LCR meter recommendation? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 04:28:09 am
content: I would like to purchase an LCR meter in order to measure inductance of guitar pickups. What do you recommend that is not expensive lab grade yet not cheap junk. Thanks!

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 04:54:16 am
content: The DER-EE DE-5000 is a good unit at a good price, and it has a reasonable range of attachments too.

author: GregDunn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 05:48:48 am
content: The DE-5000 is better than some units 2x or 3x its price, and is capable of Kelvin connections to minimize lead effects. Its accuracy is very good. The only issue I have with mine is that you must be certain to put the battery in correctly or you can fry the meter. Some versions do have polarity protection, but it's hard to know until you open it up and check.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 05:55:20 am
content: Reminding myself I need to get back to this thread.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/truth-about-canadian-lcr-tweezer-manufacturers/msg2068102/#msg2068102Follow the links in the first post for another different option o the DER-5000. It was a toss up with me and in the end I opted for the Tweezers. After a bit of use very happy with them but for through hole components some different tips will be made at some stage.But +1 for the DER-5000 for features, performance and value. If I was to add a handheld LCR to the fleet then it would be this one.

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 08:33:50 am
content: Personally I’d go with a XJW01 and these are sold on EBay and also cost than the DE5000 that everyone else has plummet for. It only has the 4wire Kelvin connection so is always in high accuracy mode, it’s fully automatic too so it can detect what you’re measuring and select the right mode.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 09:34:23 am
content: When I looked at them they were a bit limited on Test Frequencies over the DE-5000 and the general accuracy was down with the XJW01. I dropped it off my list due to the frequency limit more than the accuracy.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 09:54:12 am
content: +1 for deree de5000.http://kripton2035.free.fr/LCR%20meters/lcr-deree5000-cl.html

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:06:23 am
content: +1000 for DE-5000I bought mine on ebay several years back, from a Japan seller I think, and got some extra bits and pieces with it (although I have never used them). Nice device but you need to do some learning to understand what it is telling you unless you are already au-fait with that stuff.

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:20:53 am
content: Quote from: beanflying on March 14, 2019, 09:34:23 amIt is true, I think the DE5000 has 10k as opposed to 7.8k but isn’t that more applicable to capacitor ESR testing than inductance on a guitar pickup?

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:30:30 am
content: the de5000 has 100,120,1k,10k and 100khz test frequencies.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:31:38 am
content: They are 100kHz depending on the range. So lower better for lower value L & C's. Quick check looks like Guitar pickups are 1-3H so low frequency accuracy is likely more important to the OP.https://www.deree.com.tw/de-5000-lcr-meter.htmlUnsure of a proper or full spec sheet for the XJW01 or how well they compare?

author: Specmaster
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:43:11 am
content: Quote from: beanflying on March 14, 2019, 10:31:38 amThe pickup is only looking at audio frequencies so the 100k is no use in that application and the difference between 7.8 & 10k minimal. There is somewhere on this forum a thread about the XJW01 and it’s specification etc.

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 11:07:57 pm
content: I have theVictor VC9805A+which I bought some years ago in China very cheaply and it works well for me although I do not use it intensively.Code:Specification:DC Voltage:200mV/2V/20V/200V +-(0.5%+5)1000V +-(1.0%+10)AC Voltage:200mV/2V/20V/200V +-(0.8%+5) 750V +-(1.2%+10)DC Current:2mA/20mA +-(0.8%+10) 200mA +-(1.2%+8) 20A +-(2.0%+5)AC Current:2mA/20mA +-(1.0%+15)200mA +-(2.0%+5) 20A +-(3.0%+10)Resistance:200Ω +-(0.8%+5)2kΩ/20kΩ/200kΩ/2MΩ +-(0.8%+3) 20MΩ +-(1.0%+25) 200MΩ +-[5.0%(reading-10)+30]Capacitance: 20nF/200nF/2uF/20uF ¡À(2.5%+20) 200uF ¡À(5.0%+10)Inductance: 2mH/20mH/200mH/2H/20H ¡À(2.5%+30)Frequency:200kHz ¡À(3.0%+18)Celsius:(-20~1000)C ¡À(1.0%+5) Fahrenheit: (0~1832)F ¡À(0.75%+5)Features:Diod Transistor testContinuity buzzerLow battery indicationData holdAuto power offBacklightFunction protectionShockproof protectionInput impedance:10 MΩSampling rate:3 times/sAC Frequency response:40~400HzManual rangeMax. Display:1999LCD size:70x50mmStandard Accessories:Test leadsInstruction manualTP01 temperature probe

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 11:44:26 pm
content: Thanks everyone for the recommendations so far.What do you think about the Peak Atlas LCR45 - LCR Impedance Meter?https://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/lcr45-lcr-impedance-meter.htmlWhat about the Peak Atlas LCR40 - Atlas LCR Passive Component Analyser?https://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/lcr40-atlas-lcr-meter.html

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 12:08:59 am
content: Quote from: Axtman on March 14, 2019, 11:44:26 pmGood stuff and they're members here and offer some deals:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/special-offer-to-eevblog-forum-members/

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 07:20:57 am
content: peak measures with 2 wires method, deree5000 measures with 4 wires.almost same price for both devices.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 11:36:10 am
content: Go for the de5000, best value for the price, my friend bought oneVery practical