What did you buy today? Post your latest purchase!

[Terry01]

I got a mail saying my 121GW was on it's way.... 

Canny wait!! 

[Muttley Snickers]

I went for a walk at around midday today and ended up at the local weekend trash and treasure market so I went in for a bit of a look around. I stumbled across one seller who had a few used multimeters all layed out for display on a table and I was astonished to find that the LCD display on every meter had turned purple.   

One of the multimeters he had was a Fluke 116 in pretty good condition except for the damaged screen so I asked him what he wanted for it, he said eighty bucks and went on to say they are worth a few hundred, I laughed out loud and said "not like that they're not, you need to keep anything with an LCD out of the sun".   

With that he promptly moved everything with a screen into the shade but it was all too little too late, he then said the meter still works, I laughed again and told him that the meter was now stuffed and needed a new LCD which would probably exceed the meters value, some people really have no idea how to care for stuff.     

[Terry01]

I went for a walk at around midday today and ended up at the local weekend trash and treasure market so I went in for a bit of a look around. I stumbled across one seller who had a few used multimeters all layed out for display on a table and I was astonished to find that the LCD display on every meter had turned purple.   

One of the multimeters he had was a Fluke 116 in pretty good condition except for the damaged screen so I asked him what he wanted for it, he said eighty bucks and went on to say they are worth a few hundred, I laughed out loud and said "not like that they're not, you need to keep anything with an LCD out of the sun".   

With that he promptly moved everything with a screen into the shade but it was all too little too late, he then said the meter still works, I laughed again and told him that the meter was now stuffed and needed a new LCD which would probably exceed the meters value, some people really have no idea how to care for stuff.   

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.... it is funny but it's a pity a few meters were harmed in the making 

[beanflying]

Brought stuff in actual physical shops today 

Sutton Drill top up pack to replace the busted and abused smaller ones in my larger set. 2 x 100 packs of 3mm cable ties for $2.25 for both.

Based on a quick Big Clive sprudgering tear down 2 4000mAH power banks for $20/pair from the Rejectshop (aussie chain) cells are labelled 2000 but seems to be ZERO battery protection or charging unless it is on the cell unpopulated pads on the board for another IC Mmmmm anyone want to toast some Marshmallows when the smoke comes out 

[McBryce]

Ordered 30x 9 pole Male Sub-d headers from China. Today 30x 9 pole FEMALE sub-d headers turned up. 

First time I've been disappointed that 30 Females turned up at my door.


McBryce.

[DC1MC]

Ordered 30x 9 pole Male Sub-d headers from China. Today 30x 9 pole FEMALE sub-d headers turned up. 

First time I've been disappointed that 30 Females turned up at my door.

McBryce.

They identify as male and you've assumed their gender, I can't even...

[McBryce]

Ordered 30x 9 pole Male Sub-d headers from China. Today 30x 9 pole FEMALE sub-d headers turned up. 

First time I've been disappointed that 30 Females turned up at my door.

McBryce.

They identify as male and you've assumed their gender, I can't even...

Tell that to the mating connectors that seem to identify to the gender they were assigned!

McBryce.

[FrankBuss]

Got some HP5082-7340 LED modules, they look very nice:

[Mr. Scram]

Got some HP5082-7340 LED modules, they look very nice:

Those are some attractive modules for sure.

[Mr. Scram]

I went for a walk at around midday today and ended up at the local weekend trash and treasure market so I went in for a bit of a look around. I stumbled across one seller who had a few used multimeters all layed out for display on a table and I was astonished to find that the LCD display on every meter had turned purple.   

One of the multimeters he had was a Fluke 116 in pretty good condition except for the damaged screen so I asked him what he wanted for it, he said eighty bucks and went on to say they are worth a few hundred, I laughed out loud and said "not like that they're not, you need to keep anything with an LCD out of the sun".   

With that he promptly moved everything with a screen into the shade but it was all too little too late, he then said the meter still works, I laughed again and told him that the meter was now stuffed and needed a new LCD which would probably exceed the meters value, some people really have no idea how to care for stuff.   

Do LCD displays get damaged that quickly, though?

[Muttley Snickers]

I wouldn't have thought so either but it was a pretty hot and humid day here on Sunday at around 28 celsius with no cloud cover at all and no telling how long they had been exposed to direct sunlight, based on his asking prices I suspect he has probably had them for quite some time.     

I got the impression from the seller that the problem had only just occurred as he appeared to be unaware of the damaged screens until I brought it to his attention, another seller also had a few meters but he had them situated under a large umbrella so they were mostly in the shade. 

[Mr. Scram]

I wouldn't have thought so either but it was a pretty hot and humid day here on Sunday at around 28 celsius with no cloud cover at all and no telling how long they had been exposed to direct sunlight, based on his asking prices I suspect he has probably had them for quite some time.     

I got the impression from the seller that the problem had only just occurred as he appeared to be unaware of the damaged screens until I brought it to his attention, another seller also had a few meters but he had them situated under a large umbrella so they were mostly in the shade.

While I admittedly don't know much about the phenomenon, I'd guess that it takes more than a sunny afternoon to damage a meter screen of reasonable quality. Otherwise we'd probably see many more damaged meters around, as people work outside with them too. Maybe he bought an already damaged batch?

[Muttley Snickers]

He had a variety of different meters most of which were used so it wasn't a batch thing and he probably just bought them all in a bundled lot from an auction house. I have seen other meters with this problem before and as part of my work we regularly use meters outdoors in direct sunlight but never for any extended period. We might have to sacrifice a meter for science or ask Joe if he has a spare blown one hanging around which he could put to the test.

[CatalinaWOW]

He had a variety of different meters most of which were used so it wasn't a batch thing and he probably just bought them all in a bundled lot from an auction house. I have seen other meters with this problem before and as part of my work we regularly use meters outdoors in direct sunlight but never for any extended period. We might have to sacrifice a meter for science or ask Joe if he has a spare blown one hanging around which he could put to the test.

In every case that I have experienced the LCD recovers when it cools back to some reasonable temperature.  Wouldn't want to bet a high dollar meter on it, but have watched it happen a lot of times when I lived in Arizona.

[rsjsouza]

Since folks are talking about meters... Yesterday I received a cheapie one (Surpeer AV4)


First impressions at:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/surpeer-av4-true-rms-4-5-digit-multimeter/msg1976153/#msg1976153

[julianhigginson]

I've seen LCDs go all black from heat before, but they always recoved...

[Terry01]

I got this little beauty delivered this morning! Looks minted! I only had a quick swatch at it but i'll open it up later and get a proper look at it.

[mtdoc]

2.5 kWh 16s LG chemical  LiPo battery pack. To be used in electric garden tractor conversion.   $340 + 40 shipping.

[TiN]

Yet another dead HP 3458A

[djos]

I just ordered a pair of much needed parts storage units from Amazon - damn I love free Prime shipping from the USA!

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B078ST18GW/ref=pe_2361882_282382012_TE_item

[beanflying]

Needed so retail therapy after having a rubbish week and I guess I am still on Santa's permanent naughty list based on several decades of no pressies so Christmas is arriving early for me.

1000x600x200mm 2.2kW CNC router anyone want to make a really really big PCB or front panel?

Now what do I need to make first ...... 

[capt bullshot]

Yet another dead HP 3458A

You're kind of mad, aren't you?

[frozenfrogz]

Now what do I need to make first ...... 

Nice!

First thing to do: Build yourself a vacuum table.

[McBryce]

Now what do I need to make first ...... 

Lots of space for it? Money to pay it off?

McBryce.

[beanflying]

Vac table is on the list 

Mmm Space the unending battle  I think this one and my baby router are moving out of my main shed/workshop and into a tiny (3x3m) studio type of building further down the garden. It is fully lined and waterproof and only houses some 'stuff' at present so a dedicated space for chips, shavings and dust makes sense.