EEVlab Equipment List

[EEVblog]

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/poll-eevlabs/
Given that the blue sky EEVlab idea was never going to work, I want to compile a list of gear that people think I should acquire for testing of stuff.
Stuff that other Youtubers don't have and you wish they had to test gear in an equipment review.
I'm not just talking electronic test gear review, could be other products as well, like people have mentioned the solar/EV market space where I have some interest.
Use your imagination

I'm thinking oddball stuff like:
- Proper thermal cycle chamber with maybe humidity as well?
- Vibration test rig big enough to hold benchtop gear like scopes.
- Compliance level ESD and CAT testing
- Compilance level mains disturbance testing (I already have this, but it needs a repair)
- Automated universal knob turning machine for longevity testing
- EMC test chamber
- Acoustic test chamber for noise measurements.

Add to the list!

I'm not sure a proper cal lab is needed? Kinda already have enough gear for basic cal checking.

I have a Patreon, and those funds could be used to acquire such gear over time.
I already have a 31sqm dungeon space to house such stuff.

[nctnico]

Such test equipment would only be useful to show how bad random items from Aliexpres are. But who cares about that anyway?

[andy3055]

If you do not already have it, an insulation tester. A simple but an essential in my opinion. I used to use Meggers when I was working in the past many moons back!

[EEVblog]

Such test equipment would only be useful to show how bad random items from Aliexpres are. But who cares about that anyway?

Fun! 

[joeqsmith]

Blast shields, two people on hand at all times trained with defibrillator, check your insurance...

Maybe figure out what you want to test first, then what tests you would like to run.  Then sort out what equipment you need to do the job.  Just buying a surge generator for example means???   

Of course for the drama, you may as well add arc flash testing to the mix. 

https://www.ecmag.com/section/safety/lets-blow-it-arc-flash-testing 

[srb1954]

If you do not already have it, an insulation tester. A simple but an essential in my opinion. I used to use Meggers when I was working in the past many moons back!

And a hi-pot tester for testing whether equipment has sufficient clearances around mains wiring or adequate insulation in power transformers.

[nctnico]

Curve ball: How about taking on bigger projects (like restoring a piece of equipment) and having people over to help every now and then? Another Youtuber I like to watch does that and it makes for great videos. He is located in the NL and recently a guy who has specific knowledge about restoring something came over all the way from the US. But most of the times they just pick something from a pile with stuff that needs fixing in some way and go 'hey, let's fix this!'.

[Ed.Kloonk]

We still haven't seen this.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/debunk-teardown-suggestion-scientology-e-meter/msg1309041/#msg1309041

[richnormand]

Integration sphere to measure LED and illumination parameters and time deterioration

[maxwell3e10]

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/poll-eevlabs/
I'm thinking oddball stuff like:
- Proper thermal cycle chamber with maybe humidity as well?
- Vibration test rig big enough to hold benchtop gear like scopes.
- Compliance level ESD and CAT testing
- Compilance level mains disturbance testing (I already have this, but it needs a repair)
- Automated universal knob turning machine for longevity testing
- EMC test chamber
- Acoustic test chamber for noise measurements.

Multimeters can be tested that way because they are relatively cheap, but I am not sure if any serious test equipment company would willingly contribute their equipment to be abused in this way without it providing much useful information that would actually influence purchasing decisions. And they wouldn't like their safety and EMC compliance certificates being second-guessed.

[Bud]

Explosion containment device (Big Clive style or other model  )

[nctnico]

For long term testing you'll need some kind of measurement recorder. I smell a Yokogawa recorder or multi-channel oscilloscope entering the lab.

[EEVblog]

Integration sphere to measure LED and illumination parameters and time deterioration

My mate Doug Ford has one of those.

[EEVblog]

Explosion containment device (Big Clive style or other model  )

Technically my 31sqm brick and concrete dungeon is pretty blast proof 

[exmadscientist]

One of those 4-in-1 hi-pot testers/DC hi-pot/insulation resistance testers*/ground bonders (* don't pay too much for this option on a hi-pot, all it does is divide V by I for you) is pretty useful to have around. Some models also go down low enough in output voltage to serve as a crappy mains-ish or below AC power supply. You can almost always break something with one of these. Sometimes that's the tester! Or if all else fails there's melting stuff with the ground bonder.

[Fungus]

I'd be interested in a channel that empirically shows the differences between "real" components and Aliexpress specials, particularly over time.

eg. Power supplies, transistors, LEDs, LiPo batteries, etc.

That would be a lot of work though and just because you got one good batch from one particular seller doesn't mean much.

I also expect most Aliexpress specials will be good enough for Australia and they'll hold up just fine so long as you run them below their claimed power levels.

[richnormand]

Explosion containment device (Big Clive style or other model  )

Technically my 31sqm brick and concrete dungeon is pretty blast proof 

Unless you are in it too while "testing"
Would not recommend.

This gives me an idea.

Your list is extensive but you are in contact with many people and resources around Australia.
Places like govt labs and large commercial outfits usually charge for their services but do you have personal and small companies contacts that might be interested to get in an agreement to give reciprocal access
to some of their capabilities in exchange for publicity or just helping each other out or just being aware of what might be available.

I know of several examples of small companies in the "OK I lend or give you this broken equipment but could we have access to it once in a while" ... this is turning into a larger network when one has issues with a piece of equipment that is down for several weeks at one place but their neighbours
give reciprocal access as need be.

[thm_w]

- Thermal/humidity chamber: a lot of products will fail within their rated temperature and humidity spec, if its industrial rated, and you push them to the edges. At least thats what we've seen. Humidity is most relevant if produce relies on exposed sensors.
- Vibration: not super important for most of us, when we just have products sitting on the desk. But it is cool to see, and relevant for your automotive/canyoning stuff.
- Accelerated life testing with heat and UV lamp, for outdoor gear. Will be a multi-day process.
- EMI is a good one, but can take up a lot of space for radiated. Conducted would be easier to setup. Comb generators could be used as a reference to verify your setup?

Integration sphere to measure LED and illumination parameters and time deterioration

These guys did it with a big styrofoam ball:

[artag]

A donkey, to tread up and down solar paths, and a donkey cart for roadways

[richnormand]

Integration sphere to measure LED and illumination parameters and time deterioration

These guys did it with a big styrofoam ball:

[/quote]

For years I used a styrofoam cooler for parties as initial life tests tests. Then selected the good devices to send to a real accredited lab for clients jobs.

[artag]

Stuff that other Youtubers don't have and you wish they had to test gear in an equipment review.

That's a bit rich, Dave. You want us to justify your ebay habit / test equipment fetish ?
Don't you think we're busy enough feeding our own ?

Or is it so we can own it vicariously, watching yours so we don't have to take up our own space ?

[artag]

- EMI is a good one, but can take up a lot of space for radiated. Conducted would be easier to setup. Comb generators could be used as a reference to verify your setup?

TEM cell ?
Portable lab so you can do the tests away from civilisation ?

[artag]

Spectograph from lwir to UVC to get definitive answers on what light devices actually produce.
Admittedly it's usually Clive debunking these devices but he prefers low-tech instruments. At least you could make full measurements on the devices he flags as dodgy.
 

[nctnico]

How about an X-ray machine and / or electron microscope?
The X-ray can be used to get an idea of what something looks at the inside before opening it.

[thm_w]

How about an X-ray machine and / or electron microscope?
The X-ray can be used to get an idea of what something looks at the inside before opening it.

I remember him saying something about it being more restricted in AUS. But man the one Shahriar has is amazing.
I wonder if these work at all with electronics: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/302155746452

edit: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/x-ray-machines-technology-and-use-in-hobby-electronics/