Mega328 Transistor Tester?

[Robb]

See one of these yet? You probably have if you spend any time on eBay.

I bought one to see how this thing works against its claims. While not a highly accurate piece of test gear, I have found it to be indispensable for working on radios and other electronic stuff.

Why do you ask, you say? Because I think that it will make the work go so much faster that using a multimeter in many circumstances. Test a final or driver? Unsolder the transistor's leads from the board and use clip leads (not included in some versions) to connect to the transistor under test. One step - real fast and accurate (gives hfE reading too), as it can also test mosfets and jfets. Diodes, LED diodes, and zeners too as it reads out their forward voltage. Capacitor test also gives you the ESR value, which saves you money on a dedicated ESR meter. Tests chokes and resistors too. And more. For less than/around $10.

No, you cannot use it as a voltmeter, continuity, or ammeter test; you will pop it if you do that. You will still need a DVM; no getting around that.

Its just a wide range component tester. But if you are a beginner or a vet alike, it makes working on radios faster. It has for me. Worth the money in time to use and expense? IMO - without a doubt. If you are a beginner, then it becomes a real help.

If interested, I found them on Alibaba for ~$8/shipping incl; cheapest I've seen:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mega328-Transistor-Tester-Diode-Triode-Capacitance-ESR-Meter-MOS-PNP-NPN-M328/32665967930.html?uttaskid=37001&utcontentid=976&utalgorithmid=2&tracelog=rowan&rowan_id1=eclc_en_1_1_en_US_2017-05-01&rowan_msg_id=trebUTT_37001_$00770cd34553411e863a32fc0fd38a9c&ck=in_edm_other

Component tester

 

[sonoma]

i have 2 of this type tester. made a box for them with leads and it works great. I have used mine now for about 3 or 4 years. they work better than some of the old school testers put out by B&K and sencore. the only thing it is not real good on is a large cap. but all in all you can not beat it. most of the guy's on cbtrivks uses this tester or a version of it. it will always tell you if you have a bad trans or fet. I have the high dollar B7k and sencore meters and they just set on the bench.

 

[Klondike Mike]

I've been looking for a zener tester. 5-10-20 volt ... this seemed to work well for that?

 

[BBB]

Cool tool. Just ordered one up with the clear plastic casing for around $12 on the bay. Thanks for the heads up

 

[Robb]

I've been looking for a zener tester. 5-10-20 volt ... this seemed to work well for that?

Actually, I haven't tried a zener with it. Perhaps sonoma has and he can answer that. I have tested regular diodes a lot. LEDs are great on this device, since it will tell you the forward/turn on voltage of any stray LED you may have that you want to use. Then just use an online LED calculator to figure out what resistor to use.

Tested a lot of mosfets and transistors I had just laying around, in which case I found all of the ones that were bad and just tossed them out. Same for diodes.

 

[sonoma]

the ones I have are a little different than yours but about the same as to what it does. I have used mine on zenors and mine tells me what it is. works good. you have to remember the seller programs them for sale. you have to read just what each one is programed for. that is why I have 2 of them. both are different just a little from the other.

Mike if you will think back Radio tech was the one to buy the 1st tester and he got us all to buying them. 577Jersey had bout a tester off ebay for 99.00 and he bought one of the 4.00 ones back 4 years ago and the 4.00 did more than his 99.00 one did. I retired my super cricket after I bought the cheap tester. it worked better. even have a 450.00 sencore cap tester that was not as good as my cheapy one I bought

 

[Robb]

Forgot to mention that it can also test surface mount devices . . .

 

[Klondike Mike]

the ones I have are a little different than yours but about the same as to what it does. I have used mine on zenors and mine tells me what it is. works good. .......
Mike if you will think back Radio tech was the one to buy the 1st tester and he got us all to buying them.

Yes, I remember that post by RT and reviewed; http://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/diy-m12864-graphics-version-transistor-tester-kit-lcr-esr-pwm.193063/#post-536173
I continue to use that unit but mine does not measure zener voltage.

Here's a link I found on Ebay for the above mentioned tester in this thread;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322480765188?var=511456224101&ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

 

[Sarasota Slim]

Good for beginners, eh? That most certainly describes me, lol.

I'm glad that thing is inexpensive, because it just made my wish list.

 

[BBB]

Yes that is the one I ordered. Chinglish features include...

LCR-T4 transistor tester:

• Brand new
  
• Power: 9V battery (not included)
  
• Test ranges: inductors, capacitors, diodes, dual diode , mos, transistor, SCR, the regulator, LED tube, ESR, resistance, adjustable potentiometer.
  
• Resistance: 0.1 ohm resolution, maximum 50M ohm.
  
• Capacitor: 25pf -100,000 uf
  
• Inductors: 0.01mh-20H
  
• 2013 latest M328 version of the software, more functions.
  
• 128*64 big Back light LCD display, only 2mA when stand by.

Function:

• Automatic detection of NPN and PNP transistors, N-channel and P-channel MOSFET, diode (including double diode), thyristor, transistor, resistor and capacitor and other components.
  
• Automatic test the pin of a component and display on the LCD.
  
• Can be detected to determine the transistor emitter forward bias voltage of the transistor, MOSFET protection diode and the amplification factor of the base.
  
• Measure the gate threshold voltage and gate capacitance of the MOSFET.
  
• With green back light.
  
• Auto power off function to save battery power, improve battery life.

Feature:

• Easy to operate.
  
• Durable and practical.
  
• One key measure operation, time delay automatic power off. Turn off the current only 20mA, to support the operation of the battery.
  
• Measuring bipolar transistor current amplification factor and base - emitter threshold voltage.
  
• Via the base - emitter threshold voltage and high current amplification factor to identify Darlington transistors.
  
• Can simultaneously measure two resistors and resistor symbol is displayed.
  
• Displayed on the right with a decimal value of 4.
  
• Resistance symbol on both sides shows the pin number.
  
• You can measure the potentiometer.
  
• If the potentiometer wiper is not transferred to an extreme position, we can distinguish the middle and both ends of the pin.
  
• The resolution of the measurement of resistance is 0.1 ohm, the highest measured value of 50M ohm.
  
• Can measure capacitance.Can measure capacitance of 30pF-100mF, resolution 1pF.
  
• 2uF more capacitors can simultaneously measure the equivalent series resistance ESR values.
  
• The two can be displayed with a decimal value, resolution 0.01 ohms.
  
• Can be in the correct order and the diode symbol display two diodes, and gives the diode forward voltage.
  
• LED is detected as a diode forward voltage higher. Combo of the LED is identified as two diodes.
  
• Reverse breakdown voltage is less than 4.5V Zener diode can be identified.
  
• Can measure a single diode reverse capacitance.
  
• If the bipolar transistor connected to the base and collector or emitter of a pin, it can measure the collector or emitter junction reverse capacitance.
  
• Can be obtained with a single measurement rectifier bridge connection.

Package included: (depend on your optional)

• A: 1pc x LCR-T4 Transistor Tester With Case (battery is not included)
  
• B: 1pc x LCR-T4 Transistor Tester Case

 

[Klondike Mike]

Reverse breakdown voltage is less than 4.5V Zener diode can be identified.

My translation of this Chinglish would be any zener between 1.8 and 4.5v can be measured. Not very useful on my bench.

 

[kaos513]

See one of these yet? You probably have if you spend any time on eBay.

I bought one to see how this thing works against its claims. While not a highly accurate piece of test gear, I have found it to be indispensable for working on radios and other electronic stuff.

Why do you ask, you say? Because I think that it will make the work go so much faster that using a multimeter in many circumstances. Test a final or driver? Unsolder the transistor's leads from the board and use clip leads (not included in some versions) to connect to the transistor under test. One step - real fast and accurate (gives hfE reading too), as it can also test mosfets and jfets. Diodes, LED diodes, and zeners too as it reads out their forward voltage. Capacitor test also gives you the ESR value, which saves you money on a dedicated ESR meter. Tests chokes and resistors too. And more. For less than/around $10.

No, you cannot use it as a voltmeter, continuity, or ammeter test; you will pop it if you do that. You will still need a DVM; no getting around that.

Its just a wide range component tester. But if you are a beginner or a vet alike, it makes working on radios faster. It has for me. Worth the money in time to use and expense? IMO - without a doubt. If you are a beginner, then it becomes a real help.

If interested, I found them on Alibaba for ~$8/shipping incl; cheapest I've seen:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mega328-Transistor-Tester-Diode-Triode-Capacitance-ESR-Meter-MOS-PNP-NPN-M328/32665967930.html?uttaskid=37001&utcontentid=976&utalgorithmid=2&tracelog=rowan&rowan_id1=eclc_en_1_1_en_US_2017-05-01&rowan_msg_id=trebUTT_37001_$00770cd34553411e863a32fc0fd38a9c&ck=in_edm_other

View attachment 20652 Component tester

i use that exact sameone i repaired my 6 radios with that tester works very well.

 

[Robalo]

just got mine with leads for $ 12.98