My DMM (Digital Multimeters)

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Ha that's neat, never knew you wrote a DMM guide. I'll get a place to point people to when i ask them to measure certain voltages instead of explaining it all myself. :P

Please do, I tried to keep it simple. I am trying to get a soldering guide completed. Hopefully this weekend or Manta will squish me like a bug.

Ron

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by Reloadron

Please do, I tried to keep it simple. I am trying to get a soldering guide completed. Hopefully this weekend or Manta will squish me like a bug.

Ron

Haha okay. Soldering ain't hard, but I know it can be daunting for beginners. It's a good idea to have a magnifier and clamp for wires smaller than 26 gauge (or 22 if you're getting old :P) and SMDs.

[qazwsx]

that was a really good write up, enjoyed it alot. thanks for the read

[gvblake22]

Yeah, I missed this writeup too! Nicely done Ron, some great info there. But on post #6 you have the 120VAC, 20A picture in there twice, is that right or did you mean to have the last one be a 250VAC, 20A picture?

[jonnyGURU]

It's definitely a great guide!

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Yeah, I missed this writeup too! Nicely done Ron, some great info there. But on post #6 you have the 120VAC, 20A picture in there twice, is that right or did you mean to have the last one be a 250VAC, 20A picture?

Fixed! Blake, that was a great eye for detail! Thanks a bunch!

Ron

Originally Posted by jonnyGURU

It's definitely a great guide!

Thank you Johnny! Appreciate it coming from you.

Ron

[theburan]

Hmmm, I remember my old multimeter.... fairly cheap unit I picked up at menards. Had the funny habit of shorting out whatever you tested.

That thing wasn't very fun to use on power supplies... hook it up to my 700w fsp, fire it up, and man, that was a big spark. Thank goodness for my psu's safety thingers, since it just shut off right away, instead of blowing up like it wanted to (it was a really big spark, lol).

My new one works alot better... don't remember the brand though.

Great write up!

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by theburan

Hmmm, I remember my old multimeter.... fairly cheap unit I picked up at menards. Had the funny habit of shorting out whatever you tested.

That thing wasn't very fun to use on power supplies... hook it up to my 700w fsp, fire it up, and man, that was a big spark. Thank goodness for my psu's safety thingers, since it just shut off right away, instead of blowing up like it wanted to (it was a really big spark, lol).

My new one works alot better... don't remember the brand though.

Great write up!

You just made a very good point. A good PSU will immediately shut down. Sort of a built in strong desire to survive thing on a techie scale. A poor PSU will likely drive into the load and die.

Ron

[Boy'nBlack]

Originally Posted by Reloadron

Most of what is written here is aimed at a basic home enthusiast lacking any indepth material. I don't want to put members to sleep.

That's why I asked. It gives credence to the $35 Sears models over flukes and all that fancy pants stuff. I ask to spark interest, not debate. It's just taken that way at first glance. This is the first step back to some actual technology and a way to see what's really going on.

Usage is very important though. Difference of potential and the basics. I mean, I can check white to white and see a dead line, start working, and be dead...ya know? I can then check white to black, blow a fuse, and it looks dead as well. Just personal, but I check resistance of the leads touching any time I'm in doubt. It shows blown fuses and low batteries.

I'll take the old analog Simpsons any day BTW ;)

Originally Posted by polobunny

It's a good idea to have a magnifier and clamp for wires smaller than 26 gauge (or 22 if you're getting old :P) and SMDs.

Man, what are those holders called!? Magic Fingers? It's a base with two arms with banana clips on the end (about called 'em roaches). Those are really great to have around on any level!

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by Boy'nBlack

That's why I asked. It gives credence to the $35 Sears models over flukes and all that fancy pants stuff. I ask to spark interest, not debate. It's just taken that way at first glance. This is the first step back to some actual technology and a way to see what's really going on.

Usage is very important though. Difference of potential and the basics. I mean, I can check white to white and see a dead line, start working, and be dead...ya know? I can then check white to black, blow a fuse, and it looks dead as well. Just personal, but I check resistance of the leads touching any time I'm in doubt. It shows blown fuses and low batteries.

I'll take the old analog Simpsons any day BTW ;)Man, what are those holders called!? Magic Fingers? It's a base with two arms with banana clips on the end (about called 'em roaches). Those are really great to have around on any level!

I strongly agree a good DMM (or analog meter) is an important tool for any home enthusiast. They provide an excellent trouble shooting aid and their use extends well beyond the home computer. However, the tool is only as good as the person using it and to fully understand what you are reading takes a little time and work.

Next Chumly and just for you the AMM (Analog Multi Meter):



An early version of the Simpson 270 series multimeter. The difference between this meter and its brother the Simpson 260 is the mirrored back on the scale allowing the user to better eliminate the parralex error one gets reading analog meter scales. I also have and use a Simpson 260 at work that I own. They are fun as they confuse new engineers who may have never seen or used an analog meter like this.

Another meter I really like is the Simpson 269 which is a great meter:



The 269 is actually superiour to the 260 & 270 series meters. The only bitch is it uses a 22.5 Volt battery which are harder to find than off the shelf batteries.

Don't be fooled by thinking an analog meter is inexpensive. Though $29 meters can be had. The Simpson 260 series is still manufactured and carries a price tag exceeding $300. Analog meters have their place in the workroom.

I have one of those board (wire) holders around here somewhere. I also have a slick vise made for supporting boards for soldering / desoldering. Maybe I should dig that stuff out for the soldering tutorial I am working on. Much like the My DMM article the soldering tutorial will show some cool stuff but we will be soldering with a $10 Radio Shack soldering iron (pencil).

The beginnings of the soldering tutorial may be found here:

Soldering 101

for anyone interested. It does have much to be added.

Ron