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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Maximite ESR/ CAP METER
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OA47 Guru  Joined: 11/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 899 |
I have been experimenting with the idea of building an ESR/CAP meter using the maximite and just thought maybe some one has tread down this path before me. I am trying to produce a unit similar in operation to the "ESR-micro v4.0" which displays both ESR and Capacitance on a 2 line LCD. I have included a link to show its operation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vQB 7te6SunY Any comments welcome |
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donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1310 |
Corrected the link Graeme: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vQB 7te6SunY The forum puts a space in it. It appears to be a variant of Bob Parker's (Another well known aussie) ESR meter: You can read a lot about it right here: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrtext.htm and here are the original (Dick Smith) and comparable devices: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrmeter.htm Don... https://www.32v8.com/1 |
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| OA47 Guru Joined: 11/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 899 |
Thanks Don, I should have remembered the forum added the spaces. It is a pity that Dick Smith was the kit distributer of Bob Parkers designs, as people may be aware they dont do the good stuff anymore. I liked the Russian design as it shows both the Capacitance and ESR on the one reading, but like DSE it is not available either. Anyway I thought it would be a good project for the Maximite. |
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| donmck Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1310 |
Yes, I agree, it would be a good project to display the MaxiMite's abilities. I often think about how many electronics projects that could be duplicated or replaced with a MaxiMite. I often exchange emails with Bob, so please let the group know how you are getting on if you go ahead, as I'm sure Bob would be pleased that one of his designs was the inspiration for you. Don... https://www.32v8.com/1 |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1326 |
Hi Graeme, Your reply to Juri74 reminded me of this meter you were thinking of building. Did you ever go ahead with it? Greg |
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| OA47 Guru Joined: 11/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 899 |
Greg as my need became more urgent, I built a meter using discrete components and put the maximite version on the back-burner (it only just fits with the many projects already there) some of the issues that haunted me were the power consumption of the maximite (including the LCD ) that would make battery operation difficult and the need for discharge protection for the device when a capacitor was connected. Graeme |
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| MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
@paceman, I am willing to have a go at the MM ESR project. I had another read through GG's article using a function generator and CRO and I think it can be done using a MM and an op amp or two or even a function generator XR chip - if nothing else but for the sheer fun of it. here David M. |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1326 |
Hi Graeme, Hmmm, I hadn't considered the power usage problem but I guess if you're only doing occasional checks in your "hobby workshop" on caps you have available it's not a big issue. I can see it would be a problem for a techie though. My need is pretty limited, I just wanted to check some 10uF SMD caps I bought cheaply from Rockby to see if they might be OK for the 'finicky' Vcap line. I guess discharging them is no bother but if you are working on big caps it's "user beware". Greg |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1326 |
Hi David, I hadn't read Geoff's "ESR project" piece - I think I'll have a look at those Rockby caps using his suggestion. I think an ESR meter project (ESR + CAP even better) would be a good idea - and fun for someone capable (the latter's probably not me!). A lot of Maximiters won't have a 'scope so using Geoff's method is not on for them, even for only an occasional check. Also the commercial meters based on Don's link (above) are pretty expensive so not too many hobbyists are likely to buy one for only very occasional use. I read Bob Parker's information from Don's link - that certainly has a lot of information. The 2004 Silicon Chip article mentioned in it would no doubt be pretty instructive but unfortunately I don't have copies going back that far. Greg |
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| OA47 Guru Joined: 11/04/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 899 |
One of the main requirements that I had in mind was an in-circuit tester so that the cap did not need to be unsoldered to be tested hence the need for portability and discharge protection. Graeme |
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