Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[Specmaster]

I received my decade resistance box today. It's quite a bit larger and heavier than expected. It does seem to be quite accurate, though. Even though it's been scratched up in a few places, I think I can actually clean most of the grime off, which should make it much more presentable than I initially thought it would be.

One knob is missing its aluminium insert. Maybe I'll look into replacing that, but that likely means replacing all the knobs.

Also, post #2000. 

Any news on the counter yet?

[Mr. Scram]

Any news on the counter yet?

I've asked for them to hold off on invoicing me until I've had the opportunity to look at other things. If I ask them, they'll send me a proper invoice and all should be well

[Specmaster]

Any news on the counter yet?

I've asked for them to hold off on invoicing me until I've had the opportunity to look at other things. If I ask them, they'll send me a proper invoice and all should be well

Oh I see, beware though that when I was there a few days ago they told me that they only had 10 left and a week before they had 25 in stock.

[Mr. Scram]

Oh I see, beware though that when I was there a few days ago they told me that they only had 10 left and a week before they had 25 in stock.

The sale has been made. It's just a matter of proper invoicing. I appreciate your concern, though 

[GreyWoolfe]

Have a wonderful Christmas one and all.

And to you and yours.

[GreyWoolfe]

So now I am falling further down the rabbit hole of multimeters.  I got rid of my Protek bench meter whilst buying an Aneng AN8009 so I could be multimeter neutral, thus preserving the 7 meter count, 5 for me and 2 for work.  Searching evilbay today (I should know better), I found another HP 3466A that was being sold for parts because the display LEDs didn't match the selection but was shown working/accurate connected to a power supply.  I know that it's dirty gang switches as that was the problem with the first one I bought.  The price was fair enough so it is expected to be here on my birthday next week.  Happy Birthday to me.  Now the decision is to either leave things alone or get rid of my Micronta 22-175A and stay meter neutral.  On the plus side, this 3346 will go on the work side of the bench so will become a non reimbursed business expense tax deduction.

[SeanB]

Make it an even 5 either side then!

[Specmaster]

Firstly happy Birthday to you for next week, mines tomorrow and I expect that you're like me, tend to get Christmas and Birthday presents combined sure sucks does that.
Why do you want to be multi-meter neutral? Whats wrong with getting more meters? I for wont judge you for it. As to the HP 3466A, lucky man, they are a nice meter I have one already and just missed on a second one a few weeks back which exhibited the same issue as you describe, I think. It was reading volts but the range indicator was reading something like K etc.

[bd139]

Happy birthdaymas!

[GreyWoolfe]

Firstly happy Birthday to you for next week, mines tomorrow and I expect that you're like me, tend to get Christmas and Birthday presents combined sure sucks does that.
Why do you want to be multi-meter neutral? Whats wrong with getting more meters? I for wont judge you for it. As to the HP 3466A, lucky man, they are a nice meter I have one already and just missed on a second one a few weeks back which exhibited the same issue as you describe, I think. It was reading volts but the range indicator was reading something like K etc.

Happy Birthday to you!.  It did suck growing up, the gifts were combined.  My wife, however, makes sure there is a difference between Christmas and my birthday.  What you saw is the same thing I saw in the add.  Funny thing is there were 10 watchers.  I love snatching stuff out from under other people's watch lists.  It was $59.99 plus $15 for shipping, so it was worth it as far as I was concerned.  What sealed it was that it was shown working.  Others that have sold for around the same price for parts/repair were not shown working.  I like the meter and the bright red numbers make it easy on my old eyes.  It is going to have an easy life.  Mostly low\$\Omega\$ measurements and continuity checks with a little bit of VDC and maybe a little VAC added in occasionally.  I actually get a reading of under 1\$\Omega\$ for a thermocouple like I am supposed to instead of all zeros like the 3.5 digit meter that I am currently using shows, so I can match the part to factory spec.  Surprisingly, so does my Aneng AN8008   The stupid move on my part was to only buy 1 of the GW-Instek GDM 8251A meters at under $100 when evilbay was saturated with them.  Now that they are more scarce, the price has pretty much doubled.

Make it an even 5 either side then!

Great! 2 more to go

Happy birthdaymas!

Thank you, BD!!

[bd139]

My eldest daughter’s birthday was last week and everyone else does the same with birthdays. We tend to have an unofficial birthday in June which helps spread stuff out a bit otherwise it’s a whole year without cool stuff. She got a new bass guitar for December birthday so she’s happy and I’m broke 

[Specmaster]

Thank you bd139, my present to myself arrived yesterday, the Fluke 25. What a beast it is, I might stick a handle on it and use it a s a sledgehammer too, I bet it would still work as well. I wonder if any other meters are built to military specs?

[tggzzz]

Thank you bd139, my present to myself arrived yesterday, the Fluke 25. What a beast it is, I might stick a handle on it and use it a s a sledgehammer too, I bet it would still work as well. I wonder if any other meters are built to military specs?

I think of them as almost literally bulletproof!

Don't forget to read the legend on the back about CH4, and have a look at the battery compartment seal. There's a similar seal between the top and bottom halves.

And to top it all, they are surprisingly accurate.

[Specmaster]

My eldest daughter’s birthday was last week and everyone else does the same with birthdays. We tend to have an unofficial birthday in June which helps spread stuff out a bit otherwise it’s a whole year without cool stuff. She got a new bass guitar for December birthday so she’s happy and I’m broke 

Hmm, thats not a bad idea, but nobody in my family would go that because it would mean more money to be spent, so I tend to get myself little bits and bobs to make for it, at least its shit I actually want rather then what they think I want. If I get asked what would I like, I get told, I'm not buying that, you want it you buy it so I do 

Does your daughter want to be in a group then? I remember in my teens there was a group called The Honeycombs which featured a girl drummer, which was at the time still very much a male dominated arena.

[Specmaster]

Thank you bd139, my present to myself arrived yesterday, the Fluke 25. What a beast it is, I might stick a handle on it and use it a s a sledgehammer too, I bet it would still work as well. I wonder if any other meters are built to military specs?

I think of them as almost literally bulletproof!

Don't forget to read the legend on the back about CH4, and have a look at the battery compartment seal. There's a similar seal between the top and bottom halves.

And to top it all, they are surprisingly accurate.

Yes, you right there again, I was reading somewhere that they are supposed to be IP67 rated which would certainly explain the seals on the rear compartments but I'm not sure that they set to be waterproof, I think that is a byproduct of the military requirement for use in hazardous areas although I'm not too sure just how that works when it is possible to draw a spark when connecting the probes to the circuit under test.

The accuracy is another thing, ok, it is only a 3.5 digit meter but when checked against my 4.5 and 5.5 digit meters, the least significant digit was rock steady and almost bang on incrementing in step with the others so I'm glad to have made the step to get one of these meters, although as you know, I really want to to turn it into a 27. To that end I wont be compromising the integrity of this one, as it is in very good shape indeed with any light scuff marks on the case and display, so I'm looking out for knackered 27 to donate its case or maybe even add a good 27 and pass this 25 onto new owners so they can enjoy its ruggedness as well. 

 

[bd139]

My eldest daughter’s birthday was last week and everyone else does the same with birthdays. We tend to have an unofficial birthday in June which helps spread stuff out a bit otherwise it’s a whole year without cool stuff. She got a new bass guitar for December birthday so she’s happy and I’m broke 

Hmm, thats not a bad idea, but nobody in my family would go that because it would mean more money to be spent, so I tend to get myself little bits and bobs to make for it, at least its shit I actually want rather then what they think I want. If I get asked what would I like, I get told, I'm not buying that, you want it you buy it so I do 

Does your daughter want to be in a group then? I remember in my teens there was a group called The Honeycombs which featured a girl drummer, which was at the time still very much a male dominated arena.

Just remember the queen has two birthdays

She’s already in a band which is an all female metal band and are pretty good (they’ve all been playing for about 8 years now). Think a hybrid of Slayer / Nightwish and Iron Maiden.  They don’t take any hostages.

Thank you bd139, my present to myself arrived yesterday, the Fluke 25. What a beast it is, I might stick a handle on it and use it a s a sledgehammer too, I bet it would still work as well. I wonder if any other meters are built to military specs?

I’m hoping my Keysight U1241C is like that. Apparently 3m drop resistance guaranteed (that’s a lot!) and IP67 sealed. Good to 1m of water. I’m not going to test it though

[Specmaster]

She’s already in a band which is an all female metal band and are pretty good (they’ve all been playing for about 8 years now). Think a hybrid of Slayer / Nightwish and Iron Maiden.  They don’t take any hostages.

Thank you bd139, my present to myself arrived yesterday, the Fluke 25. What a beast it is, I might stick a handle on it and use it a s a sledgehammer too, I bet it would still work as well. I wonder if any other meters are built to military specs?

I’m hoping my Keysight U1241C is like that. Apparently 3m drop resistance guaranteed (that’s a lot!) and IP67 sealed. Good to 1m of water. I’m not going to test it though

Seems we have a synergy then, I have a Nephew who has his own group and has his first album being released next month as well.

Yes the U1241C is certainly a big beast as well, is it also heavy? the 25 weighs it 750g and doesn't fit into any pockets either. Like you I don't intend to test it for accidental damage either, just hope when called upon it works well 

[tggzzz]

My eldest daughter’s birthday was last week and everyone else does the same with birthdays. We tend to have an unofficial birthday in June which helps spread stuff out a bit otherwise it’s a whole year without cool stuff. She got a new bass guitar for December birthday so she’s happy and I’m broke 

I offered that to my daughter (due 25th, but cut out a couple of weeks later!), but she declined.

[PA4TIM]

Only one Weston cell? Pah. I've got 3, from a local school that was closing down. One is from 1949 and is still good, see
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/poor-man-gets-his-candies-(6x-weston-cells)/msg1338437/#msg1338437
https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/a-weston-standard-cell-an-introduction-to-voltnuttery/#more-852

One use for saturated Weston Cells is to use them as thermometers. Until you can do that you can't consider yourself a voltnut 

As for (DC) calibrators, I'd go for a calibrated voltage source, and then a 7 decade KVD.

Good choise  I know because I have:
4 weston cells in an ovenized  cabinet including all calibration data from new. 
5 calibrators (or more depending the definition)
2 KV dividers
But I do not have the holy grale of voltnutting, an 3458 (hard to confess as a Keithley fan)

[bd139]

Seems we have a synergy then, I have a Nephew who has his own group and has his first album being released next month as well.

Yes the U1241C is certainly a big beast as well, is it also heavy? the 25 weighs it 750g and doesn't fit into any pockets either. Like you I don't intend to test it for accidental damage either, just hope when called upon it works well 

Awesome with your nephew 

If you put the 25 in your pocket your trousers would be on the floor by the time you'd walked 30 feet 

The U1241C isn't quite Fluke heavy but weighs in at a respectable 550g. Doesn't fit in any pockets either. My 8024B is a light weight at 450g.

[Specmaster]

I'd like to see trousers with a big enough pocket to slip the 25 into, I know my arse is big but not that big that I could have pockets the size of food recycling bags 

[HalFET]

The Delta E030-1 arrived, should still be getting an R&S morse demodulator (bought it out of curiosity mostly  ), Advantest wide band FM modulator (TR45101), and the Fluke 5200A before Friday. The first two are DHL/bPost, the last one is UPS, lol. Should be interesting to see how the UPS guy moves it around.

Only one Weston cell? Pah. I've got 3, from a local school that was closing down. One is from 1949 and is still good, see
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/poor-man-gets-his-candies-(6x-weston-cells)/msg1338437/#msg1338437
https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/a-weston-standard-cell-an-introduction-to-voltnuttery/#more-852

One use for saturated Weston Cells is to use them as thermometers. Until you can do that you can't consider yourself a voltnut 

As for (DC) calibrators, I'd go for a calibrated voltage source, and then a 7 decade KVD.

Good choise  I know because I have:
4 weston cells in an ovenized  cabinet including all calibration data from new. 
5 calibrators (or more depending the definition)
2 KV dividers
But I do not have the holy grale of voltnutting, an 3458 (hard to confess as a Keithley fan)

I keep my weston cell out in the open, but the room it's in is very temperature stable (21 - 23°C) and dry so it's not much of a concern really.

And for reference, the Fluke 5200A will double as counter weight for when I ever need to lift a car using a lever.    

[tggzzz]

Only one Weston cell? Pah. I've got 3, from a local school that was closing down. One is from 1949 and is still good, see
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/poor-man-gets-his-candies-(6x-weston-cells)/msg1338437/#msg1338437
https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/a-weston-standard-cell-an-introduction-to-voltnuttery/#more-852

One use for saturated Weston Cells is to use them as thermometers. Until you can do that you can't consider yourself a voltnut 

As for (DC) calibrators, I'd go for a calibrated voltage source, and then a 7 decade KVD.

Good choise  I know because I have:
4 weston cells in an ovenized  cabinet including all calibration data from new. 
5 calibrators (or more depending the definition)
2 KV dividers
But I do not have the holy grale of voltnutting, an 3458 (hard to confess as a Keithley fan)

I bid on a 3458, but gave up at, IIRC, 40% of the final bid price. I really couldn't justify that since I have a working Solartron 7081 (probably reading ~20ppm high).

I also have a 7 decade Julie Research KVD, and an ESI  KVD with a 3 decade switch + 2 decade potentiometer. The 7081 agrees with the 7 decade KVM to <3ppm. Not bad for 60yo and 30yo equipment

[tggzzz]

And for reference, the Fluke 5200A will double as counter weight for when I ever need to lift a car using a lever.    

The Julie research 7 decade KVD is ~45lbs/22kg. That's not suitable for a "top shelf"; the bench is bad enough If I sell it, so that it can be couriered, I will divide it into two bits: 19" rack metal bit plus wooden case.

[Specmaster]

Only one Weston cell? Pah. I've got 3, from a local school that was closing down. One is from 1949 and is still good, see
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/poor-man-gets-his-candies-(6x-weston-cells)/msg1338437/#msg1338437
https://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/a-weston-standard-cell-an-introduction-to-voltnuttery/#more-852

One use for saturated Weston Cells is to use them as thermometers. Until you can do that you can't consider yourself a voltnut 

As for (DC) calibrators, I'd go for a calibrated voltage source, and then a 7 decade KVD.

Good choise  I know because I have:
4 weston cells in an ovenized  cabinet including all calibration data from new. 
5 calibrators (or more depending the definition)
2 KV dividers
But I do not have the holy grale of voltnutting, an 3458 (hard to confess as a Keithley fan)

I bid on a 3458, but gave up at, IIRC, 40% of the final bid price. I really couldn't justify that since I have a working Solartron 7081 (probably reading ~20ppm high).

I also have a 7 decade Julie Research KVD, and an ESI  KVD with a 3 decade switch + 2 decade potentiometer. The 7081 agrees with the 7 decade KVM to <3ppm. Not bad for 60yo and 30yo equipment

That blue display reminds of my VW Passat, that had lovely blue instrument lighting, uncommon on cars I think.