[Test-Equipment] ESR meter reviews

[Ron]

I've owned the Dick Smith ESR meter II (I believe 
there's a newer model) for a few years now. It's 
still on its first battery, showing how little I 
use it  :-).

Advantages: it was inexpensive (about $85 bucks 
-- I got the kit version, that took about an hour 
to put together). Fairly accurate, easy to use 
and has been quite reliable.

Disadvantage: I wish it included leakage and 
value measurements capabilities (I'd accept 
the increased cost). But I find that my Triplett 
4½ digit DMM is sufficient for both measurements. 

-- Ron





--- On Mon, 6/27/11, bonddaleena at aol.com <bonddaleena at aol.com> wrote:

> From: bonddaleena at aol.com <bonddaleena at aol.com>
> Subject: [Test-Equipment] ESR meter reviews
> To: TekScopes at yahoogroups.com, test-equipment at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Monday, June 27, 2011, 6:07 PM
> 
> 
> 
> Hi. As a long time ham and restorer of older radios and
> test equipment, I have always been aware of capacitor
> failures. This started when I was an Engineer with IBM and
> did failure analysis on circuit boards. This discussion will
> focus only on electrolytic caps. 
> Since then, I have found 'buckets' full of bad caps in all
> vintages of equipment.
> I now own 3 quite different ESR meters and thought I'd
> share the info with you folks. All 3 have good/not so good
> points.
> First an important caveat that even very experienced techs
> overlook....
> 
> The use of a small, DVM style cap 'tester' will tell you
> nothing about leakage or ESR. They are great for finding
> VALUE.
> You can find a comparison of the following meters on the
> AnaTek website.
> 
> My meters:
> 
> Mat Electronics Model MUL3333. This was my first ESR meter.
> It's analog and cheap, er, inexpensive. ha ha
> 
> Pros:
> works OK
> inexpensive
> 
> Cons:
> scale too compressed at low resistance end
> " makes it difficult to find shorts
> 
> Observations:
> I believe this meter got a bum rap in the AnaTek 'review'
> because of a broken battery contact. I have had no such
> problems in 2 years.
> The 'overly compressed scale' situation, is easily
> rectified by putting an inexpensive DVM (with a buzzer
> function) in parallel with the MUL3333. This easily senses
> the difference between a short and a low value ESR cap. This
> does make for a bulky combo.....
> 
> Peak ESR 60
> 
> This was my second purchase. Kind of a strange shape factor
> but that doesn't really matter.
> 
> Pros:
> Works SUPER
> Gives you cap 'values'  (out of crcuit) + ESR 
> Automatically discharges small (!) caps. It won't bleed
> down your linear amps caps!
> 
> Cons:
> Clumsy to use, due to it's need to 'restart' constantly
> (see Observations for more info)
> Small alligator clips with short leads
> Can't go from cap-to-cap quickly
> High $
> 
> Observations:
> At first, I thought the constant need to restart the device
> was a major disadvantage. However, I have come to learn that
> in it's 'start up' routine, it checks for charged caps and
> discharges them, 
> I built a small aluminum stand to prop it up for easier
> viewing.
> I notice Peak has a newer model
> 
> EVB Esr meter
> 
> Just got this one
> 
> Pros:
> Simple to use
> Well made
> Beautiful display
> Vitor (seller in Portugal) is a great guy! I have NO
> connection with him
> Based on the proven Dick Smith design
> Has handy chart on front of meter (ballpark numbers)
> 
> Cons:
> 
> Comes without test leads. (no biggie)
> Awful redesign of the power/calibrate switch! This has been
> documented by several other users as well. Mine failed in
> the first 10 minutes of use.
> 
> Observations:
> If you look at the EVB site and download the Manual, you
> will see what the above switch USED to look like. Now, you
> have to press on the hard plastic front face. This in turn
> pushes on a plunger, that connects to a small switch on the
> PC board.
> I replaced this setup with a Radio Shack mini switch that
> is the exact duplicate of the original design. Works
> great!!
> 
> These observations MAY also hold true for the "Blue ESR
> Meter". The blue model comes with permanently attached test
> leads. I actually prefer the EVB setup better, I just wish I
> had known about the 'no leads included' up front. Again, no
> biggie.
> 
> As you can see, all devices have their +/- aspects. I
> believe the EVB will become my favorite..............
> 
> ron
> N4UE
> 
> 
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