The Ultra Probe Demodulator – Amplifier

@ovi4 Well I wait for my parts to come in, I may start on the capisistor checker.

I do have the PCB made and I need to check if I drilled out the via yet.
I do have all the parts for this project.

Also need to make the foil side capisistor checker but sill need to make the PCB.

I am not sure what other MCL projects I should look to build, as I am like a kid in a toy story.

The next logic choice would be the curve tracer since you already have the scope ready for the restauration part first. Keep in mind the screen saver since is part of it and well worth the effort. Is a good Idea to etch all 3 boards in one go (Curve tracer, Psu and screen saver) After completion of the curve tracer project you can build that little protection box (for it) that is presented in Video nr: 36. 😉 

@ovi4 It has been awhile since I viewed #36 video and has a lot of good points. 

I will share to the fellow make the bluetooth project to make a DC block for his project.

I have a really small workbench and I would have to clear to work on the curve tracer and find a place to store my microscope.

I really need to find the foil end of the cap that would be going in the curve tracer.
It is like putting the wagon before the horse, so you see I do need to make these other testing tools while my bench is setup for SMD stuff.

@larry_n7luf 😊 sure, the choice is yours. The foil side cap tester is also simpler and quicker to build than the curve tracer for obvious reasons.

. I’ve built mine some time ago and it works great. Fun project to build for sure and since you already have some spare Hammond boxes you should be good to make a start on that then. Good luck with the build and if you have questions, I’m here. 👍 

@ovi4 It sure good to have someone to share and talk to while working on projects, and Thank you for that.

I wish I had done a lot of this stuff when the forum was in side of Patreon and can share pictures. Just have to be careful here not to give away the store.

Been thinking I could may be use the ultra probe to find the foil side of some capacitors by hearing the loulder side of a cap by holding the cap and checking each end to here the loudest side.
Does that make since?

Well… to be honest I’m not sure. It never actually struck my mind doing that. There is a chance that it might work but then again. I didn’t get to build the Ultraprobe yet simply because at the moment I have some more important priorities to solve first but since you are nearing the completion of the Ultraprobe you could give it a go, you never know. Some people claim that you can even do it with any scope but, haven’t tried it since I’ve already got the tester at my disposal .

@ovi4 I tried to use my scope it just did not work for me, and I have so much noise in my lab. I love a love hate for LED lights.
It would nice to have the SIFT and the capacitor tester in one unit.
Trying to watch the videos to get the latest SIFT PCB and parts. It does get confusing find the parts and I got ICM7555ISA and not the ICM7555ISA+.
it will work with a little more current, oh well I have ten of them.

Well the whole foil side tester will only ever be used for a small amount of time (we’re talking 30 sec. up to say 2 minutes if that!) so regardless of the current consumption the batteries should last a decent amount of time. On the other hand according to page 2 of the datasheet your IC only consumes a maximum of 300uAms @18v and 200uAmps @ 2V so since the project is made for a 9V supply the IC’s current consumption should be in a ballpark of 250uA so basically a real current “miser” as MCL has also confirmed it in video 48. So…no worries whatsoever. The estimation is that when all 11 Leds are “ON” the whole PCB (with your IC variant installed) should only consume around 50mA @ best (if that) 

Posted by: @larry_n7luf

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Today I finished “The Ultra Probe Demodulator – Amplifier“.

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Great work Larry. Congratulations on completing it. I’ve been enjoying following your progress on this and looking forward to seeing the probe.

I use my big Tek 535A or the TDS2002 for foil testing currently. Don’t have any of the testers built but between the two scopes, it does the job on most. Some values are very difficult to find even with a scope like the 535A. It is possible to do with just a scope none the less.

ALL……….Done and it really works very well and THANK YOU !!!  @Mr Carlsons Lab

This is my first project here working with 1206 SMD’s at the age of 79 years of age…WOW

Well done Larry. Looks awesome.

@larry_n7luf n0w, that’s a nice execution for sure. Well done Larry. Congratulations for your first 100% SMD style project…. 🙂 😉 🙂 😉 👍 👍 👍 

I’m happy for your achievement. I truly am !… 🤗 🤗 🤗 PS: the choice of grill and buttons is great too… 👍 

@larry_n7luf Now that the “Ultraprobe” is out of the way…you can start crushing the Cap Leak. Tester knowing that you have a huge assurance that you can do it and a good sense of achievement. It feels good doesn’t it … 😋 …I surely know it does… 🤗 

PS: just one last suggestion here, don’t forget to add/fit a little bit of heat shrink tubing at the very tip of your testing probe unit to protect it from getting zapped when working with High voltage applications such as vacuum tubes or High charge electrostatic energy around plastic bodies and/or surfaces perhaps even synthetic clothing that you might wear at some point… 😉 

Larry, you are far ahead of me at creating projects! Looks like a great first project and even better that it worked the first time! I will have a lot of catching up to do, keep up the work.