multi-meter broken :(

[thefamilyman]

a bit annoying.....



doesn't look too easy to replace. I've tried knocking it out with some medium blows but not budging.


moral of the story; don't use uninsulated test leads like the one on the left. creates too much leverage on the sockets and causes both metal and plastic fatigue that eventually cracks off.

[retiredcaps]

On ebay, I see a lot of meters with the inner shroud missing presumably due to many insertion/removal or the use of unshrouded test leads.  However, I haven't seen one that ripped off the actual metal?.

Modemhead, a member here, does some DIY repair.  While not the same and I realize materials used are probably different, it may give you some clues/ideas on how to proceed?  See

http://mrmodemhead.com/blog/fluke-banana-jack-repair/

http://mrmodemhead.com/blog/fluke-80-series-jack-assembly-rebuild/

[ModemHead]

You may be able to repair with 3/16" brass tubing like I did in the jack rebuild article posted above.  Given that the original doesn't seem all that robust, the result might be quite reasonable.

Here's a possible method:

• Carefully drill out the old stud. Go slow and do not let heat build up that might melt the plastic, and fanatically police any metal shavings.
• Cut a piece of brass tubing to the appropriate length.
• Find a washer that solder will stick to. Drill it out to the O.D. of the brass tubing. Solder it onto the end of the brass tube, leaving a generous fillet.  Also solder on a wire pigtail for later connection to the PCB.
• Epoxy the assembly into the plastic post.  Solder the wire to the connection point on the PCB. Plug the end of the brass tube with epoxy or something to prevent FOD from entering the meter.
• The meter should be useable at this point, but for aesthetic purposes, you could get one of those plastic plug inserts from a set of cheap probes, prepare it and glue it to the tube from the front, to make a replacement red inner shroud.