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Homebrew Equipment A place to show, design and discuss the weird and wonderful electronic creations from the hands of individual members. |
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30th Aug 2010, 7:47 pm | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 5,737
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Cheapo Capacitance Meter Kit
I spotted a reference on the website of a UK radio amateur to a kit for a capacitance meter DIY Kit that he'd bought and built, and was pleased with, which at just £13.95 + P&P is keenly priced - about £15GBP delivered.
KIT Ref: 09485, $13.95 Features and spec: • About 1% accuracy, <2% error • Measuring range: 1pF - 500uF • Automatic range switch • Zeroing available • Real time serial output of measurement read-outs with time stamp • Low cost and easy to build • Power supply voltage: 8-16VDC • Power supply current: <30mA I don't need yet another capacitance meter, but for anyone who does, this might be worth following up at this link: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...oducts_id=9485 (They do have a European distributor, but the amateur concerned got his direct from the firm, Sparkfun at Boulder, Colorado). He says the instructions weren't very comprehensive, so he's helpfully written some comprehensive construction notes based on his experience, which can be viewed here: http://www.radiowymsey.org/capmeter.htm Hope that's of interest to someone. David |
31st Aug 2010, 2:35 pm | #2 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Ayr, Ayrshire, UK.
Posts: 630
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Re: Cheapo Capacitance Meter Kit
Hi,
Our local amateur radio club used this kit for a construction night earlier on this year. They were obtained in the UK from here :- http://proto-pic.co.uk/products/CAPA...R-DIY-KIT.html The kit is relatively simple to construct but does need a case (preferably metal) as well. In use, it is quite accurate with a 0.1pF resolution on the lowest range but like most capacitance meters, gives high readings if the capacitor being measured is leaky. I have found it very useful for measuring variable capacitors though. HTH. Andy
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31st Aug 2010, 9:24 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Edinburgh, UK.
Posts: 3,273
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Re: Cheapo Capacitance Meter Kit
The Leaky = Reading High is quite a nice feature. A quick test gives you two measurements in one.
Peter |