ESR meter wonky
My Dick Smith Series II meter is giving me fits. Upon initial power up,
it works fine. Then it starts giving erroneous high ESR readings. When this happens, I attempt to zero the meter. Instead, it shuts off, and refuses to zero out. After a few moments, it works fine again until the entire cycle starts again. I subbed a 9v battery for the included pack...mostly because I didn't have any AAAs around when I first built it. The unit gets light use around my hobby shop. The battery reads 9.05v open circuit, and pulls down to 9.01v under load, so I don't believe it to be the fault (although I included the info, just in case). Anyone have similar issues? jak |
ESR meter wonky
On 09/13/2008 12:38 AM, jakdedert sent:
My Dick Smith Series II meter is giving me fits. Upon initial power up, it works fine. Then it starts giving erroneous high ESR readings. When this happens, I attempt to zero the meter. Instead, it shuts off, and refuses to zero out. After a few moments, it works fine again until the entire cycle starts again. I subbed a 9v battery for the included pack...mostly because I didn't have any AAAs around when I first built it. The unit gets light use around my hobby shop. The battery reads 9.05v open circuit, and pulls down to 9.01v under load, so I don't believe it to be the fault (although I included the info, just in case). Anyone have similar issues? jak Hello: I have the original so that won't help but, does this? http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm Please let us know. Good luck to you! -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] |
ESR meter wonky
"1PW" wrote in message ... On 09/13/2008 12:38 AM, jakdedert sent: My Dick Smith Series II meter is giving me fits. Upon initial power up, it works fine. Then it starts giving erroneous high ESR readings. When this happens, I attempt to zero the meter. Instead, it shuts off, and refuses to zero out. After a few moments, it works fine again until the entire cycle starts again. I subbed a 9v battery for the included pack...mostly because I didn't have any AAAs around when I first built it. The unit gets light use around my hobby shop. The battery reads 9.05v open circuit, and pulls down to 9.01v under load, so I don't believe it to be the fault (although I included the info, just in case). Anyone have similar issues? jak Hello: I have the original so that won't help but, does this? http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm Please let us know. Good luck to you! -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] Second item down in the section "Power Control Problems" or fourth item down in "Incorrect Readings and Display 'Freezing' " sections on the page linked by 1PW seem as though they might cover it, Jak Arfa |
ESR meter wonky
Arfa Daily wrote:
"1PW" wrote in message ... On 09/13/2008 12:38 AM, jakdedert sent: My Dick Smith Series II meter is giving me fits. Upon initial power up, it works fine. Then it starts giving erroneous high ESR readings. When this happens, I attempt to zero the meter. Instead, it shuts off, and refuses to zero out. After a few moments, it works fine again until the entire cycle starts again. I subbed a 9v battery for the included pack...mostly because I didn't have any AAAs around when I first built it. The unit gets light use around my hobby shop. The battery reads 9.05v open circuit, and pulls down to 9.01v under load, so I don't believe it to be the fault (although I included the info, just in case). Anyone have similar issues? jak Hello: I have the original so that won't help but, does this? http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm Please let us know. Good luck to you! -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] Second item down in the section "Power Control Problems" or fourth item down in "Incorrect Readings and Display 'Freezing' " sections on the page linked by 1PW seem as though they might cover it, Jak Arfa It appears to have. It was this entry: Meter switches off instead of zeroing: It will do this if the test lead circuit resistance is higher than 0.99 ohms. Check that the nuts on the banana sockets are tight, and that the banana sockets and plugs aren't oxidized. A solid squirt of CRC Contact Cleaner on the plugs then some serious jiggling in their sockets can help a lot. At first I thought one of my meter leads was dodgy, but some tightening and wiggling and all appears good...well, a little wonky yet, but at least it's a known problem with defined solution. If need be, I'll disassemble and reassemble everything in that area...maybe buy some real meter leads. jak |
ESR meter wonky
1PW wrote:
On 09/13/2008 12:38 AM, jakdedert sent: My Dick Smith Series II meter is giving me fits. Upon initial power up, it works fine. Then it starts giving erroneous high ESR readings. When this happens, I attempt to zero the meter. Instead, it shuts off, and refuses to zero out. After a few moments, it works fine again until the entire cycle starts again. I subbed a 9v battery for the included pack...mostly because I didn't have any AAAs around when I first built it. The unit gets light use around my hobby shop. The battery reads 9.05v open circuit, and pulls down to 9.01v under load, so I don't believe it to be the fault (although I included the info, just in case). Anyone have similar issues? jak Hello: I have the original so that won't help but, does this? http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm Please let us know. Good luck to you! It did indeed (see reply to Arfa). Thanks a bunch! For the record, the 9v battery seems to be holding up well; but this unit doesn't get daily (maybe weekly or even monthly) use. If it did, I'd likely install the AAA pack. I carved out a piece of foam to fill the space, with a recess for the cell...insulated the back of the pcb. jak |
ESR meter wonky
On 09/13/2008 05:15 AM, Arfa Daily sent:
"1PW" wrote in message ... On 09/13/2008 12:38 AM, jakdedert sent: My Dick Smith Series II meter is giving me fits. Upon initial power up, it works fine. Then it starts giving erroneous high ESR readings. When this happens, I attempt to zero the meter. Instead, it shuts off, and refuses to zero out. After a few moments, it works fine again until the entire cycle starts again. I subbed a 9v battery for the included pack...mostly because I didn't have any AAAs around when I first built it. The unit gets light use around my hobby shop. The battery reads 9.05v open circuit, and pulls down to 9.01v under load, so I don't believe it to be the fault (although I included the info, just in case). Anyone have similar issues? jak Hello: I have the original so that won't help but, does this? http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm Please let us know. Good luck to you! -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] Second item down in the section "Power Control Problems" or fourth item down in "Incorrect Readings and Display 'Freezing' " sections on the page linked by 1PW seem as though they might cover it, Jak Arfa Hello Arfa: I used my original K7204 DSE ESR meter kit for troubleshooting computer peripherals and computer terminals for years. I'm sorry to say I didn't keep updated over the years. Why do you think Dick Smith Electronics discontinued it and the K7214 Mark II? I've read your postings regarding others. Have any other low cost alternatives come to market recently that look good to you? Back in 2006, I see a thread where you folks had discussed the Peak ESR60 in passing and the BlueESR Kit from http://www.mainelectronics.com/esrkit.htm certainly looks OK. I've also seen the Anatek comparisons but perhaps they're somewhat self serving. Thank you! Pete -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] |
ESR meter wonky
"1PW" wrote in message . .. On 09/13/2008 05:15 AM, Arfa Daily sent: "1PW" wrote in message ... On 09/13/2008 12:38 AM, jakdedert sent: My Dick Smith Series II meter is giving me fits. Upon initial power up, it works fine. Then it starts giving erroneous high ESR readings. When this happens, I attempt to zero the meter. Instead, it shuts off, and refuses to zero out. After a few moments, it works fine again until the entire cycle starts again. I subbed a 9v battery for the included pack...mostly because I didn't have any AAAs around when I first built it. The unit gets light use around my hobby shop. The battery reads 9.05v open circuit, and pulls down to 9.01v under load, so I don't believe it to be the fault (although I included the info, just in case). Anyone have similar issues? jak Hello: I have the original so that won't help but, does this? http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm Please let us know. Good luck to you! -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] Second item down in the section "Power Control Problems" or fourth item down in "Incorrect Readings and Display 'Freezing' " sections on the page linked by 1PW seem as though they might cover it, Jak Arfa Hello Arfa: I used my original K7204 DSE ESR meter kit for troubleshooting computer peripherals and computer terminals for years. I'm sorry to say I didn't keep updated over the years. Why do you think Dick Smith Electronics discontinued it and the K7214 Mark II? I've read your postings regarding others. Have any other low cost alternatives come to market recently that look good to you? Back in 2006, I see a thread where you folks had discussed the Peak ESR60 in passing and the BlueESR Kit from http://www.mainelectronics.com/esrkit.htm certainly looks OK. I've also seen the Anatek comparisons but perhaps they're somewhat self serving. Thank you! Pete I've sent you a mail off-group Pete. Let me know. Arfa |
ESR meter wonky
"Arfa Daily" wrote in message ... "1PW" wrote in message . .. On 09/13/2008 05:15 AM, Arfa Daily sent: "1PW" wrote in message ... On 09/13/2008 12:38 AM, jakdedert sent: My Dick Smith Series II meter is giving me fits. Upon initial power up, it works fine. Then it starts giving erroneous high ESR readings. When this happens, I attempt to zero the meter. Instead, it shuts off, and refuses to zero out. After a few moments, it works fine again until the entire cycle starts again. I subbed a 9v battery for the included pack...mostly because I didn't have any AAAs around when I first built it. The unit gets light use around my hobby shop. The battery reads 9.05v open circuit, and pulls down to 9.01v under load, so I don't believe it to be the fault (although I included the info, just in case). Anyone have similar issues? jak Hello: I have the original so that won't help but, does this? http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm Please let us know. Good luck to you! -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] Second item down in the section "Power Control Problems" or fourth item down in "Incorrect Readings and Display 'Freezing' " sections on the page linked by 1PW seem as though they might cover it, Jak Arfa Hello Arfa: I used my original K7204 DSE ESR meter kit for troubleshooting computer peripherals and computer terminals for years. I'm sorry to say I didn't keep updated over the years. Why do you think Dick Smith Electronics discontinued it and the K7214 Mark II? I've read your postings regarding others. Have any other low cost alternatives come to market recently that look good to you? Back in 2006, I see a thread where you folks had discussed the Peak ESR60 in passing and the BlueESR Kit from http://www.mainelectronics.com/esrkit.htm certainly looks OK. I've also seen the Anatek comparisons but perhaps they're somewhat self serving. Thank you! Pete I've sent you a mail off-group Pete. Let me know. Arfa OK. The mail I tried to send you bounced, so guess the email addr is not valid. Please mail me off-group with a valid address, and I'll send you something about the "Blue" that you will find interesting, I'm sure. Arfa |
ESR meter wonky
Arfa Daily wrote: OK. The mail I tried to send you bounced, so guess the email addr is not valid. Please mail me off-group with a valid address, and I'll send you something about the "Blue" that you will find interesting, I'm sure. Arfa It is in ROT-13 -- http://improve-usenet.org/index.html aioe.org, Goggle Groups, and Web TV users must request to be white listed, or I will not see your messages. If you have broadband, your ISP may have a NNTP news server included in your account: http://www.usenettools.net/ISP.htm There are two kinds of people on this earth: The crazy, and the insane. The first sign of insanity is denying that you're crazy. |
ESR meter wonky
In article ,
"Arfa Daily" wrote: something about the "Blue" that you will find interesting, I'm sure. Arfa- I assembled the blue one a few months ago, and am quite pleased with it. The only shortcoming I've found was that it won't measure 99 Ohms! I tried calibrating it to that, but it always jumps to infinity. Fred |
ESR meter wonky
"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message m... Arfa Daily wrote: OK. The mail I tried to send you bounced, so guess the email addr is not valid. Please mail me off-group with a valid address, and I'll send you something about the "Blue" that you will find interesting, I'm sure. Arfa It is in ROT-13 The first sign of insanity is denying that you're crazy. Thanks Michael. We're in touch now. Arfa |
ESR meter wonky
"Fred McKenzie" wrote in message ... In article , "Arfa Daily" wrote: something about the "Blue" that you will find interesting, I'm sure. Arfa- I assembled the blue one a few months ago, and am quite pleased with it. The only shortcoming I've found was that it won't measure 99 Ohms! I tried calibrating it to that, but it always jumps to infinity. Fred I have a Blue as well as a Mk 1, but have never noticed / checked if it does this. Normally, if measuring low resistance above an expected value of about 20 ohms or so, rather than ESR, I tend to use my conventional DMM, so I can't say that I've really looked up at the limits of its display capability. If I get time today, I'll stick a low-value pot across it, and see where it 'bombs out'. FWIW, I think that the Blue is a fine successor to the original BP / DSE Mk 1, and represents a very good value for money instrument, particularly if you take advantage of the additional savings from building it yourself from the kit. Arfa |
ESR meter wonky
Arfa Daily wrote: Thanks Michael. We're in touch now. You're welcome. Take care! -- http://improve-usenet.org/index.html aioe.org, Goggle Groups, and Web TV users must request to be white listed, or I will not see your messages. If you have broadband, your ISP may have a NNTP news server included in your account: http://www.usenettools.net/ISP.htm There are two kinds of people on this earth: The crazy, and the insane. The first sign of insanity is denying that you're crazy. |
ESR meter wonky
On 09/14/2008 11:09 AM, Michael A. Terrell sent:
Arfa Daily wrote: OK. The mail I tried to send you bounced, so guess the email addr is not valid. Please mail me off-group with a valid address, and I'll send you something about the "Blue" that you will find interesting, I'm sure. Arfa It is in ROT-13 Hi Michael: ....and the one in the sig block is ROT47. Still, once you're harvested, the spam/phishing/scams never stop. http://www.webutils.pl/ROTencode Pete -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] |
ESR meter wonky
1PW wrote:
On 09/13/2008 05:15 AM, Arfa Daily sent: "1PW" wrote in message ... On 09/13/2008 12:38 AM, jakdedert sent: My Dick Smith Series II meter is giving me fits. Upon initial power up, it works fine. Then it starts giving erroneous high ESR readings. When this happens, I attempt to zero the meter. Instead, it shuts off, and refuses to zero out. After a few moments, it works fine again until the entire cycle starts again. I subbed a 9v battery for the included pack...mostly because I didn't have any AAAs around when I first built it. The unit gets light use around my hobby shop. The battery reads 9.05v open circuit, and pulls down to 9.01v under load, so I don't believe it to be the fault (although I included the info, just in case). Anyone have similar issues? jak Hello: I have the original so that won't help but, does this? http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrprob.htm Please let us know. Good luck to you! -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] Second item down in the section "Power Control Problems" or fourth item down in "Incorrect Readings and Display 'Freezing' " sections on the page linked by 1PW seem as though they might cover it, Jak Arfa Hello Arfa: I used my original K7204 DSE ESR meter kit for troubleshooting computer peripherals and computer terminals for years. I'm sorry to say I didn't keep updated over the years. Why do you think Dick Smith Electronics discontinued it and the K7214 Mark II? I've read your postings regarding others. Have any other low cost alternatives come to market recently that look good to you? Back in 2006, I see a thread where you folks had discussed the Peak ESR60 in passing and the BlueESR Kit from http://www.mainelectronics.com/esrkit.htm certainly looks OK. I've also seen the Anatek comparisons but perhaps they're somewhat self serving. Thank you! Pete The BLUE ESR kit is designed by Bob Parker and is the Mark III version of the original Dick Smith device. The software is identical to the Mark II. Anatek produces them and a number of folks (including Main Electronics and myself) sell the kits. So it is an updated PCB design in a nicer case than the DS version. John :-#)# -- (Please post followups or tech inquiries 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." |
ESR meter wonky
"1PW" wrote in message . .. On 09/14/2008 11:09 AM, Michael A. Terrell sent: Arfa Daily wrote: OK. The mail I tried to send you bounced, so guess the email addr is not valid. Please mail me off-group with a valid address, and I'll send you something about the "Blue" that you will find interesting, I'm sure. Arfa It is in ROT-13 Hi Michael: ...and the one in the sig block is ROT47. Still, once you're harvested, the spam/phishing/scams never stop. http://www.webutils.pl/ROTencode Pete -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] Pete Did you receive the mail with the PDF attachment ? Arfa |
ESR meter wonky
On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:44:10 GMT, John Robertson
wrote: snipped Arfa's helpful comments Hello Arfa: I used my original K7204 DSE ESR meter kit for troubleshooting computer peripherals and computer terminals for years. I'm sorry to say I didn't keep updated over the years. Why do you think Dick Smith Electronics discontinued it and the K7214 Mark II? I've read your postings regarding others. Have any other low cost alternatives come to market recently that look good to you? Back in 2006, I see a thread where you folks had discussed the Peak ESR60 in passing and the BlueESR Kit from http://www.mainelectronics.com/esrkit.htm certainly looks OK. I've also seen the Anatek comparisons but perhaps they're somewhat self serving. Thank you! Pete The BLUE ESR kit is designed by Bob Parker and is the Mark III version of the original Dick Smith device. The software is identical to the Mark II. Anatek produces them and a number of folks (including Main Electronics and myself) sell the kits. So it is an updated PCB design in a nicer case than the DS version. John :-#)# A small correction and some more useful info: The Blue ESR uses the exact same micro firmware as the Mark II version formerly offered by DSE. Therefore anyone with a DSE Mark II with a bad micro can replace it with the Blue. We will make those available. The Blue pcb design is new and is much more robust than the old DSE design. The pcb and components are all higher quality than DSE used, especially toward the end of their offering. The enclosure is much stronger than others. I have actually grabbed one by the test leads and swung it over my head and slammed it onto a hard table - still works. Gotta get that on YouTube someday. One improvement that Bob made on this one was to do some clever pcb layout to make the unit less susceptible to damage to the micro when connected to a charged cap. He routed the discharge currents away from the micro circuitry. I have tested it up to 250 volts with no damage. In fact, I went to a big cap at 350 volts that actually burned up pc tracks but still no micro damage - pretty impressive. We currently have distributors in Canada (John Robertson referred to them), UK, New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia. Hopefully Poland will be added soon. See the distributors at www.anatekcorp.com/ESR distributors.htm. Jestine Yong at Noahtech has published a very nice piece on how to get the most from your ESR meter at http://www.electronicrepairguide.com/esrmeter.html John AnaTek Corporation www.anatekcorp.com/blueesr.htm |
ESR meter wonky
On 09/17/2008 01:51 AM, Arfa Daily sent:
"1PW" wrote in message . .. On 09/14/2008 11:09 AM, Michael A. Terrell sent: Arfa Daily wrote: OK. The mail I tried to send you bounced, so guess the email addr is not valid. Please mail me off-group with a valid address, and I'll send you something about the "Blue" that you will find interesting, I'm sure. Arfa It is in ROT-13 Hi Michael: ...and the one in the sig block is ROT47. Still, once you're harvested, the spam/phishing/scams never stop. http://www.webutils.pl/ROTencode Pete -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] Pete Did you receive the mail with the PDF attachment ? Arfa Yes! Thank you Arfa. I'll respond to your email soon. -- 1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t] |
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