Have you tried the Yellow one? I have some of both and the Red ones seem to be the more durable. But at $2.99 each I dont realy worry about having one blow because usually several of the scales are usually still usable. I mark the meter as to its defective scales, throw it in a drawer to wait until I need a panel meter. I go to the drawer and find one on which the desired scale is still functioning and build it into the box. Free digital panel meters!!!
On Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 2:50 PM, Greg Mijal <bluebirdt...@embarqmail.com> wrote: > > My experience with the little red wonders have been mixed. They will blow > if you try to read large amounts of current. Also, on the highest voltage > range there was a 50 v dc difference between the two meters I was using to > check out a plate supply. I think the manufacturer was more interested in > low voltage, low current measurents and didn't really build the unit to > handle tube gear sized power. > The Radio Shack $29.99 auto ranging meter is worse. > Very slow to auto-range and intermittant operation. Blows fuses frequently > too. > I just bought a $20 DMM from Sears and so far, it's seems to be ok. > 73's > Greg > WA7LYO > Kinston NC > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Isbell, W5JAI" > <jim.isb...@gmail.com> > To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service" > <amradio@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 3:01 PM > Subject: [AMRadio] better meter, same price > > >> The $2.99 meter at Harbor freight has removable leads, 1000VDC and >> 750VAC ranges, Ohms200 to 2000K, 10ADC and 200maAC and includes a >> transistor tester and back lighting. I usually buy 5 each time I am >> in there and I sometimes use them as panel meters in projects if there >> is room behind the panel. Just set them to the scale you want, mount >> behind a rectangular cutout to view the face, use a 9V zener to grab a >> little power from the main circuit of the project....or if you dont >> mind changing the battery, leave it as is. Its cheaper than you can >> buy a panel meter and you can set it to what ever range you want and >> label it below the viewing port as to what it is reading. Save the >> leads for when you connect your bench unit to a high voltage circuit >> with it in AMPS mode and burn up a lead. .......Dont ask how I know. >> BTW, its fused so only the lead takes the hit. >> >> -- >> Jim Isbell >> "If you are not living on the edge, well then, >> you are just taking up too much space." >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net >> AMRadio mailing list >> Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ >> List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html >> List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio >> Post: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net >> To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with >> the word unsubscribe in the message body. >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > > -- Jim Isbell "If you are not living on the edge, well then, you are just taking up too much space." ______________________________________________________________ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Post: AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
