Test Equipment Anonymous (TEA) group therapy thread

[mindcrime]

Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab,

 

We all said that at one time or another time and time again...   

Fixed that for you...   

-Pat

I got down to "the last two or three things I could possibly ever need" once. Six or eight pieces of gear later, somehow I'm still down to "the last two or three things I could possibly ever need". 

[Cubdriver]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

Be forewarned - we may have a somewhat different definition of "help" than most normal people do - to draw a bit of an analogy, if this group were to form an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter our meetings would have an open bar.

That said, your lab requires a bench meter because, well, because you seem to want one.  That and that you can afford it is all we really require - we set the bar pretty low; like to the point where a shallow trench is needed for it.  (Less of a trip hazard that way. )

I use mine for, well, bench stuff.  Mainly things like longer term observation of things like charging batteries and testing/reforming electrolytic caps (voltage and current monitoring), or just when I don't want a handheld flopping about and getting in the way on the work surface.  My main ones are a pair of old 4 digit HPs from the mid 60s, though there are others with greater resolution lurking about that are used as needed.



Unless the building is collapsing on you due to structural overload, you can never have too much test gear.   

-Pat

[Cubdriver]

Oh - another good thing about the bench meters - they're less likely to get mislaid in the mess that is my workbench.  My handhelds have hidden from me on many occasions.   

-Pat

[mindcrime]

That said, your lab requires a bench meter because, well, because you seem to want one. 

Also consider that you'll probably need a bench multimeter to fix your bench multimeter when it breaks. So really you need two. And if you have two, and they disagree, you'll never know which one is correct. So you really should have three at a minimum. And have you thought about how you're going to calibrate this new bench meter when you get it? You'll definitely be wanting to add a calibrator to your arsenal at some point (note to self: I could take my own advice on this point). And how do you know the insulation on your probes is up to spec? Better get an insulation tester in there at some point. And however many digits your meter has, is never enough, so you're going to want to upgrade at some point as soon as possible. And... well anyway, that's enough of that for now. I think you get the picture.

Also, if you value your bank account balance, stay far away form the metrology section. "Beware, for dragons be there." Spend too much time in there and you'll soon be buying rubidium standards, cesium standards, GPSDO's, distribution amplifiers for distributing 10mhz signals (something about this story sounds strangely familiar) and FSM-knows what kind of volt-time-nuttery equipment.  Fair warning, DO NOT GO IN THERE.

[med6753]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

Your 87 will always do you justice but it's good to have a backup.



Bench DMM's? One must have a choice to suit any unique situation.



Of course #2 bench must have a selection too.



And when you really need to get angry...



You're welcome 

[beanflying]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

I darkened the door of this place after buying a 34401A as a 'first' bit of decent Test Gear. ..... I haven't made a list as some things are better not fully defined to allow easier expansion

[rodcastler]

if this group were to form an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter our meetings would have an open bar.

  See, I knew I was coming to the right place. Thank you so much everyone, you did not fail me!

[mnementh]

Welcome to the nuttery, rod!

The neverending taco truck in the corner has finally been rebooted, and bean's making laser toys, so the coffee should be nice & hot; Papa Smurf is feeling much less grumpy now he has his can of bloo spray paint again. bd139 is on walkaboot in the real world; if you see Saskia stuffing something in a gunny sack, just look the other way.  The crusty old Aardvark in the corner is mostly harmless, except when polishing his conversational cutlery... Oh, and the pervy little dragon fancier schtick is mine; but I am accepting applications for internship at this time! 

mnem

[tautech]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

I just don't get it why ppls buy VFD display meters when they might be meters away (pun intended  ) on a shelf instead of right alongside you like a DMM.

[AVGresponding]

-snip-

Only 6.5 digits? I can tell you're not taking this seriously...

[Robert763]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

Welcome to the nut house.
The GDM-8351 is OK and I guess local availability is a factor, but that sort of money will get you a used HP / Agilent 34401A with an extra digit and a step up in quality.

[Robert763]

Unless the building is collapsing on you due to structural overload, you can never have too much test gear.   

-Pat

What about when you have to step on the TE to get to the bench? That is my problem these days 

[beanflying]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

I just don't get it why ppls buy VFD display meters when they might be meters away (pun intended  ) on a shelf instead of right alongside you like a DMM.

I fail to see the issue here I have two 6 1/2 ones within a Meter of my rubbish pile, another Bench DMM on the back rack within reach of the Calibration and other toys. Having the 'spare' ones dotted around makes sense - Because TEA 

[BU508A]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

Welcome to our nice and completely sane place. 

Congrats to your first bench DMM, the GDM-8351 is a good one to start with. 

This is a part of my little collection of bench DMMs:




 

[tggzzz]

Unless the building is collapsing on you due to structural overload, you can never have too much test gear.   

What about when you have to step on the TE to get to the bench? That is my problem these days 

Stuff expands to fill the space available. There are TV programmes about people like us

And welcome to the nuthouse, rodcastler. To answer your question, even though you are a hobbyist, you absolutely need a second meter

• to measure two values simultaneously
• to check the first meter. At that point you have the "man with two clocks" problem, and realise you are in a recursive loop with no exit condition
• and, of course, the unassailable reason is that you have to have two meters before you can have three. The same applies to scopes, PSUs, ...

[Cubdriver]

Unless the building is collapsing on you due to structural overload, you can never have too much test gear.   

-Pat

What about when you have to step on the TE to get to the bench? That is my problem these days 

While many of our boat anchors can also serve as step stools, I try to limit my use of them for such and instead prefer to rearrange things to leave occasional foot-sized gaps that reach to the floor to step in - sort of like the negative of stepping stones in a brook - rather than places to step projecting above the fray you instead have holes that reach the floor.  Just be careful as it’s easy to catch your foot and trip, and you might land on something valuable and break it.  Think of it as an agility test, like football players running through zig-zag patterns of tires.

-Pat

[Cubdriver]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

Welcome to our nice and completely sane place. 

Congrats to your first bench DMM, the GDM-8351 is a good one to start with. 

This is a part of my little collection of bench DMMs:


 

Love that Meratronik!  I watched several of those on our favorite wallet evacuation site over the past few years, but regrettably never pulled the trigger.  Haven’t seen one in quite some time now, and wish I had. 

-Pat

[BU508A]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

Welcome to our nice and completely sane place. 

Congrats to your first bench DMM, the GDM-8351 is a good one to start with. 

This is a part of my little collection of bench DMMs:


 

Love that Meratronik!  I watched several of those on our favorite wallet evacuation site over the past few years, but regrettably never pulled the trigger.  Haven’t seen one in quite some time now, and wish I had. 

-Pat

This is the V543 with all the bells and whistles in a non-working condition (NAWTS):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223745419541

Ships worldwide.



You are welcome.
 

Edit:
Whoah!
Just found this one, a Meratronik V531:


Tempting ...

[capt bullshot]

Nice surprise in the post box today:



Many thanks to the sender!
Really cool stuff, interesting and I've right now started thinking of what kind of circuit / experiment to do with them.

[Specmaster]

Hi, I’m here to seek for support, and help.
As a hobbyist, I really don’t need a bench multimeter. Yet, it’s the only piece of equipment that’s been missing from my lab, and I am ready to pull the trigger on a GDM-8351 to satisfy the bench with the display glow, the button thingies, the looks, and not the specs, really.
Bear in mind I am seeking for best-in-class group therapy here, so please don’t judge me. Tell me why my lab doesn’t require a bench multimeter, or why should I go for it, tell me when do you use yours. My other meter is a fluke 87V.

I just don't get it why ppls buy VFD display meters when they might be meters away (pun intended  ) on a shelf instead of right alongside you like a DMM.

There are VFD and VFD displays, I love those on my Flukes, 8840A and 8842A bench meters, or of course the other way of getting nice easy to read glowing display are LED displays  such as those on my 3466A, 4502, 1906 and 1905a meters, all of which are very easy to read from metres away. Which in reality I would say in a well laid out bench, are just a few CMs or inches above the bench on racks or shelves. That then frees up bench space for things like soldering equipment, work lights and the item(s) being worked on. 

[wolfy007]

-snip-

Only 6.5 digits? I can tell you're not taking this seriously...

He hasnt gotten angry enough yet...  (facepalm is for myself)

[med6753]

-snip-

Only 6.5 digits? I can tell you're not taking this seriously...

He hasnt gotten angry enough yet...  (facepalm is for myself)

I am merely providing a pathway for the newbie to follow. Only they can determine to go further into the rabbit hole. 

[mnementh]

And now, a word from the VoltMutt contingent: [FLUKE] sez BAMMM!!!

mnem
I can do both. 

[AVGresponding]

-snip-

Only 6.5 digits? I can tell you're not taking this seriously...

He hasnt gotten angry enough yet...  (facepalm is for myself)

I am merely providing a pathway for the newbie to follow. Only they can determine to go further into the rabbit hole. 

However far one goes, there is always further to go...   

[ch_scr]

I bought a thing. Because it.. expands my capabilities. Not that I would need them right now. But it was cheap...
Time to get into toobes?