Brymen BM869(867) alternative software.

[Sairus]

Hi everyone.
I want to share my software it created to communicate with Brymen BM869 (probably it will work with BM867). It good alternative of BU-86X because you can create your own cable and spend around 5$ for it (it cheaper than brymen cable). So maybe for owners of BM869(867) that topic will be helpful.

So let me introduce my GUI.



Main windows display DMM readings, it have many settings (port settings, color settings, settings for logger and grapher) in help section you can find info how made your own cheap cable.

Features

• Two line of DMM values.
• Bargraph.
• Color setting for DMM and grapher.
• Logger with settings of log interval ( Logger records can be save to CSV file ).
• Port scanner for search available devices.
• Port debug line (show received values).

Grapher called from main window work separately, fast mode mean that every time when DMM send data on PC grapher will draw new values. Draw interval it time between drawing new points so you can choose fast drawing or drawing in determined time periods.

Grapher features

• 3 types of y axis scale (auto, auto+zero, manual).
• Auto greed step).
• Auto metric prefixes(p,n,u,m,k,M,G).
• Exact value by pointing of cursor.
• MIN MAX values.
• Scroll of values.
• Auto reset after changing measurement units.

Pass/fail mode work in main window and in pass/fail settings section. After closing settings section it continue working.

PASS/FAIL features

• Red green PASS/FAIL color scheme for main display and logging.
• Logging all or only fail events.
• Sound.

In help section you can find manual with schematics and firmware for creating you own cable.



Feel free to ask you questions and sorry for my crusty english.

Update
Ok i spend some time and write arduino sketch. It all about IR transistor position and pullup resistors value (in case of my setup is 69K tolerance ~ 1K).If you have bad alignment or wrong value you will receive crap signal and software will not react or start show weird stuff (weird reading mean that you on right way). In ajusting  may be helpful port debug line to view received data (in GUI port>port debug line).


Arduino sketch for cable

Version log
v1.02 First release
v1.03 Fixed bug at saving manuals files.
v1.04 Do nothing because I think that no one need it. 
v1.05 Add arduino sketch in help section.
v1.06 Fix some bugs.
v1.07 Change platform(now it framework 4.5 based) fix some bugs and add settings save feature.
 
Link   dropbox V1.07 19.09.2021

[IanB]

That looks like very nice software. Are you planning to share it?

[Edit: OK, I see you added a link. However, downloading an executable from an unknown source will make people nervous.]

[nugglix]

Unfortunately the link points to an .exe file.
I wouldn't install it for obvious reasons.

@Sarius
If you want people to have a look, provide an archive.
So interested people can have a look w/o installing software from unknown sources.
And if you really want to help with that software, put it on github.

[wraper]

Regarding 2 previous comments. I don't see how obfuscating executable into the archive will make it any safer  . Actually malware is intentionally archived (very often in spam) to prevent antiviruses from detecting them.

[Sairus]

OK, I see you added a link. However, downloading an executable from an unknown source will make people nervous.

Because i add link to this forum in help section.

So interested people can have a look w/o installing software from unknown sources.

It ruing without installing. first version was posted there 
www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/brymen-ir-connection-protocol-anyone-sniffed-it-yet/100/ rep 109

[IanB]

Regarding 2 previous comments. I don't see how obfuscating executable into the archive will make it any safer  . Actually malware is intentionally archived (very often in spam) to prevent antiviruses from detecting them.

I think we are suggesting to share the source code so it can be examined and compiled safely on a local system.

[wraper]

I think we are suggesting to share the source code so it can be examined and compiled safely on a local system.

This is not what wast majority of the people would even consider to bother with or have expertise to do so.

[IanB]

I think we are suggesting to share the source code so it can be examined and compiled safely on a local system.

This is not what wast majority of the people would even consider to bother with or have expertise to do so.

This is a technical forum. Downloading source code is no different than downloading a circuit schematic, PCB layout or B.O.M.

I would hesitate to run a downloaded executable however it was delivered.

[Sairus]

My software contain ~100 kb of code (~2000 code line) and 0 code comments (i have good memory so i dont use comments i know that bad programming style) so for other people it useless. 

And if i try create malware i will use another name for it something like "boobs and kitties" and i posted it somewhere where more audience (with less average IQ) for example social networks. 

For gourmets, I added a piece of code you can start analyzing, later i add other parts and the instructions how to make of tin foil hat.

[Kuro]

Thanks for offering this! Looks real nice, I'll check it out once I get a Brymen.

[Sairus]

Thanks for offering this! Looks real nice, I'll check it out once I get a Brymen.

Go to help and press English manual and you get PDF file with instructions how create your cable (repeating my design is not necessary you can use another microcontroller or even arduino)

[raptor1956]

The problem with downloading and installing software from the internet is a very real problem but then when genuine good intentions are behind it and the software offers something of value it would be nice to have a sandbox to try it.  Perhaps a good idea to maintain an old laptop with an image and try it on that.  If it gets hosed you have the image to reset things and you haven't risked your everyday PC's.

I have, in fact, about 4 such laptops.

I am very tempted to get the BM869S from TEM and having software to do PC based analysis and logging would be great.

To the OP, I haven't gone to you dropbox yet and would like to know if you have details on the connector you made up for it. 


Brian

[Sairus]

I have, in fact, about 4 such laptops.
I am very tempted to get the BM869S from TEM and having software to do PC based analysis and logging would be great.
To the OP, I haven't gone to you dropbox yet and would like to know if you have details on the connector you made up for it. 

Run GUI >Help>English manual>read PDF

[joeqsmith]

Besides it being a fun little project for you to work on, what's the benefit?    Looking at your other link (I did not read it), I assume by the time I have made a board, by the PIC and other parts and maybe get it working there will be more than $5 invested.   The meter was $230 new.  I think they only wanted $40 more for the cable and software.  I didn't have a need for it but had I that would not be a bad price.  For my own home use, normally if I am trying to automate something it requires more than a meter.  Mainly why I use LabVIEW.   Had Brymen offered support of LabVIEW, I may have picked it up.

So, what features does your software have that the OEM package does not?   Is it more reliable? Save to some other file formats? 

[JackM]

Besides it being a fun little project for you to work on, what's the benefit?
So, what features does your software have that the OEM package does not?   Is it more reliable? Save to some other file formats?

Obviously buying the official $40 kit from Brymen will be a fully-working solution straight away and very unlikely to have bugs/issues. This is just for those DIY'ers who want to build something cool and maybe learn a bit about it along the way. I think it's a very neat project and since I own a Brymen BM867 I'll likely be building up this design myself, because I want to.

[Sairus]

Besides it being a fun little project for you to work on, what's the benefit?    Looking at your other link (I did not read it), I assume by the time I have made a board, by the PIC and other parts and maybe get it working there will be more than $5 invested.   The meter was $230 new.  I think they only wanted $40 more for the cable and software.  I didn't have a need for it but had I that would not be a bad price.  For my own home use, normally if I am trying to automate something it requires more than a meter.  Mainly why I use LabVIEW.   Had Brymen offered support of LabVIEW, I may have picked it up.

I just write software for myself (because only option for me was cable from ebay ~ 60$) i make it better and better,at some point i realize that it good enough to show another people so i decided share it (maybe my solution save some time for another peoples)

So, what features does your software have that the OEM package does not?   Is it more reliable? Save to some other file formats?

It just alternative just another option. Cable design can be modified so adding battery and bluetooth module (or RF module) can give you wireless connection.

P.S. show me link for BM869+ shipping for 240$ )

[2N3055]

You have it here, for instance... Allmost in the neighbourhood ...
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm869/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm869s/

[joeqsmith]

You have it here, for instance... Allmost in the neighbourhood ...
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/bm869/portable-digital-multimeters/brymen/bm869s/

   This is where I bought mine from.   At the time I paid $224.66 + $9.90 shipping.  It arrive in just a few days.  Been very happy with the meter. 

Is your software compatible with the OEM cable? 

[IanB]

I just write software for myself (because only option for me was cable from ebay ~ 60$) i make it better and better,at some point i realize that it good enough to show another people so i decided share it (maybe my solution save some time for another peoples)

If you are interested to share the software, which is an admirable thing to do, then I suggest sharing it through a medium like GitHub. That way others can learn from what you have done, maybe extend or enhance it, maybe fix some bugs. You may get feedback from others that could in turn help you. Just something to consider.

[raptor1956]

I have not bought a DMM in many years and still own a Fluke 85 that's over 25 years old and a Fluke 27 that's over 30 years old, but I think I may add the BM869 in the near future.  Neither of my Fluke's have more than 3200 counts so having a DMM that's in the same league as my Rigol DM3058E as far as count are concerned would be very helpful when needing to monitor both current and voltage at the same time or monitoring two voltages or currents and the same time.  Having PC software to log and analyze is just the icing on the cake.  The accuracy isn't quite as good as the Rigol but not far off either and the relative values can be useful even if the absolute accuracy is a bit lacking.  And at 0.02% it's better than the 0.05% of the Fluke 87V.

The BM869 is a bit large for true portability, but should work as a portable instrument that probably spends most of its time on or near the bench.


Brian

[Bicurico]

Hi,

This is to let a little bit of steam out... 

You have the OP, who developed his own alternative software for the Brymen BN869/867. As I understood, one of the reasons to develop this software was to use his own custom made cable (he explains how to assemble one), instead of having to purchase the official cable. Building a custom made cable has the issue, that one lacks the official software - hence why he made his own.

Now pay attention: he offers his software for FREE. A non-intrusive Paypal add is decently asking for any donation.

And what is the general tone in this thread? People say it is not secure to run executables of the internet!!! WTF??? This is a known user of EEVblog! I cannot imagine anyone here using Windows who NEVER downloaded any software and installed it! It's not like he is offering an obscure link to some cracking/keygen site!

And then people say "oh, yeah, all nice, bla bla bla, how about you share the SOURCE CODE, so we can check the software is clean...".

If I was the OP, I would close this thread and not even reply.

It's not just that people want things for free - now they want the source of other people's work, too. Just because.

 

When I read stuff like this, I really wonder what goes on in people's head.

Sorry if I offended anyone, but I surely got offended by this:

"Besides it being a fun little project for you to work on, what's the benefit?" -> You don't have to use it, if there is no benefit for you! And if this is a "fun little project", you must have done bigger projects and given them away for free, right?

"If you are interested to share the software, which is an admirable thing to do, then I suggest sharing it through a medium like GitHub. That way others can learn from what you have done, maybe extend or enhance it, maybe fix some bugs. You may get feedback from others that could in turn help you. Just something to consider." -> The OP was expecting some donation, not people asking to share his whole source code!

"Obviously buying the official $40 kit from Brymen will be a fully-working solution straight away and very unlikely to have bugs/issues." -> Just buy the offical kit then! Why implying the OP has bugs/issues in his software? Have you tried it?

"I think we are suggesting to share the source code so it can be examined and compiled safely on a local system." -> No comments...

Regards,
Vitor

[retiredcaps]

I have not bought a DMM in many years and still own a Fluke 85 that's over 25 years old and a Fluke 27 that's over 30 years old, but I think I may add the BM869 in the near future.  Neither of my Fluke's have more than 3200 counts

Just some corrections.

Your Fluke 85 is a 4000 count meter.

And at 0.02% it's better than the 0.05% of the Fluke 87V.

The Brymen BM869 is (wrt to DCV)

http://www.brymen.com.tw/product-html/cata860/Bm860L4.htm

0.02% +/- 2d at 5V range and below
0.03% +/- 2d at 50V range
0.04% +/- 2d at 500V range
0.15% +/-2d at 1000V range

Fluke 87V is 0.05% +/- 1d in all ranges.

I say it too close to call between the 87V and BM869 depending on the range and when you consider the +/- 1d vs 2d without doing a spreadsheet or calculation.

[IanB]

The fear with downloading executables is not so much that we don't trust the originator to be acting in good faith, but that we can have no knowledge of how the executable was made. It is possible that malware can get in by stealth, for instance did the originating machine maybe have an undetected infection, or was the zipping/archiving tool inadvertently infected? Such things have happened even to reputable software houses.

For the record I am pretty hesitant to run any downloaded executables from anywhere. It's just scary.

The OP in this thread has apparently made some nice PDF docs. Well couldn't they perhaps be available in a zip archive so we don't have to run the EXE to get at them?

[joeqsmith]

Hi,

This is to let a little bit of steam out... 

Sorry if I offended anyone, but I surely got offended by this:

"Besides it being a fun little project for you to work on, what's the benefit?" -> You don't have to use it, if there is no benefit for you! And if this is a "fun little project", you must have done bigger projects and given them away for free, right?

"If you are interested to share the software, which is an admirable thing to do, then I suggest sharing it through a medium like GitHub. That way others can learn from what you have done, maybe extend or enhance it, maybe fix some bugs. You may get feedback from others that could in turn help you. Just something to consider." -> The OP was expecting some donation, not people asking to share his whole source code!

"Obviously buying the official $40 kit from Brymen will be a fully-working solution straight away and very unlikely to have bugs/issues." -> Just buy the offical kit then! Why implying the OP has bugs/issues in his software? Have you tried it?

"I think we are suggesting to share the source code so it can be examined and compiled safely on a local system." -> No comments...

Regards,
Vitor

Like IanB points out, I have no intention of installing an EXE from the internet just to get a PDF to then try and answer some basic questions. 

While the software may be offered for free it's pretty ignorant to think this means there is no investment to try it.   Building the cable is not free  and it will require time to try it all out.   Before that, it would be good to know the benefits over what is available now. 

If that bothers you so be it.

[tronde]

I must say fully agree with Bicurico.

Maybe some pepole should spend some time trying to figure out how to check a file using this fantastic Internet-thing?

Since it seems too complicated, I did it.