For Sale: Curve Tracer Kit - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2016, 07:24:04 pm
content: Hi all,I picked up a box of random PCBs at an auction at the weekend and this PCB was in the box. A 30 second google search tells me that it's a "Thai" curve tracer which I have absolutely no use for, so before I strip it for parts I thought I'd offer it here. The soldering is pretty good, so I assume that it will work as is. No other parts seem to fit to it, so sold as is. €15 plus postage (€5), send me a PM if it's of use to you.McBryce.

author: Aodhan145
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2016, 07:40:05 pm
content: Any other intresting PCBs that you would sell?

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2016, 07:45:50 pm
content: I haven't had a chance to go through the entire box yet. I only picked that one out because it didn't look like it had been pulled out of an old TV. There are a few others that look like they are/were stand-alone kits, but I don't know what they are yet. Anything particular that you're looking for?McBryce.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2016, 07:48:49 pm
content: It's missing the jumpers, the BNC or RCA connectors and a pin socket.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2016, 07:51:23 pm
content: Yes, the picture I found online had a double RCA header on the PCB, but it's not in the box as far as I can see. However, that's a 10 cent part that's easily sourced should someone want to complete the project. The unpopulated footprints have never been soldered, so I assume it's a project that someone just never got around to finishing.McBryce.

author: Aodhan145
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2016, 08:09:49 pm
content: Quote from: McBryce on June 07, 2016, 07:45:50 pmI just was intrested nothing I'm looking for per se.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2016, 08:24:08 pm
content: 90% of the contents looks like salvaged PCBs from commercial electronics (DVD players, amplifiers, TVs). It came from a local technical college that cleared their storeroom. I went there hoping to get some testgear bargains, but there was only scrap.McBryce.

author: Aodhan145
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2016, 09:13:17 pm
content: Quote from: McBryce on June 07, 2016, 08:24:08 pmSounds time consuming salvaging components from them. Good luck with that.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2016, 09:19:00 pm
content: There was a couple of boards that caught my eye with Xilinx parts that I wanted. I don't intend salvaging much, just the parts that are worth the bother. There were also some test leads and BNC cables, that I can use.McBryce.

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2016, 01:16:10 pm
content: I do see enough info in picture or text to do a search .How about a link to the search results ?

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2016, 01:50:28 pm
content: Actually most of the information I found about it was here on the Eevblog:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/transistor-curve-tracer-kit-on-ebay/McBryce.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2016, 11:39:02 pm
content: It's this kit here:Unassembledhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/141138017533Assembledhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/301036443390

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2016, 07:35:38 am
content: Yup, that's the one. It's not a high end device, but it seems to give nice, relatively accurate results and would probably make a nice beginners project.McBryce.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 01:52:25 pm
content: IIRC it is actually a slightly modified Elektor design. I bought several of these units and they perform well for what they cost.Fraser

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 03:32:04 pm
content: Yes, I read that somewhere too, but I don't remember it being in Elektor, although I'm a subscriber and read them all.McBryce.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 04:28:17 pm
content: I have the Elektor article somewhere. i will see if I can find it and upload here.From memory, the MK1 version of the Thai curve tracer was slightly different to the Elektor version but the MK2 Thai model may be the same ?I could not buy the parts and make this unit for the cost of a built unit delivered from Thailand !Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 04:34:35 pm
content: Here you go .... Elektor 1989... no wonder you do not recall it.This was when Elektor was full of circuits that used simple components rather than exotics or VLSI programmable chips.I have the Thai units schematic somewhere as well. I will see if I can find it for comparison.EnjoyFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 04:38:03 pm
content: OK, that was easier than expected. Here is the MK1 version. I do not think I have the MK2 schematic but they will be similar except for the relays.There was a thread on here discussing this, and other curve tracers some time back.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 04:42:09 pm
content: Here are the original instructions for the MK1 unitFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 04:55:26 pm
content: Just popped into the lab and there was one of these units sat in my projects box.I took some quick pictures for you including who supplied it.EnjoyFraser

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 05:24:35 pm
content: Cool. Thanks for all the info. I actually read Elektor back then too, but I don't have the magazines from 89 anymore.I still don't have any use for it though, so it's still for sale (or will be disassembled for parts if it doesn't sell).McBryce.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 05:37:48 pm
content: Just made a low resolution copy of the manual for any buyer that needs it.Fraser

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2016, 07:55:31 pm
content: I found the manual (in colour) online and printed it in colour, which will be included when it's sold.McBryce.