Mr Carlson's Lab patreon

PCB Files Release: The "Special" Capacitor Tester!

🕑 Added 2017-10-18 13:52:07 +0000 UTC

Comments

Dereck Bellamy

Referring to the purple colored wire connection

Dereck Bellamy

Great video, excuse the ignorance, your DNT connection I take goes to your occulter, reason why I am asking, is I don't have an occulter yet, thanks again, I know I learnt in my younger days there is not such a thing as a stupid question when you are still coming to grips with something.

radiocruz1 .

do you have the one without and oscilloscope

LoSaYa

Smart Mr Carlson

Terry Wedmedyk

This tester works well with low value capacitors but does it work on higher values like 1uF or more?

Robert Head

I would really like to make this project ,have ordered pcb parts so as to try making the board first .Will let you know how I do in yhe future.p.s. Keep up the good work love the content.

Len

I spent all day yesterday with my 2465B and couldn't get any noticeable difference either. My desk lamp induces hum just being on, so I'll try touching it too. My scope was an eBay purchase, and I thought it was the problem. It still might be. Or the probes. Thanks John.

Reid Braswell

What type of shielded cable was Mr. Carlson using?

Daniel Petrzelka

Did you find a complete parts list or just wrote down numbers from the schematic? I'd love to put together a Mouser order and build this one.

Anthony A Tiso II

Hello Mr Carlson! Hope all is well with you and family! I am about to construct this unit and wondered if the 9v battery holder can be mounted on the outside of the device? Thank You! Tony

John Scoles

Well after two weeks of trying I finally have it figured out. Seems the HP 54512B was top of the line first generation Digital scope of the early 90s. From an HP list I hear that the HP Boffins tried as hard as possible to eliminate all 'Noise' so my Scope will not normally see the 60hz hum. To get the test to work I had first have to get the hum up on the scope, I clip into the outside of the power line to my bench lamp and that gets the trace up. Then I unclip from that hook up my the cap to be tested as usual with one hand on the cap. But here is the rub. I then have to hold onto the bench lamp with the other hand to get the hum so I can see the rise and fall. Does work as I was able to find foil side. I think I am going to have to go with a Heller tester https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roduWqjgBBA

John Scoles

Ok have a simple question. Will this work on a digital O-scope? My scope (HP 54512b) does not have an X-Y per say and tried to get the test 'Are Your Capacitors Installed Backwards? ' to work will no luck. Will like to build it, but not 100% sure it will work with my scope and I haven't got crazed enough to run out and get an Analog just to get this tester to work.

Gary Bevis

To correct my post above, the timer is oriented as I thought, I am now sure has gone out with the quad switch. I had only originally ordered only one of each, I will have spares on hand and I plan to adhere to safe ESD procedures to be certain to be safe with the little chips. I will try at the end of the week and post on the community what find out.

Gary Bevis

Hi Paul. I have built the device and I had some issues with the IC's. They are from Digikey, branded Texas Instruments and there is no dot or dimple anywhere on any of them. I assumed that the lettering on the IC read, left to right. Well on the SA555DR it must be backwards from the others, the CD4013BM and CD74HC4066. I put them all according the marking letters and I soldered in as per PCB layout. I switched the power on from the 9V battery and only one of the LED's and stays on. I check that was no clock signal from pin what I thought. I looked at the video and I can sure see that Paul's board was right and mine SA555 is incorrectly installed. I am now waiting for parts replacement (SA555) from Digikey. So take care of the pins if there is no dot or dimple. I hope there is a way to tell which pin is #1.

Chrissy M Strawn

I have heard Paul mention Mouser seveveral times over the time I have been listening++++++++000000000

Jinga Din

I really could use one of these handy little testers but I am not setup for building my own boards. Can these files be sent to a commercial board producer and have a few copies built?, is that ok with you? can it even be done with the files available or would the cost be more than me just buying all of the equipment needed to do them myself?

joram kalfa

Does anyone have a parts list for this capacitor tester?

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi Joram. The PM section is the best way for you to get my attention. You are at the Tier that has priority there. I will PM you so you get used to the section.

joram kalfa

Should I be looking for my answer at another location? Thanks.

joram kalfa

Hey Mr. C, great video as usual. Is there a preferred type of paper or would the typical "No Frills" type of printing paper suffice for the etching process?

james warren

My favorite thing to do when gluing LEDs into any surface is sand them off. Glue a sheet of 220 on a board, hold it parallel and use a perfect back and fourth stroke the make a brushed look. Make sure that the LED isn’t sticking out so far you sand off the parts. The other bonus is they become non directional so visibility is good from ant angle.

Bruce Dow

Mr Carlson, you often talk about ordering components, but I haven't heard you mention any sources specifically. Where do you prefer to get your parts? :-)

Mr Carlson's Lab

Thanks for the input!

Fried Mule

I see several different shielding material being used, copper, cast alu, steel, mu-metal and a lot more and I can only find sources that think the government is reptilians who surveillance them via there electricity meter, maybe not the best source for learning about grounding and shielding. Mr. Carlson would it be possible for you to make a guide on what to use when and how?

John Straub

DSC00038.JPG DSC00039.JPG

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi John. You will need to PM me the link to your external host. I can click that link and check out your pictures there. Only the $20 level has access to my email, to directly send me pictures.

John Straub

Sent thru my gmail account. That must be wrong. I didn't see the means to send them otherwise. THANKS

Mr Carlson's Lab

Where did you send the pix too?

John Straub

Sent some pics . . . but didn't get the external host thing correct since I've heard nothing back. Thanks

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi John. What scope are you using? Can you illustrate a picture, or just take a picture of your set up. Post the picture to an external host then add the link here, so I can see what your doing.

John Straub

ANYONE . . . I cannot even get the manual version of this to work, and I've tried about every possible configeration of the scope, various caps, and two builds of the co-ax wires. ?????? HELP.

Matthew Pherigo

Hi! Can anyone tell me why the seperate D flip-flop is needed? I would’ve thought you could just set the 555 to a slower time. EDIT: Oh, it’s for the inverted output. Nevermind （。々°）

Mr Carlson's Lab

You are correct, the case is cast and will not take solder.

Justin

Just drilled my board and about to start soldering the via's. It looks like the cathode of each LED is connected to ground through its current limiting resistor using the mechanical connection of the bolt and washers. Is this the case? No solder just a mechanical connection?

Mr Carlson's Lab

Great to read they are working for you Rob! You're very welcome too!

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi Justin. Usually the rails are not shown for 74 series logic, as the rails are almost always the standard pin configuration. Since I drew the IC as actual switches I just left them out.

Rob Clark

I'm still catching up with the group. Completed the capacitor foil tester today and on the outside it looks like the Hammond 1590B version of Mr. C's. Not nearly as pretty on the inside, though-- for one thing the health warnings for Liquid Tin give me the willies. So I tin with solder and lots of rosin flux. The SMD ICs were fun, but overall the scale of the 0402 components (i.e. flyspecks) and the vias (many carbide drill bits later) made this *ahem* challenging. I actually made two boards at the same time and they both work. Having two helped me troubleshoot some of my solder bridges along the way. Thank you, Mr. Carlson.

Justin

Just an FYI - I noticed that in the schematic you do not have VCC indicated for the CD74HC4066M. It is hooked up on the layout just not in the schematic.

George Noyb

Found the schematic and just for grins, I might try and build it, wire wrap. Parts are on order.

Mr Carlson's Lab

You're welcome George!

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi John. Any well shielded coax will do.

John Proctor

Paul, What coax do you use for applications like the probe pieces here ?

George Noyb

Watched it again and I am sure that i dont have all the proper components and connections. is there one available /

George Noyb

I watched the video and didnt realize that i would need to keep track of the components. I think that I got the 3 ICs correct.

George Noyb

is there a clear schematic and list of components ?

George Noyb

Thank you. Though it's a mystery to me. I always thought that if a capacitor was unmarked as to polarity, it could be mounted either way.

Mr Carlson's Lab

Here is the original video: <a href="https://youtu.be/BnR_DLd1PDI" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/BnR_DLd1PDI</a>

George Noyb

Dumb question, but what does this do ?

peter

sweet cheers mate!

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi Peter, just type in CD4013. On the data sheet, you can choose the package style. It will tell you the prefix for through hole. Some manufactures use different letters, so this is the best route. If you order from Digikey, they usually have a picture of the IC for you to see before you order. You can select "Through-hole" in the filters as well.

peter

is there a through-hole relacement for the cd4013bm?

Dennis

I struggled to get this board working and today I finally figured out what my problem was. When attached to a metal project box everything works just fine, but since I was not testing in a project box the screws connecting the board to the chassis were not present and therefore the front and back of the board was not connected and the LEDs had no path to ground. Big head slap when I figured that out. I hope my ineptitude helps someone out. Happy New Year!

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi Steve, the 4066 and many other logic IC's have a standard layout involving supply pins. The power pins are connected on the board. A standard 14 pin logic IC's supply pins are 7 is negative, and 14 is positive. A 16 pin logic IC is: 8 is negative and 16 is positive...and so on, so you can see the pattern.

Mr Carlson's Lab

No Problem Steve.

Steve Crisp

As you were, dumb question about BAV99 sorry.

Steve Crisp

Also What is a BAV 99?

Steve Crisp

Paul, I am building my own board design on this project as well as the curve tracer. In reviewing the schematic I note no power to the 4066. Is this an omission? It may be in your boards but like I say I am doing my own so cant tell for sure. Please advise and Merry Christmas.

Mr Carlson's Lab

As long as it's removed from the test circuit while in use. By this I mean a "nc," dpdt switch or something spring loaded.

Mr Carlson's Lab

Many do, but not all, another reason to build this. Some have a folded internal design.

Tom McCobb

Just curious, do the metallized polyester caps have the same foil characteristics?

Ava Hinson

Just a thought, would it be easy to add in a toggled discharge resistor?

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi Victor. Most orange and brown dip capacitors have a discernible outside foil end.

Victor M. Salcedo

Good video and thanks for sharing. Please advise if this low impedance is present on brown and orange dips. Thanks in advance.

Mr Carlson's Lab

Thanks Isoator!

Frank

Was raised in Research and development long before the beginning of modern time. Love your video presentations. Consider it the best educational stuff thus far encountered online.

Larry { N7LUF }

I had hope of a parts list, so I would make sure I ordered all parts needed. As always enjoy your video's

Larry { N7LUF }

I want to make one, but I have never made a PCB before.

Mark Bosse

Great stuff. I don’t think any of us want you spending 6 hours cleaning up a schematic. If you want to for other reasons, fine. I am almost certain that the people here are happy with your “doodles” as BigClive might say.

Psient

Fascinating resiliency.

Andre Gopee

Thanks Paul. I always wanted to build this circuit but I could not do the drawing, which brings me to a question; What drawing program do you used? I am looking forward to build this. Thanks again.

William C. Jordan

I've got the parts to build a through-hole version of this. Just need a drill press to put the holes in the case accurately, I don't trust myself to do that free hand. :)

Tom M.

Very nice Paul! I don't test enough capacitors at the moment to justify making this for myself though. But guys like you, Banderson, Peter, Mike, Buddy, etc... then sure. I bet this thing works a treat and is fast. Nice job! Tom

Mr Carlson's Lab

That's great!

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi Bernhard, let me remind you.... The best piece of test gear you own, is right between your ears. I want you to compare amplitudes (and much more) I may build an "all in one" unit one day, but there are many variables to automation. The scope process is quick, easy, and you get to see other things about the capacitor, like internal folded design... so on.

Robert Calk Jr.

Thanks Paul! Just subscribed today. I think this may be my first project that I build in which I make an actual PCB for the first time.

Silvia

Thanks a lot for putting this together for us.. I have been wanting to make one,,,,, It gets old swapping leads to mark my caps!!!!!

1-800-STUPID

Gerber files or similar would be even better with minimal effort on your end. We can pick a PCB maker to source them ourselves for just the board. It would also be a good a good education on sourcing the components.

Zenwizard

AWSOME thanks Paul. I know what the next project is going to be.

Reb Elba

I really like how you design circuit boards. There is much to learn from. I have still my version of your circuit under construction but the score at the moment is 0:3 but I don't give up :) Many thanks Paul, great video!

Roy Mercer

Thanks Paul! I just watched your video on my lunch break and really enjoyed it.

Bernhard Wagner

How much would it take to extend this project so that the little box decides itself about the orientation of the capacitor? I.e. without the help of an oscilloscope? (And a human comparing amplitudes)

Carl Davis

Beautiful - Thanks

Bill Basch

Any chance you will offer the pre-made boards for sale, or even complete units? - Some of us don't have your board manufacturing skills!

Mr Carlson's Lab

Hi Axel. The exposed wire is inside the metal box, so no shielding is required. The box is the shield.

Phil

Hey Paul, Thank you ever so much for sharing the layout! This is definitely must have little tool. It goes straight to the pool room! :) Cheers!

Stephen Studley

Thank you Paul! This will be a very handy tool to add to my bench.

Axel DominatoR

Is the wire going from the PCB to the BNC connector shielded? How much does it get affected by noise?

Mr Carlson's Lab

You could try Dennis, but the scope makes life much easier than looking at flickery digits.

Dennis

Nice, I’ve been collecting parts to build one of these! Question, could one come test for the foil side using a very accurate rms meter? I think I see a Fluke 8500 on your bench. Could that do it?