Component Tester - Good form factor - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: PerranOak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 01:38:44 pm
content: Can anyone recommend a version of those cheapo component testers in a nice, usable and safe package.I've had one for a while but it's just a bare circuit board and a dangly battery lead and I keep shorting things with it.Cheers

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 01:41:04 pm
content: I have the TC1 and the TC3. Both have been fine for component testing. I like the TC3 has extra toys, which is cute. But I really like that it's firmware upgradable. I bought the TC1 in a case super cheap on Amazon years ago. The TC3 is around $50.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 02:08:01 pm
content: Search for "component tester" on Aliexpress, there's hundreds.They're all pretty much identical inside.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 02:13:07 pm
content: I just saw FNIRSI makes one with a built-in oscilloscope+sig-gen...https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005298986096.html

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 02:24:03 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on July 18, 2024, 02:13:07 pmThat's the TC3 I was referring to. The sig gen and scope are obviously very basic (mostly toys), but I was able to use the scope to test the foil ends of capacitors.

author: Phil1977
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 03:20:22 pm
content: The FNIRSI-device is 3-4 times more expensive than the T7-transistor tester. The WaveGen and Scope are not even toys. I recommend saving the money.The T7 is available in a closed housing for around €15, I think it even was in such a "order 3 at once"-offer for €7. It contains a supertiny lipo-pouch battery that is so small that I don't believe it can set anything on fire. But it powers the transistor tester a long time and is easily recharged by a USB-C port.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 05:09:41 pm
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on July 18, 2024, 02:24:03 pmI've got one of the standalone $30 'scopes and I've used it many times. It's credit card sized and manages to squeeze in my electronics case with all the other junk.As they say: The very best 'scope is the one you've actually got with you.I only wish it was two channels.(I know there's two-channel toy scopes but they'remuchbigger...)

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 06:15:39 pm
content: I don't call it a toy as a pejorative. I like toys. 😉

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 07:38:11 pm
content: Quote from: PerranOak on July 18, 2024, 01:38:44 pmWhich dangly wire tester do you have? If it's the old bog standard T4 then the basic sheet acrylic cases are very functional, even if not particularly stylish. eg.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/355753267566

author: Kim Christensen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 08:20:26 pm
content: I like this TC1 version. Nice and compact. Just be aware that most of the new ones being sold don't have a genuine ATmega chip so won't be upgradable.List of tester clones.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 09:39:33 pm
content: Here's a comparison of the two I own. The TC3 is 1cm wider than the TC1. I like both, I'd buy either again, but with the change in the chips in the TC1, I'd lean towards the TC3 which is updatable.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 09:49:36 pm
content: I have this one, which has a pleasant form factor.However, the focus is on testing semiconductors.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 10:31:02 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on July 18, 2024, 09:49:36 pmThat's the "TSH06F Integrated Circuit Tester" - it ranges in price from like $30 to $70 for the same thing.I'm gonna buy a cheap one.Or try and control myself? Not sure which will win. 😉

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 10:59:59 pm
content: Hehe,I had paid quite a lot for it, the thing is OK, but you can forget about the auto detection function.In the meantime, I had built my own tester for OP amps.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2024, 01:38:42 am
content: I haven't tried it yet, but a while ago I built this to test audio OAs and DOAs:https://www.fivefishstudios.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=69

author: PerranOak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2024, 04:42:03 pm
content: Gyro, mine just says "LCR-T3-H" on the back.Thanks all, I was just trying to get an idea of the most popular form.Cheers.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2024, 05:07:02 pm
content: Quote from: PerranOak on July 20, 2024, 04:42:03 pmI think most of us on this site call that acollection. 😉

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2024, 05:48:55 pm
content: Quote from: PerranOak on July 20, 2024, 04:42:03 pmA quick look on ebay seems to show that the T3 has the same form factor as the T4, as far as I can tell anyway.It sounds as if you have what you want anyway, whatever you decide to do.