Any body built one of these DIY Auto LCR Digital Electric Bridge

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Rob Flinn

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Anybody built one of these ?  Looks like quite a good tool, just wondering if it's as good as it looks ....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIY-Auto-LCR-Digital-Electric-Bridge-Resistance-Capacitance-Inductance-ESR-Meter/322786787115?epid=2119091609&hash=item4b27977f2b:g:WosAAOSwCbtZy0WM
Code:
 
Bit more info here.
https://www.banggood.com/DIY-Auto-LCR-Digital-Electric-Bridge-Resistance-Capacitance-Inductance-ESR-Meter-Kit-p-1113600.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

I was considering this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DER-EE-High-Accuracy-Handheld-LCR-Meter-DE-5000-from-Japan-New-/311961416308?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10

http://akizukidenshi.com/download/ds/deree/DE-5000_manu_en2p.pdf
 
Rob Flinn said:
Anybody built one of these ?  Looks like quite a good tool, just wondering if it's as good as it looks ....
there is an issue with ALL LCR bridges when it comes to measuring inductances. Those that are used in audio have a magnetic core, and as a result, their value changes with frequency and level. If measuring the nominal value is the issue, it must be done at the specified frequency and level*. LCR meters operate at very low level and don't offer much choice in terms of frequency (generally 100/120 and 1k).
When I made inductor-based graphic EQ's, I bought an expensive Racal-Dana bridge, and found out the measured value was an approximation of the in-circuit value; typically the 100Hz, 1kHz and 10kHz values were different, which is normal, but not very accurate if the inductor is to be used in a 315 or 3.15k band.
The Racal-Dana ended up in the assembly line, used to check consistency of the inductors before inserting them.
Capacitors also vary with frequency and level (and DC), but much less so.
In conclusion, these LCR meters are good for rough evaluation, but not for accurate prediction of in-circuit frequency response.

*The most spectacular changes are with tube amp transformers, where the inductance can vary as much as 1:10.
 
mrclunk said:
Bit more info here.
https://www.banggood.com/DIY-Auto-LCR-Digital-Electric-Bridge-Resistance-Capacitance-Inductance-ESR-Meter-Kit-p-1113600.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

I was considering this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DER-EE-High-Accuracy-Handheld-LCR-Meter-DE-5000-from-Japan-New-/311961416308?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10

http://akizukidenshi.com/download/ds/deree/DE-5000_manu_en2p.pdf

I have the  DER EE  and use it a good bit.  Recommended.
Best,
Bruno2000
 
Reason I'm after this sort of meter is mainly to replace my Peak instrument ESR tester which seems to be giving me rather random readings nowadays & I don't feel I can rely on it any more.

I quite like the look of ther DE 5000, since it seems to test at a wider range of frequencies so would appear to overcome some of your reservations Abbey.  Not only that it's not much more expensive than the kit.
 
Rob Flinn said:
Reason I'm after this sort of meter is mainly to replace my Peak instrument ESR tester which seems to be giving me rather random readings nowadays & I don't feel I can rely on it any more.

Sure it's not just the test clips are tarnished/worn? I keep meaning to replace mine with standard MM probes as they're knackered.

The DE5000 won't discharge cap like the Peak, which for quick fault finding could be a pain...
 
mrclunk said:
Sure it's not just the test clips are tarnished/worn? I keep meaning to replace mine with standard MM probes as they're knackered.

The DE5000 won't discharge cap like the Peak, which for quick fault finding could be a pain...

I don't think it's the clips, however I will check !!
 
Rob Flinn said:
Hey Paul.  Good call re changing the croc clips.  All working again !!  Thanks for the tip.

Glad you sorted it out.

Anyway, if you want something as a spare I recommend this cheap unit, as it's not expensive and works great:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-MK328-LCR-ESR-Tester-transistor-inductance-capacitance-resistance-meter/171927184554?epid=870231183&hash=item2807a8a4aa:g:MdoAAOSwk0pVgETb
 
Similar (and even cheaper) unit discussed here:

https://groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=61543

It's rather precise with the (natural) exception of the inductance measurements

Jakob E.
 
If you dont mind spending a few bucks, I would definitely recommend getting the Keysight u1733c, I have one, its a great unit.
 
user 37518 said:
If you dont mind spending a few bucks, I would definitely recommend getting the Keysight u1733c, I have one, its a great unit.

LOLOLOLO

The first post was about a 70€ unit

I advised on a 20€ unit (MK328)

and you advised on a 510€ unit (Keysight u1733c)

I guess it's LCR measuring for all the Pockets!!!

 
Hmmm interesting ,
I just happened to be probing about on ebay looking at LCR meters ,found the chinese diy kit too, .
then when I logged in here there was a reference to it this post.
Theres nothing else with kelvin connected probes for that kind of money ,generally speaking you have to spend hundreds even to get something with the abillity to measure at more than one frequency  .  Im considering making it a 'Santy' from me too me ,be nice to hear a testimonial from someone who's tried this unit out though .Looks like the kit version could be put together in about half an hour . Anyway be a nice addition to my test bench seeing as Im going down the 'winding' road ,pun intended. ;)
 
Whoops said:
LOLOLOLO

The first post was about a 70€ unit

I advised on a 20€ unit (MK328)

and you advised on a 510€ unit (Keysight u1733c)

I guess it's LCR measuring for all the Pockets!!!

Sorry, I know I went over the top. But that Keysight unit is so great!

Peak instruments like the one mentioned by the OP are great but nothing compared to Keysight when it comes to LCR.
 
Tubetec said:
Theres nothing else with kelvin connected probes for that kind of money ,generally speaking you have to spend hundreds even to get something with the abillity to measure at more than one frequency  .  Anyway be a nice addition to my test bench seeing as Im going down the 'winding' road ,pun intended. ;)


I'm sure you will not be disappointed with that unit
 
user 37518 said:
Sorry, I know I went over the top. But that Keysight unit is so great!

Peak instruments like the one mentioned by the OP are great but nothing compared to Keysight when it comes to LCR.

Oh Mate, thanks for sharing it's great to know the other end of the spectrum quality and price wize.

For my LCR measuring duties and probably most of the people arount here the 70€ Kit unit is already over the top and good enough
 
Whoops said:
Oh Mate, thanks for sharing it's great to know the other end of the spectrum quality and price wize.

For my LCR measuring duties and probably most of the people arount here the 70€ Kit unit is already over the top and good enough

Im not sure about that, I've tried many el-cheapo and not so cheap LCR units and when it comes to measuring inductance, they are usually off the real value, perhaps they are ok for measuring large inductances like crossover coils, but for smaller inductance I wouldnt bet on it.
 
user 37518 said:
Im not sure about that, I've tried many el-cheapo and not so cheap LCR units and when it comes to measuring inductance, they are usually off the real value, perhaps they are ok for measuring large inductances like crossover coils, but for smaller inductance I wouldnt bet on it.

Well it's good enough for my personal needs , I'm not going to spend 500 euros in a LCR meter to measure small 2 or 3 inductors a year

But of course, everyone has it's own needs.

If I made money with small inductors, I would buy an expensive meter for sure
 
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