I built my tracer a couple of years ago and I made it with two pots which is for both variable output voltage and variable current, this way I can really tweak in the reading parameters I want to get without the need for different input voltages of the octopus, it is a very useful tool to have when you need it
Thank you for your kind words Kannzi. I just used mine again last week to identify an unmarked zener diode. Glad you were able to build it without any problems.
That first transistor you tested might be flaky unless there's a resistor between base and emitter. That is where this tracer really shines. A meter and those all in 1 testers usually miss leaky transistors. At the shop if I had to take a semiconductor out to test went right to the curve tracer and skipped the meter.
You're very welcome! I just used mine over the weekend to check an LED backlight diode in a 64" TV. My VOM meter would not test it at all since it's forward conduction voltage was 3.5 Volts.
A curve tracer is a very useful tool. I built mine and use a dedicate oscilloscope for it. For me is very important for make compararations between circuits. Best Regards.
Very interesting. The best clip on youtube with curve tracer. I have a function generator, including the sinusoid with a maximum amplitude of 24v. Could I replace the 24 V source with the sine wave generator ? I think, I could control the frequency and amplitude. Thank you.
You probably could as long as your generator had enough current & voltage to trigger the junction and show up on the scope. Worth a try to see how frequency effects the "knee" point.
Is all this floating ? because in the circuit diagram the Red test lead is connected directly to the outer of the BNC's ? (Scope ground!)...cheers:) Edit :- the resistor to set the current will be lower (higher current) if you flip the switch but I think you addressed that because the resistance will be 427 ohms Fascinating stuff gonna play with this.
You might say it is, in that the AC supply for it is taken from the 12V secondary winding of an AC transformer therefore it's not connected to a ground of any sorts just like an isolation transformer.
I've got an old 1959 Tektronix 317 scope this would be ideal and classy for this. Thanks!
I built my tracer a couple of years ago and I made it with two pots which is for both variable output voltage and variable current, this way I can really tweak in the reading parameters I want to get without the need for different input voltages of the octopus, it is a very useful tool to have when you need it
Awesome! I do HVAC and I get 120v to 24v transformers all day. Cheers!
Perfect! I used to work as a computer tech for IBM. That's how I got a lot of my "junk-box" parts too.
Great channel! Love the old school test equipment and projects.
Thank you! Comments like yours keep me going!
I'm a beginner, but I tried making it.
I am thrilled that it was a success！Thank you！
Thank you for your kind words Kannzi. I just used mine again last week to identify an unmarked zener diode. Glad you were able to build it without any problems.
This is great! And very thorough! Love your channel!
Thank you, I really appreciate that!
That first transistor you tested might be flaky unless there's a resistor between base and emitter. That is where this tracer really shines. A meter and those all in 1 testers usually miss leaky transistors. At the shop if I had to take a semiconductor out to test went right to the curve tracer and skipped the meter.
You could well be right! I'll have to pull that transistor out of the box and play around with it some more.
Very interesting, nice and simple. 😎 Thank you.
I'm building one of these now. Thanks for making the video!
You're very welcome! I just used mine over the weekend to check an LED backlight diode in a 64" TV. My VOM meter would not test it at all since it's forward conduction voltage was 3.5 Volts.
A curve tracer is a very useful tool.
I built mine and use a dedicate oscilloscope for it.
For me is very important for make compararations between circuits.
Best Regards.
Thanks Ricardo, I should do that too. I have a couple old vintage scopes around that I could easily add this to.
Very interesting. The best clip on youtube with curve tracer. I have a function generator, including the sinusoid with a maximum amplitude of 24v. Could I replace the 24 V source with the sine wave generator ? I think, I could control the frequency and amplitude. Thank you.
You probably could as long as your generator had enough current & voltage to trigger the junction and show up on the scope. Worth a try to see how frequency effects the "knee" point.
@@DVRproductions52 Thank you. I will try and let you know the result.
@@ccdd5074 I'll be a following!
I think your schmatic may have an error. I believe the RED lead should be switched to either resistor vs making a parallel circuit with them.
You could be right, but it would only make no more than a 8% difference in the 470 ohm resistor. On my unit, that difference is negligible.
Is all this floating ? because in the circuit diagram the Red test lead is connected directly to the outer of the BNC's ? (Scope ground!)...cheers:) Edit :- the resistor to set the current will be lower (higher current) if you flip the switch but I think you addressed that because the resistance will be 427 ohms Fascinating stuff gonna play with this.
You might say it is, in that the AC supply for it is taken from the 12V secondary winding of an AC transformer therefore it's not connected to a ground of any sorts just like an isolation transformer.
But the scope is grounded at the BNC's unless he removed the ground in the plug a dangerous old EE trick@@DVRproductions52
Why not change the volts per div so you can see better..?
Sure, that would work fine.
Putting 12V randomly into board points could blow a lot of things up in modern parts...
Yes, it sure can!