Cheapest decent analog meter?
brya...@email.com
a Radio Shack 50K/volt analog meter that I liked a lot, but RS no
longer carries analogs, and I don't want junk or something as costly as
a Simpson. Even Sears has quit selling their $60 meter that was very
similar to the RS. I don't care if the meter is an unpowered VOM or a
FET-VOM, so long as its analog and good.
Erich J. Schultheis, The Man with the 15 inch Cock.
all you can do in this case is look on ebay if you want the cheapest
price.
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee
brya...@email.com says...
You can often find analog multimeters at electronic swap meets
(also known as hamfests). I've seen several B&K and Simpson units over
the years. Lists of upcoming hamfest events (not all feature swap meets)
can be found at http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html
Failing that, greed-bay sellers often turn up with such units.
Unfortunately, "cheap" and "good" are often mutually exclusive
terms, especially in the test gear world. I would not expect that you'll
be able to find a new/retail analog multi of decent quality for under
$100+ if at all.
If I may ask: What do you have against digital meters? Yes,
there's a lot of junk Out There (I find Wavetek-branded meters to be
particularly revolting), but there's a lot of good as well. For example,
it's awfully hard to go wrong with a Fluke handheld.
Happy hunting.
--
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute.
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR,
kyrrin (a/t) bluefeathertech[d=o=t]calm -- www.bluefeathertech.com
"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped
with surreal ports?"
Sam Goldwasser
> In article <1136089037.1...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> brya...@email.com says...
>
> > Someone stole my car and therefore my meters as well. One of them was
> > a Radio Shack 50K/volt analog meter that I liked a lot, but RS no
> > longer carries analogs, and I don't want junk or something as costly as
> > a Simpson. Even Sears has quit selling their $60 meter that was very
> > similar to the RS. I don't care if the meter is an unpowered VOM or a
> > FET-VOM, so long as its analog and good.
>
> You can often find analog multimeters at electronic swap meets
> (also known as hamfests). I've seen several B&K and Simpson units over
> the years. Lists of upcoming hamfest events (not all feature swap meets)
> can be found at http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html
>
> Failing that, greed-bay sellers often turn up with such units.
I've picked up 3 Simpson 260s on eBay for about $20 each, 2 in usable
condition, 1 required a new movement, but I picked up a pair of NIB
260 compatible movements on eBay as well.
--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
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Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
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Steven Swift
> If I may ask: What do you have against digital meters? Yes,
>there's a lot of junk Out There (I find Wavetek-branded meters to be
>particularly revolting), but there's a lot of good as well. For example,
>it's awfully hard to go wrong with a Fluke handheld.
Be careful: Fluke = Wavetek
these days. Just rebranding on some of the lower priced meters.
>--
>Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute.
--
Steven D. Swift, nova...@eskimo.com, http://www.novatech-instr.com
NOVATECH INSTRUMENTS, INC. P.O. Box 55997
206.301.8986, fax 206.363.4367 Seattle, Washington 98155 USA
Ralph Mowery
"Dr. Anton T. Squeegee" <Spammers...@dev.null> wrote in message
news:MPG.1e21aa8f3...@192.168.42.131...
> In article <1136089037.1...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> brya...@email.com says...
>
> > Someone stole my car and therefore my meters as well. One of them was
> > a Radio Shack 50K/volt analog meter that I liked a lot, but RS no
> > longer carries analogs, and I don't want junk or something as costly as
> > a Simpson. Even Sears has quit selling their $60 meter that was very
> > similar to the RS. I don't care if the meter is an unpowered VOM or a
> > FET-VOM, so long as its analog and good.
>
> You can often find analog multimeters at electronic swap meets
> (also known as hamfests). I've seen several B&K and Simpson units over
> the years. Lists of upcoming hamfest events (not all feature swap meets)
> can be found at http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html
>
> Failing that, greed-bay sellers often turn up with such units.
>
> Unfortunately, "cheap" and "good" are often mutually exclusive
> terms, especially in the test gear world. I would not expect that you'll
> be able to find a new/retail analog multi of decent quality for under
> $100+ if at all.
>
> If I may ask: What do you have against digital meters? Yes,
> there's a lot of junk Out There (I find Wavetek-branded meters to be
> particularly revolting), but there's a lot of good as well. For example,
> it's awfully hard to go wrong with a Fluke handheld.
>
Sometimes it is just having the right tool for the job. At work I can get
about any kind of meter I need. Sometimes I grab my Simpson 260 and other
times I will get my Fluke digital. Also Fluke makes a nifty device that has
some leds in it. You can put it across a circuit that has from about 24
volts up to around 600 volts AC or DC. It will tell if you have a short or
voltage and a rough idea of how much and if it is AC or DC. Nice for doing
quick test when I am in a relay box that may have 20 relays and I need to
know if the contacts are really made or the relay is pulled in and the
contacts are not made for some reason.
Some of the devices ( PLC outputs for example) will have surge supresssor
devices across the output and a high inpedance digital meter will give
almost as much voltage if the output is off or on. The 260 will load it
down enough to tell the differance.
Do Little2
"Ralph Mowery" <rmower...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:P9Wtf.1103$%W1....@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
>
> Sometimes it is just having the right tool for the job. At work I can get
> about any kind of meter I need. Sometimes I grab my Simpson 260 and
> other> times I will get my Fluke digital. Also Fluke makes a nifty device
> that has
> some leds in it. You can put it across a circuit that has from about 24
> volts up to around 600 volts AC or DC. It will tell if you have a short
> or voltage and a rough idea of how much and if it is AC or DC. Nice
> for doing quick test when I am in a relay box that may have 20 relays
> and I need to know if the contacts are really made or the relay is pulled
> in and the contacts are not made for some reason.
Re: subject line. Of all the cheap meters NexXTech, model: 221-8202,
sold by RS actually speaks the values out loud, yes, it has a volume
control.
It surpasses many Fluke's with that special talking feature which comes in
handy in many situations.
... Have A Happy 2006 Everyone!
Charles Schuler
too.
DaveM
news:5cudnYTM5sM...@comcast.com...
> Simpson 260s are classic designs and can be found at ham fest flea
> markets, too.
For sure, analog multimeters are becoming more scarce every year. But there
are a few available to be had for dirt cheap to serious money. Of course
the Simpson 260 is the recognized industry standard for analog bench meters.
You'll get some pros and cons about the Simpson meters, the most nagging con
being its fragile bakelite case. But, with a modicum of care, it will last
for ages. I've had my Simpson 260 model 3 since 1964; still in its original
case. Many years ago, I upgraded the meter movement to a taut band movement
from a later series, and wouldn't think of getting rid of it.
OK... nuff about that.
In answer to your original question, there are a few vendors still selling
analog multimeters. Look here for a few:
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=206287
http://www.fairradio.com/voltme.htm
http://www.ceitron.com/test/3t2-524.html
Cheers!!!
--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in
the address)
Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time!!
JANA
if I would not be able to find one in the stores.
--
JANA
_____
<brya...@email.com> wrote in message
news:1136089037.1...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
H. Dziardziel
Googling analog multimeters found this which I just happen to have
too:
http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/yx360trdf.htm
Mine is the same Sanwha pictured and says Made in Japan on it.
The pictures and descriptions may not clearly indicate the leads
are not banana type but the ma (only) current range will give that
away.
none
I've got three or so of them myself and often fall back on them when
my newer digitals break down.
Got one that I've had since the mid 60's, a hand-me-down from my dad
who'd had it for years before me. I've had it calibrated 3 or 4 times
over the past 40 years (though it hardly needed it.) and it'll run
with the best of them.
Sam Goldwasser
One nice thing about older Simpson 260s is their 5000 V DC and AC ranges.
Try to find that on any modern DMM! :)
--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html
Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the
GregS
>none <Vamp...@nettaxi.com> writes:
>
>> On Sun, 1 Jan 2006 16:28:56 -0500, "Charles Schuler"
>> <charle...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> >Simpson 260s are classic designs and can be found at ham fest flea markets,
>> >too.
>> >
>> I've got three or so of them myself and often fall back on them when
>> my newer digitals break down.
>> Got one that I've had since the mid 60's, a hand-me-down from my dad
>> who'd had it for years before me. I've had it calibrated 3 or 4 times
>> over the past 40 years (though it hardly needed it.) and it'll run
>> with the best of them.
>
>One nice thing about older Simpson 260s is their 5000 V DC and AC ranges.
>Try to find that on any modern DMM! :)
So does the Tripplet 360.
greg
none
wrote:
>none <Vamp...@nettaxi.com> writes:
>
>> On Sun, 1 Jan 2006 16:28:56 -0500, "Charles Schuler"
>> <charle...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> >Simpson 260s are classic designs and can be found at ham fest flea markets,
>> >too.
>> >
>> I've got three or so of them myself and often fall back on them when
>> my newer digitals break down.
>> Got one that I've had since the mid 60's, a hand-me-down from my dad
>> who'd had it for years before me. I've had it calibrated 3 or 4 times
>> over the past 40 years (though it hardly needed it.) and it'll run
>> with the best of them.
>
>One nice thing about older Simpson 260s is their 5000 V DC and AC ranges.
>Try to find that on any modern DMM! :)
>
Talking about this older test gear got me wanting to dig through my
warehouse and see what kind of shape the meters I've had stored away
for years were in.
All of my Simpsons were in working order of course, thing was I found
alot of gear I'd forgotten I'd even had.
I've got a Triplett VOM model 630-APL brand new that I'd picked up God
knows when or where still in it's leather case with full documentation
and papers.
Similar in design to the Simpson, black bakelite case etc...
Anyone ever use one of these?Also found and vintage Sadelco field
strength meter used for measuring VHF/UHF band model FS-3C.
something my old man I used back when he had a repair shop.(We
probably installed a thousand tv antenna's. That was back when tv
repairmen still did house calls.)
DaveM
news:2ermr15aji3q4bi87...@4ax.com...
Yuppp!!! I've used the Triplett 630 meters a lot. I used to work in a
calibration lab (late 60's) that was a distribution/mod center for Simpson
and Triplett instruments. We did a large volume of repair and calibration
on both Simpson 260 and Triplett 630 meters. As I remember, the Triplett
meters seemed to be a lot more fragile than the Simpsons, because the
Tripletts came in with broken cases and meter faces at about twice the rate.
The Tripletts are larger than the Simpsons, making the scale a bit larger
and easier for us old-timers to read.
Have no doubt... both meters are venerable instruments and will give many
years of dependable service with appropriate care.
I have a Sadelco FS-3 field strength meter that needs a meter movement.
Does your FS-3C still work? Would you be interested in selling? I really
don't need a field strength meter any more, but was just thinking it might
be fun to play with if I ever get back into 2-way radios.
none
wrote:
As far as I can remember it's still in working order.(haven't had call
to power it up for nigh well 35 years.)
Cosmetically it's in mint condition, virtually brand new.( As I recall
this particular one saw little or no use, I believe we bought it as a
backup. I'd been in the service for some time when my father passed
and this meter and much of the test gear I have now is what I'd kept
when I sold off the shop. So it hasn't seen any use since, just been
stored in the back warehouse. I never was much on Ham radio myself
though I'd had a notion that when I get settled out in the southwest
I'd set up a base for communications.)
I'm thinking that I want to hold onto it a bit longer but let me dig
around in the warehouse and see if I can't find another unit.(I
literally have tons of spare parts for just about anything as I'm an
all-around diy'er.)
If I can locate one I'll post here.(I'll take an inventory of all that
I have while I'm at it and post the list here if you're interested in
older gear.)
Michael A. Terrell
The meter movement was made by Modutec. It was one of their standard
movements with the Sadelco meter scale. A lot of these meters failed,
because it is a vow quality meter movement. They work OK, but they
don't stand up to being tossed around in a service truck. I don't
remember the current rating on the movement or which series its from,
but I see these movements surplus from time to time. The OEM is:
http://www.jewellinstruments.com/PanelMeters.htm and Mouser is one
distributor. Its easy to change the meter scale, and I have at least one
spare Sadelco meter scale, somewhere around here.
--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.
Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
DaveM
news:43BCD4B2...@earthlink.net...
Thanks for that, Michael. I haven't looked at my Sadelco meter for several
years, but I believe that I have the scale. I got the instrument from a
relative who thought I might be able to repair it; he had already removed
the meter movement and thrown it away. Thankfully, he saved the scale, so I
held on to the instrument in hopes of finding a replacement some day.
In all the years that I've had it, I haven't been able to identify the meter
sensitivity. If you (or anyone else) has a schematic and/or parts list that
identifies the meter sensitivity, I'd really appreciate a copy.
I'm familiar with the Modutec line.. I used to work in a cal lab that was a
distributor for several meter manufacturers, and as a result, I was pretty
familiar with most lines of meter movements.
If you happen to see a copy of that meter any where, I'd appreciate a ping.
Cheers!!!!
no...@none.com
@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Harbor Freight Tools has a good inexpensive digital multimeter.
brya...@email.com
no...@none.com wrote:
> brya...@email.com wrote in news:1136089037.192006.138530
> @g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> > I don't care if the meter is an unpowered VOM or a
> >FET-VOM, so long as its analog and good.
> Harbor Freight Tools has a good inexpensive digital multimeter.
AHEM. I wrote "analog." I have digital meters.
no...@none.com
@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
Why use an analog meter ?
Please tell me why analog meters are more useful or better.
dave
MOP CAP
> >
>
> Why use an analog meter ?
>
>
> Please tell me why analog meters are more useful or better.
>
> dave
An analog meter is like a low frequency oscilloscope. Jerks and
movement in the needle let you know that there are time variations in
what you are measuring, extremely useful in trouble shooting. A digital
meter only tells you what the average value was during the sample time
of the meter. DVM's are only good for measuring values that are in a
steady state.
Chuck P.
Smitty Two
MOP CAP <Pilgrim...@mindspring.com> wrote:
I agree, Chuck. Analogs have huge advantages in many circumstances. You
can also focus your attention on putting the probes where they need to
be, and "read" the meter with your peripheral vision. Think of the auto
gauge analogy. When everyone went gaga over digital, the speedometer and
other instruments on cars went digital. But, an auto instrument panel is
something you want to be able to monitor subconsciously, not have to
focus on it and try to decipher the meaning of the digits. That's why so
many of them have gone back to analog.
Another good use for an analog is checking a faulty circuit for excess
current. Touch the probe for a fraction of a second and note, again with
peripheral vision, how fast the needle is moving towards pegged. Gives
you time to pull the probe before something blows.
Finally, I do a lot of go/no-go testing, and the analog is at least five
times as fast as a digital. I see the needle out of the corner of my eye
and I know the allowable deflection range, without having to read the
numbers.
Jon
Customer
>
A cheap analog meters is at Radio Shack. Or Simpson and Triplett
for a bit more money.
no...@none.com
Pilgrim...@mindspring.com:
GOD Bless You for your non sarcastic and honest reply to an uninformed
and curiuos creature.
dave :'>
no...@none.com
4FBD0E.111...@news.west.cox.net:
A very informative and helpfulll reply. Thanks!.
I sorta like HUDS.
One idea is to direct transmit the info into the brain for instantaneous
feedback.
dave :'>
>
Michael Ware
brya...@email.com
no...@none.com wrote:
> brya...@email.com wrote in news:1137235984.657832.124880
> @g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
>> I don't care if the meter is an unpowered VOM or a
>>FET-VOM, so long as its analog and good.
> Harbor Freight Tools has a good inexpensive digital multimeter.
>> AHEM. I wrote "analog." I have digital meters.
> > Why use an analog meter ?
> Please tell me why analog meters are more useful or better.
MOP CAP phrased it best when he said an analog meter is like a low
frequency scope.
With a digital meter I have more trouble telling whether changes in
readings are normal or due to something significant, but with an analog
meter I can almost always tell the difference instantly.
no...@none.com
@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
If you do that much troubleshooting and if readings are so critical for
analysis, why not buy an oscilloscope ?
Modern 'scopes are capable of multiple on screen readings as well as visual
aides to troubleshooting.
( you may enjoy being able to repair complex electronics with the aid of
beerskins and stoned knives :'> )
dave
no...@none.com
>
Here are some good deals >>>
http://www.shopping.com/xGS-Analog_Multimeter~NS-1~linkin_id-3061545~r-1
~CLT-INTR
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40
&satitle=analog+multimeter
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&fstype=1
&from=R10&satitle=oscilloscope&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&fsop=1%
26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&sargn=-1%
26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=
dave :'>
no...@none.com
You may have to copy the above links into a text editor, before you can
copy and paste into a browser.
no...@none.com
>FET-VOM, so long as its analog and good.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<,
oscope $20 plus $20 shipping (current bid)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ANALOG-OSCILLOSCOPE-GOS-310-10MHz-Like-
NEW_W0QQitemZ7579796318QQcategoryZ1504QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<,,
more analog meters
http://business.search.ebay.com/analog-meter_Industrial-Electrical-
Test_W0QQbsZSearchQQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopage
numZ1QQfclZ3QQfgtpZQQfposZQ5AIPQ2fPostalQQfromZR2QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ2QQftrtZ1QQ
ftrvZ1QQlopgZQQsacatZ92074QQsadisZ200QQsaprchiZQQsaprcloZQQsargnZQ2d1QQsasl
cZ2QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZunknown
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
(may need to copy to a text editor before pasting directly to a blowser)
:">
brya...@email.com
no...@none.com wrote:
> >> Please tell me why analog meters are more useful or better.
> >
> >MOP CAP phrased it best when he said an analog meter is like a low
> >frequency scope.
> >With a digital meter I have more trouble telling whether changes in
> >readings are normal or due to something significant, but with an analog
> >meter I can almost always tell the difference instantly.
> If you do that much troubleshooting and if readings are so critical for
> analysis, why not buy an oscilloscope ?
Because I don't need a second 4-ch digital scope.