A quick teardown of Capasitor Wizard ESR Meter, a few pictures. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2014, 09:23:50 pm
content: Capasitor Wizard ESR Meterhttp://midwestdevices.com/Capacitor Wizard® Operating Manualhttp://midwestdevices.com/_pdfs/Capmanual9.pdfESR: Methods of Measurementhttp://midwestdevices.com/_pdfs/Tnote3.pdfMissing som strain relef here?After some testing of capacitor tester with the tester i will come back with a test report..

author: JoeO
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2014, 09:27:39 pm
content: A black and a red wire both going to the same place on the meter?

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2014, 09:39:38 pm
content: Quote from: JoeO on March 11, 2014, 09:27:39 pmNote that there's a second yellow sticker with no wire. Looks like the original meter's studs poked through where the yellow stickers are and the current meter has a smaller movement.Ed

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 04:20:37 pm
content: Pretty horrible soldering job.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 04:26:06 pm
content: Don't mean to rain your parade, but at $230 a pop its just way too much imho.

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 05:08:19 pm
content: This meter had advantage that goes up to 50ohm and scale between 0-1 is almost 25% of the scale.Its way expensive...

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 05:20:15 pm
content: Quote from: zaoka on March 12, 2014, 05:08:19 pmYeah, you can get a real LCR meter that will actually measure ESR accurately with milliohm accuracy for half the price.Not to mention L and C

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 06:22:35 pm
content: that is not soldered. it looks more like someone had a big ball of liquid solder , farted over it and the spray landed on the board ...

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 06:54:51 pm
content: An ATLAS PEAK ESR meter with a digital readout costs £70, are they having a laugh with $230??

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 07:08:50 pm
content: This capacitor wizard is IMHO obsolete and overpriced. Moreover it is a 1995's technology.

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 07:25:49 pm
content: What do you guys think of the CapAnalyzer 88A Series II?http://www.eds-inc.com/cap.html

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 07:34:01 pm
content: Quote from: Axtman on March 12, 2014, 07:25:49 pmI actually have one of those to... so i will make a comparison of them.

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 07:37:07 pm
content: Quote from: Axtman on March 12, 2014, 07:25:49 pmFor $50? Worth considering if you're doing a lot of repairs.For $229 (which is what they're asking for)? YGTBSM.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 07:42:23 pm
content: Nice, but... what's on the component side of the pcb?

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 07:44:00 pm
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on March 12, 2014, 07:08:50 pmYou dont use speakers then, they are som 1920`s technology, and has not developed much from the original concept.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 08:40:20 pm
content: Is this Capacitor wizard someway different from these well-known schematics of ESR meters?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/5-transistor-esr-meter-design/

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 08:59:29 pm
content: Ah, but this one has a low battery detect.

author: kc9qvl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 10:00:31 pm
content: How about a look at the component side.

author: The Electrician
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2014, 11:18:52 pm
content: It is claimed that the Capacitor Wizard applies a sine wave to the DUT:http://midwestdevices.com/_pdfs/Tnote3.pdfErik, would you connect a capacitor that's not too big, say a 10 uF electrolytic, to the capacitor wizard and look at the waveform across the cap with a scope to verify if it's really a sine wave?

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2014, 12:21:35 am
content: Quote from: The Electrician on March 12, 2014, 11:18:52 pmWill try that tommorow if i get outa bed.(Have no helpers tommorow, so may stay i bed all day if i dont get out mysellf. )

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2014, 09:21:02 am
content: Hi,This is interesting reading.It tells you how to repair the Capacitor Wizard:http://www.midwestdevices.com/_pdfs/Sbullit8.pdfHere is a picture showing part of the board, component side:http://howardelectronics.com/ieinc/images/Capwizsavr%201.jpgThere is another picture here:https://www.howardelectronics.com/ieinc/CapSVR%20Install%20Instructions.pdfThis patent describes the protection circuit:http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=%22Capacitor+Wizard%22&OS="Capacitor+Wizard"&RS="Capacitor+Wizard"If you want an ESR meter with really good protection, build the ESR meter adapter described in this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/esr-meter-adapter-design-and-construction/msg341177/#msg341177Regards,Jay_Diddy_B

author: The Electrician
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2014, 04:15:17 pm
content: I wonder if the "CapSVR" add-on kit is just the transformer/diode arrangement described in the patent.

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2014, 08:27:32 pm
content: Quote from: The Electrician on March 12, 2014, 11:18:52 pmThe Capacitor Wizard model CAP-1B had a rather "bursty" sinus 102,8 KHz. 3,2 mVand the Electronic Design Specialist EDS-88A CapAnalyzer II had the same "noisy" more triangle than sinus 124KHz ant 3 mV.Se if i can get some pictures taken if its of interest, but really nothing to see.The reason i bought the CAP-1B from Capacitor wizard, is that the "wand" (Probes are way better to use on some cards than the tweeter with thin copper contacts) on the EDS-88A is way better. Lock at the pictures. The tweezers is ok on small boards where you have to/can use it with one hand. But if there is a lot of corrosion, lacquer etc. on the board, the sharp probes of the CAP-1B is the best, but i have to use both hands. Fluke AC72 Alligator Clip Set fits right on, and makes it easy to connect onto a capacitor if necessary. I must say that both testers do what they claim, easy and very quick. I enjoy the different beeps of the EDS-88A when fast going over a ex mainboard on a computer, don’t need to look at the meter, if good or bad. But if in doubt, the table has to be searched and you have to read the table for info. That takes time. And the automatic discharging that the CAP-1B don’t have is a big plus on some jobs. The CAP-1B, has a meter that is clearly marked BAD - COMPAERE - GOOD and is quicker to read. So i guess, both meters has its + and -. Some like the mother, some the daughter and nerds are hands on, as we say here in Norway!There is a place for both on my bench. (Instruments that is!)

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2014, 11:17:54 pm
content: Quote from: The Electrician on March 13, 2014, 04:15:17 pmFrom the photographs I believe that it does. It is the circuit from the patent plus a coupling capacitor in series with the transformer primary. The idea is for large voltage the diodes conduct and the current in the two windings cancel. For small signals the diodes do not conduct and it behaves like a transformer.I am not sure how well it works.Jay_Diddy_B

author: The Electrician
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2014, 12:58:46 am
content: Quote from: Jay_Diddy_B on March 13, 2014, 11:17:54 pmThe patent says the transformer has to resonate at the frequency which is applied to the DUT, and then it works well.

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2014, 03:51:22 pm
content: The curves 47mF 10volts capasitor.CAP-1BEDS-88ABoth tips, the CAP-1B has Fluke gator attached.DST-88A custom made tip

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2016, 02:07:19 am
content: I know this is an old post, but I have to say, that has to be the most horrendous and despicable soldering and overall pisspoor construction I have ever seen. It's a total hack job. Who builds these things, Ray Charles? They brag about made in USA, yet I have not seen a single Chinese electronics made this poorly. What a disgrace...

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2016, 10:54:16 am
content: Well,Capacitor Wizardis probably a 100% design from 1995. Nowadays you can buy or build anAVR component testerhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/http://www.mikrocontroller.net/svnbrowser/transistortester/or buy a Cyrustek chipset based LCR 100kHz meter like CEM DT-9935 or many others.I think that most people know well about this.

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 10:28:47 am
content: Who in his right mind would buy that garbage Capacitor Wizard?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 08:03:56 pm
content: QuoteAnything of value in your post?

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 09:01:47 pm
content: Quote from: P90 on October 06, 2016, 02:07:19 amThen you have not seen much. Watch EEVBlog #822.

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2023, 12:24:22 pm
content: Component side.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2023, 02:26:26 pm
content: subscribed...

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2023, 09:35:36 pm
content: Well, this capacitor wizard was good back in 1995.https://www.midwestdevices.com/index.phpIt might do the job. $239.95 USD is too much. You can buy a handheld LCR meter for that. I just randomly found this...https://eleshop.eu/de-ree-de-5000-lcr-meter.htmlI have my CEM DT-9935 lcr meter since 2012...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/cheap-lcr-meter-cem-dt-9935/

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2023, 09:44:21 pm
content: Quote from: ErikTheNorwegian on December 03, 2023, 12:24:22 pmIt looks ugly, but it might work just OK.There are some asian made LCR meters in a similar price range as the capacitor wizard.https://www.tequipment.net/ExtechLCR200.asphttps://www.electron.com/digital-multimeter-rlc-uni-t-ut612-p54037/Quote from: LaurenceW on February 02, 2013, 02:45:04 pm

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2024, 11:05:59 pm
content: I am not familiar with the Peak Atlas ESR70, but it looks way better than Capacitor Wizard...https://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/esr70-capacitor-esr-meter.htmlhttps://www.newark.com/peak/72-12835/esr-meter-capacitor-1mf-to-22000mf/dp/56Y1286?st=esr70

author: amani
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 27, 2025, 09:53:21 am
content: Hello friend, have you still got the capacitor wizard? If yes could you please tell me where the two wires on the board the red and black on the far right ( the two thin wires ) where do they go to the board? Thank you as I have mine which is broke and no idea where they go to? Please look at my picture below of the board. Thank you

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2025, 09:23:25 am
content: The red wire might just go right to the +terminal area of the piezo-buzzer. I wonder if it was unhooked on purpose, maybe someone found it loud and annoying ?

author: ME
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2025, 01:19:22 am
content: throw it away and build the j diddy 5 transistor esr meter , it works great!.