[Prowler]

I have many DMM and at least one analogue multimeter with me - probably bought about 25 or so years ago. Out of this I use only one DMM still now, tucked away in my toolkit. Analogue meters use D'Arsonval Movements which are quite sensitive as the movement is placed in jeweled bearing like your analogue Swiss watches. You will need to handle them as if they are made of egg shells. They won't survive a drop.
Well made DMMs are hardy devices and they last a life time. Mine has survived several drops, connections to the mains in the wrong mode and still goes on with what I throw at it.
Leave your analogue meters at the bench. For every day use there is nothing to beat a digital multi meter. Remove the batteries when you are going to store them for some time. The batteries leak and they corrode the internal circuitry.

[ElonSkum]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Well, when you're working with high voltage you get only one chance.. ..Agilent, or Gossen Metrawatt (German) when budget permits.

Thanks for you insight and these brand names. Would have never found them out on my own.

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

I have a fluke 107 - it is tiny but works perfectly.

Just checked, looks absolutely beautiful.

Originally Posted by srini1785

However, nothings beats the pure thrill of an Osciloscope for signal measurement.

Well, that reminds me. I do have an old oscilloscope that I picked up from my uncle's lab. The CRT does light up, but there are some issues. The local repair guy is incapable of fixing it, and I haven't had the time to look into it.

Originally Posted by Jeroen

brocante market...

Thanks for that new word. I can't get enough of flea markets as well. Have found some real gems there.

Originally Posted by Jeroen

brocante market...

On some you can see the previous owners notes too! Which I think adds a nice touch. [/quote]

I have a few, 4, vintage Philips Philettas, the ones with piano keys, that came along with the owner's licence book, which had to stamped annually. Adds a very nice touch, indeed!

Originally Posted by Prowler

Analogue meters use D'Arsonval Movements which are quite sensitive as the movement is placed in jeweled bearing like your analogue Swiss watches

There is never a dearth of knowledge here in the forums. Thanks a lot for that information Prowler.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by srini1785

@ElonSkum : Don't go beyond 230V AC with any Multi unless you know exactly what you are doing.

However, nothings beats the pure thrill of an Osciloscope for signal measurement.

I still have an Oscilloscope 20 MHz Dual trace with me bought about 25 years ago. You need an Oscilloscope to check the waveform and a signal generator for repairing VCRs, Camcorders and TVs. Sometimes you have to design and make your test equipment as needed.
For example to test the high voltage circuitry in a microwave oven, I built a HT probe hooked to a cheap VU analogue meter. You can't risk a DMM in such a role.
Anyway, modern day service engineers rarely get down to the component level. As things became complex, discrete components gave way to modules and finally boards.

[srini1785]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Anyway, modern day service engineers rarely get down to the component level. As things became complex, discrete components gave way to modules and finally boards.

True. With the advent of SMD boards, there is hardly any chance to get to the component level. Pros outweigh the cons. Students now a days are from the "Arduino" school of thought. They can memorize just about every board number but cant figure out how a mono stable or bi stable multi vibrator works with discrete components. I get second hand Osciloscopes for as low as 1000.00 in the sunday market in bangalore but very few people who have the know how of repairing them.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by srini1785

However, nothings beats the pure thrill of an Osciloscope for signal measurement.

A DSO is on my wish list. Of course, in this case, a Fluke, Rigol, or Techtronix >50 MHz 2 Ch (or better) is out of my reach and not justifiable for hobby repairs. So that leaves the cheaper i.e. Chinese stuff which I am not inclined to purchase given what's happening at the border. So this particular bee-in-the-bonnet/topic shall be at rest for now.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by ElonSkum

Well, that reminds me. I do have an old oscilloscope that I picked up from my uncle's lab. The CRT does light up, but there are some issues. The local repair guy is incapable of fixing it, and I haven't had the time to look into it.

Obviously, got one of those too!



Picked this beauty up a few years ago whilst visiting the Beaulieu International car parts jumble market. I managed to get it working mostly. Mostly cleaning and making sure all contacts are free of corrosion/dust etc. It could do with a good calibration though.

You can’t get these oscilloscope serviced anymore. It is all down to (old) guys doing this as a hobby. Whereas these things cost a bundle when they were new, today you can buy a pretty decent one for a decent price, second hand even better deals can be had on Ebay and the likes.

Not too much use for these when fixing cars. I still want to hook it up to my Alfa Spider. I should be able to visualise the signals to the fuel injectors.

Jeroen

[ElonSkum]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Anyway, modern day service engineers rarely get down to the component level. As things became complex, discrete components gave way to modules and finally boards.

I second that! And it's not just limited to electronics. I see expensive motorcycle sensor cables, those with broken crimps or corroded solder joints thrown out, which would serve years with a quick solder or crimp.

My uncle who's spent decades ealing in heavy vehicle spares laments the same fact. Everything is in assembly form these days; use and throw.

Originally Posted by srini1785

I get second hand Osciloscopes for as low as 1000.00 in the sunday market in bangalore but very few people who have the know how of repairing them.

I got mine for free, from a government college electrical lab. The equipment otherwise would have ended being smelted for its steel and copper. It is literally heartbreaking when you see how government institutions throw away stuff.

Originally Posted by R2D2

So this particular bee-in-the-bonnet/topic shall be at rest for now.

Lol! You would be better off unsubscribing yourself from this thread then. We all know how that bug mutates!!

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by ElonSkum

Lol! You would be better off unsubscribing yourself from this thread then. We all know how that bug mutates!!

Heheheh! Yeah, this bug has been in hibernation for years because like I said it's difficult to justify a DSO for hobby repairs but then one day I may just pull the trigger.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Heheheh! Yeah, this bug has been in hibernation for years because like I said it's difficult to justify a DSO for hobby repairs but then one day I may just pull the trigger.

If your primary goal is to troubleshoot power supplies and audio, you could settle down for 20 MHz digital handheld 'scopes - sadly from China. I just saw a 100 MHz handheld device for about 32 US$ from Bangood.

When I started into electronics, I sourced a CRT probably used for Radar from a ship breaker. Then we built the electronics from the ground up for a 1 MHz oscilloscope. The green trace used to light up our sombre days then. It was enough for Chopper power supplies and Audio gears in those days.

RF and modern digital signal processing equipment, of course , require bandwidth capability extending into hundreds of MHz. Fortunately we don't deal with them on a regular basis. Come to think of it, as ElonSkum has said we have entered an age of 'use and throw'. I have a dozen failed LED bulbs with me and I can't justify the time and labor to repair them.

[ElonSkum]

Originally Posted by Prowler

RF and modern digital signal processing equipment, of course , require bandwidth capability extending into hundreds of MHz

Let me guess, you are either a HAM or into SDR.

Originally Posted by Prowler

I have a dozen failed LED bulbs with me and I can't justify the time and labor to repair them.

Ditto for me, and a dozen CFLs as well.

[Vivekphadnis]

Hi all,

I have used a Meco 603 DMM for about 25 years now. It is well designed and I highly recommend it.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Prowler

If your primary goal is to troubleshoot power supplies and audio, you could settle down for 20 MHz digital handheld 'scopes - sadly from China. I just saw a 100 MHz handheld device for about 32 US$ from Bangood.

You're right, it is mostly use and throw integrated components now, not really worth the time to repair it. I have a background in consumer electronic repairs back in the day and wanted to try my hands at laptop or PC motherboard repairs. And SMPSes too. Oh well, it'll have to wait I guess.

[Otto]

Funny thing about multimeters. Most people forget to transfer the probe to the 10A socket while measuring current.
Most people also forget that the meter has to be in series.
I am sorry if I'm preaching to the choir here, but in our enthusiasm to blame the tools, we forget basic multimeter procedure.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Otto

Funny thing about multimeters. Most people forget to transfer the probe to the 10A socket while measuring current. Most people also forget that the meter has to be in series. I am sorry if I'm preaching to the choir here, but in our enthusiasm to blame the tools, we forget basic multimeter procedure.

You're right.

But the decent quality ones show a "LEAD" prompt when you shift the rotary dial to the Amp measurement mode. Well, if the leads are not transferred the DMM will definitely be damaged and may result in injury to the user.

[Otto]

Originally Posted by R2D2

You're right.

But the decent quality ones show a "LEAD" prompt when you shift the rotary dial to the Amp measurement mode. Well, if the leads are not transferred the DMM will definitely be damaged and may result in injury to the user.

is that what it meant?