ESR meter wonky

[jakdedert]

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

 

[1PW]

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?FEH9E=6o2@=]4@> [r4o7t]

 

[jakdedert]

Arfa Daily wrote:

"1PW" <barcrnahgjuvfgyr@nby.pbz> wrote in message
news:Ut2dnWDkJuFW7VbVnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
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?FEH9E=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

 

[jakdedert]

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

 

[1PW]

On 09/13/2008 05:15 AM, Arfa Daily sent:

"1PW" <barcrnahgjuvfgyr@nby.pbz> wrote in message
news:Ut2dnWDkJuFW7VbVnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
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?FEH9E=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?FEH9E=6o2@=]4@> [r4o7t]

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

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


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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.

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

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.

 

[1PW]

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?FEH9E=6o2@=]4@> [r4o7t]

 

[John Robertson]

1PW wrote:

On 09/13/2008 05:15 AM, Arfa Daily sent:
"1PW" <barcrnahgjuvfgyr@nby.pbz> wrote in message
news:Ut2dnWDkJuFW7VbVnZ2dnUVZ_s-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
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?FEH9E=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."

 

[John Bachman]

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:44:10 GMT, John Robertson <spam@flippers.com>
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

 

[1PW]

On 09/17/2008 01:51 AM, Arfa Daily sent:

"1PW" <barcrnahgjuvfgyr@nby.pbz> wrote in message
newsoSdnaA0RIG6C1PVnZ2dnUVZ_uednZ2d@comcast.com...
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?FEH9E=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?FEH9E=6o2@=]4@> [r4o7t]