Multimeter runs battery down.

[Sylvia Else]

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QM1551

You might want to avoid this product. The website blurb says "Meter
automatically shuts down after 30 minutes of inactivity" but in reality
it continues to draw nearly a milliamp, so the battery runs down.

Sylvia.

 

[Pete]

Sylvia Else wrote:

> it continues to draw nearly a milliamp, so the battery runs down.

Even when the rotary switch is set to Off?

Peter

 

[Sylvia Else]

On 30/01/2015 4:52 PM, Pete wrote:

Sylvia Else wrote:

it continues to draw nearly a milliamp, so the battery runs down.

Even when the rotary switch is set to Off?

No - but that's not what is claimed for it. The whole point of an
auto-off feature is that the thing doesn't run the battery down if one
forgets to turn it off.

I invariably forget to turn multimeters off.

Sylvia.

 

[Phil Allison]

McAvity wrote:

Even the electronic farting chickens don't make realistic fart sounds.

** Your first name "Phil" by any chance ??



.... Phil

 

[Phil Allison]

Trevor Wilson wrote:

**I avoid ALL Jaycar products, unless there is absolutely no
alternative. Fortunately, there is almost always an alternative which
works better, is more reliable and better constructed. Sadly, the price
is often a little higher (but not always).

If you want to keep shoving money into a company which is geared solely
into ensuring the MD gets a new Ferrari each year, be my guest.

** Does Gary really do that ?

I thought he was into Lambos.

Jaycar are OK for those packs of Metric nuts and bolts. They're low
tech, which seems to be what Jaycar manages best.

** I have a Metex 3530 DMM, purchased from Jaycar in July 1985 - paid $109 for it and it is not even auto-ranging. 30 years on, it still works fine.

I also have a DSE brand Q-1424 DMM bought in the mid 1990s - it is very similar to certain Fluke models, like the 70 series.

I do not use it because it is dangerous !!!

Every time you touch the probes onto a voltage of more than 400V, the display freezes and may well show zero volts.

Not much use to a tech who does a fair bit of valve equipment and could prove lethal if you do not know about the issue.

The really funny thing is, Fluke had exactly the same problem with an early version of the 70 series 2 meter and issued a mass recall over it.

Imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery - right ?



.... Phil

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 31/01/2015 10:52 PM, Phil Allison wrote:

Trevor Wilson wrote:


**I avoid ALL Jaycar products, unless there is absolutely no
alternative. Fortunately, there is almost always an alternative
which works better, is more reliable and better constructed. Sadly,
the price is often a little higher (but not always).

If you want to keep shoving money into a company which is geared
solely into ensuring the MD gets a new Ferrari each year, be my
guest.

** Does Gary really do that ?

I thought he was into Lambos.

**Honestly, I have no idea. I was aware that he liked expensive cars.
And why not? He buys cheap, crappy products from China and sells them at
a huge margin. I would feel better about buying his shit, if he spent a
fraction more for superior quality. I really don't care what, or how
many, cars he drives, nor how much money he makes. It seems that the
constant drive for big profits means that something has to give. He has
chosen quality.

Jaycar are OK for those packs of Metric nuts and bolts. They're
low tech, which seems to be what Jaycar manages best.


** I have a Metex 3530 DMM, purchased from Jaycar in July 1985 - paid
$109 for it and it is not even auto-ranging. 30 years on, it still
works fine.

I also have a DSE brand Q-1424 DMM bought in the mid 1990s - it is
very similar to certain Fluke models, like the 70 series.

I do not use it because it is dangerous !!!

Every time you touch the probes onto a voltage of more than 400V, the
display freezes and may well show zero volts.

Not much use to a tech who does a fair bit of valve equipment and
could prove lethal if you do not know about the issue.

The really funny thing is, Fluke had exactly the same problem with an
early version of the 70 series 2 meter and issued a mass recall over
it.

Imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery - right ?

**Nasty. MY ancient Fluke 85 has no such issues. It just keeps going. I
replace the battery every couple of years and that's about it. Mind you:
Every single one of my multimeters (I'd guess I have at least ten of the
damned things) still works just fine. Even my original Sanwa U-50D still
works fine. Only one has failed me. A Radio Shack digital bench meter,
which I stupidly connected to a laser power supply (ca. 1.5kV). It
works, but nothing can be reliably or accurately measured anymore. Even
my trusty SOAR ME-532 (I bet you owned one of those - everyone did)
still works, though the shitty battery cover is held on with gaffa tape
now. I recently picked up an AVO 8 Mk7 (last of the line). I doubt it
will see any use. I just bought it, because I always wanted one and it
is a little bit of history.



--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.com

 

[Phil Allison]

McAvity wrote:

Even the electronic farting chickens don't make realistic fart sounds.


** Your first name "Phil" by any chance ??



Phil-harmonic? Nope.

** So I take it you are not a Dentist then ?



.... Phil

 

[McAvity]

On 31-Jan-15 7:36 PM, Phil Allison wrote:

McAvity wrote:


Even the electronic farting chickens don't make realistic fart sounds.


** Your first name "Phil" by any chance ??



... Phil

Phil-harmonic? Nope.

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 1/02/2015 12:31 PM, John G wrote:

Trevor Wilson expressed precisely :
On 31/01/2015 10:52 PM, Phil Allison wrote:
Trevor Wilson wrote:


**I avoid ALL Jaycar products, unless there is absolutely no
alternative. Fortunately, there is almost always an alternative
which works better, is more reliable and better constructed. Sadly,
the price is often a little higher (but not always).

If you want to keep shoving money into a company which is geared
solely into ensuring the MD gets a new Ferrari each year, be my
guest.

** Does Gary really do that ?

I thought he was into Lambos.

**Honestly, I have no idea. I was aware that he liked expensive cars.
And why not? He buys cheap, crappy products from China and sells them
at a huge margin. I would feel better about buying his shit, if he
spent a fraction more for superior quality. I really don't care what,
or how many, cars he drives, nor how much money he makes. It seems
that the constant drive for big profits means that something has to
give. He has chosen quality.



Jaycar are OK for those packs of Metric nuts and bolts. They're
low tech, which seems to be what Jaycar manages best.


** I have a Metex 3530 DMM, purchased from Jaycar in July 1985 - paid
$109 for it and it is not even auto-ranging. 30 years on, it still
works fine.

I also have a DSE brand Q-1424 DMM bought in the mid 1990s - it is
very similar to certain Fluke models, like the 70 series.

I do not use it because it is dangerous !!!

Every time you touch the probes onto a voltage of more than 400V, the
display freezes and may well show zero volts.

Not much use to a tech who does a fair bit of valve equipment and
could prove lethal if you do not know about the issue.

The really funny thing is, Fluke had exactly the same problem with an
early version of the 70 series 2 meter and issued a mass recall over
it.

Imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery - right ?

**Nasty. MY ancient Fluke 85 has no such issues. It just keeps going.
I replace the battery every couple of years and that's about it. Mind
you: Every single one of my multimeters (I'd guess I have at least ten
of the damned things) still works just fine. Even my original Sanwa
U-50D still works fine. Only one has failed me. A Radio Shack digital
bench meter, which I stupidly connected to a laser power supply (ca.
1.5kV). It works, but nothing can be reliably or accurately measured
anymore. Even my trusty SOAR ME-532 (I bet you owned one of those -
everyone did) still works, though the shitty battery cover is held on
with gaffa tape now. I recently picked up an AVO 8 Mk7 (last of the
line). I doubt it will see any use. I just bought it, because I always
wanted one and it is a little bit of history.

I have an AVO Minor if you need it. ^^

**Need? I don't NEED any of them. My Fluke does all I want. I really do
enjoy the look and feel of vintage test equipment though and I had never
seen an AVO Minor. What a little cutie. Might have to consider adding
one to my AVO collection, which presently sits at:

1 X AVO8 Mk7
1 X AVO7 (presently cleaning and repairing the battery compartment)
1 X AVO VCM163 (Stunning old school engineering - the cable lacing is
something to behold)

I'm seriously thinking about importing one these beauties:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-WESTON-310-AC-DC-WATTMETER-/271362923723?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f2e7d9ccb

What a glorious thing.

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

---
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[John G]

Trevor Wilson expressed precisely :

On 31/01/2015 10:52 PM, Phil Allison wrote:
Trevor Wilson wrote:


**I avoid ALL Jaycar products, unless there is absolutely no
alternative. Fortunately, there is almost always an alternative
which works better, is more reliable and better constructed. Sadly,
the price is often a little higher (but not always).

If you want to keep shoving money into a company which is geared
solely into ensuring the MD gets a new Ferrari each year, be my
guest.

** Does Gary really do that ?

I thought he was into Lambos.

**Honestly, I have no idea. I was aware that he liked expensive cars. And why
not? He buys cheap, crappy products from China and sells them at a huge
margin. I would feel better about buying his shit, if he spent a fraction
more for superior quality. I really don't care what, or how many, cars he
drives, nor how much money he makes. It seems that the constant drive for big
profits means that something has to give. He has chosen quality.



Jaycar are OK for those packs of Metric nuts and bolts. They're
low tech, which seems to be what Jaycar manages best.


** I have a Metex 3530 DMM, purchased from Jaycar in July 1985 - paid
$109 for it and it is not even auto-ranging. 30 years on, it still
works fine.

I also have a DSE brand Q-1424 DMM bought in the mid 1990s - it is
very similar to certain Fluke models, like the 70 series.

I do not use it because it is dangerous !!!

Every time you touch the probes onto a voltage of more than 400V, the
display freezes and may well show zero volts.

Not much use to a tech who does a fair bit of valve equipment and
could prove lethal if you do not know about the issue.

The really funny thing is, Fluke had exactly the same problem with an
early version of the 70 series 2 meter and issued a mass recall over
it.

Imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery - right ?

**Nasty. MY ancient Fluke 85 has no such issues. It just keeps going. I
replace the battery every couple of years and that's about it. Mind you:
Every single one of my multimeters (I'd guess I have at least ten of the
damned things) still works just fine. Even my original Sanwa U-50D still
works fine. Only one has failed me. A Radio Shack digital bench meter, which
I stupidly connected to a laser power supply (ca. 1.5kV). It works, but
nothing can be reliably or accurately measured anymore. Even my trusty SOAR
ME-532 (I bet you owned one of those - everyone did) still works, though the
shitty battery cover is held on with gaffa tape now. I recently picked up an
AVO 8 Mk7 (last of the line). I doubt it will see any use. I just bought it,
because I always wanted one and it is a little bit of history.

I have an AVO Minor if you need it. ^^

--
John G Sydney.

 

[F Murtz]

Phil Allison wrote:

McAvity wrote:


Even the electronic farting chickens don't make realistic fart sounds.


** Your first name "Phil" by any chance ??



Phil-harmonic? Nope.


** So I take it you are not a Dentist then ?



... Phil

may be he is a proctologist

 

[McAvity]

On 01-Feb-15 3:48 PM, F Murtz wrote:

Phil Allison wrote:
McAvity wrote:


Even the electronic farting chickens don't make realistic fart sounds.


** Your first name "Phil" by any chance ??



Phil-harmonic? Nope.


** So I take it you are not a Dentist then ?



... Phil

may be he is a proctologist

Ahh, I'm slow on the uptake today.

 

[F Murtz]

John G wrote:

Trevor Wilson expressed precisely :
On 31/01/2015 10:52 PM, Phil Allison wrote:
Trevor Wilson wrote:


**I avoid ALL Jaycar products, unless there is absolutely no
alternative. Fortunately, there is almost always an alternative
which works better, is more reliable and better constructed. Sadly,
the price is often a little higher (but not always).

If you want to keep shoving money into a company which is geared
solely into ensuring the MD gets a new Ferrari each year, be my
guest.

** Does Gary really do that ?

I thought he was into Lambos.

**Honestly, I have no idea. I was aware that he liked expensive cars.
And why not? He buys cheap, crappy products from China and sells them
at a huge margin. I would feel better about buying his shit, if he
spent a fraction more for superior quality. I really don't care what,
or how many, cars he drives, nor how much money he makes. It seems
that the constant drive for big profits means that something has to
give. He has chosen quality.



Jaycar are OK for those packs of Metric nuts and bolts. They're
low tech, which seems to be what Jaycar manages best.


** I have a Metex 3530 DMM, purchased from Jaycar in July 1985 - paid
$109 for it and it is not even auto-ranging. 30 years on, it still
works fine.

I also have a DSE brand Q-1424 DMM bought in the mid 1990s - it is
very similar to certain Fluke models, like the 70 series.

I do not use it because it is dangerous !!!

Every time you touch the probes onto a voltage of more than 400V, the
display freezes and may well show zero volts.

Not much use to a tech who does a fair bit of valve equipment and
could prove lethal if you do not know about the issue.

The really funny thing is, Fluke had exactly the same problem with an
early version of the 70 series 2 meter and issued a mass recall over
it.

Imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery - right ?

**Nasty. MY ancient Fluke 85 has no such issues. It just keeps going.
I replace the battery every couple of years and that's about it. Mind
you: Every single one of my multimeters (I'd guess I have at least ten
of the damned things) still works just fine. Even my original Sanwa
U-50D still works fine. Only one has failed me. A Radio Shack digital
bench meter, which I stupidly connected to a laser power supply (ca.
1.5kV). It works, but nothing can be reliably or accurately measured
anymore. Even my trusty SOAR ME-532 (I bet you owned one of those -
everyone did) still works, though the shitty battery cover is held on
with gaffa tape now. I recently picked up an AVO 8 Mk7 (last of the
line). I doubt it will see any use. I just bought it, because I always
wanted one and it is a little bit of history.

I have an AVO Minor if you need it. ^^

My AVO.

http://tinypic.com/r/15q5awg/8
http://tinypic.com/r/124wpdd/8

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 2/02/2015 7:05 PM, F Murtz wrote:

My AVO.

http://tinypic.com/r/15q5awg/8
http://tinypic.com/r/124wpdd/8

**Nice. What are the accessories? Current shunts?

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

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[Trevor Wilson]

On 2/02/2015 7:08 PM, Trevor Wilson wrote:

On 2/02/2015 7:05 PM, F Murtz wrote:



My AVO.

http://tinypic.com/r/15q5awg/8
http://tinypic.com/r/124wpdd/8


**Nice. What are the accessories? Current shunts?

**The case in great shape. It's original? Finger joints? Unusual timber
for a Pommy product. What kind of wood do you think it is?

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

---
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http://www.avast.com

 

[F Murtz]

Trevor Wilson wrote:

On 2/02/2015 7:05 PM, F Murtz wrote:



My AVO.

http://tinypic.com/r/15q5awg/8
http://tinypic.com/r/124wpdd/8


**Nice. What are the accessories? Current shunts?

http://tinypic.com/r/w0nn2d/8

 

[F Murtz]

F Murtz wrote:

Trevor Wilson wrote:
On 2/02/2015 7:05 PM, F Murtz wrote:



My AVO.

http://tinypic.com/r/15q5awg/8
http://tinypic.com/r/124wpdd/8


**Nice. What are the accessories? Current shunts?


http://tinypic.com/r/w0nn2d/8

http://tinypic.com/r/rtondk/8

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 2/02/2015 7:29 PM, F Murtz wrote:

F Murtz wrote:
Trevor Wilson wrote:
On 2/02/2015 7:05 PM, F Murtz wrote:



My AVO.

http://tinypic.com/r/15q5awg/8
http://tinypic.com/r/124wpdd/8


**Nice. What are the accessories? Current shunts?


http://tinypic.com/r/w0nn2d/8

http://tinypic.com/r/rtondk/8

**More niceness. You can measure one Hell of a lot of current with those
puppies.

--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au

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[Bob Milutinovic]

"Phil Allison" <pallison49@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:c4938ae4-4297-4e00-a206-ce858cae2666@googlegroups.com...

McAvity wrote:


Even the electronic farting chickens don't make realistic fart sounds.


** Your first name "Phil" by any chance ??



Phil-harmonic? Nope.


** So I take it you are not a Dentist then ?

He doesn't sound like a panel beater.

--
Bob Milutinovic
Cognicom

 

[BuckyBalls]

On 30/01/2015 6:55 AM, Sylvia Else wrote:

On 30/01/2015 4:52 PM, Pete wrote:
Sylvia Else wrote:

it continues to draw nearly a milliamp, so the battery runs down.

Even when the rotary switch is set to Off?

No - but that's not what is claimed for it. The whole point of an
auto-off feature is that the thing doesn't run the battery down if one
forgets to turn it off.

I invariably forget to turn multimeters off.

Sylvia.

I forget to turn 'em off as well.But it makes fuck-all difference unless
you are in serious battery poverty!
The batteries cost less than $1 and the meter is usually only left on
overnight, so it is all rather trivial.