Its hard to fault them at the price point but the leads and the mini clip grabbers are pretty flimsy
Cheap Component Tester
- Thread starter EchoWars
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- component tester dca55
elnaldo
Lunatic Member
After using the "no case, no probes" unit for some years, I know it's not ideal, I prefer a unit in a case, but do you know the difference between all those models and the different chips?
I'm considering a DIY kit, perhaps I can get a more expensive unit for less. I can solder a couple of resistors and transistors. But I don't know if a "$40" tester is better than a "$10" one.
I'm considering a DIY kit, perhaps I can get a more expensive unit for less. I can solder a couple of resistors and transistors. But I don't know if a "$40" tester is better than a "$10" one.
northpaw
Super Member
I'll say. I've already had to resolder the wires onto 2 of the 3 mini grabber heads; the third can't be far behind. But I do like having this thing around.
elnaldo
Lunatic Member
Finally bough this 2 from the same vendor, let's see .. One with a square wave generator and freq counter, the other similar to my old one, just in case, I know that one works OK. I think the large one is a DIY Kit. $23 for both units shipped. (NO AFFILIATION)
Without case... I've chosen an extra unit instead of the case. I'll DIY some case and probes down here.
Without case... I've chosen an extra unit instead of the case. I'll DIY some case and probes down here.
Homer4beer
Well-Known Member
Got to keep my eye on this. Looks great.
I find it useful too if I'm subbing a transistor with a replacement with a different pin out. I test original, then replacement. It help me keep elements straight ( nearly foolproof)
Exactly!
crispycircuit
Super Member
Great info....
s-petersen
Scott
Actually I have a DSO nano for times I don't feel like dragging out the full sized unit, it works pretty good for a converted MP3 player(I read that someplace?)And now I'm tempted to get one of this $19 "DIY Oscilloscope Kit"...
Finjima
Well-Known Member
ok i'm back and was looking into these and wondering about the accuracy for testing caps (like remove part for amp board and test after replacing a bad transistor)
I found this also http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg1156384/#msg1156384 these guys are Pro's who dig into these things and replace oscillator clocks and update the firmware, stuff like that. sounds like fun. anyways who has what here and how is what your using working out
I found this also http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg1156384/#msg1156384 these guys are Pro's who dig into these things and replace oscillator clocks and update the firmware, stuff like that. sounds like fun. anyways who has what here and how is what your using working out
The cheap testers work well for showing the current values for resistors, capacitors, diodes and transistors. They are plenty accurate for repairing stereos.
That being said, I use a higher quality digital multimeter to measure voltage and current, so when I need to measure resistance I use that same higher quality DMM instead of the cheap component tester.
When I need to identify a semiconductor like a diode or transistor, especially if I'm matching transistors, I will use my Atlas Peak DCA75 instead of the cheap component tester. They seem to do a similar job, but I trust the DCA more. I relied on the cheap component tester for doing these jobs for a long while until cash was available for the upgrade.
What I don't have is an ESR meter and I think that's ok for me. I I initially thought I should get one but I stalled the purchase decision long enough to realize I don't really need it. If there is an existing electrolytic cap in a unit I'm working on, I'm going to replace it no matter what the ESR is.
That being said, I use a higher quality digital multimeter to measure voltage and current, so when I need to measure resistance I use that same higher quality DMM instead of the cheap component tester.
When I need to identify a semiconductor like a diode or transistor, especially if I'm matching transistors, I will use my Atlas Peak DCA75 instead of the cheap component tester. They seem to do a similar job, but I trust the DCA more. I relied on the cheap component tester for doing these jobs for a long while until cash was available for the upgrade.
What I don't have is an ESR meter and I think that's ok for me. I I initially thought I should get one but I stalled the purchase decision long enough to realize I don't really need it. If there is an existing electrolytic cap in a unit I'm working on, I'm going to replace it no matter what the ESR is.
Was pretty off checking caps the other day.
C meter was pretty dead on. That thing 30% off
C meter was pretty dead on. That thing 30% off
What 'thing'?
Sorry , the cheap tester. I'm not knocking it but wouldn't use it to see if caps were in spec. (at least mine isn't accurate)
