[Boatanchors] BBOD's are really reliable (sic)

[k5vkl at juno.com]

Re: your question (about some capacitor checking means/
sources?) 

Jeff, Several years ago, I purchased a Wavetek "Meterman"
Capacitance/Resistance checker, Model CR50, thru Grainger.
True, the capacitance range is not too exceptional, but it's
$69.95  was quite acceptable for my  requirements.
It has performed exceptionally well on indicating capacitance
readings being in accordance with component printed values, as
well as showing poor performers.   (it also works well when one
has the gumption to rig up a few sets of known capacitance
"strings" -either series or paralleled- when the expected value
of the capacitance to be measured exceeds (or is less than) the
available ranges. Hi Hi)  In those instances though, the old 
pencil or the calculator has to be used to facilitate further 
calculations.    
All joking aside, however, the basic accuracy characteristics 
ratings are as follows:
        Capacitance:    20pF    to 20mF
              Accuracy:    .05% 
         
        Resistance:       20 Ohms   to  20 MegOhms
              Accuracy:     .05%

        Also has a continuity test (less than 75 ohms Threshold) and
        a diode test.       (at 3.2 v/1ma.)

I've found it very useful for just everyday  use, and easy to carry
around.
When you are needing to evaluate the VDC rating of an electrolytic,
this unit won't really help.  Not fancy or elaborate, but hundreds of 
times cheaper than the $1000 HPs....(and, if their accuracy and/or
additional features aren't otherwise required).

I have just acquired a variac to begin the construction of a Breakdown
Voltage Tester to further test the electrolytics, however.  I've not yet 
obtained the necessary HV transformer I want to use, however, nor 
the HV rectifier string (for voltage doubling), so by the time Christmas
gets here, I might have one or two parts more accumulated for the
tester. Hi.

This Wavetek capacity checker might be one you could evaluate 
against others that might also meet your requirements.

Hope this is info is useful to you.

Bill,
K5VKL at ARRL.NET
*************************


On Sun, 05 Jun 2005 11:57:52 -0400 jeff <jeffv at op.net> writes:
On Sat, 2005-06-04 at 22:51, WA5CAB at cs.com wrote:
Could someone suggest a way to check capacitance that doesn't 
 involve purchasing a $1000 HP tester or capacitance standard?  
Perhaps I'm just not meant to check caps :)