Cheap Generic Transistor\LCR\ESR test meter

jeallen01

jeallen01

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Someone may already have one of these, a Mk-168 Transistor\LCR\ESR test meter.

I found that ,apart from that unit, there appear to be a number of relatively similar devices available on ebay/Amazon under the generic designation "LCR-T4" and available from a variety of suppliers https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Electrical-Test-Equipment/92074/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=lcr-t4&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=16

The differences that I can see between the Mk168 & the generic LCR-T4 seem to be:
- the Mk168 is cased, whereas the basic LCR-T4 has no case, but you can get a self-assembly case, or even a meter complete with a self-assembly case, for around £2 extra
- the Mk168 has a removal test block whereas the one on the LCR-T4 is soldered in place but external leads are generally supplied.
- the LCR-T4 has a much larger display, and appears to be able to display the pin config of the component under test
- the LCR-T4 can be a LOT cheaper - starting at around £6 for an uncased unit, and from £7 to £15 for a cased one, as opposed to around £40 for the one Martin is using.

I've ordered one of the cheap cased versions for just over £7 to try out as I can't justify the more expensive ones or the Mk-168 - got to be handy even if it doesn't do all that is claimed.
 
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I consider an ESR meter essential for testing the electrolytics in the ubiquitous SMPS found in most of today's equipment.

I don't know how similar in design the ones shown on flebay are, and how accurate they turn out to be in practice, but I built an ESR tester from a circuit in TV Magazine many years ago, having an analogue meter readout rather than a digital display.

Over the years it has given excellent service finding many dead and dying capacitors in all kinds of power supplies in satellite and TVreceivers.

Never be without one, whether as part of a multi-use or a discrete meter :)

Every satellite hobbyist should have one.
 
Llew said:
I consider an ESR meter essential for testing the electrolytics in the ubiquitous SMPS found in most of today's equipment.

I don't know how similar in design the ones shown on flebay are, and how accurate they turn out to be in practice, but I built an ESR tester from a circuit in TV Magazine many years ago, having an analogue meter readout rather than a digital display.

Over the years it has given excellent service finding many dead and dying capacitors in all kinds of power supplies in satellite and TVreceivers.

Never be without one, whether as part of a multi-use or a discrete meter :)

Every satellite hobbyist should have one.
Click to expand...
Some of the reviews of the "similar" ones on Amazon - where they tend to be more expensive -are reasonably positive to "quite good".
 
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I use a "MK-328" Fantastic bit of kit.
 
Update from moi!
The LCR-T4 arrived, but without the case! Then I got a full refund of around £6 from the supplier! So I ordered a separate case from another supplier for about £3, and that arrived a few days later - so I effectively got the meter for MINUS £3, and it did appear to work when I tried it on a few resistors and inductors - RESULT!
 
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