Info on transistor testors?

[Dave]

I am in the market for a transistor testor, but don't know what to look for.
What makes a good transistor testor? Anyone have any recommendations? I
have found one used Supercricket TF30 transistor/FET testor for about
$30.00, and another apparently higher-end unit for $150.00, but have no idea
why one is so cheap and the other is so expensive. (Sorry I can't remember
the make or model of the higher-end unit.) Input is greatly appreciated. I
am just a hobbyist, but I want to keep up the trend I have started of
getting decent equipment rather than cheapest/easiest to find.

Thanks,

Dave
db5151@hotmail.com

 

[Ross Mac]

"Dave" <dbeane@genie.idt.net> wrote in message
news:bs358g$c5t@library2.airnews.net...

I am in the market for a transistor testor, but don't know what to look
for.
What makes a good transistor testor? Anyone have any recommendations? I
have found one used Supercricket TF30 transistor/FET testor for about
$30.00, and another apparently higher-end unit for $150.00, but have no
idea
why one is so cheap and the other is so expensive. (Sorry I can't
remember
the make or model of the higher-end unit.) Input is greatly appreciated.
I
am just a hobbyist, but I want to keep up the trend I have started of
getting decent equipment rather than cheapest/easiest to find.

Thanks,

Dave
db5151@hotmail.com


I have always used an ohmmeter...it will not catch all types of failures,

but does work pretty well. I have seen some transistors, especially ones
used as switches, only fail at higher frequencies. For that failure, I just
remove the load, connect the scope and watch the square wave as I drive the
frequency up. There are alot of other ways to test them in circuit too, just
one example here!
There are a bunch of pretty sharp consumer electronics guys over at
sci.electronics.repair that may have some good suggestions for you.

 

[Dave]

"Ross Mac" <this.is.a.mung@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:KHlFb.506859$0v4.21787719@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

"Dave" <dbeane@genie.idt.net> wrote in message
news:bs358g$c5t@library2.airnews.net...
I am in the market for a transistor testor, but don't know what to look
for.
What makes a good transistor testor? Anyone have any recommendations?
I
have found one used Supercricket TF30 transistor/FET testor for about
$30.00, and another apparently higher-end unit for $150.00, but have no
idea
why one is so cheap and the other is so expensive. (Sorry I can't
remember
the make or model of the higher-end unit.) Input is greatly
appreciated.
I
am just a hobbyist, but I want to keep up the trend I have started of
getting decent equipment rather than cheapest/easiest to find.

Thanks,

Dave
db5151@hotmail.com


I have always used an ohmmeter...it will not catch all types of failures,
but does work pretty well. I have seen some transistors, especially ones
used as switches, only fail at higher frequencies. For that failure, I
just
remove the load, connect the scope and watch the square wave as I drive
the
frequency up. There are alot of other ways to test them in circuit too,
just
one example here!
There are a bunch of pretty sharp consumer electronics guys over at
sci.electronics.repair that may have some good suggestions for you.

Sci.electronics.repair! GOOD IDEA! Thanks. I'll do that.

Dave
db5151@hotmail.com