Fnirsi-TC4 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: RAPo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 02:58:36 pm
content: Fnirsi has updated the TC-3, it is now aTC-4.Most important acclaimed 10MHz oscilloscope 13 max 50kHz waveform outputs.

author: RAPo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2025, 03:57:30 pm
content: There is anew firmware:Updated content:1. Fix the issue where only single measurement is possible and requires a restart for a new measurement.2. Fix the diode measurement direction issue.3. Fix the incorrect display of maximum, minimum, and peak-to-peak values in the oscilloscope.4. Fix the issue where transistor measurements display two diodes too closely.5. Modify other known issues.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 02:10:59 am
content: I have one on the way. It'll be fun to check it out.Looks like some of those fixes were applied to the stand alone component tester (lcr-p1) too.

author: UniSoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 03:22:20 pm
content: Now I have this device.There are used two MCUs, on both of them the marking is erased.Main MCU is a AT32F403AVGT7 (according to DEBUG_IDCODE),the small MCU (implemented tester itself) is a N32G032C8L7 (it works on 5V (core power)).There are some serious assembly problems.1. They didn't cut off pins of the slot, as a result of which they push the battery. What if they make a hole in a battery?2. The display flat cable was poorly inserted.3. Saved a little money.

author: UniSoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 03:28:18 pm
content: If someone interested, here is internals...

author: UniSoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 03:29:31 pm
content: continue...

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 03:45:52 pm
content: Quote from: UniSoft on April 10, 2025, 03:22:20 pmWere you able to update the firmware or save a screenshot?

author: UniSoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 05:13:32 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on April 10, 2025, 03:45:52 pmAfter I got the device, I instantly open it...desolder serial flash and read the dump.After solder it back.When I decide to update firmware (it was v0.0.2, the latest available is v0.0.3),I can't do this, it says that the disk is full (free space 0).I make a fast format, after that everything start to work.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 05:33:45 pm
content: Quote from: UniSoft on April 10, 2025, 05:13:32 pmThat is exactly what is going on with mine. I also had the pin dents in the battery so I trimmed the legs on the socket. I've let FNIRSI know about it.Mine was also missing the can over the scope front end.So you just connected it up to you PC and did a quick format?Update:Okay, I tried that and everything is fine now. Firmware updated.In general, it seems to be working just like they said it should. It is indeed a 10MHz scope when fed directly through a 50 ohm load.Slightly less (~9MHz) when fed through the included probe @ 10x.The component checker is quite decently accurate except for high value resistors. It's measuring a 10Mohm resistor at 8.2Mohm.Function generator is okay. Frequency is accurate but is probably only 8-bit so you do get a minor stair-step effect.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2025, 06:28:41 pm
content: @UniSoftAfter I upgraded to the latest firmware I am not able to get the generator over 1kHz. Is this the same with yours?Update: I need to add more information for clarification.This happens when you go to the oscilloscope.Use case: Set generator to sine wave @ 10kHZ, connect generator to DUT (in my case just able to teh scope input), exit the generator, then as soon as you enter the scope, the generator drops back to 1kHz. This does not happen for frequencies below 1kHz.To me this is a huge bug.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 02:40:01 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on April 15, 2025, 06:28:41 pmAccording to FNIRSI this is by design.Oh well.At least they could mention this in the manual.

author: mysak85
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 03:39:56 am
content: So this device lasted me less than a month, after a month the display started tomalfunction and when plugged in the charger it tries to charge, more in the attached video..The device has not been dropped anywhere, carried in a hard case the whole time..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgUNSnztKUI&pp=ygUORm5pcnNpIGRzby10YzQ%3D

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 03:58:20 am
content: Assuming it's even possible, have you tried updating the firmware?

author: mysak85
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 07:04:11 am
content: Of course, that was the first thing I tried, unfortunately it didn't help..

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 03:16:10 pm
content: You can try contacting them. They're support isn't great, but might not be the absolute worst. 🤷

author: mysak85
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 03:56:59 pm
content: I already wrote to them, so let's see if they write back, if I have more info, I'll write here.I'd rather be interested in what exactly and why it happened..

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2025, 02:03:19 am
content: Quote from: mysak85 on May 31, 2025, 03:39:56 amOpen it up and check the battery. There is reason to believe that the socket leads can dig into and damage the battery which is placed directly below the socket. This, being an issue of great safety concern, should get them to respond quickly.

author: mysak85
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 04, 2025, 02:07:53 am
content: yes, I know about this problem and I fixed it a long time ago, now it's all the same useless if the device doesn't work as it should..

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2025, 02:10:02 am
content: Well, it is for sure not working the way it should.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2025, 07:48:51 pm
content: If you have one of these you might want to check this out.Read the pinned comment too.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 03:46:54 am
content: Good (and slightly surprising) news. Fnirsi actually fixed the battery issue. At least on the one I received. Maybe it was the only one. 🤣The pins are properly cut, and they added a protective sheet over the battery. Amazing.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 03:51:41 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 13, 2025, 03:46:54 amVery nice.Maybe I had some small part to do with it.I contacted them about this and they asked for a load of additional information, which I supplied. If anyone else did too, kudos, collectively we made a difference! This is how to solve problems, not just (there's no nice way to put this) bitch about them.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 04:04:35 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 13, 2025, 03:46:54 amThat battery looks bigger in area and thinner than the one in mine too. Is it 1500mAhr? Does it have the dimensions printed on it?

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 05:01:25 am
content: I should have taken more photos than that one. Oh well, perhaps tomorrow. Crap, later today. I should go to sleep.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2025, 04:11:17 am
content: Here's a closeup of the battery. No trash cans!

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2025, 04:14:48 am
content: Thanks Josh. That's the original battery size, but .. you have a few very small "dimples" just above and near the trash can.Looks like they pulled it off the production line to make the changes you noted.What is the battery charge life like?

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2025, 04:38:32 am
content: That's true, it does look like they applied the fix after the fact.I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, I've been redoing my workbench. I'll leave it on tomorrow and see how long it lasts.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2025, 04:43:26 am
content: I hope to do my bench re-do sometime this winter. Lots of "honey do" projects right now.My "lab" is a mess, especially full of wibbly-wobbly banana thingys, except, its not.Keep the positive charged end up!!

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2025, 02:28:14 am
content: I've got some honey-do stuff I should probably finish too.I left the TC4 on, and forgot to pay attention after about the 5th hour of it sitting with the display on. Somewhere between 4 and 5 hours the battery icon showed the less than half BS with a little red block in the battery section. I dunno when it died. I might do it again tomorrow, but the same thing might happen again.Anyway, I assume that's probably good enough, and better than the defective units.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2025, 02:47:57 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 15, 2025, 02:28:14 amIt brings peace, acceptance and forgiveness. You know, when you want to get that 8.5 digit DMM?

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2025, 03:43:21 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on August 15, 2025, 02:47:57 amNooooooooooooo, no 8.5 digit DMM!...a 7.5 digit DMM is tempting though. 🤔

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2025, 04:45:14 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 15, 2025, 03:43:21 amOh sure, you strike as a 3458A kinda guy.That's something I might aspire to someday ..Actually, I just acquired a 34401A for $200. It apparently "Reads wrong voltages".In fact, only AC was F'd up. On closer inspection I found that it reported errors 621 and 622. Taking it apart I discovered that CR306, C311 and C323 were missing. Not only that, but under the two capacitors the board was burned to the glass fiber, each had a pad missing and the two active pads were missing where the Zener should be. Someone had attempted a repair at one time and gave up. I bodged in leaded components as replacements the best I could and it passed all tests. So far, it seems to be working very well. I just need some way of ringing it out. I have a few resistor standards and this is the first time I measured them exactly as marked, But I don't know about the other functions yet, other than it agrees with my two 5.5 digit meters so far.Maybe when you get your 3458A you can loan it to me to fully check my 34401A out?

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2025, 05:14:15 am
content: Okay, I might have been tempted by the 3458As a couple times, but they're easy to avoid for two reasons. 1. Too expensive to buy, and too expensive to calibrate. 2. Useless if not calibrated.All my 6.5 digit meters agree well enough, and the DAQ was calibrated earlier this year, so I'm gonna keep that simple.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2025, 05:18:47 am
content: My loss! LOL!Some day though ... the digits won't be denied!

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2025, 09:27:39 pm
content: Did the test again. Kinda funny. After 4 hours, the battery icon looks half full, but the capacity color is red. About 30 minutes later, it dies.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 01:25:53 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on August 15, 2025, 09:27:39 pmThere is something amiss with those batteries.You might want to do the swap.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 01:55:44 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on August 25, 2025, 01:25:53 amI would if I was going to keep it. However, I have the TC3, and while the TC4 is prettier, that's about all it has going for it. They both suck the same at detecting things.