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The Bob Parker Anatek Blue ESR Meter

I bought a new Blue ESR meter kit from Anatek recently. The kit was received very quickly, and assembly was easy. The kit is neatly packed, the circuit board is high quality and clearly marked for correct component placement.

Anatek created an online forum for discussion of their products, so, if someone encounters problems after assembly of the kit, they can find several solutions and/or get quick help

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Aside from proper component placement, improper soldering technique would probably be the only issue that an inexperienced kit builder or DIY-type would experience. If one is not trying to rush thru the assembly, there aren't likely be any problems at completion.

I've intended to get one of the Bob Parker ESR models for many years, but I procrastinate. I heard of the Procrastinators of America about 40 years ago but never got around to joining.

I had read possibly hundreds of positive comments about Bob's ESR meters over the years, and new users continue to praise them.

I've used Sencore Z-Meters for lots of years, and the Sencore models are reliable, and also offer many capacitor and inductor test-analyze features/functions beyond ESR testing, but the Bob Parker ESR meter is much more convenient to use for quickly checking caps on a board. Before the Sencore units, I relied on a digital capacitance meter and a leakage tester built from a magazine article in the 80s, scope and DMM.

The Sencore units are very sensitive to any resistance of the connections for the test cable.. oxidation at the front panel BNC connector can prevent the circuits from zeroing properly (fault condition). The Sencore test cable is about a 3' length of RG-62 B/U which isn't as easily handled as the simple test leads of the Blue ESR meter. The Blue ESR Meter is agreeable to to simple test leads and different attachments such as alligator clips or test probes.

Like many others who like to or need to investigate circuit faults, I'm also delighted with the Blue ESR Meter.

-- Cheers, WB .............

Reply to
Wild_Bill
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On 5/20/2010 8:21 PM Wild_Bill spake thus:

So have you checked the ESR of the caps in the kit?

--
The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring,
with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags.

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Reply to
David Nebenzahl

I've used an original Bob Parker designed Dick Smith kit on a daily basis for years, and have always found it a pleasure to use. When the "Blue" was released by Anatek from Bob's design revisions, I built a kit and wrote a review for an electronics trade magazine here in the UK. I too found it easy to build, and I agree with you that any reasonably experienced electronics enthusiast who can handle a soldering iron, would be able to build the kit with a 99% chance of 'first time' success. As you have found, a fine instrument to own and use, and a worthy successor to Bob's original design.

And no, I'm not connected to Bob (except as a friend on the 'net for some years) or to John at Anatek, in any way !

Arfa

Reply to
Arfa Daily

"Arfa Daily" wrote in news:1YrJn.51963$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe07.ams:

I have yet to read about anyone who disliked the Bob Parker ESR meter. I love mine.

KUDOS to him!

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com
Reply to
Jim Yanik

I'll get right on that. Funny that you should ask, but when doing repairs, I've been in the habit for years, of checking replacement caps before installing them. That would include a value, internal leakage and dielectric absorption tests in addition to testing ESR.

I regularly check new stock as I purchase it, and again before installing electrolytic caps.

IMO, it's probably best to buy parts like electrolytics from a supplier that buys direct and has a fairly fast inventory turnover, like DigiKey.

Buying electrolytics from surplus dealers can result in some very old stock. It seems that old stock is liquidated to sellers/brokers that package them individually for retail sale and offer them to small/independent parts distributors, or just sell them in bulk to surplus sellers. Much of the stock available from the second or third transaction sources would no longer pass new specification testing. They may function in a hobby circuit, but their reliability is likely to be very low.

There are often date codes on some of the better brands of electrolytics (the usual thru-hole type with wrappers), so when old date codes on new parts are encountered, it's time to get a different supplier.

-- Cheers, WB .............

Reply to
Wild_Bill

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