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  3. I bought a multimeter long time ago

I bought a multimeter long time ago

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  • L Lost User

    The problem with "cheap" multimeters - the test probes do not last.... And how many use the interfaces I/O ability to test transistors or even diodes? The old war military philosophy still applies - "unplug the faulty module and replace it , throw the bad one away ".

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    dshillito
    wrote on last edited by
    #12

    Member 14968771 wrote:

    The problem with "cheap" multimeters - the test probes do not last....

    Ain't that the truth. I had a multimeter that I bought in the early 1970s. Of course, from that era, it was still an analog meter with a needle. This is it (at the Radio Museum): Multimeter 200H Equipment Central; where?, build 1973 ??, 3[^] It lasted me over 40 years but it was the probes that wore out and I found I could buy a cheap new digital multimeter for less than the cost of a new set of probes. That digital meter lasted me 5 or 6 years and then those probes wore out and again it was cheaper to buy a new meter than to get a replacement set of probes.

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    • S Southmountain

      I plan to test some computer parts, but I did not get time to do it. now my refrigerator did not freeze, so I used it to test defrost heater.

      diligent hands rule....

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      theoldfool
      wrote on last edited by
      #13

      I have a temp probe (thermocouple) for mine, handy for beer making. :cool:

      >64 If you can keep your head while those about you are losing theirs, perhaps you don't understand the situation.

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      • 5 5teveH

        Does everyone, (apart from me), have a multimeter? :confused: Why has no-one told me! I'm, obviously, going to get right on it. Ebay or Amazon? I feel, somehow, that another one of life's opportunities has passed me by. ;)

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        User 13269747
        wrote on last edited by
        #14

        Quote:

        Does everyone, (apart from me), have a multimeter? Confused | :confused: Why has no-one told me! I'm, obviously, going to get right on it. Ebay or Amazon? I feel, somehow, that another one of life's opportunities has passed me by.

        **Raises hand - I've got a few multimeters, a 'scope and a signal generator/logic analyser. Of course, I was pure embedded dev for 15 years or so, so there's that.

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        • S Southmountain

          I plan to test some computer parts, but I did not get time to do it. now my refrigerator did not freeze, so I used it to test defrost heater.

          diligent hands rule....

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          Forogar
          wrote on last edited by
          #15

          I have a digital thermometer - does that count?

          - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

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          • 5 5teveH

            Does everyone, (apart from me), have a multimeter? :confused: Why has no-one told me! I'm, obviously, going to get right on it. Ebay or Amazon? I feel, somehow, that another one of life's opportunities has passed me by. ;)

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            Rusty Bullet
            wrote on last edited by
            #16

            Nah, never found a need for one - you are not alone.

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            • F Forogar

              I have a digital thermometer - does that count?

              - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

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              englebart
              wrote on last edited by
              #17

              It must show temp in both F and C to count as multi. Or include humidity

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              • 5 5teveH

                Does everyone, (apart from me), have a multimeter? :confused: Why has no-one told me! I'm, obviously, going to get right on it. Ebay or Amazon? I feel, somehow, that another one of life's opportunities has passed me by. ;)

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                englebart
                wrote on last edited by
                #18

                Just for checking fuses with the ohm meter is worth it. I have a garage door opener that is out of support and to replace it would require a total rebuild of springs, etc. plus the cost of the new opener. It had a well designed control board that needed 2 pop-in fuses replaced. $10 versus $400 dollars.

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                • 5 5teveH

                  Does everyone, (apart from me), have a multimeter? :confused: Why has no-one told me! I'm, obviously, going to get right on it. Ebay or Amazon? I feel, somehow, that another one of life's opportunities has passed me by. ;)

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                  Rob Philpott
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #19

                  Any self-respecting person would have one and an oscilloscope if you ask me, the more probes the better. :thumbsup:

                  Regards, Rob Philpott.

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                  • S Southmountain

                    I plan to test some computer parts, but I did not get time to do it. now my refrigerator did not freeze, so I used it to test defrost heater.

                    diligent hands rule....

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                    M Offline
                    Member_14751866
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #20

                    Hi, I love multi meters. I learned how to use an old Simpson in the Air Force when there was no such thing as autorainge... LOL Now I have a talking meter with a nice female voice. I never knew how freeing is a talking meter till I went blind. thanks for sharing... chuck

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                    • E englebart

                      It must show temp in both F and C to count as multi. Or include humidity

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                      Forogar
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #21

                      How about kelvin?

                      - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

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                      • S Southmountain

                        but my problem is : I forgot my initial goals: what kinds of computer parts I can check? I liked Dell laptops and desktops. so I bought lot of stuff from eBay...

                        diligent hands rule....

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                        sasadler
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #22

                        One of the more likely failures, in devices that have power supplies, are the electrolytic capacitors in the supply. My ex-boss (I'm retired now) had 2 TVs fail on him and both failures were from the electrolytic capacitors in the supply. He was able to fix both TVs by replacing the capacitors. Normally, the bad capacitors are bulging.

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                        • S sasadler

                          One of the more likely failures, in devices that have power supplies, are the electrolytic capacitors in the supply. My ex-boss (I'm retired now) had 2 TVs fail on him and both failures were from the electrolytic capacitors in the supply. He was able to fix both TVs by replacing the capacitors. Normally, the bad capacitors are bulging.

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                          Southmountain
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #23

                          now I recalled my initial purpose: :java:

                          diligent hands rule....

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                          • E englebart

                            Just for checking fuses with the ohm meter is worth it. I have a garage door opener that is out of support and to replace it would require a total rebuild of springs, etc. plus the cost of the new opener. It had a well designed control board that needed 2 pop-in fuses replaced. $10 versus $400 dollars.

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                            Southmountain
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #24

                            take notes here:thumbsup:

                            diligent hands rule....

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                            • F Forogar

                              How about kelvin?

                              - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

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                              englebart
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #25

                              Ok Kelvin and Rankin would count as “multi” or Kelvin and C, but if you can’t add 273 in your head, you would not be on this board.

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                              • L Lost User

                                The problem with "cheap" multimeters - the test probes do not last.... And how many use the interfaces I/O ability to test transistors or even diodes? The old war military philosophy still applies - "unplug the faulty module and replace it , throw the bad one away ".

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                                J Offline
                                jkirkerx
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #26

                                Buy a Fluke, they last forever and the leads never break, plus auto shutoff to save the battery. I have 3 different flukes from when I was a data communications contractor, even one to read amperage drawn on power cables because I had an electrical contractors license as well. I haven't tested a transistor since my Xerox days in the 80's, or Mosfets for car audio amplifiers. Never tested diodes, because most AC to DC converter chip have them built in.

                                If it ain't broke don't fix it Discover my world at jkirkerx.com

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                                • S Southmountain

                                  I plan to test some computer parts, but I did not get time to do it. now my refrigerator did not freeze, so I used it to test defrost heater.

                                  diligent hands rule....

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                                  S Offline
                                  SeattleC
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #27

                                  I used to work for John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc. who make the voltmeters most of you have in your toolbox. I have a hardmodel (manufacturing sample) Fluke 77 meter (which has since become the Flue 73 to make room for a unit with more features. This meter still has the same batteries in it as when it was new, and the same test leads. Interestingly enough, Fluke was bought by the giant conglomerate Danaher Corp., who made the durable test leads for Fluke meters. Tektronix, makers of the oscilloscope you probably have on your bench, was also bought by Danaher and folded into Fluke, so these two one-time competitors are now divisions of the same company.

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                                  • S Southmountain

                                    I plan to test some computer parts, but I did not get time to do it. now my refrigerator did not freeze, so I used it to test defrost heater.

                                    diligent hands rule....

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                                    R Offline
                                    rjmoses
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #28

                                    I've always had a multimeter (VOM). Simpson was the best of the best 50 years ago. I keep one in each of my tool boxes, my desks, and my workbench. Oddly, one of the best I ever bought was a little Radio Shack multimeter that fit nicely in my briefcase and I could take it anywhere, until 9/11. I lost it somewhere about 10 years ago and have never found one that worked as well. I have Fluke and several other digital units but they just don't have the same old feel of the Simpson.

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                                    • 5 5teveH

                                      Does everyone, (apart from me), have a multimeter? :confused: Why has no-one told me! I'm, obviously, going to get right on it. Ebay or Amazon? I feel, somehow, that another one of life's opportunities has passed me by. ;)

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                                      billthi7
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #29

                                      Hardware stores sell multimeters now. Big box home center stores too.

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                                      • S Southmountain

                                        now I recalled my initial purpose: :java:

                                        diligent hands rule....

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                                        L Offline
                                        Lost User
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #30

                                        Must be a record - less then 10 posts before hijacked by "Bulging CAPACITORS ". Moral of the story - test probes on MULTIMETERS (!) break and

                                        Why Johnny can't read

                                        is still hot item....

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                                        • R rjmoses

                                          I've always had a multimeter (VOM). Simpson was the best of the best 50 years ago. I keep one in each of my tool boxes, my desks, and my workbench. Oddly, one of the best I ever bought was a little Radio Shack multimeter that fit nicely in my briefcase and I could take it anywhere, until 9/11. I lost it somewhere about 10 years ago and have never found one that worked as well. I have Fluke and several other digital units but they just don't have the same old feel of the Simpson.

                                          L Offline
                                          L Offline
                                          Lost User
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #31

                                          How do imperial / cubits measuring stalwarts handle multi-meter ?

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