Cheapest transistor tester (fully built, $14.27)

xefned

xefned

Well-known member
Positive Aliexpress experience

I bought the cheapest transistor tester I could find on Aliexpress. It was a gamble at only $14.27, including tax. But it worked out.
  • It arrived fully-built and calibrated in only 6 days,
  • came in an ESD-safe bag with lots of padding, and
  • has a socketed IC for easier firmware updates. (Some versions it's SMD.)
That is all. Just thought I'd share.

(It measures transistor leakage too, which my other one does not.)
1715652034891.png

The only negatives: the PCB was a bit flux-y. The DC jack is center positive.
 
xefned said:
Positive Aliexpress experience

I bought the cheapest transistor tester I could find on Aliexpress. It was a gamble at only $14.27, including tax. But it worked out.
  • It arrived fully-built and calibrated in only 6 days,
  • came in an ESD-safe bag with lots of padding, and
  • has a socketed IC for easier firmware updates. (Some versions it's SMD.)
That is all. Just thought I'd share.

(It measures transistor leakage too, which my other one does not.)
View attachment 75048

The only negatives: the PCB was a bit flux-y. The DC jack is center positive.
Click to expand...

That's the one I got, and I like it so far. Picked up a case from eBay, and rewired the jack to center negative
1000025786.jpg
 
I got something similar (had a yellow PCB) and managed to brick it just testing it out. Waste of $18 or whatever I paid — don't remember price exactly because it was in Renminbi.

So...

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GETTING THE CASE FOR IT!
 
xefned said:
All caps. I will get the case! It feels a bit exposed. I'll figure out how to rewire the jack for center negative. I'm sure to absent-mindedly destroy it with all the center negative supplies I have around here.
Click to expand...

I desoldered the stock jack, and replaced it with a wired mini Lumberg.
The hole in the case is just a hair smaller than the body of the jack, but if you center it in the hole, it'll stay
 
I have a DCA55 and one of these, which came with a plexi housing:


IMG_7306.jpeg
The readings between the two are a little off, so I usually give deference to the DCA55. I didn’t know they self-calibrate, though. I will have to compare them again.. Without an instruction manual it’s hard to know these things!
 
coltonius said:
I have a DCA55 and one of these, which came with a plexi housing:


View attachment 75120
The readings between the two are a little off, so I usually give deference to the DCA55. I didn’t know they self-calibrate, though. I will have to compare them again.. Without an instruction manual it’s hard to know these things!
Click to expand...

The results could be correct from both and they might test parts at different voltages?
 
I got a similar one on eBay and a 3d printed case like the one above, but the tester didn't quite fit. My fault for assuming they were all the same size. Today I shorted it out on a screwdriver bit I didn't see on my desk while testing transistors, so I just ordered the one from AliExpress via the link above and it was only $8.64 after tax with free shipping, says it will be here next week. I guess if anyone was on the fence but $14 seemed too rich, now's your chance.
 
coltonius said:
The readings between the two are a little off, so I usually give deference to the DCA55. I didn’t know they self-calibrate, though. I will have to compare them again.. Without an instruction manual it’s hard to know these things!
Click to expand...
github.com

TransistorTester-documentation/pdftex/english/ttester.pdf at main · kubi48/TransistorTester-documentation

Documentation about the TransistorTester . Contribute to kubi48/TransistorTester-documentation development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com github.com
Every cheap tester is more or less a copy of this one.
 
coltonius said:
Sweeeeet! Thanks for linking that.
Click to expand...
You're welcome!
And there is also new firmware depending on which hardware you have:
github.com

TransistorTester-source/trunk at master · kubi48/TransistorTester-source

Sources of the Transistor Tester project. Contribute to kubi48/TransistorTester-source development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com github.com
Supported devices https://github.com/kubi48/TransistorTester-source/blob/master/picture-link.pdf
I have the regular T4 like you have and was able to update it. Some manufacturers have their own firmware or other people modify the standard firmware like https://github.com/atar-axis/tc1-u4
 
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