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The Bar For non Automotive Related Chat |
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Thread Tools | Display Modes |
12-10-2022, 06:34 AM | #1 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 22,354
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My meter is a good 15 years old, it cost me $80 back then. Auto-ranging with extras of temperature, capacitance, inductance, transistor testing. I’ve barely used the last two aspects but otherwise it gets a flogging. The temperature (with k-type probe) is great for thermostat checking on the bench.
Lately it’s become increasingly unreliable when measuring DC voltage. It has long had the odd vague-out on resistance or continuity but usually twisting the dial a couple of times and/or pressing Reset, fixes this. DC volts, though, unless it’s a strong source it is no longer giving a sane reading. Technology price-points have shifted, I could replace it for $70 with a meter that does everything the same except inductance and transistor checking. Before I do that - has anyone experienced similar malfunction and resolved with a repair? |
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12-10-2022, 01:51 PM | #2 | ||
Donating Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Morayfield
Posts: 28,090
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Perhaps change the battery, clean the terminals with a cotton bud and isopropyl in case you have some oil or gunk in there, check the range switch too.... then bin it. If you can't trust it, you can't trust it.
Funnily enough my worst meters for reliability have been Fluke. The $50 to $150 meters seem to go forever.
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12-10-2022, 03:19 PM | #3 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,069
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Have you swapped out the leads for known reliable ones? Even a second set might give you a clue its not the meter (edit - though it looks to read non-DC without issue)
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12-10-2022, 05:39 PM | #4 | ||
FG XR6 Ute & Sedan
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bibra Lake WA
Posts: 23,386
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Have you opened it up and:
Checked for dry joins especially around where the sockets for the test lead are solder to the PCB; Checked the tracks of the selection knob are making good contacts with the knob and are not worn away; The batteries have not leaked and corroded anything; and there are no smoke marks or other indications of component failure?
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12-10-2022, 07:51 PM | #5 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 22,354
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Have pulled it down and visually checked.
All solder joints look fine. Processor has black epoxy security, this does not seem to be chemically decomposing. The double-ball dial detent has been weeping grease onto the circuit board, possibly contaminating the wipers and their tracks. I lightly buffed the wipers with grey Scotchbrite, thoroughly cleaned them and the tracks with wax-and-grease remover, cleaned the LCD signal contacts with alcohol, reassembled. Just another evening of stuff you do when TV isn’t in your life… Now to test it! |
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12-10-2022, 11:13 PM | #6 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 22,354
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Well, it’s definitely no worse. I really need daylight to confirm - but it may be fixed.
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12-10-2022, 11:58 PM | #7 | ||
Looking for clues...
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Morayfield
Posts: 23,457
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I have a Digitech meter that doesn’t read DC volts at all now. Luckily I have replaced it with one that does more, like reading frequency. I’m not sure what to do with the faulty meter… label it AC only? Or for continuity checks , and AC if you dare. Either way I might make a DODGY label for it.
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13-10-2022, 04:18 AM | #8 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 22,354
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13-10-2022, 05:27 PM | #9 | ||
Experienced Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Australasia
Posts: 7,658
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Why would you bother with it, bin it and get a quality replacement.
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13-10-2022, 10:40 PM | #10 | ||
DIY Tragic
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Sydney, more than not. I hate it.
Posts: 22,354
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I’m pretty tight with some things. It doesn’t provide data which directly affects health and safety items, the most common use is continuity/resistance followed by DC volts. So, if it’s been scrubbed up sufficiently to rely on for these tasks - I’ll save my $69 for now.
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14-10-2022, 02:20 PM | #11 | |||
Experienced Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Australasia
Posts: 7,658
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Quote:
Cheers |
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16-10-2022, 07:02 PM | #12 | ||
BANNED
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,886
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Digitech? .... am surprised it lasted this long....
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