Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: TubeGeek on October 21, 2014, 09:25:48 am

Title: Cap Analyzer 88A ESR/DCR Meter
Post by: TubeGeek on October 21, 2014, 09:25:48 am
I have a buddy who is selling his cap analyzer and I'm wondering what your opinions are on these cap checkers.


Would you find this tool useful for what we do?


http://eds-inc.com/product/capanalyzer-88a-series-ii/ (http://eds-inc.com/product/capanalyzer-88a-series-ii/)
Title: Re: Cap Analyzer 88A ESR/DCR Meter
Post by: jjasilli on October 21, 2014, 10:23:08 am
Sounds cool to me, but expensive and not necessary for guitar amp work.  But for mini circuit board work, it's essential to avoid unnecessary soldering / de-soldering
Title: Re: Cap Analyzer 88A ESR/DCR Meter
Post by: eleventeen on October 21, 2014, 11:30:23 am
You'd have to physically adapt the "tweezer probe" which is designed for itty bitty surface mount caps to fit big fat 400/600 volt caps like the ones we use for tube amps. And those probes do *not* plug into the unit. Awkward, perhaps.


Overkill, IMHO.
Title: Re: Cap Analyzer 88A ESR/DCR Meter
Post by: TubeGeek on October 22, 2014, 04:11:54 pm
Well I picked it up for $40.  Not bad.


Now I'll see if I can rely on this thing for telling me quality of caps.
Title: Re: Cap Analyzer 88A ESR/DCR Meter
Post by: TubeGeek on October 22, 2014, 10:07:54 pm
Forgot to add that it doesn't seem to affect the result if I extend the tweezer probes with mini grabber probes.  This way I can measure axial caps easily.


I've been going through some old caps and confirming the duds.  So far it seems to be giving me good results.



Title: Re: Cap Analyzer 88A ESR/DCR Meter
Post by: Willabe on October 22, 2014, 10:58:47 pm
Nice!

Please keep us informed on your results.


              Brad  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Cap Analyzer 88A ESR/DCR Meter
Post by: eleventeen on October 23, 2014, 10:17:30 am
Well, for $40 you can't hurt yourself too bad; I was thinking you were about to spend $200+ on it.
Title: Re: Cap Analyzer 88A ESR/DCR Meter
Post by: TubeGeek on October 24, 2014, 09:19:46 am
Well, for $40 you can't hurt yourself too bad; I was thinking you were about to spend $200+ on it.


I was expecting to pay around $75ish.  The owner asked for $25.  I gave him $40.  It all worked out nicely.