Blue ESR Capacitor Tester Analyzer

[Structo]

I pulled the trigger on this the other day.

I should have it by Friday.

The neat thing is you can measure in circuit (Don't forget to discharge the caps!)

This handy and affordable meter measures capacitor equivalent series resistance (ESR) in the circuit. ESR is a very important characteristic of capacitors greater than 1 ufd. This meter makes measurements which are often impossible to check with capacitance meters.

Also great for measuring very low values of resistance.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... efid=store

[img:359:400]http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Blue-ESR-Capacit ... w~~0_1.JPG[/img]

[Structo]

Anybody here have one of these?

[Phazor]

Hi Tom,

I don't have one but I'm looking at a B&K in circuit from MCM. There are several that interest me. SMD construction is the main thing I want to be able to service. It seems I run into bad caps & esr always bringing down circuits and without one of these you need esp to figure things out.

I want to hear what you think about this. I've also looked at :

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/73-1295

This is an esr tester but I'm not sure it's in circuit. Its also a 40000 count LCR tester which would be handy. I want a quick go/no go in circuit tester however 1st.

[Structo]

Looks like it has more features.

I chose the one I did on reviews and price.

B&K makes a in circuit ESR meter.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/7 ... 17F818A1C0

[Tillydog]

I have the Mk I version (with the red LED display) a bit like this:

[img:240:320]http://www.flippers.com/images/esr_mk2.jpg[/img]

The kit was $50 IIRC, which I didn't think was too bad. I got it when I was earning beer money repairing AT power supplies. It works well enough, but I don't think I have ever found anything with it that wasn't obvious just by looking... I've never tried it on amp caps.

Not a 'must-have' IMHO... :-/

[NickC]

I have this one.

[VacuumVoodoo]

Got this one a few weeks ago:

http://dx.com/p/ms5308-4-lcd-portable-h ... -aa-113585

Apart from ESR the inductance measurement is pretty helpful in troubleshooting transformers. I'm so far satisfied with the instrument.
3 points to observe:
1. The manual is very basic, no instruction on how to perform calibration
2. Mine came without AC supply, apparently there are (were) some problems. I adapted a generic one from my junk bin and it works without any hick-ups.
3. Some older units are sold with serial RS232 PC interface, newer ones are opto-USB.These are the ones without AC supply.

There are pretty extensive tests/reviews on the u-tube.

[billyz]

I use an antique model. Heathkit it-28.
Measures leakage at proper high voltage, esr (power factor) , can measure turns ratio of transformers , reform old electrolytics, and just a whole lot of fun!

[martin manning]

Oooh! a magic eye!

[Structo]

Oooh! a magic eye!

Ditto!

That is very cool.

[Tillydog]

I use an antique model. Heathkit it-28...

Now *that* I would want! (And not just for the 'magic eye'!)

[Structo]

When I was a kid I built a Heathkit VTVM.
Wish I still had it.

[malt]

got this a few years back http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr60.html

[Structo]

I have a Peak Atlas DCA55 transistor tester.
I got it when I was trying to built the ultimate Germanium fuzz pedal.

Top notch.

It show me how many Ge transistors on the market are crap.
Including the 100 Ge transistors I bought from Germany.