Ballantine Labs 3205B Micro-Ohmmeter

[ketil b]

Hi all

I been lurking hear for awhile now.

Any how I have a chance to buy a Ballantine Labs 3205B Micro-Ohmmeter for a good price.

But I cant find much info on it, just the web site http://www.ballantinelabs.com/3205b.htm

Does any one have any experience of this meter or a copy of the manual.

Thanks

Ketil

[robrenz]

Welcome to the forum!

It is concerning that there is no mention in the specs about thermal emf cancellation either by offset compensated ohms or current reversal techniques.  4 wire alone is not enough at micro ohm levels.  If you cant verify that it has some form of thermal emf  compensation I would recommend staying away from it. The accuracy specs are fairly good but there are more accurate micro ohm meters out there if it matters to you. Also concerning that the manual is not accessible from their site.

[ketil b]

Thanks that helps a lot. I was hoping that some would say its similar to the Cambridge Technology / IET 510.

I will just keep an eye out for a "for parts" keithley 580.

Thanks

Ketil

[robrenz]

I have 2 of the IET/Cambridge tech 510A. Very excellent performing unit and far superior accuracy and resolution to the keithley 580 as long as you don't need a computer interface.  My thread on the 2 units here

One on ebay herefor $95.00. looks like it is probably functioning even though it says for parts only.  Very simple unit internally and should be easy to fix if it isn't working.