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Old 30th Aug 2010, 7:47 pm   #1
David G4EBT
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Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK.
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Default 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
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Old 31st Aug 2010, 2:35 pm   #2
radioman
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Default 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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Old 31st Aug 2010, 9:24 pm   #3
peter_scott
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Default Re: Cheapo Capacitance Meter Kit

The Leaky = Reading High is quite a nice feature. A quick test gives you two measurements in one.

Peter
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