright on May 01, 2016, 11:47:10 amI own a Maynuo M9811 and I also had the issue that voltage calibration was a little out of spec. It really was not much (was within a 0.2% range), but not as specified and enough to annoy me.Recalibration procedure is easy, but needs a >100V source.But beside that I am quite happy with it. It comes with a pretty usable piece of software and the noise emmision is very low.If you have any specific question, let me know.CheersPeter

author: Ivan7enych
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2016, 09:32:53 pm
content: Quote from: DuPe on May 06, 2016, 03:17:41 pmI've bought Maynuo M9712 2 weeks ago and noticed the same voltage error. I've made recalibration with only 64V 10mA source (Rigol dp832, 2 channels in series) and keythley 2015, now it measures voltage correctly.

author: dav
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2016, 09:41:36 pm
content: Quote from: Ivan7enych on May 06, 2016, 09:32:53 pmHow did you perform the calibration in that way??The procedure needs:M8813 power supply or equivalent (150 V/0.01 A) as voltage sourceM8851 power supply or equivalent (5 V/50 A) as current source

author: Ivan7enych
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2016, 10:54:21 pm
content: In that way.Quote from: dav on May 06, 2016, 09:41:36 pmThe only difference is, I supply all I can - 64V 0.01AThe load does 4 measurement points, 2 for high voltages (1v and 64v in my case), 2 for low voltages (.. and 16v). every time you need to enter voltage measured by external DMM.Second way (50A sorce) is for current calibration, I skip it.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2016, 11:02:28 pm
content: The cal procedure does not state it, but you can step through the calibration and then quit at any point - so for the high voltage and high currents you can leave it be and it will keep its originally (factory) calibrated constants on those higher ranges. I've confirmed this by making a backup and examining the cal EEPROM between each step (Maynuo M9710 in my case).Also just because the loads highest voltage is 150V (or 300V or whatever), it makes sense to use a PSU capable of it. But it isn't necessary as the high voltage cal. step is done at a much lower voltage than max. Though I recall mine was >100V I just skipped that cal point. Not sure how 64V is enough...

author: DuPe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2016, 08:01:42 am
content: Quote from: Ivan7enych on May 06, 2016, 09:32:53 pmIt is really strange that they are not able or willing to solve this issue.They state 0.03% basic accuracy but I am hearing of generally far bigger deviation in voltage range quite often.I will do some measuremnts (I think it now is 1/2 year since l did the recal) to make sure that it is not an ageing/drift issue.

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 10:20:06 pm
content: @HKJWhich cable do you use? You bought one or made one yourself?

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2016, 11:10:25 pm
content: Quote from: HKJ on May 06, 2016, 02:57:00 pmI am guessing these loads use SCPI? One thing that surprised me with Maynuo is they use something totally alien to me - MODBUS - which is binary and everything is considered as "coils" which I guess is a throwback to relays/solenoids and industrial electronics.Not so easy to work with, I mean NI-VISA doesn't do it AFAIK?

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2016, 03:41:27 am
content: Quote from: onesixright on May 09, 2016, 10:20:06 pmI bought one.

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2016, 01:53:56 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on May 09, 2016, 11:10:25 pmmodbus? wow. thats rs485 underneath. modbus is a software layer, usually on top of rs485.I'm surprised at that, as modbus is very restrictive on its physical packets and what data types are in it (coils, registers, file records)..anyway, I'm happy with my IT8512+

author: DuPe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 01:59:22 pm
content: Quote from: DuPe on May 07, 2016, 08:01:42 amI repeated the measurement: No drift since last calibration that was roughly 1/2 year ago.

author: cj0
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 03:10:41 pm
content: Itech publishes an SCPI programming manual for 85xxmodels: IT8511+/IT8511A+/IT8512+/IT8512A+/ IT8512B+/IT8512C+/IT8512H+/IT8513A+/ IT8513B+/IT8513C+/IT8514C+/IT8514B+/ IT8516C+. The first revision of that manual is dated: May 4th, 2018.My IT8512A+ from January 2015 running firmware 1.12 doesn't seem to understand SCPI commands.Does anyone have experience or a cluesince which firmware versionthe IT8512(A+) e-load is havingSCPI support? And whether firmware is (user) upgradable?PS Itech did a rush job on that SCPI for 85xx manual, the PDF still includes "it8800" as title in the meta data.

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 10:29:49 pm
content: Quote from: cj0 on November 28, 2018, 03:10:41 pmI have the same unit, also v1.12. Would be nice if it understands SCPI, the windows software is crapBatronix sells it now:https://www.batronix.com/shop/load/ITECH-IT8512A+.htmlIn their manual they write about SCPI,https://www.batronix.com/files/ITECH/IT8500+/IT8500+_manual_en.pdf.Apparently you should be able to select it viaSystemmenu, in there should be aprotocoloption, which is named after the RS232. But I don't see that.They don't mention any firmware updates.