A box of PCBs just arrived from Seeed Studio’s Fusion PCB service. The latest addition to our PCB drawer is the prototype PCB for the Part Ninja V1.
We got inspired by the AVR transistor tester and decided to make our own version with a few add-ons. The Part Ninja features:
- Determines pinouts and key values for transistors, resistors, capacitors, and more
- PCB that is the same width of a 2×16 44780 character display
- Has a small area where SMD components (SOT23, 1206, 0805, 0603, 0402) can be tested
- PWM generation on two pins for advanced testing
- Comparators on two pins for advanced capacitor measurement
Part Ninja is available now in the free PCB drawer.
And just today i posted my free pcb build of the TQFP-100, perfect timing.
Hurry! I need this one ;)
Only 3 boards, I need a code. :D
Why did you choose PIC18F4550 for this device?
I think 18F46J50 would be better.
The “J” series are more powerful and become cheaper.
We wanted to use a 5volt device because so many FETs need more than 3.3volts to be activated and “tested”. I think the 18FxxJ are only 3.3v.
Ok, but 5V is also can be too few for some fets.
Just an idea: using a variable (programmable) gate driver between 1V-10V can be very useful.
Sometimes we need to choose a fet with low RDSon, especially for switched mode regulators.
with this modification the device can do this.
My tip: 3,3V pic + variable voltage gate driver. But it certainly will increase the complexity and cost.
Yes, absolutely you are right, many common fets need 10+ even. We thought 5volts would be a good start for v1, and a future version could have more advanced drivers.
No inductor measurement?
This is so close to being a full-blown LCR meter.
v2 will have a much more advanced L and C meter, good from F to pf, and H to uH.
Effectively the equivalent of the Peak Atlas Semi tester and the Atlas LCR seems to be what you are ultimately aiming for. Having used these devices for a number of years, that’s a pretty tall order, they are very good. I’ll be interested to see how you go.
This looks great, but I also think that L meter is a must. I’m glad you took on this project, we need a good universal component meter!
Any timeframe for v2?
Already sold out. :( But v2 sounds a lot better!
What will change to add L meter?