a real challange?

[JohnCT]

Originally Posted by Yamamaya42

got the ultra cheapo Mega328 LCR-T4 tester today, only took over 3 weeks :/

Very disappointing on how it works.
does OK on CAPs and Resistors, but SUCKS on coils,

Was way WAY off by over 40% on 2 new coils 240uh and 180uh,
but what do you expect for so little $?
.

Interesting. After you posted you ordered one, I checked mine for accuracy against an ordinarily very accurate Sencore Z-meter.

I found the capacitance value readings of the 328 very accurate from low values to high value electros. I found the resistance readings excellent except for values under an ohm. Strangely, using a different combinations of the three inputs gives different results on low value resistors.

But I found the accuracy of the inductors very close to what the Sencore says they are. The 328 is limited in that it doesn't read below 10uh, but other than that, it was very accurate with inductance compared to the Z-Meter

You can try calibrating the 328 tester. Short the three inputs together, then power on. It will calibrate itself and about half way through will ask you to connect a capacitor over .1uf before it finishes. I used a 4uf film capacitor when I calibrated mine and it's pretty accurate.

John

Edit: I just tried a couple more values. Low value inductors read very accurately, but I just tried a 1mH inductor, and it read 1.02mH on the Sencore, and 1.71mH on the 328. Like yours, not even close, so as far as inductors go, I'd not use this ( I didn't anyway). Resistors over an ohm and capacitors of any value are accurate. I also like how it checks transistors and also automatically identifies polarity and lead configuration.

Still, this doesn't make it totally useless on coils. If there are any other coils in the unit of identical or similar value, you can use the results on a "curve" so to speak.

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