Bought cheap transistor tester from eBay and currently experimenting with firmware updates.
I was able to program it with this version of Markus transistor tester firmware:
https://github.com/svn2github/transistortester/tree/master/Software/trunk/mega328_T4_v2_st7565
To build, use a WinAVR programmers notepad, open Makefile and select Tools->Make all.
At first, was getting weir errors, but after adding msys-1.0.dll to \WinAVR-20100110\utils\bin everything built ok.
Before doing firmware experiments, I have made backup of original firmware, if somebody needs it, you can download it here:
I tried to reflash original firmware and it worked fine.
For programming I use my MiniPro programmer.
I have the firmware V1,13 with german language: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DeAfPbUviepNGtrr66d9SJASY5nkg7iP/view
Saludos, realice una mala maniobra y realice una prueba con un condensador cargado, sera que puedo volver a restablecer mi LCR T4
how to flash the .bin files?
I was able to flash the newest Tester Firmware but the tester constantly stays it is not calibrated. Could calibrate it a thousand times without saving it. (Battery Plugged in)
unfortunately i forgot to backup the original firmware.
The version of “Jens” shows me the same message…
Using mini pro just select it as a BIN file type, if I understand Your question corretly. Dont forget to flash code and data. Recently I also have restored my programmer with this backup so it should work.
Did you do anything to bypass the auto power circuit? Thanks.
No.
I am trying to use a JTAGICE3 within Atmel Studio 5.
I have to push the button on the LCR-T4 to turn it on, then within AS5 I click Read (under Device Id in the JTAGICE3 window) and the power on the LCR-T4 seems to instantly go off (LCD backlight goes dark, and the Target Power LED on the JTAGICE3 goes off).
There are so many different manufacturers of these things I doubt I have the same exact model as yours (although it sure looks identical). My bad luck!
Guess I will dig in to the schematic…but the one I find is clearly NOT ours as it says 3V version. Any pointers here?
Incidentally, I am wondering what the config.BIN, original code.BIN, and original data.BIN are…doesn’t winavr produce .hex and .eep?
Also many places people bring up “Arduino” when talking about this Tester…but if the code all compiles with winavr then it is NOT Arduino, correct?
Many thanks in advance.
it is possible to have the firmware in .HEX and .EEP format …. Please?
This is in fact possible with the MiniPro programmer’s software.
You can save the Flash as a .hex file and the Eeprom as a .bin file which you can rename to .bin if you like.
Why did you not backup as Flash .HEX and Eeprom .EEP so it’s easyer for people?
The DATA file is only 1k in size and way too small for an eeprom backup, I don’t think these are usable files to restore your T4 device.
Also how did you manage to backup the Config, I also have the MiniPro-II Plus programmer and can’t find a way to backup the config screen which contains the fuses and lock bit byte settings of the MCU.
Thank you, it helped a lot.
All very simple, pay attention:
The file original code.BIN is the flash code thus rename to flash.hex
The file original data.BIN is the eeprom code thus rename to eeprom.hex
The file config.BIN is a MiniPRO (TL866) configuration file, not needed if NOT using a MiniPRO programmer as shown in the pictures.
Flash both files with USBAsp (or similar) and it will work. One can always read-back the fuse setting AFTER programming the lcr-t4 unit.
Programming software needed: avrdude_prog_3.3 (the program is in partial Russian language) or avrdudess. The latter will work too and is still updated. One can also use avrdude witch is the the commandline version (mostly in use with Linux users). Use Google to locate and download the programming software.
I have tested this firmware and it works 100%, but don’t forget to calibrate the lcr-t4 afterwards (shorten pin 1,2 and 3, press the blue button and when told remove this link and insert a capacitor greater in value then 100nF when told to do so).
That’s it!
About the fuse settings for the ATMega328P- microcontroller.
The fuse settings for the ATMega328P used in the lcr-t4 tester are as follows:
– Lock byte fuse : 3F
– High byte fuse : D9
– Low byte fuse : F7
– Extended byte fuse : 05
(All in hex-format.)
NOTE: better not change the value of the lock byte fuse, this one is used to disable the read-out of the firmware flashed into the used microcontroller, however if this is what you want you can always do so. This is up to you.
Addendum: for myself i’ve removed the mounted microcontroller and replaced it with an ‘original’ Microchip ATMega328P (TSOP-32) because the ones soldered on almost all of the lcr-t4 testers are clones manufactured by the Chines themselves. (They simply copied the die and/or wafer.)
That’s all to say about this handy little tester, you can experiment with it and re-flash different or another firmware into the microcontroller but i’ve noticed that this doesn’t improve the accuracy and or ease of operation. Remember it’s a simple handy tester not a calibrated lab-instrument no more, no less.