Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Homemade USB LC Meter

I wanted to have a LC meter for a long time.Specially when working with oscillators and stuff,they are really useful.After some research on internet I found this great site by YUS.He had designed a USB LC meter using PIC18F2550.As I had a PIC18F2550 development board with me,I decided to test it on a piece of vero board.

YUS's post including Schematic diagram and Software

But after i downloaded HEX file and tried to program it with my Pickit2,I found that there are no config words included on this HEX file.So,I guessed them by my knowledge on PIC18F2550 and they worked well in the first try.I disabled MCLR too in this and you can build the circuit without R7(4.7k).I've also replace 2N7002(SMD) with a 2N7000(Through hole) because I only had that.
Here are the config words:



Here are some photos of measuring 150pF capacitor and a 100uH inductor shown below.






Finally this is my LC meter circuit on a piece of vero board.
It did only cost me less than US$ 0.50 for this part :)



This is my PIC18F2550 development board on a veroboard.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
It did only cost me around US$ 1.00 for this part without PIC18F2550 :)



Finally I must say "Thank you YUS for your great design on this" :D

7 comments:

  1. Buddhika, oya YUS ta salli gewalada software file tika gatte ?

    ReplyDelete
  2. na machn YUS ge page eke tiyenwane download link eka :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. thanx machan,mama ea file1 download kala,machan buddhika, oya engeeneering student kenekda ?

    ReplyDelete
  4. salvation
    I want this project
    but I is not the transistor Q1
    can you give me the time of saturation of Q1
    I would like to replace Q1 by a 5VDC relay BA5W-K TAKAMISAWA

    THANK YOU FOR SHARING

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't have much info about that bro.There are kinda same circuit using reed relays.check this out and you will be change this accordingly
      http://electronics-diy.com/lc_meter.php

      Delete
  5. salvation
    I finished my card LC Meter
    my computer recognizes the LC meter
    but there is nothing when I measure
    can you tell me if the file is good for LC meter salvation
    I finished my card LC Meter
    my computer recognizes the LC meter
    but there is nothing when I measure

    can you tell me if the file is good for LC meter http://runamux.net/search/view/zip/3hRGWSgg/PIC18F2550_USB-HID_LC-Meter

    ReplyDelete