LCR Meter for $18? #alignment
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IMSAI Guy is an interesting YouTube channel, particularly for his coverage of test equpment useful for hams. He just released a review for the HoldPeak 4070L LCR meter that has numerous sellers on eBay for $17.99 and up, including U.S. sources. I'm wondering if it'd be handy for building and diagnosing QRP-Labs gear. The biggest issue might be what one poster said: "My biggest use case would be to measure hand wound inductors but the 2 mH minimum range isn't going to work."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94cGFa8Ic3o You can find sources by searching eBay for "HoldPeak 4070L." You can find the detail specs at the btmeter store. The lowest range for inductance is 20 mH at the top and I assume the 100 Hz is the frequency where that is measured. That makes me suspect it might not be useful for dealing toroids in the HF range. Most of you have far more experience with this than I. What do you think? |
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If I was to spend USD $20 for that meter, then I would rather spend USD $100 and get an LCR meter that can measure at multiple frequencies with the ability to measure LCR components as small as SMD. The DER DE-5000 tests at five frequencies and has options for several plug-in “shields.” Either buy the full kit with matching case or start with the basic meter and add the options later as your budget permits.
Paul, W9AC
From: QRPLabs@groups.io <QRPLabs@groups.io> On Behalf Of Mike Perry, WA4MP
Sent: Saturday, February 5, 2022 10:44 AM To: QRPLabs@groups.io Subject: [QRPLabs] LCR Meter for $18? #alignment
IMSAI Guy is an interesting YouTube channel, particularly for his coverage of test equpment useful for hams. He just released a review for the HoldPeak 4070L LCR meter that has numerous sellers on eBay for $17.99 and up, including U.S. sources. I'm wondering if it'd be handy for building and diagnosing QRP-Labs gear. The biggest issue might be what one poster said: "My biggest use case would be to measure hand wound inductors but the 2 mH minimum range isn't going to work." |
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G8DQX list
Mike, sadly, the resolution on the lowest inductance range is 10 µH, which is not only far too coarse, but also means that any inductor below about 10µH just won't register on the machine (the probably 100Hz or 1kHz measuring frequency is also an issue). It's pretty good for audio work, or mechanical controllers &c., but not for RF work. Shame, really! 73, Stay Safe, Robin, G8DQX On 05/02/2022 15:44, Mike Perry, WA4MP
wrote:
IMSAI Guy is an interesting YouTube channel, particularly for his coverage of test equpment useful for hams. He just released a review for the HoldPeak 4070L LCR meter that has numerous sellers on eBay for $17.99 and up, including U.S. sources. I'm wondering if it'd be handy for building and diagnosing QRP-Labs gear. The biggest issue might be what one poster said: "My biggest use case would be to measure hand wound inductors but the 2 mH minimum range isn't going to work." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94cGFa8Ic3o |
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Leland L. Bahr
It's not a good idea to test parts for value using LONG leads like the guy in the video was using. The lead length adds inaccuracy to small part values.
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zfreak@...
Mike,
I bought an LC100A LCR meter a few years back. It was $10 sent direct from China, but I assume that price is higher now. There is no case, and it did require the replacement of a toroid core inductor with a higher-quality one, but it works very well and is quite accurate. The calibration routine is a little strange too as it isn't well documented and the unit does need calibration before each use to get the highest accuracy. There is a long thread on antiqueradios.com with details about the best calibration procedure and about replacing the inductor to improve accuracy. My experience is that this meter can measure down to a few pF, and inductance measurements follow the expected calculated values for inductors. Not lab-quality, but great for $10. 72 Mike M. KU4QO |
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Curt wb8yyy
Definitely look around. I use a simple device that was once kitted by NJQRP. It does well on typical HF inductors and capacitors. Oh no indicator but cw audible readout. I asked 4stateqrp to consider kitting it. Elsie
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Alan G4ZFQ
I bought an LC100A LCR meter a few years back.Mike Around then there were at least two different versions of the LC100, one was not good. My one below looks like the one at antiqueradios.com but did not need any mods although I did not test above 100n. Values more than that are not usually too critical except, maybe, at VLF. My one one here https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/lc100a-terminals-on-the-right. (Still for sale from where I bought it.) 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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Dave G3UHU
Alan G4FZQ provided a link to his review at https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/lc100a-terminals-on-the-right.
Thanks for the info Alan. I've taken a punt on that, from the same eBay site. If it is not too inconvenient, could you please let me know the dimensions L x W x H, so that I can look for a suitable die cast box while I am waiting for the meter to arrive. I expect I will have to demount the switches etc 73 Dave G3UHU |
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Henning Weddig
Am 06.02.2022 um 15:59 schrieb Dave G3UHU:
Alan G4FZQ provided a link to his review at https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/lc100a-terminals-on-the-right.I own a LC-100 A since years! A very usefull instrument for measuring small inductances and capacitances. BUT: You must zero the unit before a test! My unit has a PIC 16F628 inside, my guess a clone of the AADE meter. The price has gone up, momentarily about 20 euros and higher! Henning Weddig |
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Bill Sanders
This looks like a great find! I also placed an order for one ... now that I think about it, I didn't even check on the delivery time .... with the lunar New Year looming (or here), delivery may be protracted ... oh well, it isn't like I NEEEED it immediately, right?
73 de Bill (AI1S) |
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Alan G4ZFQ
Dave,
I'll let you know. BUT: You must zero the unit before a test! My unit has a PIC 16F628 inside, my guess a clone of the AADE meter.Henning, Yes, I built the early version of this https://sites.google.com/site/vk3bhr/home/lcm1 It does show negative readings if the calibration drifts and I tend to use it most. It is surprisingly accurate:-) My "box" is somewhat basic.. The top is the circuit board with IC, relay, push-button and connections on top. The "PCB" circuitry enclosed underneath 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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Steven Dick, K1RF
I would also consider the LC-200A for about $29.00. I have both the LC-100A and the LC-200A. They are basically the same circuit, but the LC-200A comes in a nice plastic case and has binding post terminals. If you plan to use it fairly frequently, the LC-200A is physically much nicer and worth the extra money.
-Steve K1RF ------ Original Message ------
From: "Dave G3UHU" <hamptong3uhu@...>
Sent: 2/6/2022 9:59:19 AM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] LCR Meter for $18? #alignment Alan G4FZQ provided a link to his review at https://sites.google.com/site/g4zfqradio/lc100a-terminals-on-the-right. |
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Henning Weddig
Am 06.02.2022 um 17:47 schrieb Alan G4ZFQ:
Dave,Alan, I also had the VK3BHR version in mind, even made a pcb an partly poulated it, but then was too lazy to wind the inductor and copmplete! Henning |
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For you folks looking for a super LC meter that really measures down to nano-Henries and few pFs, look at Darrell's LC Meter:
Shop HecKits . I know Darrell and hit kits do what he says that they do. -- 73s, Glen, WB4KTF, Austin, TX |
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jjpurdum
Yeah, I did check: Mar 1 to 18th. So I bought a more expensive one in the US, but it will be her Friday Jack, W8TEE
On Sunday, February 6, 2022, 11:35:58 AM EST, Bill Sanders <saands@...> wrote:
This looks like a great find! I also placed an order for one ... now that I think about it, I didn't even check on the delivery time .... with the lunar New Year looming (or here), delivery may be protracted ... oh well, it isn't like I NEEEED it immediately, right? 73 de Bill (AI1S) |
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jjpurdum
...or it could be here Friday. Jack, W8TEE
On Sunday, February 6, 2022, 12:21:41 PM EST, jjpurdum via groups.io <jjpurdum@...> wrote:
Yeah, I did check: Mar 1 to 18th. So I bought a more expensive one in the US, but it will be her Friday Jack, W8TEE
On Sunday, February 6, 2022, 11:35:58 AM EST, Bill Sanders <saands@...> wrote:
This looks like a great find! I also placed an order for one ... now that I think about it, I didn't even check on the delivery time .... with the lunar New Year looming (or here), delivery may be protracted ... oh well, it isn't like I NEEEED it immediately, right? 73 de Bill (AI1S) |
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pk
I ordered an L100-A a few weeks ago and it arrived this past Friday. It seems to work for what I need in the way of L and C measurement. I don’t have a feel for accuracy yet, but should have a chance to compare it to better ones in the coming weeks.
Yes, the price has gone up, now $22 US plus shipping from Ebay.
Paul AC3IE
From: QRPLabs@groups.io [mailto:QRPLabs@groups.io] On Behalf Of Curt wb8yyy via groups.io
Definitely look around. I use a simple device that was once kitted by NJQRP. It does well on typical HF inductors and capacitors. Oh no indicator but cw audible readout. I asked 4stateqrp to consider kitting it. Elsie
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On Sat, Feb 5, 2022 at 03:44 PM, Mike Perry, WA4MP wrote:
HoldPeak 4070L LCR meter that has numerous sellers on eBay for $17.99Appears to be the same as the Vici 4070. https://www.amazon.co.uk/NKTECH-Multimeter-Self-discharge-Capacitance-Screwdriver/dp/B0759VHT9G I have one here, works a treat unless the 9v battery is running a bit low. I assume the 100 Hz is the frequency where that is measured. That makes me suspect it might not be useful for dealing toroids in the HF range. Not really a problem. If the toroid is duff then you'll still see a vastly erroneous result at any test frequency. At VHF and up then yes, there are some component types that need some careful measuring. That's when you may well be better off measuring at the freq of usage. A Nano VNA or similar will be quite adequate for such a task, unless you require some ISO standard lab quality super duper instrument. And that puts you into the Wayne Kerr territory, and LOTS of money ;-) https://www.waynekerrtest.com/products_detail.php?indexs=5&brand=Wayne%20Kerr |
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Yeah, I keep stalling off buying a Nano VNA, even stopping just before buying one on Alibaba. But they can do so much, I know I’ll eventually have to yield and take my chances at getting a good one.
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—Mike Perry, WA4MP On Feb 6, 2022, at 2:24 pm, Albert Tatlock's Greatest Hits - Vol 1 via groups.io <andyfoad@...> wrote: |
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Jim Campbell
Mike,
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I wouldn't wait too long. It's an amazing little device. Not long after I received mine I tuned a bandpass filter. It was a real thrill to watch the traces on the tiny screen as I adjusted the filter capacitors. I purchased mine from Amazon. If it isn't good they will take it back. Jim - W4BQP since 1953 On 2/6/2022 7:12 PM, Mike Perry, WA4MP wrote:
Yeah, I keep stalling off buying a Nano VNA, even stopping just before buying one on Alibaba. But they can do so much, I know I’ll eventually have to yield and take my chances at getting a good one. |
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