Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Specmaster]

I saw that one. I would probably buy that if it was the bench form factor unit. The plastic cased HP ones I have found problematic in the past. I had a top range HP 5315A counter with OCXO, battery and C optiona couple of years ago but the thing just slipped around on the bench like mad so I got rid of it.

Well that the same case as mine and I just stuck some non slip silicon feet under it and now it sits in my stack

As soon as the parts arrive and are fitted, it will re positioned to bottom of the stack and the 3466A next and so on to keep the stack stable.

[Specmaster]

Yeah definitely. Got to be honest I have chucked it in 3 digit mode a couple of times to get rid of that distraction 

I have stuck it in 4 mode sometimes myself as you don't get last digit changing as much on the 4.5 meters.

[mnementh]

I'm sticking at 5.5 for now. 6.5 costs a lot more to cal when I fuck it up 

Added to that, the fact even now with ours when on low ranges, that last digit changing is a distraction, do you really want to have 2 digits changing doubly distract you? 

Yeah definitely. Got to be honest I have chucked it in 3 digit mode a couple of times to get rid of that distraction 

This phenomenon HAS to be some relative of the "Man with two watches" effect. We need to come up with a TEA name for it...


FDDS - Flipping Digit Distraction Syndrome: When the constant flipping of the last few digits on your 4+x and 1/2 digit instrument distract you from the work you're supposed to be doing with it.

Oh YEAH!!! And it has an advanced stage condition as well... 

BDADD - Bouncing Digit Attention Deficit Disorder: When you don't hear your wife/kids/boss calling your name because you're too busy watching those digits flip on a stack of such instruments and trying to figure out the pattern; or because you just noticed that two or more of them seem to be in sync.

But wait; then there'd have to be the inverse function where this becomes a fetish...

FDDAS - Flipping Digit Device Acquisition Syndrome: When your TEA evolves such that you are pathologically driven to collect test gear with excessive extra digits just to watch them as they demonstrate entropy.


Cheers,


mnem
"Hello, you've reached mnem's pants. mnem isn't currently in his pants; please leave a message after the beep."

[BillB]

I'm sticking at 5.5 for now. 6.5 costs a lot more to cal when I fuck it up 

Added to that, the fact even now with ours when on low ranges, that last digit changing is a distraction, do you really want to have 2 digits changing doubly distract you? 

Yeah definitely. Got to be honest I have chucked it in 3 digit mode a couple of times to get rid of that distraction 

This phenomenon HAS to be some relative of the "Man with two watches" effect. We need to come up with a TEA name for it...


FDDS - Flipping Digit Distraction Syndrome: When the constant flipping of the last few digits on your 4+x and 1/2 digit instrument distract you from the work you're supposed to be doing with it.

Oh YEAH!!! And it has an advanced stage condition as well... 

BDADD - Bouncing Digit Attention Deficit Disorder: When you don't hear your wife/kids/boss calling your name because you're too busy watching those digits flip on a stack of such instruments and trying to figure out the pattern; or because you just noticed that two or more of them seem to be in sync.

But wait; then there'd have to be the inverse function where this becomes a fetish...

FDDAS - Flipping Digit Device Acquisition Syndrome: When your TEA evolves such that you are pathologically driven to collect test gear with excessive extra digits just to watch them as they demonstrate entropy.


Cheers,


mnem
"Hello, you've reached mnem's pants. mnem isn't currently in his pants; please leave a message after the beep."

Luckily for everyone here, I am now selling for only $49.95 (+ shipping) a lifetime supply of FDDS Reliever!  Completely eliminates FDDS flare-ups, and also works for BDADD!  The new and improved formula also minimizes mild to moderate FDDAS.  Comes in an easy to dispense roll.   Get yours today!

 

[Mr. Scram]

Specmaster, did you clean the meter? It's looking sharp!

[Specmaster]

I'm sticking at 5.5 for now. 6.5 costs a lot more to cal when I fuck it up 

Added to that, the fact even now with ours when on low ranges, that last digit changing is a distraction, do you really want to have 2 digits changing doubly distract you? 

Yeah definitely. Got to be honest I have chucked it in 3 digit mode a couple of times to get rid of that distraction 

This phenomenon HAS to be some relative of the "Man with two watches" effect. We need to come up with a TEA name for it...


FDDS - Flipping Digit Distraction Syndrome: When the constant flipping of the last few digits on your 4+x and 1/2 digit instrument distract you from the work you're supposed to be doing with it.

Oh YEAH!!! And it has an advanced stage condition as well... 

BDADD - Bouncing Digit Attention Deficit Disorder: When you don't hear your wife/kids/boss calling your name because you're too busy watching those digits flip on a stack of such instruments and trying to figure out the pattern; or because you just noticed that two or more of them seem to be in sync.

But wait; then there'd have to be the inverse function where this becomes a fetish...

FDDAS - Flipping Digit Device Acquisition Syndrome: When your TEA evolves such that you are pathologically driven to collect test gear with excessive extra digits just to watch them as they demonstrate entropy.


Cheers,


mnem
"Hello, you've reached mnem's pants. mnem isn't currently in his pants; please leave a message after the beep."

Luckily for everyone here, I am now selling for only $49.95 (+ shipping) a lifetime supply of FDDS Reliever!  Completely eliminates FDDS flare-ups, and also works for BDADD!  The new and improved formula also minimizes mild to moderate FDDAS.  Comes in an easy to dispense roll.   Get yours today!

 

 

[Specmaster]

I'm sticking at 5.5 for now. 6.5 costs a lot more to cal when I fuck it up 

Added to that, the fact even now with ours when on low ranges, that last digit changing is a distraction, do you really want to have 2 digits changing doubly distract you? 

Yeah definitely. Got to be honest I have chucked it in 3 digit mode a couple of times to get rid of that distraction 

This phenomenon HAS to be some relative of the "Man with two watches" effect. We need to come up with a TEA name for it...


FDDS - Flipping Digit Distraction Syndrome: When the constant flipping of the last few digits on your 4+x and 1/2 digit instrument distract you from the work you're supposed to be doing with it.

Oh YEAH!!! And it has an advanced stage condition as well... 

BDADD - Bouncing Digit Attention Deficit Disorder: When you don't hear your wife/kids/boss calling your name because you're too busy watching those digits flip on a stack of such instruments and trying to figure out the pattern; or because you just noticed that two or more of them seem to be in sync.

But wait; then there'd have to be the inverse function where this becomes a fetish...

FDDAS - Flipping Digit Device Acquisition Syndrome: When your TEA evolves such that you are pathologically driven to collect test gear with excessive extra digits just to watch them as they demonstrate entropy.


Cheers,


mnem
"Hello, you've reached mnem's pants. mnem isn't currently in his pants; please leave a message after the beep."

I think you started your digits to early, 4+x and 1/2 digit  should read as 5+x and 1/2 digit because the last digit bouncing is not a distraction on the 4.5 as it rarely changes as much as the 5.5 and above 

[Specmaster]

Specmaster, did you clean the meter? It's looking sharp!

Just a quick wipe over with a damp cloth after removing the stickers and the adhesive, that's all. I'm very pleased with it but a little saddened that the best that they could come up with on the volts range was 300V max,  I mean the HP 3466A goes all the way up to 1,200V FFSS Yes I know its a 5.5 digit precision meter its a little disconcerting having to remember when reading voltages that you can't go above 300V and you then have change meters  What on earth were the designers thinking about 

[Mr. Scram]

Just a quick wipe over with a damp cloth after removing the stickers and the adhesive, that's all. I'm very pleased with it but a little saddened that the best that they could come up with on the volts range was 300V max,  I mean the HP 3466A goes all the way up to 1,200V FFSS Yes I know its a 5.5 digit precision meter its a little disconcerting having to remember when reading voltages that you can't go above 300V and you then have change meters  What on earth were the designers thinking about 

What do you plan on doing that's going to take you over 300 volt? The only thing I can come up with its how it's inconvenient that the 320 or 330 volt peak of a 230 volt RMS AC signal is slightly beyond what it can do.

[Specmaster]

Just a quick wipe over with a damp cloth after removing the stickers and the adhesive, that's all. I'm very pleased with it but a little saddened that the best that they could come up with on the volts range was 300V max,  I mean the HP 3466A goes all the way up to 1,200V FFSS Yes I know its a 5.5 digit precision meter its a little disconcerting having to remember when reading voltages that you can't go above 300V and you then have change meters  What on earth were the designers thinking about 

What do you plan on doing that's going to take you over 300 volt? The only thing I can come up with its how it's inconvenient that the 320 or 330 volt peak of a 230 volt RMS AC signal is slightly beyond what it can do.

Nothing that I know about but it just struck me as odd that after years of being to higher voltages than 300V that they should suddenly stop giving you that flexibility/headroom if you need it. Its a bit like saying your national speed limit is 50mph so therefore we are taking away the cars ability to do 150mph

[bd139]

The 3478A is a precision bomber not a fighter jet

[Specmaster]

Granted but so was the 3466A in its day surely?

Its not a real problem, just came as a bit of a shock when RTFM that they've taken away the facility to pretend your a fighter for a bit of fun on route to your precision bombing mission 

[Mr. Scram]

I think something like the 34401A goes up to 1000V and that's definitely a surgical strike unit.

[Cerebus]

The revered HP3458A goes up to 1050V DC (±10ppm +0.1ppm) and 700V AC (±400ppm + 20ppm).

[Specmaster]

I think something like the 34401A goes up to 1000V and that's definitely a surgical strike unit.

It sure does but its still priced out of my reach at the moment, it does look to be pretty much the same meter as the 3478A with a different display.

[Specmaster]

The revered HP3458A goes up to 1050V DC (±10ppm +0.1ppm) and 700V AC (±400ppm + 20ppm).

Again, this beast of a meter is about the same size as the Fluke 8505A which is just too large for my bench and the price is another thing, man it is expensive for a hobbyist. 

[Mr. Scram]

It sure does but its still priced out of my reach at the moment, it does look to be pretty much the same meter as the 3478A with a different display.

The 34401A is a 6 1/2 digit multimeter and comes with RS232 capabilities in addition to GPIB. The latter redeems some costs compared to the 3478A if you're interested in hooking it up to a computer, as GPIB cables can get expensive.

[Specmaster]

It sure does but its still priced out of my reach at the moment, it does look to be pretty much the same meter as the 3478A with a different display.

The 34401A is a 6 1/2 digit multimeter and comes with RS232 capabilities in addition to GPIB. The latter redeems some costs compared to the 3478A if you're interested in hooking it up to a computer, as GPIB cables can get expensive.

I don't have any need for a computer hook up, all of my meters are standalone ones.

[Cerebus]

I think something like the 34401A goes up to 1000V and that's definitely a surgical strike unit.

It sure does but its still priced out of my reach at the moment, it does look to be pretty much the same meter as the 3478A with a different display.

Internally they're quite significantly different, a totally new ADC in the 34401A for a start. Reading rates are 50 per second (5¹/₂ digits, AZ on, 50Hz) for the 34401A versus 1.9 per second (5¹/₂ digits, AZ on, 50Hz) for the 3478A. The 34401A has about twice the basic DC accuracy of the 3478A, 35ppm+5ppm (10V range) versus 60ppm+1 count (3V range) respectively.

[Specmaster]

I think something like the 34401A goes up to 1000V and that's definitely a surgical strike unit.

It sure does but its still priced out of my reach at the moment, it does look to be pretty much the same meter as the 3478A with a different display.

Internally they're quite significantly different, a totally new ADC in the 34401A for a start. Reading rates are 50 per second (5¹/₂ digits, AZ on, 50Hz) for the 34401A versus 1.9 per second (5¹/₂ digits, AZ on, 50Hz) for the 3478A. The 34401A has about twice the basic DC accuracy of the 3478A, 35ppm+5ppm (10V range) versus 60ppm+1 count (3V range) respectively.

I understand all that, but it does still externally look like the same meter with a florescent screen rather then a LCD, looks like a face lifted model but it clearly has a different internals as it does so much more and also is 6.5 digit as opposed to 5.5 digits

[bd139]

Random frustration but I got to play with my 3478A. Just tested 100 78L06 voltage regulators from aliexpress with the 3478A on it’s only calibrated range: 30v. This was after I stuffed one in circuit and it pulled way too much current for the job. Fortunately it didn’t smoke the SA612 it was connected to.

Built a constant 20mA current sink load with a 2n3904.

Some were more 78L05’s, one exploded, 3 were dead, 4 pulled 50mA+ straight away and got hot (not sure what device they were). Decided to cut my losses and chuck them in the bin and order a bag of ST ones RS.

Well done China! Not! 

[Specmaster]

I feel a claim coming on, didn't you also have a duff batch of LEDs from AliExpress?

[bd139]

I’m not even going to bother claiming it. Can’t be arsed. Was only 60p or something trivial.

Not had any LED trouble yet. I suspect China is pretty good with LEDs thanks to all the low grade fairy lights they kick out by the ship load. The cheap 3mm white ones make pretty good varactor diodes I found. They are quite linear but light sensitive so you have to dip them in paint first.

[Specmaster]

Have you been using Chinese parts on your radio bit that keeps blowing up?

[mnementh]

Yeah definitely. Got to be honest I have chucked it in 3 digit mode a couple of times to get rid of that distraction 

This phenomenon HAS to be some relative of the "Man with two watches" effect. We need to come up with a TEA name for it...


FDDS - Flipping Digit Distraction Syndrome: When the constant flipping of the last few digits on your 4+x and 1/2 digit instrument distract you from the work you're supposed to be doing with it.

Oh YEAH!!! And it has an advanced stage condition as well... 

BDADD - Bouncing Digit Attention Deficit Disorder: When you don't hear your wife/kids/boss calling your name because you're too busy watching those digits flip on a stack of such instruments and trying to figure out the pattern; or because you just noticed that two or more of them seem to be in sync.

But wait; then there'd have to be the inverse function where this becomes a fetish...

FDDAS - Flipping Digit Device Acquisition Syndrome: When your TEA evolves such that you are pathologically driven to collect test gear with excessive extra digits just to watch them as they demonstrate entropy.


Cheers,


mnem
"Hello, you've reached mnem's pants. mnem isn't currently in his pants; please leave a message after the beep."

Luckily for everyone here, I am now selling for only $49.95 (+ shipping) a lifetime supply of FDDS Reliever!  Completely eliminates FDDS flare-ups, and also works for BDADD!  The new and improved formula also minimizes mild to moderate FDDAS.  Comes in an easy to dispense roll.   Get yours today!

 

  FOFL!!! ZOMG... stop! You're making my sides hurt! 

I think you started your digits to early, 4+x and 1/2 digit  should read as 5+x and 1/2 digit because the last digit bouncing is not a distraction on the 4.5 as it rarely changes as much as the 5.5 and above 

I actually spent some time considering where that line should be; I eventually concluded that any value for x less than 1 was ridiculous, so I stand by my math in this case. I know; this comes as much of a shock to me as it does to you.


mnem
*Congenitally math-defective*