[Boatanchors] Capacitor Checker of Choice ??

[Skip Frolik]

-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rich Post
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 3:21 PM
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Capacitor Checker of Choice ??

No question.  The TO-6A is OK, but the ZM is definitely more versatile and 
rugged.

But you can't have my Sencore Z-meter 2.  Keep an eye out for one of those. 
(mine is the LC-75).  Haven't used anything else since I got lucky finding 
that one at a recycle/ re-use store.  Uses pulsed DC to do actual 
microampere leakage reading at voltage and so much more.  Great for quick 
and accurate checks for both caps and inductors.  I use it on diode 
junctions to find the PIV also.  Using one of these will spoil you for 
anything less.

Rich KB8TAD

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~postr/bapix/ 

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Sencore Z-meters are good. One of my service benches has an LC53.
It's an older model but still has what I consider a useful purpose
for evaluating capacitors, inductors and other things as Rich states.
Add a scope and you can get a feel for ESR for LF app electrolytics.
Frequency pulses to low for proper evaluation of switcher stuff ESR
but then sounds like most of you guys just toss rather than check.
The newer Sencore will even bring you a beer from the fridge but
the cost is way out there and is hard to justify for hobby use.

Also keep a look out for the ZM-3A/U. We got a couple of these when
PSO NARF was dumping a while back. Older probably mid 50's unit ????
I have to wonder where these were found "NEW" still in the crates.
Makes one realize there is still a ton of military stuff yet unearthed.
Have 2 in operation on other work benches. Power supply (which by the
way uses an 807 as a series rect/reg) will do 0-600 volt LV testing.
LV or low voltage as opposed to a Hi-Pot type of testing but is more
in line for what most would need for receiver or exciter building.
That with a cheap VTVM in series makes a quick and cheap way to test
caps and other components for WV leakage and even as a low current 70MA
supply for breadboarding and other tasks. Has about 2UF filtering so
as an aux supply might want to up that. Unit also will do the other
usual cap tests and measurements. For me they've been very handy units.
Manual was available on-line somewhere. Worth dumpster diving for.

Just an opinion and we all know what that means .... Hehehe.

Skip
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