Some schadenfreude for you, and some help with a BM869 for me; please :)

[apelly]

So, I bought a BM869 and some other bits and pieces from Franky, who was a pleasure to deal with, as others have noted here. (Thanks mate. Picked it up yesterday.) Being a good global citizen he shipped it without a battery too. Good on ya mate!

Anyway, that's not the funny part. I flicked the range switch around and thought "That's a bit stiff. Better get to hacking that!" And so I did.

I should say here that my dicking around reflects in no way on the quality of the product sold by Franky, or Brymen. I just thought I'd have a hack.

This is why I'd like some help

These springy things are springy. I'm no longer sure where they fit (and not just this one ) so I'm looking for some pics of an un-molested range switch, if anyone has any. No google luck for me today.

Now, I didn't actually get any pictures of the clicky mechanism, but you've seen them before; a ribbed cylinder and a white nylon centre piece with outstretched curly arms that engage in the cylinder's ribs. After shaving a bit off the the curly arms it is easier to turn, but it does not centre nicely on the selected range. This could have been a dick move. It may not have centred nicely before, but I wasn't checking for that in the beginning. I could probably tweak it some more, and I might later, but this isn't my primary concern. Thinking about it though, if anyone could link me to a spare, that'd be nice.

It is back together, and appears to be working, but I'd like some confirmation if anyone can help.

edit: not Franky's fault! 

[Lightages]

Quick image with the selector in the off position.

[iloveelectronics]

Oh no. I'm sorry you received one in that condition I swear it worked alright when I tested it (as I do to all units I sell) and didn't notice the stiffness. Let me know if you would like a replacement. I'm going to have to ask you to send this one back (so I can get Brymen to fix it) though.

[apelly]

Oh no. I'm sorry you received one in that condition I swear it worked alright when I tested it (as I do to all units I sell) and didn't notice the stiffness. Let me know if you would like a replacement. I'm going to have to ask you to send this one back (so I can get Brymen to fix it) though.

RELAX!

It's not your fault, or Brymen.

The meter was fine. I just thought I'd hack it.

Franky, I didn't mean to imply you were at fault in any way. Sorry mate. Original post will be edited.

edit: apologise

[apelly]

Lightages, thank you very much!

I don't suppose you have one of the other side do you?

[Lightages]

Damn, I just put it back together. But what you have there looks right.

[apelly]

No worries. Thanks mate.

There's some interesting stuff going on on the PCB though. There are some unconnected bits of trace on the switch, and man, there must be a thousand ways to assemble the bloody thing. Looks like one switch suits all meters.

Changing the subject slightly, any idea what uses the unpopulated up/down buttons on the BM869?

[Lightages]

The other two button positions are used on the BM52X logging meters. I have the BM525 too!

[apelly]

Ah. Same top board on multiple meters too.

[nanofrog]

Looks like one switch suits all meters.

Same switch in my BM857 FWIW.

[apelly]

I emailed Brymen to try and secure a replacement part. Received it today. Bloody legends! Couldn't ask for better service really.

[iloveelectronics]

I emailed Brymen to try and secure a replacement part. Received it today. Bloody legends! Couldn't ask for better service really.

Yes, they are a bunch of really responsive and helpful people. It doesn't seem to matter where you buy your meter from either, new or used. They care about their end users.