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Projects => Tech Help - Projects Page => Topic started by: sgmezei on January 03, 2012, 08:01:37 PM

Title: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: sgmezei on January 03, 2012, 08:01:37 PM
Hey folks, I purchased the capacitor testor kit from spark fun seen here:
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9485

The build went fine but is not working. No screen no nothing. I am supposed to check  pin 7 and 20 on the chip to get 5v but I am getting 9.5v!
I checked all joints and components, and checking the voltage makes me believe I have a bad regulator (78L05).

Does this sound correct?

Josh (gtr2) has this same one so hopefully he can chime in.
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: slimtriggers on January 03, 2012, 08:15:05 PM
The trouble I had with mine was that I was using a negative ground power supply.  I switched the diode around, thinking I had installed it wrong and ended up blowing up the electro cap right after it.  :o

I replaced the cap and diode, then used a positive ground supply and it worked perfectly.

Sounds like you may have a different problem, though :-\
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: nzCdog on January 03, 2012, 08:26:26 PM
If it was working but now isn't it'll be part failure, it would appear the regulator has gone, but that may have caused other parts to fail as well. :(
Sounds like you need to contact the seller...
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: sgmezei on January 03, 2012, 08:31:00 PM
I was using the wrong power supply  :(

I just assumed it used a guitar style. I used a one spot. I dont think I have a "normal" adaptor even hahaha. Rat shack I guess. Will I have hurt anything or am I protected by the diode?
It hasn't worked yet. Didnt fire up first time

Thanks for the quick replies team.
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: sgmezei on January 03, 2012, 08:40:49 PM
Alright it is working fine. I tried a new adapter with positive ground and it works fine.

Thanks guys!
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: nzCdog on January 03, 2012, 08:45:14 PM
woot!
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: gtr2 on January 03, 2012, 08:57:57 PM
Excellent!  Glad you got it working.

It's a handy little tester :)

Josh
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: sgmezei on January 03, 2012, 09:56:55 PM
Yeah it should be great. Did you end up housing yours?

here's some pics for those who are not familiar
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: djaaz on January 03, 2012, 10:59:29 PM
I was thinking on a cheap & effective way to box this thing.
Even find a better socket system to plug any capacitor in there.

Anyone had a brilliant idea?
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: nzCdog on January 04, 2012, 12:09:01 AM
Something like this (http://jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=HB6096&keywords=instrument+enclosure&form=KEYWORD)? 

(http://jaycar.co.nz/products_uploaded/productLarge_968.jpg)

Called a 'keyboard' enclosure, perhaps you could find one locally
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: CRBMoA on January 04, 2012, 06:47:16 PM
(http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m334/CRBMoA/IMG_4716.jpg)

(http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m334/CRBMoA/IMG_4718.jpg)
Title: Re: capacitor tester trouble
Post by: sgmezei on January 04, 2012, 09:11:58 PM
Cool, that looks sturdy. I just dont like having a raw circuit sitting on my bench next to transformers and such.
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