#87 Upgrading Kelvin leads to the LCR meter and see what we discover

Kelvin clip cable/ cord upgrade

[@kd7eir]

Seven years later this video is still helping people like myself! Thank you!

[@PatrickECleary]

Thank you for this video. I bought similar Kelvin clips and found the exact same problem as you did. You saved me lots of time and head-scratching 😁 Cheers!

[@georgebodley8068]

good tutorial once again will be doing this upgrade thanks

[@laser-on-off]

Another great video, and your repair work is sooo clean. Fantastic ! Thank you.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thank you!!Cheers

[@TRXLab]

Thank you so much! Have a good Time 73

[@SquantoTerror]

Another great video Peter. Thank you for sharing.

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Nicholas 73

[@kylemfwelch]

Very informative video. I'm glad it didn't work the first time as I had the same problem with this upgrade

[@hartmutschroer661]

Hallo Peter, ich habe fast alle Tutorials gesehen.Ich habe sehr viel gelernt und freue mich immer auf neue Videos von Dir. Besonders gefallen mir die Gerätevorstellungen CB und Afu.Danke nochmal und mach weiter so.Daumen hoch !!

[@petertrxbench3346]

Hallo Hartmut, vielen Dank für die Rückmeldung., freut mich wenn es dir gefällt. Alles Gute bis bald. 73

[@TRXLab]

Hallo Hartmut, vielen Dank für die Rückmeldung!! Freut mich, wenn dir meine Videos gefallen. Alles Gute 73

[@gregorywest2029]

Another great video. Comment on the kelvin clips, the wires to each clip one should go to each side of the clip, that way you remove all the resistence to the ends of the clip nose. Also a pair would be great for doing 4 wire resistence measurements. Thanks, Greg

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thanks Greg you are right 73

[@davidbishop5736]

I did the same modification and from the pictures I see that I must have ordered the exact same cables and my cables were also non-functional if you want to use them with the shield and the center conductor separate. My clips had the shield and center conductor soldered together inside the clips. I had ordered two sets of cables for the modification and BOTH sets had the center conductor soldered to the shield in the clips. The solder work on my cables looked well done as if this is the way they wanted them to be. Check your cables to see if you have a separate shield and center conductor if you get the type shown in the video.

[@TRXLab]

+David Bishop Hi David, thanks for information and for stopping by All the best Cheers

[@PapasDino]

Glad the fix was easy (sometimes you get what you pay for!). Pomona makes a very nice set of 4-wire leads with regular DMM probe type tips that makes it easier to get into tight spaces. You sacrifice about 1" of sense lead length but that's probably insignificant. Great video as usual Peter, thanks! 73 - Dino KL0S

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thanks Dino. Yes you are right sometimes you get what you pay for. 73

[@kennethlyon3829]

This was like a Jack-in-the-Box. Freakishly bad soldering existed on your bench (however briefly). I had to laugh. Thank you for peeling the curtain back!

[@TRXLab]

LOL Thanks for watching 73

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Nice upgrade Peter. (and probe fix as well) I have a bag of those BNC connectors, I believe their 75 Ohms, and widely used in the Video surveillance industry. Happy Easter to you and your family!

[@petertrxbench3346]

Hi Paul, yes Most likely 75 Ohms. Happy Eastern to you and yours. 73

[@DeeegerD]

+Mr Carlson's Lab I don't think it matters much until you get into VHF or above - for HF and low frequency stuff either should be fine.

[@rapsod1911]

I don't know if this is true but I'll post it anyway. www.gvnweb.nl/BNC_75vs50.jpg

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Only bad if you want 75 Ohms.

[@jaxamari4901]

I realize Im pretty off topic but does anybody know of a good site to watch newly released movies online?

[@spelunkerd]

I often wondered what happened to electronic components that fail quality control. They get sold on Ali Express and various Chinese online retailers, often for a deep discount. Fortunately in this case you were able to resolder the problematic area. I've had other electronics that fail at the board level, to such an extent that repair is impossible.

[@wiredkat]

Another great video. I'm gonna try this on my DE-5000.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Hi Steve, thanks for watching. Good luck with your upgrade. 73

[@technos123]

Nice upgrade look forward to your next video.

[@TRXLab]

Again thank you! 783

[@RupertHandford]

Nice upgrade. Still saving to get the meter so will order Kelvin leads at the same time. Happy Easter!

[@TRXLab]

Hi Rupert, happy eastern all the best cheers.

[@KTFG]

That is unfortunate but a risk with inexpensive products. I was apprehensive purchasing after reading several reviews similar to yours but I ordered two different sets, both are without defect and I am pleased with the quality for the price. I did the DE-5000 hard wire upgrade but will be doing a banana jack interchangeable 4-wire upgrade next.

[@OrbiterElectronics]

A shame that your new leads were damaged Peter, but at least they were repairable. I did the same mod on my DE-5000 and for me the larger leads & clips are much better than the fiddly little ones. Cheers friend John

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thanks John yes much better. All the best friend Cheers.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Good job Peter, thanks. Kinda crazy when you open up a "new" device, and then have to fix it. lol

[@TRXLab]

Hi Robert, yes it is a kind of funny lol. Thanks for feed back. 73

[@albertorojas3631]

Great video!! Happy Easter 73, Alberto!

[@TRXLab]

Happy Eastern Alberto 73

[@hancecrawford]

Hi my friend very disappointing for you to find your Kelvin clips had failed it was good that you were able to fix them so much for products coming from PRC that was a good job which you done :)

[@TRXLab]

Yeah you are right but at least easy to fix

[@DextersTechLab]

thank you for the mention Peter, great video,shame the clips you had needed fixing. Oh the joys of buying from China!

[@petertrxbench3346]

No problem Mark. Thanks again for the good hint. All the best Cheers.

[@g1fsh]

Happy Easter Peter hope u have a good holiday my Friend thanks for the great videos.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thanks Gary. Happy Eastern all the best

[@TRXLab]

Hi Gary, thank you and happy eastern to you!!! 73

[@mikesradiorepair]

Nice upgrade on the test leads. It's a shame the meter doesn't come with something like this factory installed. And I think the factory that did the soldering on those clamps might need to try hiring someone over 10 years old next time around. :) If you want to see what this meters great great grandfather looks like I just uploaded a video on a old Semcor tube type capacitor analyzer yesterday.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thanks for watching Mike. Will check your video when i have back a better net 73.

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

the china person fell a sleep when assembly Happy Easter to you also thanks for video Peter

[@petertrxbench3346]

LOL yes they are still sleeping. Thanks for watching. Happy eastern. 73

[@paulinmt2185]

Nicely done. Enjoyed your presentation. Thanks and 73 de Paul

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Paul! 73

[@jjl6519]

Interesting video, very informative, thanks

[@TRXLab]

+Joe Lees Thank you Joe!

[@nunolopes2885]

Well, I got something to do on my DE-5000 too, ePay here I go buy some Kelvin to do the mood. Thanks Peter for nice videos.Nuno - CT2IRY

[@petertrxbench3346]

Hi, thanks for watching and good luck with the peoject 73

[@TRXLab]

Hi Nuno, good luck with your project 73

[@YvoMunizAlphaTelecom]

As always a BIG thumbs up! 73

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thank you Yvo!!! All the best friend 73

[@preludelinux]

Nice upgrade , i need to do this upgrade in my future. thanks for the video.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thanks for watching.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thanks for watching.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thanks for watching.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for watching. 73

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Hello Peter. I have a DE5000 coming from Japan. It should be here in a few days. I got one with the TL-21, 22, 23, and USB PC Link. I ordered a power supply and some nice Kelvin clips. Yesterday I used 14 inches of RG-316 coax for each of the four leads and got them soldered up to the clips. The manual says not to make the leads too long so I figured that 14 inches overall would be ok. I can't wait till my meter gets here and I can install my new Kelvin clips up to the connector box. I might replace the tweezer leads also but I will wait till I see and use the meter before I decide on that. Thanks for the great videos!

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

Not one shit was giving that day in china. LOL Good work! i still want to pic up an LCR meter soon...

[@TRXLab]

+Matt K Hi Matt, yes LOL you are right! 73

[@slaznum1]

Nice job what a pain to have to fix your brand-new leads!

[@TRXLab]

+slaznum1 Hi, yes that is true... Thanks for watching 73

[@DeeegerD]

Thanks for the video. Just ordered my DE-5000 yesterday and today ordered the Kelvin clips and AC adapter. If anything goes wrong I'll hold you responsible LOL ;) Keep up the good job.

[@TRXLab]

+Digger D LOL, lets see how it turns out hehe. Thanks for watching 73

[@BobMellor1954]

Thanks Peter, great upgrade, crappy Chinese soldering on the probe; they obviously aren't bothered with QA! Regards Bob

[@petertrxbench3346]

Hi Bob yes looks like. Thanks for watching 73

[@wadehicks9270]

Thanks for sharing. Good video.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for watching Wade 73

[@Beretta96Dan]

Thanks, Peter. You do very good to fix Chinese boo-boo! Lol!

[@TRXLab]

LOL yeah wie do our best. Thanks for watching. 73

[@wm0davis]

I essentially watched your instructions in the long video describing how to make this upgrade mod and was excited to try it. I guess unfortunately the Kelvin leads I purchased were not shielded and thought it might be OK even though the ones you used were shielded but likely you never tried with unshielded or even mention the possibility.. No mention was made to indicate it would or could make a difference but I did wonder. So I did the mod with the leads I had purchased. Well it did seem to make a difference which exhibited itself by the CAL function on the DE05000 not working unless I held my tongue in just right position through the entire procedure. So I surmised perhaps they needed to be shielded leads as the ones you used. I then purchased leads with BNC connectors which were in fact shielded and that corrected the issue of CAL fail and it works fine now. Thanks for the idea but surmise your one hour plus video perhaps could have been effectively done if much shorter. Maybe this 21 minute video is just that but the 1hr plus one I watched was somewhat laborious. Thanks again for a gread mod.

[@duskomarincic]

Great video! Question, what heat shrink tube diameter do I need for the clip handles?

[@Homer19521]

We still miss you, Peter

[@CollinBaillie]

What type of connector is on the adapter box the the Guard terminal? Is that a 4mm banana socket?

[@iw0hex]

Thanks Peter. 73s de IW0HEX Pasquale.

[@TRXLab]

+Pasquale IW0HEX Hey Pasquale good to see you here! Hope you are okay. Thanks for stopping by 73

[@Coyote973]

It's hard to see from your video, but are actually the wires soldered each one on its side of the clip? From picture the both two wires come just on one side of the clip, but I guess one wire is soldered to that part of the clip and the other is curved to reach the other half of the clip?

[@herbertsusmann986]

I have seen so many bad soldering jobs on the cheap Chinese stuff. Some of it becomes dangerous if it involves mains wiring which I have also seen. I now check things out before using them and fix if needed.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Hi Herbert, yes some are really a crime. Thanks for watching. 73

[@PY4SR]

Thanks for this video. Could you show us how do you face esd subject? How you connect mat, wrist and etc. Specially focusing on the mat you are using. Happy eastern!

[@petertrxbench3346]

Hi Rob, yes when I'm back in the lab. Thanks for watching 73

[@TRXLab]

Happy Eastern Rob, yes will do a video on esd but give me some More Time as I'm improving esd upset and waiting for Parts.

[@IliyaOsnovikov]

TRX Lab, do you know by any chance what connection (+/- 1 and +/- 2) is voltage sensing and what one is test current? Also what do you think is the optimal Kelvin clips cable length?

[@IliyaOsnovikov]

Answering the first question myself: terminals on the TL-21 PCB labeled "+2" and "-2" are providing the test signal. And the teminals "+1" and "-1" are for sensing voltage. I am using 2-wire shielded 28 AWG cable for connecting Kelvin style alligators. So, at alligator's end I am keeping the # 1 wires as short as possible (about 5 mm outside of a shield) but the # 2 leads could be longer (about 35 mm) to loop them to a second contact on anther side of an alligator.

[@FUNKLABOR_DL1LEP]

Yeah❤

[@TheRadioShop]

Very nice upgrade Peter. Should work a lot better with those new leads. Bad soldering from China? No way.... Happy Easter my friend!!

[@petertrxbench3346]

Thanks Buddy Happy Eastern friend. 73

[@TheRadioShop]

+Peter TRXBench No problem Peter. Same to you my friend. I did upload a work bench remodel video :)

[@TRXLab]

+The Radio Shop thanks Buddy. Not sure if i can watch your new video. Nett ist very unstable here. Sorry 73

[@TheRadioShop]

I hear that Peter. Mine does that at times. What a pain it can be. Take care friend.

[@TheRadioShop]

+TRXBench :-(

[@tablatronix]

Lesson , Always test first!

[@alex-zu9zj]

This cable Is RG174?

[@dennismartinez5298]

You didn't even explain where the wires go what a bummer.

[@3madeamps]

Can you do some videos on induction coils with this meter

[@kaybhee6]

a/// so the included ones are no good ? and which is best replacement ?

[@happymark1805]

just ordered a set for my ae20204 lc meter, lets see if mine is better ;-)And about the 75 Ohms bnc, I think there meight be one other difference betweens 75 and 50 Ohm, if I am correct the center pin of the 75Ohm is also bit thicker.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Hi Mark , thanks for watching. Good luck wirh your project. I'm Not sure with the Center pin. I think that is with n connectors. 73

[@happymark1805]

+Peter TRXBench the N-connector is the same as the bnc connector only the outside is different, you can even put a male N connector on a female bnc connector (at least that works with 50 Ohm N/BNC, I have done that with my handheld TH79). 73

[@AT_Sr]

happymark1805

[@dennisschultz1175]

Is there a big difference in low inductance measurements between the original and new clips?

[@davecc0000]

Those clips are huge. What components can u clip onto? No SMD stuff, only through hole.

[@TRXLab]

NO for SMD there is a pair of tweezers available.. 73

[@capriracer351]

I have one of these meters and have found that it is very "buggy" It will pause and not respond quite often. Now, for what ever reason it will not auto range over about 1500 micro farads, pretty much rendering it to be useless for bigger capacitors. Not sure if this happens on the L or R, I will have to test it. Has anyone else experienced this with their unit?? If I can get it working though, those Kelvin clips look to be the way to go.

[@TRXLab]

Hi, that is very interesting. May be an early firmware. Contact the Company for Firmware Upgrade. Let is know if you get an answer. 73

[@maxwarfield6699]

I'm a novice, so correct me if I'm wrong but, after this upgrade, the shielding is soldered to the pcb [on one end] but it's connected to nothing, on the clip end? What is the point of connecting the shielding to the pcb, if it will serve no purpose [because it is connected to nothing, on the other end]? Couldn't you just ignore the shielding all together? Please let me know - I want to learn. Thank you kindly

[@hatter9576]

I believe that the shield wires are not used for measurement, so they are properly connected only at one end (in the box) and the other end is left "in the air". The shield acts along the entire length of the cable and protects the working conductor from induced interference. Each of the working conductors should be connected to one of the jaws - this is possible because the jaws are insulated from each other.

[@jon123423]

Nice one Pete. Are all your readings much more accurate now especially picofarad measurement.

[@TRXLab]

Hi, the cap testing Even the low values are not the Problem. Cheap Meters can handle that.

[@TheDisorderly1]

Nice job. Can you send a link to your video to the seller to show them the trouble you found?

[@TRXLab]

+TheDisorderly1 Hi, yes would be a good idea but most likely they are not really interested in China... Thanks for watching 73

[@TheDisorderly1]

Perhaps. If you never show them then they can potentially never improve because they may sell this item and never use it but if you show them and they aren't interested then it is their own problem.

[@TRXLab]

+TheDisorderly1 Yepp, I agree you are right. let's see what the response is.. 73

[@Electrolab28Ag]

Hey TRX, Nice upgrade but what is the TL-21 Box?

[@TRXLab]

It comes with the LCR meter. Thanks for watching Cheers

[@jeanpierredaviau7478]

Would 50 ohms Kelvin leads would do?

[@Andrewausfa]

Hallo Peter, what is that large piece of test equipment to the left of your R&S radio test set please? Frohe Ostern to you. Regards -Andrew

[@TRXLab]

Hi Andrew, that is my Audio test set. Happy eastern. 73

[@w8fg]

Where did you source the kelvin clip leads? I could sure use a couple sets

[@TRXLab]

On ebay from China. Just search for Kelvin clips...Cheers

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

Hi Peter ordered a meter and kelvin clips , question is there enough room in box to mount 4 bnc jacks ? thank you

[@TRXLab]

+DENNIS N Hi Dennis, well thre box it is small and not that massive material so I would suggest to solder it as I have done it in my video. Hope that answers your question 73

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

ok thank you

[@Satchmoeddie]

Romanian Mark? Those junk Chinese leads are too short for my Teague LCR. Those leads plug into the back, and I am SOL with those shite 60 cm long leads. I need 100 cm or longer. Now I am still at a loss. Another set of Teague leads will cost me $1000 or more, but Chinese clips, coax and BNC connectors will work. Oh good! It's proprietary! 32 Ohms! Thanks Peter! Off to surplus land I go! Or off to the conversion deigning drawing board for an impedance conversion. The Teague LCR is getting up north of $5000 USD now, not including $1000 for the leads.

[@secod2022]

OPEN THE KLAMP MEASURE INDUVIDUAL THEN ITS OK

[@wntu4]

My new Kelvins have no shield. :(

[@yoramstein]

Winner Winner chicken diner beim der Wiener

[@AntiqueRadioandTV]

Yeah Peter, those darn small alligator clips are a bear to open their jaws. I love the new Kelvin clips upgrade! What Chinese moron soldered those leads?! Quality control, all the way. {8-O I know everything should pan out because of the four wire kelvin technology, but for the heck of it, did you retest to see if you got corroborating results with both sets of leads? I would have, even though, of course, I see that it did pass the calibration. $10? Sure, I'm right on it. I'll do the same for my DE-5000. BTW: Even though I just recently received my DE-5000, I have a lower serial number than yours. Serial #4322 Nice job Peter. Thanks a million for the tip from DextersLab2013! 73s Tom

[@TRXLab]

Hi Tom, yes the aligator clips arme crap. The Kelvin are much better. I have compared reading with my tweezers and the new Kelvin. All values are reproduceable. I have paid 9.60€ so no big deal.. Great that you have yours. Let me know hör it works. All the best and Cheers

[@AntiqueRadioandTV]

+TRXBench Yes, Peter it tests terrific! I also had forgotten to mention Happy Easter to you and your family!

[@petertrxbench3346]

+AntiqueRadioandTV happy Eastern Tom!

[@bigfoottoo2841]

Suggestion, buy a new meter.

[@TRXLab]

what a funny suggestion...

[@Drforbin941]

China junk....But great mod! Think I'll try it on my de-5000.

[@petertrxbench3346]

Yeah Right China junk!! Thanks for watching.

[@TRXLab]

Thank you! All the best Cheers

[@JohnUsp]

China and Quality, LOL

[@hansonsux]

Just a little 29 minute video. Lol.

[@supernova86]

I hate to say it... but, in my experience, those are terrible kelvin clips :(

[@TRXLab]

Yeah you are right. After reworking it we can use it ..

[@lroy730]

Yeah great Mod. Beware cheap China crap ...

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for feed-back 73

[@waggrey1]

Why you can't talk and keep on talking, get with the blasted thing man