Test Equipment

[Addicted to music]

Hi all,

Not sure if it’s been discussed here, but I’m looking at test equipment such as oscilloscopes, generators, multimeters etc. Basically all that’s needed to measure and diagnose faults. I’m looking at this as a poor man’s budget test gear that’s cheap and cheerful that will do the trick. Stumbled across this on FB and have ordered there clamp MM and if that’s good I might try this the 3 in 1 or the 2 in 1 Oscilloscope. Has anyone purchased any of the equipment of this site? If so what’s your opinion: https://www.fnirsi.com/products/dso-tc4

 

[RandomEar]

From what I have seen, Fnirsi is really good at marketing and cramming features into a product, but they tend to ship devices with significant - often hidden - flaws. Their scopes interpolate data where you don't expect it, there's aliasing in the displayed traces which results in totally wrong readings when reducing the time resolution and stuff like that. I recommend to check out the reviews of Kerry Wong for a pretty good idea of how a device performs. I would avoid reviews from TechCornerTV, they tend to be overly positive and the channel creator seems to lack knowledge about the electronics he is testing. If you want more in-depth info (and more ramblings about Fnirsi), you should check out the EEVBlog forums, for example here or here.

If you want a cheap-ish scope meter without major pitfalls, I would tend to recommend Owon devices like the HDS 2102A or a Zeeweei DSO3D12. I haven't used those myself, but know a couple of people who own them and didn't complain, yet If you are OK with getting a separate multimeter and scope, I would recommend the combo of a midrange Brymen or Uni-T meter and a small scope like the DS4T252. If the scope doesn't have to be portable, there are 2-channel devices with 100 MHz bandwidth from Hantek and Owon which should be more than good enough for "home use". The best cheap clamp meter currently seems to be the Winapex 268B, which offers mA-level resolution even in DC mode.

 

[EERecordist]

I don't know that product. ASR has some test bench topics.

A fun channel for test bench gear is a gentleman from Australia and his videos are entertaining: https://www.youtube.com/@EEVblog. Sure able ASR participants have more suggestions.

You are on the right track: oscilloscope for signal tracing and voltage, and a multimeter - including DB ideally. It is inexpensive to add an LCR in-circuit meter, a good soldering setup, desoldering - a manual sucker and solderwick is fine to start, a conductive anti-static mat and anti-static wrist strap, contact cleaner - there are specific types, and freeze mist.

Safety glasses are mandatory - you don't want to get a splash of solder in your eye!

Magnifiers and lights are good. Some people like a mains supply/AC plug variac with an ammeter, even with a tungsten - not LED - light bulb in series.

Next I would add Room EQ Wizard and a cheap AtoD DtoA interface. The DtoA can be your oscillator, though there are other inexpensive adjustable audio range oscillators.

Network in your town and online to people doing similar troubleshooting. Some towns have a chapter of dorkbot and that or maker spaces may have people with interests similar to yourself.

Sometimes you find items used when a ham/technician/engineer retires, but check the price, often new is cheaper!