Test/review of YZXStudio USB meter ZY1273

YZXStudio USB meter ZY1273







Official specifications:

  • Input voltage: DC 3.5V-24V

  • Input current: ± 5A

  • Voltage resolution: 0.0001V (0.1mV)

  • Current resolution: 0.0001A

  • Cumulative capacity: 0-99999Ah; 0-99999Wh

  • Capacity resolution: 0.0001Ah; 0.0001Wh

  • Accuracy: Voltage 0.1+2d; Current 0.2+2d; Ah capacity 0.5; Wh capacity 0.5

  • Display: 1.3” 128x104 pixel Colour TFT

  • Update rate: Every 0.36s

  • Idle current consumption: ~8mA / 6mA (with display dimmed / off)

  • Current shunt resistance: 10mOhm

  • Overall circuit resistive loss: ~42mOhm (including contact resistance on USB connectors)

  • Memory: FRAM, good for 10 billion write cycles

  • Memory operation mode: write on every update in cumulative capacity + load balancing technique


I got it from ebay dealer: flyxy2015

YZXStudio makes a series of usb meters with nearly identical specifications, there is also frequent software update with significant improvements. It is possible to install update, but it requires special tools and access to the updated software.
This version has USB 3 and USB Type-C connectors.



This table compares some of the YZXStudio usb meters.



How does it look



I got it in a small metal box with a Chinese (I assume) manual, because the user interface is basically the same as all other YZXStudio meters I did not have any problems using it.





Notice the small button, it is used for all the functions.



On this side there is a usb type-c connector for power input (Only one of the inputs can be used at a time).








Welcome screen, it is shown when power is applied (it can be disabled).



The first screen, it shows V, A, Ah and Wh, the “0” is selected memory bank.
It do also have space for the MCU temperature.



Next screen shows W and ohm, instead of Ah and Wh.



On this screen Ah and Wh is with large fonts.



This screen shows usb coding, voltage, current and time. It also shows the trickle current threshold, only current above this value is summed (Value is configurable).
Note: Sometimes the display will show two usb codings, because it cannot determine which one is valid.



This screen is used to calculate cable resistance, to use it a constant current load is required.
First do a measure without the cable, hold down the button to set the reference. Then add the cable between the usb power source and the usb meter. The display will show the resistance.



A chart of current and voltage, sample rate can be configured.



First page of configuration screen.



These usb meters are very easy to open, there is only 8 screws to remove.






The circuit is fairly simple, it has a microprocessor (32F030F4P6), a FRAM (FM24CL168G), two high resolution adc converters (CAT5), a voltage regulator and the current sense resistor (DALE R012). The microprocessor has an external 12MHz crystal, this makes timekeeping precise.





Measurements



The voltage display is fairly precise with no current flowing (Both voltage and current can be calibrated by the user, I have not changed the calibration).



The current display is also fairly precise and will not change with voltage, except a little bit at very low voltage.
  • The tested usb meter uses software V3.1

  • The voltage readout is within 0.016 volt when unloaded.

  • When loaded the voltage will be closest to the usb input voltage.

  • Current is within 0.002A.

  • The usb meter uses about 12.2mA current with normal brightness, 8.5 when dim.

  • The internal resistance is about 0.085ohm (This includes both connectors).

  • Usb meter will remember measured values when power is removed.





M1: 35,0°C, HS1: 40,8

The above IR photo was taken after 30minutes with 3.5A, during that time the readouts changed very little.

I have not played with the cable resistance function but I expect it to work just as well as the ZY1270



Conclusion

This is a very precise usb meter with many interesting functions. It has good precision.
It is possible to equip the meter with Bluetooth module, this can be used to log data.



Notes

For these USB meters I used precise equipment (Keithley: DMM7510, 2280S, Keysight: 34470A).

How do I make the test

Thanks for the test, good to hear this version is good too because I recently bought one :slight_smile:

Thanks HKJ, also to confirm me that it has 5A max input because somewhere it's stated 3A as the other ones.

I was also interested in YZ 1271 but i'm unsure if the extra input will be useful for me. Also some questions if you could reply:

  1. Is this USB IF PD compliant? I've found it described just for 1271 version
  2. Is this DASH/OPPO coding charge compliant? I've found it is in some chinese sites, i do not expect you to have OPPO/DASH compliant devices (obviously i won't) but maybe it would be nice if you have some insight, maybe from your seller
  3. Can this version force fast charge as it would with the old yellow 1230 version

Great review Henrik, love the fingerprint on the second photo`s display.

I wish they would put it in a splash proof case, I suppose they could have sprayed the electronics with a protective coating at least.

John.

I doubt it do more than add a resistor.

I also doubt that, it requires special usb connectors.

No.

Thanks a lot! Somehow I missed the release of this.

The ZY1271 seems very interesting as well. Has the large TFT display like the 1270 but also USB-C in and out in addition to Type A and Micro-USB in.

Yep!, Seems their top of the line but it doesn't matchUSB 3.0 standard, not an issue to me since you rarely will be using this to monitor current while data transferring, IMHO and even so you can get an idea with USB2.0.

I would have both the 1271 if it wasn't the most expensive.

I would thank HKJ for this review, once again, very often when i want to buy something to feed my geek instincts i found a nice review from him.

Also i would like to verify the VOOC/DASH charging thing with my OP3 once my 1273 arrives because in this table from their sit (at least what i think it should be their site) shows DASH capable. And since DASH has a max current of 4Amp, it could fit in their 5A version, but i guess on the other hand HKJ could have its point with the missing pins from the Type C connector. Don't know, I will check it out

------------------------------------------------------EDIT---------------------------------------------------------------

Also if you check this other product https://world.taobao.com/item/522642875491.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4004-11726212606.8.BUDA6y

they clearly state VOOC and DASH, if someone ever trust chinese descriptions.... :)

The new digitally controlled dc load ZL1100 is also cool. I always hated the trimmer pot of the ZL1000.

edit: heh, you just added the ZL1100 link, oh well

edit2: Franky also has it listed on his ebay store I’d like YZXStudio to supply it with a serial logger program much like the EB tester software that is able to program their loads.

it has never been an issue to share link of online shops, it is not against the rules

No of course not, I just didn’t see the mention of the ZL1100 before I started to type my message.

The ZL1100 looks interesting, but is sold out. I have a couple of the ZL1000 load and all is the version without trimpot, the only one with trimpot I have is the one I reviewed and I usual do not use that one.

Nice review, once again :D More stuff to put on my wanted-list for testing materials...

But I have to say that the new ZL-1100 is pricey imho. But I'm getting one, I think.

I'm getting a ZY1271, I think, but I'm still looking at the ZY1273 reviewd here too...

What would be the best for testing USB-C stuff, like I use for testing my micro-usb cables?

since it has both typeC and uUSB i think your best bet is staying with 1271

Oh, I forgot to mention, I already own a 1230, 1231, 1266 and 1270, so micro-usb is not THAT important.

But I want to do passthrough measurements, so it'll be the 1271 I guess...

Arrived to me few moments ago, i think it was worth to share that indeed it is VOOC/DASH compliant


image upload

Does anybody have a link where i can buy a reasonably priced one of these usb power meters.

John.

Imho reasonably... Nowhere.

The cheapest I could find mine was from ebay 19.87 usd for the meter plus few cent less than 10usd for shipping

About 30 dollar is what I payed too.

Ok, I got few questions now, seems my unit is not able to set some of the parameters I have available in the options, to be more precise I cannot set any of the option from 14 to 19 (14 and 19 included) which are

14.Trickle charge current

15.Trickle charge delay

16.Over current protection

17.Under voltage protection

18.Over voltage protection

19.Over temperature protection

Withouth these the meter is just a normal meter with higher resolution

My fw is 3.30 Y1273 could someone check in his for me? Also if someone has the English manual and could share it somewhere would be great...