Test Equipment.... The missing link

Having spent over 50 years in electronic labs, designing and testing, I find 
myself trying to test zener diodes, FETs, LEDs, transistors and many other 
semiconductor devices. I end up kluging parts to generate a current source 
with enough voltage compliance to suit my needs. After searching Amazon, 
eBay and most test equipment vendors, I find a lot of units but none that 
fit my needs. So I decided to design, build an manufacture my own unit, call 
the "Semi Analyzer". It will not be available for a few more months at 
Amazon and eBay. This unit's use would be obvious to most on this newsgroup.
My biggest problem is to get customer recognition. Amazon can have 20 pages 
of electronic test equipment products, it is hard to percolate up the pile 
and be recognized. A few reviews will go a long way. I am thinking of giving 
out free samples to helpful members of this group, in lieu of feedback to 
bush my product into everyday use.
As you can see, I am a newbie in sales, just a lab rat. Any suggestion on 
selling my product?

Cheers, Harry Dellamano 

On Thu, 19 Apr 2018 12:12:30 -0700, "Harry D" <harryd@tdsystems.org>
wrote:

>Having spent over 50 years in electronic labs, designing and testing, I find 
>myself trying to test zener diodes, FETs, LEDs, transistors and many other 
>semiconductor devices. (...)

Perhaps you should do some market research before taking the plunge.
There are quite a few products being sold on eBay based on the MK-328
or "AVR Transistor Tester" project:
<https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mk328>
<https://www.google.com/search?q=mk+328>
Manual:
<https://elecfreaks.com/estore/download/EF06128-LCR-1602tester.pdf>
I believe that this is the original project site:
<https://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR_Transistortester>
It will test all the devices that you mention.

-- 
Jeff Liebermann     jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558

On Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 3:12:28 PM UTC-4, Harry D wrote:
> Having spent over 50 years in electronic labs, designing and testing, I find 
> myself trying to test zener diodes, FETs, LEDs, transistors and many other 
> semiconductor devices. I end up kluging parts to generate a current source 
> with enough voltage compliance to suit my needs. After searching Amazon, 
> eBay and most test equipment vendors, I find a lot of units but none that 
> fit my needs. So I decided to design, build an manufacture my own unit, call 
> the "Semi Analyzer". It will not be available for a few more months at 
> Amazon and eBay. This unit's use would be obvious to most on this newsgroup.
> My biggest problem is to get customer recognition. Amazon can have 20 pages 
> of electronic test equipment products, it is hard to percolate up the pile 
> and be recognized. A few reviews will go a long way. I am thinking of giving 
> out free samples to helpful members of this group, in lieu of feedback to 
> bush my product into everyday use.
> As you can see, I am a newbie in sales, just a lab rat. Any suggestion on 
> selling my product?
> 
> Cheers, Harry Dellamano

Maybe send one to Dave Jones of the eevblog.. he gets stuff and might 
review it.  (It might be good to contact him first.)  Are there other 
electronics/techie blogs?  

George H.

George Herold wrote:
>
> Maybe send one to Dave Jones of the eevblog.. he gets stuff and might
> review it.  (It might be good to contact him first.)  Are there other
> electronics/techie blogs?

Lots, but the best is "The Signal Path", for example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9u-QTDAeaM

Also good is Jack Ganssle:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC067MO4ZVsbA8QDJG0qCTJQ

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Thu, 19 Apr 2018 12:12:30 -0700, "Harry D" <harryd@tdsystems.org>
> wrote:
>
>> Having spent over 50 years in electronic labs, designing and
>> testing, I find myself trying to test zener diodes, FETs, LEDs,
>> transistors and many other semiconductor devices. (...)
>
> Perhaps you should do some market research before taking the plunge.
> There are quite a few products being sold on eBay based on the MK-328
> or "AVR Transistor Tester" project:
> <https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mk328>
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=mk+328>
> Manual:
> <https://elecfreaks.com/estore/download/EF06128-LCR-1602tester.pdf>
> I believe that this is the original project site:
> <https://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR_Transistortester>
> It will test all the devices that you mention.

Video of the $7 version from ebay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Br3L1B80ow

Hard to compete with that.  A curve tracer function would be a nice 
addition though.

It made me wonder, doesn't anyone make a ZIF socket with fewer than 14 
pins?

"Jeff Liebermann"  wrote in message 
news:meshdd5a91k5qeulok88bjqeeftrhcqtip@4ax.com...

On Thu, 19 Apr 2018 12:12:30 -0700, "Harry D" <harryd@tdsystems.org>
wrote:

>Having spent over 50 years in electronic labs, designing and testing, I 
>find
>myself trying to test zener diodes, FETs, LEDs, transistors and many other
>semiconductor devices. (...)

Perhaps you should do some market research before taking the plunge.
There are quite a few products being sold on eBay based on the MK-328
or "AVR Transistor Tester" project:
<https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mk328>
<https://www.google.com/search?q=mk+328>
Manual:
<https://elecfreaks.com/estore/download/EF06128-LCR-1602tester.pdf>
I believe that this is the original project site:
<https://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR_Transistortester>
It will test all the devices that you mention.

-- 
Jeff Liebermann     jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558

Hi Jeff, thanks for your help. You are a candidate for a free unit.
My tester sources +/- 1.00 m Amp +/-1%. with a voltage compliance of 24 Vdc. 
It will test zener diodes and LED strings to 24 V. MOSFETs can be tested for 
+/-Vgs gate leakage, parasitic diode forward drop and Ron to 10m R and 1% 
accuracy. Transistor Vbe matching to 0.10 m V. Beta measurement with 
external DVM. Given the large 24 volt compliance, it has many lab uses, such 
as ESD protection diodes in IC's.
Thanks again, you are a huge help to this community.  HarryD. 

"Tom Del Rosso"  wrote in message news:pbb3pj$ppv$1@dont-email.me...

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Thu, 19 Apr 2018 12:12:30 -0700, "Harry D" <harryd@tdsystems.org>
> wrote:
>
>> Having spent over 50 years in electronic labs, designing and
>> testing, I find myself trying to test zener diodes, FETs, LEDs,
>> transistors and many other semiconductor devices. (...)
>
> Perhaps you should do some market research before taking the plunge.
> There are quite a few products being sold on eBay based on the MK-328
> or "AVR Transistor Tester" project:
> <https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mk328>
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=mk+328>
> Manual:
> <https://elecfreaks.com/estore/download/EF06128-LCR-1602tester.pdf>
> I believe that this is the original project site:
> <https://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR_Transistortester>
> It will test all the devices that you mention.

Video of the $7 version from ebay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Br3L1B80ow

Hard to compete with that.  A curve tracer function would be a nice
addition though.

It made me wonder, doesn't anyone make a ZIF socket with fewer than 14
pins?

Hi Tom,
Agreed, but I would not have one of those testers in my lab. As far as LCR, 
there are so many testers that can do a better job. All except ESR to 1.00 m 
Ohm. That may be my next unit.
When a MOSFET is blown, I run for my Semi-Analyzer and measure four FET 
parameters to 1 %. I have never encountered a bad FET passing this test. 
Another good use is deciding  which diode dropped on the floor. A quick test 
comparing their forward voltage (to 1.0 m volt) will easily cull the 
devices.
Thanks for your interest,  Harry D 

On Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 1:15:44 PM UTC-7, George Herold wrote:
> On Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 3:12:28 PM UTC-4, Harry D wrote:

> > . I end up kluging parts to generate a current source 
> > with enough voltage compliance....This unit's use would be obvious to most on this newsgroup.

> Maybe send one to Dave Jones of the eevblog.. he gets stuff and might 
> review it.  

One variant is a plug-in wall wart transformer and a resistor; the readout
is an oscilloscope.  I use this with a Variac, it's handy.

But, that's not gonna  plug in to 120VAC and do the same thing as on 240VAC downunder..

On Thu, 19 Apr 2018 14:57:33 -0700, "Harry D" <harryd@tdsystems.org>
wrote:

>Hi Jeff, thanks for your help. You are a candidate for a free unit.

Oh-oh.  No good deed goes unpunished.  For reasons known only to the
perpetrators, I sometimes get unsolicited prototypes and software in
the mail.  I can't resist the temptation to play with the stuff.  Of
course, I find things that don't quite work, bugs, things I think can
be improved, and add my contribution to feature bloat.  Despite my
protests, I usually get involved in the project and burn huge amounts
of time for minimal gain.  Ok, I'm a masochist.

So, do I thank you for your gracious offer?  Do I warn you that
getting me involved in your project is much like inviting your mother
in law to move in?  Do I run away screaming that I never want to see
another prototype again?  Indecision, the key to flexibility.

>My tester sources +/- 1.00 m Amp +/-1%. with a voltage compliance of 24 Vdc. 

There's gray area between a tester and a measuring instrument. Testers
usually are limited to simply providing a good/bad indication if the
device is functional and makes no attempt to produce any numbers.  A
measuring instrument produces numbers that can be used to characterize
performance.  I suggest you decide which type of product you are
selling and to what audience.

>It will test zener diodes and LED strings to 24 V. MOSFETs can be tested for 
>+/-Vgs gate leakage, parasitic diode forward drop and Ron to 10m R and 1% 
>accuracy. Transistor Vbe matching to 0.10 m V. Beta measurement with 
>external DVM. Given the large 24 volt compliance, it has many lab uses, such 
>as ESD protection diodes in IC's.

You just answered my previous question.  For a lab, you want a
measuring instrument.

I have several MK-328 style component testers.  It's quite adequate
for my use, which is testing random components found in my junk pile,
salvaged from old PCB's, and found a flea markets and garage sales.
For example, I carry one in my pocket when I go to situations where
I'll need to do a quick good/bad test.   Ball park numbers are fine
for such a tester.

However, there are a few features that I wouldn't mind seeing added.
1.  An IR (infrared) emitter and detector for testing TV remote
controls.
2.  A TDR (time domain reflectometer).  If it can display something
useful on the OLED display, even better.
3.  A better ESR meter that will measure resistances below 1 ohm.  I'm
not trying to get better electrolytic capacitor results, but rather
measure things that tend to have resistances below 1 ohm, such as
current shunts, wire cable, battery ESR, carbon brushes, reed relay
contact resistance, etc.  

On the marketing front, most engineers think that they can design a
product and immediately sell it on eBay.  That doesn't work very well
because you cannot easily determine your target audience, have no way
to protect your product from clone makers, are likely to infringe on
someone elses patent, probably haven't given much thought to pricing,
don't have a business plan, and probably have limited financing.  I
can't offer a checklist of things to do to market your product.  Maybe
start with some light reading.  This looks like a good start:
<https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/297899>

>Thanks again, you are a huge help to this community.  HarryD. 

Y'er welcome and good luck.

(Sorry if this is a bit incoherent.  I got interrupted about 5 times
while writing it).
-- 
Jeff Liebermann     jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558

On 20/04/18 05:12, Harry D wrote:
> Having spent over 50 years in electronic labs, designing and testing, I 
> find myself trying to test zener diodes, FETs, LEDs, transistors and 
> many other semiconductor devices. I end up kluging parts to generate a 
> current source with enough voltage compliance to suit my needs. After 
> searching Amazon, eBay and most test equipment vendors, I find a lot of 
> units but none that fit my needs. So I decided to design, build an 
> manufacture my own unit, call the "Semi Analyzer". It will not be 
> available for a few more months at Amazon and eBay. This unit's use 
> would be obvious to most on this newsgroup.
> My biggest problem is to get customer recognition. Amazon can have 20 
> pages of electronic test equipment products, it is hard to percolate up 
> the pile and be recognized. A few reviews will go a long way. I am 
> thinking of giving out free samples to helpful members of this group, in 
> lieu of feedback to bush my product into everyday use.
> As you can see, I am a newbie in sales, just a lab rat. Any suggestion 
> on selling my product?
> 
> Cheers, Harry Dellamano

I love my Atlas DCA55 for that kind of thing.
Have you used one? Sure it could always have
more features (like an SMD probe), but it
does a nice job of what it does.

Clifford Heath.