Inductance/Capacitance Meter - LC100A (4K)

[@VoidHalo]

I bought one of these a few years ago, and I could not have been happier with it. I still don't have a "proper" LCR meter, but I have a Uni-T brand DMM with a capacitance feature on it, but I still prefer this. Even if the USB plug's a bit dated heh.

[@schaltnetzteil495]

Thanks for your tests! Seems like a reasonable LC meter. I wasn't sure about buying one of these but after watching this video I'll buy it, especially for measuring inductors.

[@tsbrownie]

It has been really useful. Recently I made a coil based on a calculator, then I tested the real thing and it had 1/3rd of the inductance! Turns out the PVC pipe I used had some filler that reacted with the electromagnetic field. That saved me long hours of trying to trouble shoot a "broken" crystal radio.

[@jasonblume2707]

Thank you so much for making this video, I actually have that tool but was using it for testing RC lipo batteries but I never knew it can do capacitors, which I need right now to test Air conditioner capacitors... Thanks.. I almost just posted it for sale.. Thanks!

[@davidhawley1132]

Since there are no reference values, I'm tempted to think he means 'precision' when he says 'accuracy'.

[@AB1Vampire]

Good Point but it's not difficult to find and test a quality fixed inductor and then apply whatever difference there may be to future results. At least that's my plan for my upcoming Tune Input build where I will copy the Pride Input circuit for a 4cx250b

[@harry13853]

With the 5 volt LC meter you must first calibrate by short-circuiting the 2 measuring leads and then pressing the zero button.

[@tsbrownie]

I usually do, but not every time. If you don't power it off, it is within a few percent.

[@gordinir7]

After i watched your video bought one also, i have taken a few measurements and here are the results. I am not sure if the tolerance is between limits or not, i would like to know your opinion if not a problem. i measured those values and reset it after each measurement: first column has the given value, second column what i measured. 1000pf to get 760pf 4.7nf - 3.56 470pf - 353pf 0.022mf - 0.016mf 2.2nf - 1.51nf 56pf - 41pf 150pf - 115pf 220pf - 166pf 1mf - 20mf 10mf - 209mf 22mf - 500mf 1mf - 19.8mf

[@tsbrownie]

I am not sure if it is the meter or the devices. I've measured many caps and such and they are never dead on. There's a way to calibrate it, have you done that?

[@gordinir7]

@@tsbrownie No i haven't calibrate it, don't know how. I have measure 2-3 different capacitors of the same value and the fault is the same for all of them.

[@tsbrownie]

@@gordinir7 Sounds like calibration.

[@vivaciencia9329]

I could deduce you know the inductors reference values, but it would be a better experience if you told us. Thanks for sharing

[@tsbrownie]

Noted, thanks.

[@geirha75]

I have LC100A from Ali. I have made an inductor for HF, 200uH according to technical specifications. When I measure it with greater accuracy I get 147uH otherwise wiyh less accuracy I get spot on 0.200 mH according to design specifications. What is correct?

[@tsbrownie]

Did you zero it out? I have to zero mine every time I turn it on. Also, I've killed 2 by not discharging caps COMPLETELY before connecting them.

[@geirha75]

@@tsbrownie Yes I have actually zoro it out before the measurements so I'm quite confused by the results. I think I will need to pause my project and wait for a more reliable measurement.

[@seanchallenge]

Awesome 😎

[@MM0IMC]

I've found that the readings for physically large inductors for a tank circuit, can be hit and miss. I think the meter is rather flaky.

[@eddiemolina657]

Thanks for the tip.😁

[@tsbrownie]

You bet!

[@morganfreeman5171]

Hi, i'm looking into buying an inductance meter to determine the dwell time on automotive coils (for the spark plugs). Would this device do the job ?

[@tsbrownie]

I don't know enough about new cars to answer. If we are talking about old cars with points and condensers, then I could venture a guess.

[@kaiserschnitselsr]

lol

[@prabhupillai9386]

Good info... Thx

[@directsystems2225]

Is there ESR reading on LC100A?

[@tsbrownie]

Not that I know of. The instructions are rather thin.

[@brewstud]

I recently purchased one of these. When testing a coil the value displayed gradually drops towards zero. Pressing the red function button indicates the frequency climbing. Is that a fault in the device?

[@tsbrownie]

I can not be sure, but that does not sound right. The values should stay pretty steady around the actual value.

[@brewstud]

@@tsbrownie Thanks for the response. Didn't seem right to me. Makes the testing sort of useless. I will return it for a replacement.

[@blacksmock445]

@@brewstud Some LC100 had a yellow toroid with 33 turns as the L1 inductor. The material the toroid is made of is intended for use as a suppression choke in power supplies and its inductance varies with higher frequencies. As it forms part of an oscillator circuit this accounts for the variation in frequency. Older versions use a moulded axial inductor (it looks like a resistor) for L1. I replaced the toroid in mine with a 47uH moulded inductor which made inductance measurements more stable.

[@rakhmatvaris]

does anyone have the LC meter LC100A firmware? because of the overvoltage usb adapter, the STM ic finally burned

[@jayytee8062]

My one is so bad with accuracy. I'm going to have to try some mods.

[@nofcustoms4663]

where do you get it

[@tsbrownie]

Ordered online.

[@mohammadalfauomey3443]

What about the price in $ please . Thanks.

[@tsbrownie]

I paid about $10 USD with shipping.

[@mohammadalfauomey3443]

@@tsbrownie Thanks .

[@joewoodchuck3824]

How much current does it draw?

[@tsbrownie]

If you google "LC100-A" you can find the user manual, but it only lists a 5V power requirement. Does not tell the total power required.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

@@tsbrownieThanks. I had already located the full manual and found the same. I want mine on battery power, so I'll have to measure the current on my own to determine what to use. I'm inclined to use two AAs with a boost converter. We'll see. I do wish the companies would supply typical current draw for these modules in general. Im working on a DSO138 scope, and will build the signal generator next among others. Each one will require knowing the current draw before packaging can be decided upon.

[@tsbrownie]

@@joewoodchuck3824 let us know what you find.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

That was my plan as well. Plan B is a 9v battery and a 7805 linear regulator

[@joewoodchuck3824]

@@tsbrownie I used a Charge Doctor to measure the LC100 current draw. The resolution is only 10 ma and it read zero. According to what I see therefore it's drawing less than that. 9.9 ma would still show zero on that meter. I'll set up an analog meter when I get a chance, but for now I'm assuming fairly minuscule current. Plan A. 2 AA cells with cheap boost regulator. Plan B. 9 volt battery feeding a 7805 linear regulator. Plan C. Experimentally, 2 CR2032 lithium cells in series with one or two signal diodes, depending on how the IV curve knee works out at that level.

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

i need a tester fer big caps

[@DirtNerds]

LC100A works great but mine died after about year. but for price ....

[@tsbrownie]

Me too. I bought the replacement chips and need to get around to fixing it.