Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems.

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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew
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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter


"Andrew Tweddle" wrote in message
...
My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since been
misplaced.

Andrew


Aaarrrgghhh !!!! That is a calamity ! Bob get on here and sort this man out
immediately !

Arfa


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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

Andrew Tweddle wrote in
:

My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


Bad leads or worn jacks/plugs? Loose nut on the jacks? Bad solder joint at
PCB or at jacks?

Maybe the ESR meter's caps have bad ESR? ;-)


(ironic humor,folks)

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net
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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

Andrew Tweddle wrote:
My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


For what it is worth, I had a similar problem just a few days ago.
Look at the meter leads to make sure the connection to the probe and
banana jacks are solid. Since you are measuring very small resistance,
a poor connection will cause the meter to wander all over the place.
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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

Jim Yanik ) writes:
Andrew Tweddle wrote in
:

My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


Bad leads or worn jacks/plugs? Loose nut on the jacks? Bad solder joint at
PCB or at jacks?

Maybe the ESR meter's caps have bad ESR? ;-)


I was given an old Tektronix scope about 1990, I guess the 545 (the one
from about 1959 with the plugins), and a few years later there was ripple
in the display. I actually figured out which one it was by putting the probe
on the various B+ lines until one of them caused the ripple to double in
amplitude.

I was surprised that when I got to the local "surplus" outlet, they actually
had electrolytics of enough voltage and enough capacitance, for virtually
nothing. My recollection of high voltage electrolytics was their relatively
small value, and these were comparatively high (not thousands, hundred, of
uF). Yet when I needed some higher capacitance high voltage electrolytics,
there they were, handy and cheap.

Michael



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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

On Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:56:44 GMT, Ken wrote:

Andrew Tweddle wrote:
My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


For what it is worth, I had a similar problem just a few days ago.
Look at the meter leads to make sure the connection to the probe and
banana jacks are solid. Since you are measuring very small resistance,
a poor connection will cause the meter to wander all over the place.


And don't forget the leads themselves! My meter has plenty of use & I've had to
cut back the leads a number of times, they tend to fracture internally at the
ends where they flex the most.

PS, I gave up on the banana jacks 'very' early in the piece & hard wired the
leads in ... you'd be amazed how much resistance they have even when they're
clean.

--

Australia isn't "down under", it's "off to one side"!


www.cobracat.com (home of the Australian Cobra Catamaran)
www.parkdaleyc.com (where most of them sail)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cobra-cat/
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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

Stan Blazejewski wrote:
On Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:56:44 GMT, Ken wrote:

Andrew Tweddle wrote:
My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew

For what it is worth, I had a similar problem just a few days ago.
Look at the meter leads to make sure the connection to the probe and
banana jacks are solid. Since you are measuring very small resistance,
a poor connection will cause the meter to wander all over the place.


And don't forget the leads themselves! My meter has plenty of use & I've had to
cut back the leads a number of times, they tend to fracture internally at the
ends where they flex the most.

PS, I gave up on the banana jacks 'very' early in the piece & hard wired the
leads in ... you'd be amazed how much resistance they have even when they're
clean.


That is a good idea. I think I will do the same the next time.

--

Australia isn't "down under", it's "off to one side"!


www.cobracat.com (home of the Australian Cobra Catamaran)
www.parkdaleyc.com (where most of them sail)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cobra-cat/

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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

On 2006-11-27 16:16:01 -0800, Andrew Tweddle
said:

My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


If you bought the ESR meter kit from us (John's Jukes Ltd. aka
FLIPPERS.COM) and installed the MOV, please disconnect one lead of the
MOV. A problem has arisen that is outside of the design specs for using
this as input protection. I hope to have a cure soon, but this is NOT
Bob Parker's design problem, rather it was my attempt to protect the
ESR kits from overvoltage spikes/charged caps that is unfortunately
going wrong.

I am going to try to add a pair of back-to-back diodes in SERIES with
the MOV to see if that cures the error that the MOV introduces to the
meter. Just haven't had a chance to test that idea out fully...

Sorry about that!

I am going to send out a note to everyone that bought a kit from us so
they don't blame Bob!

John :-#(#
--
(Please post followups or tech enquires to the newsgroup) John's
Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9 Call
(604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com "Old pinballers never die, they
just flip out."

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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

John Robertson wrote:



If you bought the ESR meter kit from us (John's Jukes Ltd. aka
FLIPPERS.COM)
John :-#(#

This one came from DSE.

Andrew
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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter


"Andrew Tweddle" wrote in message
...
My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew





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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter


"Andrew Tweddle" wrote in message
...
My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


POTM


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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

Hi John,

I would have emailed you directly but it appears that your email
address is a spam filter.

We developed a protection device for the Dick Smith ESR some years
ago. Since we terminated our relationship with Dick Smith, we no
longer offer Bob's fine design.

Perhaps you would be interested in our protector? It does not
interfere in operation of the ESR meter in any way, can handle up to
400 volts of charge and also discharges the capacitor slowly to avoid
damage to it. Back to back diodes do not control discharge currents
but our device does.

Bob Parker checked out our design and approves of it. By the way, the
design is patented.

If interested email me at john at anatek dot mv dot com

John Bachman
AnaTek Corporation

On Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:27:54 GMT, John Robertson
wrote:

On 2006-11-27 16:16:01 -0800, Andrew Tweddle
said:

My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


If you bought the ESR meter kit from us (John's Jukes Ltd. aka
FLIPPERS.COM) and installed the MOV, please disconnect one lead of the
MOV. A problem has arisen that is outside of the design specs for using
this as input protection. I hope to have a cure soon, but this is NOT
Bob Parker's design problem, rather it was my attempt to protect the
ESR kits from overvoltage spikes/charged caps that is unfortunately
going wrong.

I am going to try to add a pair of back-to-back diodes in SERIES with
the MOV to see if that cures the error that the MOV introduces to the
meter. Just haven't had a chance to test that idea out fully...

Sorry about that!

I am going to send out a note to everyone that bought a kit from us so
they don't blame Bob!

John :-#(#

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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

On 2006-11-30 03:46:51 -0800, John Bachman
said:

Hi John,

I would have emailed you directly but it appears that your email
address is a spam filter.


Actually the email address I use for posting to newsgroups IS valid.
Handy owning your own domain name, and think about how the spam
harvesting programs are likely to treat my email address...

John :-#)#


We developed a protection device for the Dick Smith ESR some years
ago. Since we terminated our relationship with Dick Smith, we no
longer offer Bob's fine design.
Perhaps you would be interested in our protector? It does not
interfere in operation of the ESR meter in any way, can handle up to
400 volts of charge and also discharges the capacitor slowly to avoid
damage to it. Back to back diodes do not control discharge currents
but our device does.

Bob Parker checked out our design and approves of it. By the way, the
design is patented.

If interested email me at john at anatek dot mv dot com

John Bachman
AnaTek Corporation

On Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:27:54 GMT, John Robertson
wrote:

On 2006-11-27 16:16:01 -0800, Andrew Tweddle
said:

My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


If you bought the ESR meter kit from us (John's Jukes Ltd. aka
FLIPPERS.COM) and installed the MOV, please disconnect one lead of the
MOV. A problem has arisen that is outside of the design specs for using
this as input protection. I hope to have a cure soon, but this is NOT
Bob Parker's design problem, rather it was my attempt to protect the
ESR kits from overvoltage spikes/charged caps that is unfortunately
going wrong.

I am going to try to add a pair of back-to-back diodes in SERIES with
the MOV to see if that cures the error that the MOV introduces to the
meter. Just haven't had a chance to test that idea out fully...

Sorry about that!

I am going to send out a note to everyone that bought a kit from us so
they don't blame Bob!

John :-#(#



--
(Please post followups or tech enquires to the newsgroup) John's
Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9 Call
(604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com "Old pinballers never die, they
just flip out."

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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

On 28/11/2006 11:24 Arfa Daily wrote:
"Andrew Tweddle" wrote in message
...
My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since been
misplaced.

Andrew


Aaarrrgghhh !!!! That is a calamity ! Bob get on here and sort this man out
immediately !

Arfa


Howdy,
I unsubscribed from this newsgroup about a month ago, when I got
tired of it looking like the TV guide to the Saturday morning children's
cartoons. I only discovered this thread by doing a Google search for ESR
meters in case anyone was having a problem. It's a subject which is
almost never mentioned any more.
I think that all the likely causes of the readings becoming very
unstable have been covered by others in this thread. The most likely
problem would be something to do with the test leads, like fractured
wires from a lot of use, or the nuts on the test lead jacks working
loose over time, as has already been mentioned.
There's a page of fault-finding info on my website at
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm which *might* be of
some help...

Bob

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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

where does one "purchase" one of your meters?

"Bob Parker" wrote in message
...
On 28/11/2006 11:24 Arfa Daily wrote:
"Andrew Tweddle" wrote in message
...
My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


Aaarrrgghhh !!!! That is a calamity ! Bob get on here and sort this man
out immediately !

Arfa


Howdy,
I unsubscribed from this newsgroup about a month ago, when I got tired
of it looking like the TV guide to the Saturday morning children's
cartoons. I only discovered this thread by doing a Google search for ESR
meters in case anyone was having a problem. It's a subject which is almost
never mentioned any more.
I think that all the likely causes of the readings becoming very
unstable have been covered by others in this thread. The most likely
problem would be something to do with the test leads, like fractured wires
from a lot of use, or the nuts on the test lead jacks working loose over
time, as has already been mentioned.
There's a page of fault-finding info on my website at
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm which *might* be of some
help...

Bob





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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

On 6/12/2006 01:00 Radiosrfun wrote:
where does one "purchase" one of your meters?



Thanks for asking. :-)
If you're in North America, the only sensible place to get one from
would be John's Jukes in Vancouver, Canada. His website's at
http://www.flippers.com
If you're in Australia, you'd just walk into a Dick Smith
Electronics store.
Remember that this is a kit unless you buy one fully built from
John's Jukes.
The EVB ESR meter which is made in Portugal is almost exactly the
same thing, see http://clientes.netvisao.pt/greenpal/evb1.htm


Bob

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On 6/12/2006 02:25 Radiosrfun wrote:
Thanks! I'll have to check into one.


You're welcome. You better get a few user opinions first, because
some people don't like that design very much.

Bob




"Bob Parker" wrote in message
...
On 6/12/2006 01:00 Radiosrfun wrote:
where does one "purchase" one of your meters?


Thanks for asking. :-)
If you're in North America, the only sensible place to get one from
would be John's Jukes in Vancouver, Canada. His website's at
http://www.flippers.com
If you're in Australia, you'd just walk into a Dick Smith
Electronics store.
Remember that this is a kit unless you buy one fully built from
John's Jukes.
The EVB ESR meter which is made in Portugal is almost exactly the same
thing, see http://clientes.netvisao.pt/greenpal/evb1.htm


Bob



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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

Well, since you've mentioned/suggested it - here I am - opening my ears or
is it "eyes" to any suggestions on ESR meters.

Thanks again to Bob and to all who may leave suggestions/comments.

Lou

"Bob Parker" wrote in message
...
On 6/12/2006 02:25 Radiosrfun wrote:
Thanks! I'll have to check into one.


You're welcome. You better get a few user opinions first, because some
people don't like that design very much.

Bob




"Bob Parker" wrote in message
...
On 6/12/2006 01:00 Radiosrfun wrote:
where does one "purchase" one of your meters?

Thanks for asking. :-)
If you're in North America, the only sensible place to get one from
would be John's Jukes in Vancouver, Canada. His website's at
http://www.flippers.com
If you're in Australia, you'd just walk into a Dick Smith
Electronics store.
Remember that this is a kit unless you buy one fully built from
John's Jukes.
The EVB ESR meter which is made in Portugal is almost exactly the
same thing, see http://clientes.netvisao.pt/greenpal/evb1.htm


Bob



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On 6/12/2006 06:56 Radiosrfun wrote:
Well, since you've mentioned/suggested it - here I am - opening my ears or
is it "eyes" to any suggestions on ESR meters.

Thanks again to Bob and to all who may leave suggestions/comments.

Lou



You could start by looking at the comparison of various ESR meters on
the Anatek website at...

http://www.anatekcorp.com/testequipment/esrcompar.htm
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On 2006-12-05 18:09:12 -0800, Bob Parker said:

On 6/12/2006 06:56 Radiosrfun wrote:
Well, since you've mentioned/suggested it - here I am - opening my ears
or is it "eyes" to any suggestions on ESR meters.

Thanks again to Bob and to all who may leave suggestions/comments.

Lou



You could start by looking at the comparison of various ESR meters
on the Anatek website at...

http://www.anatekcorp.com/testequipment/esrcompar.htm


I've been chatting with John at Anatek and he is going to edit that
page to show that the DS ESR kit is NOT discontinued. We shall be
carrying his ESR Meter protection kits as well as some of our own ideas.

John :-#)#
PS, the ESR kits have been shipped from DS in Australia, should be at
the shop any day and we shall ship all backorders ASAP! The
LOPT/Flyback kits are on backorder at DS though, sorry!
--
(Please post followups or tech enquires to the newsgroup) John's
Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9 Call
(604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com "Old pinballers never die, they
just flip out."



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On 2006-12-05 03:10:02 -0800, Bob Parker said:

On 28/11/2006 11:24 Arfa Daily wrote:
"Andrew Tweddle" wrote in message
...
My trusty meter is no longer trusty!
It's display values wonder all over the place, the 9V battery is okay
Any ideas? and also a circuit diagram on the web, mine has long since
been misplaced.

Andrew


Aaarrrgghhh !!!! That is a calamity ! Bob get on here and sort this man
out immediately !

Arfa


Oh, and if you tried adding my MOV over-voltage protection suggestion
it would be best to disconnect it after all, seems to have issues after
a while...

John :-#)#


Howdy,
I unsubscribed from this newsgroup about a month ago, when I got
tired of it looking like the TV guide to the Saturday morning
children's cartoons. I only discovered this thread by doing a Google
search for ESR meters in case anyone was having a problem. It's a
subject which is almost never mentioned any more.
I think that all the likely causes of the readings becoming very
unstable have been covered by others in this thread. The most likely
problem would be something to do with the test leads, like fractured
wires from a lot of use, or the nuts on the test lead jacks working
loose over time, as has already been mentioned.
There's a page of fault-finding info on my website at
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm which *might* be of
some help...

Bob



--
(Please post followups or tech enquires to the newsgroup) John's
Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9 Call
(604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com "Old pinballers never die, they
just flip out."

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Default Bob Parker ESR Meter

Radiosrfun wrote:

Well, since you've mentioned/suggested it - here I am - opening my ears or
is it "eyes" to any suggestions on ESR meters.

[snip]

Get Bob's one, it is good.

Chris
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On 7/12/2006 11:35 Chris Jones wrote:
Radiosrfun wrote:

Well, since you've mentioned/suggested it - here I am - opening my ears or
is it "eyes" to any suggestions on ESR meters.

[snip]

Get Bob's one, it is good.

Chris


Thanks Chris! :-)

Bob


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