I need a capacitance tester. It won't be used professionally so it doesn't need accuracy to six decimal points but it shouldn't be total crap either. And since I already have several good multimeters (none which have a capacitance function), a capacitance-only tester will suffice. It would be nice to find one that meets NASA specs AND doesn't cost more than ten dollars but that's probably asking a bit much.

Any suggestions?

Harvey

 

"Capacitance tester" covers a pretty broad territory; if you could narrow it down a bit that would be helpful. Range of capacitances you're interested in, characteristics you want to test (other than just measuring the capacitance), frequency range (if applicable), etc.

 

Hello,

The german site BOX73 has two kits, both will cost you a lot more than the given 10 dollars.
The first is like the famous AADE-LC meter:
http://www.box73.de/product_info.php?products_id=2561
The second one is a component testser, it will also test transtistors, mosfets and thytistor/triacs etc.
http://www.box73.de/product_info.php?products_id=3385

Bertus

 

"Capacitance tester" covers a pretty broad territory; if you could narrow it down a bit...

I need a tester that'll help me identify and verify a typical* kit's capacitors without having to decipher its cryptic markings. Probably not the specific answer you're looking for but after retiring from a career in radar electronics, I'm just a small-time tinkerer now.

*closer to audio than microwave frequencies

Harvey

 

How about this one.
It got good reviews.

 

Hello,

The german ste BOX73...Bertus

Thanks Bertus. Is the site available in English?

Harvey

 

How about this one.
It got good reviews.

Mornin' Crutschow,

That's only about a third of what I was expecting to pay but I won't hold that against it!

It seems to have a range that should cover my foreseeable needs.

Harvey

 

I just bought a bunch of these yesterday. In fact I cleaned out their stock.
Measures capacitance, resistance, diode and NPN, PNP transistor hFE

Accuracy on capacitance is
±0.5% + 10 for ranges 200pF - 200μF
±2% + 2 for ranges 2mF-20mF

http://www.newark.com/tenma/72-8150/capacitance-meter-with-resistance/dp/41M0998

 

I need a tester that'll help me identify and verify a typical* kit's capacitors without having to decipher its cryptic markings. Probably not the specific answer you're looking for but after retiring from a career in radar electronics, I'm just a small-time tinkerer now.

*closer to audio than microwave frequencies

That narrows it down just fine; it wasn't clear to me what sort of measurements you had in mind and you've cleared that up.

I like the meter @crutschow suggested, and I may just buy one for myself as I don't have a capacitance tester. For the past 40 years or so I've been getting by with just a 555 timer IC configured as an oscillator, with the unknown capacitor connected as the 555's timing capacitor. Measure the frequency, and calculate the capacitance from the formula on the 555 data sheet. Crude, and not terribly convenient, but it works.

 

I like the meter @crutschow suggested, and I may just buy one for myself as I don't have a capacitance tester.

I agree and just bought one from Amazon. ($17.99 with free shipping.)

Harvey

 

I just bought a bunch of these yesterday.

Okay, I have to ask.
What are you going to do with a "bunch" of them.

 

Okay, I have to ask.
What are you going to do with a "bunch" of them.

Sell 'em to the FBI as e-mail testers?

Harvey

 

I bought one of these, and it works a lot better than I was expecting for the price:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12864-GM328...342507?hash=item4d37a9956b:g:~YMAAOSwyQtV6g1J

 

Here's another kit that includes ESR testing.
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/diy-component-tester.102070/#post-769275

 

How about this one.
It got good reviews.

I ordered one of these from Amazon and it arrived today. Very nice! I tested it with an assortment of capacitors including some 1% mica caps in 1 nF, 2 nF, 5 nF and 10 nF, as well as a bunch of ceramic and electrolytic caps, and the meter appears accurate. I don't have any capacitors on hand accurate enough to verify the meter's stated +/- 0.5% accuracy spec, but it seems plausible.

A good buy, IMO.

 

Mine arrived yesterday and it also appears to be relatively accurate. (By relatively, I mean I'm not expecting a whole lot out of a $19 tester!)

What tickled me was that the battery was already installed and the display lit up when I turned the selector switch. (Not even a new $4,967.98 NASA meter will include the 9v battery!)

Harvey