Vintage Asylum

Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time.

Return to Vintage Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Show us your multimeters!

71.191.198.166
Posted on September 29, 2016 at 11:29:35
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001



With all this talk of multimeters, I was wondering what people are using. Here are mine. The Radio Shack 22-181A meter was bought in the 90's to just the throttle positioning sensor on my 86 Mustang GT. I think it cost about $80 ay the time. It has worked flawlessly ever since. The Ampprpbe Interment TAUT-BAND Model AM-2A was bought in the 80's. It was recommended by my friend who worked a Greybar. I think it was around $30. The EICO Model 232 was given to me by a former TV repair man who lived in my neighborhood. I am not sure what to do with it, but it reminds me of the very good man he was (now deceased).

Dave

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on September 29, 2016 at 12:00:08
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003



I'm often lost

 

I've got a bunch, too. But ........., posted on September 29, 2016 at 14:40:04
jtpzenith
Audiophile

Posts: 607
Joined: November 4, 2002



This was my first digital marketed by Radio Shack (Michronta). It was very affordable even at the time. Not too long ago I checked it against some much newer units and it turned out to be embarrassingly accurate.

 

Gave away several over the years - pics, posted on September 29, 2016 at 15:35:29
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Here's what I have left. Two Flukes and the DMM built into my Tektronix oscilloscope.



 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on September 29, 2016 at 15:44:57
Jeff Starr
Audiophile

Posts: 1574
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Joined: March 4, 2000
 I had the Radio Shack, that I had at work, left it behind.

I have a Metex ME-11 see link below for pics.

 

RE: I've got a bunch, too. But ........., posted on September 29, 2016 at 15:49:11
coffee-phil
Audiophile

Posts: 1444
Location: Shingle Springs CA
Joined: January 7, 2010
 I had one just like this. One day I went brain dead and was trying to measure the voltage from a 240 Volt dryer receptacle. I had forgotten it in current mode. It was exciting. Lots of smoke came out of a hole blown in the front panel. Oh well at least it was a cheap meter. If I did that to a Fluke I would have cried a lot.

Phil

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on September 29, 2016 at 16:00:26
coffee-phil
Audiophile

Posts: 1444
Location: Shingle Springs CA
Joined: January 7, 2010
 Hi Dave,

That Eico is a vacuum tube voltmeter. It has about the same input sensitivity as most little DVMs. What it is good for is adjusting things like amplifier bias or monitoring the AGC voltage of a radio while you are aligning it. Trying to watch trends with a DVM is difficult. Some DVMs have a bar graph for the purpose but if you just have a po-folk DVM like mine the old VTVM is sometimes useful, although a DC coupled oscilloscope also does the job.

Phil

 

You, too??, posted on September 29, 2016 at 17:33:48
J. S. Bach
Audiophile

Posts: 9575
Location: Chester, SC
Joined: November 28, 2001
Contributor
  Since: June 29, 2004

Later Gator,
Dave
Find more about Weather in Chester, SC

 

DVM and bias meters, posted on September 29, 2016 at 17:57:41
FenderLover
 Analog and digital bias meters hooked to Fender Showman Reverb.

photo voltagesandcurrent_zps0e5d11a6.jpg

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on September 29, 2016 at 18:32:29
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 Thanks for the info. I actually have 3 oscilloscopes. One is tube, the other 2 are lower end transistor. The only thing missing is a signal generator.

Dave

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on September 29, 2016 at 18:36:30
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 It looks capable to me. I bought the Radio Schack when they were still a little pricey, but that with other tweaks made my 86 Mustang fly!

Dave

 

RE: Gave away several over the years - pics, posted on September 29, 2016 at 18:38:32
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 I can afford a Fluke but I am very jealous of the Tektronix!

Dave

 

RE: I've got a bunch, too. But ........., posted on September 29, 2016 at 18:42:14
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 I have used them for continuity on my dryer, heater and AC, but never with juice going trough. I suspect a lot of us here are DIY on more than just stereo equipment!

Dave

 

RE: DVM and bias meters, posted on September 29, 2016 at 18:52:12
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 The Fluke seems to be the one to get if i decide to upgrade.

Dave

 

RE: Gave away several over the years - pics, posted on September 29, 2016 at 19:31:15
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Took a chance and bought it used on eBay a couple years ago. Fortunately everything works as advertised. ;-)


 

Only using analog meters at the present time, but have a Fluke 81438 standing by,, posted on September 29, 2016 at 23:38:19
alaskahiatt
Audiophile

Posts: 7503
Joined: December 9, 2000
Contributor
  Since: November 1, 2005
 if I ever get serious about electronic repair and refurbishing.

For small size and convenience I use a military TS-297U. It is built like a tank inside.




My craziest multimeter is a military TS-352A/U or ME-9C/U. At 11 pounds, it is not small or convenient, but I found it cheap at an estate sale. What is amazing is that the 4.5 Volt military dry batteries still work, and I was expecting to see total corrosion when I opened up the battery compartment.







I also have a roll top Simpson 260 I found cheap at a garage sale, but the roll top is too inconvenient for me. I have to work hard at opening and closing this unit. I haven't tried to clean the tracks yet and lubricate them with something like spray silicone. If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it. Thanks.





 

That is a very cool collection! (NT), posted on September 30, 2016 at 10:58:49
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on September 30, 2016 at 13:44:55
Jeff Starr
Audiophile

Posts: 1574
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Joined: March 4, 2000
 I think the Radio Shack model sold for about $12 when I bought one for work. That would have been in the '80s.

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on September 30, 2016 at 13:54:21
Jeff Starr
Audiophile

Posts: 1574
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Joined: March 4, 2000
 Dave, I thought the RS, was the one in the middle, I had an RS that looked very much like it. May have been smaller, it was just an analog multimeter that got used mostly for testing industrial sized fuses and the occasional check of voltage.

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on September 30, 2016 at 15:27:12
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 Jeff, For the application I needed pinpoint accuracy. Digital was the only way to go.

Dave

 

How many of those free Harbor Freight meters can we claim?, posted on September 30, 2016 at 19:24:09
kff
Audiophile

Posts: 1033
Location: SE PA
Joined: October 19, 2006
 I've got a handful of those, throw one in each vehicle, leave one on each floor, hope it works when you need it. I believe China is unloading defective batteries by giving away HF meters and led lights.

Triplett 60-5 go to analog
Simpson 260-8P newer to me, repaired battery leak damage and learning
Craftsman 82234 go to auto ranging
Craftsman 82015
Calectro L7766
Gardener Bender GMT-19P
Tektronix DM502
Handful of Chinese HF meters
Maybe others, don't know.

 

You have some pretty cool old meters there! (NT), posted on September 30, 2016 at 23:31:16
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 .

 

It helps to live right next door to two large military bases and a FAA, posted on October 1, 2016 at 01:08:09
alaskahiatt
Audiophile

Posts: 7503
Joined: December 9, 2000
Contributor
  Since: November 1, 2005
 Air Route Traffic Control Center. I have found all these meters very cheap at garage or estate sales. My biggest find was a TV-7 tube tester for $10 in operating condition. The calibration cost 10 times more than the tester. I also have a Hewlett-Packard 410B VTVM that I don't think I will ever use.


 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 1, 2016 at 09:44:20
fredtr
Audiophile

Posts: 1987
Location: Phoenix
Joined: January 4, 2005





I bought this about 40 years ago, the transaction took some time, the seller patiently waited until I stopped laughing. Yes it really is a digital meter with numbers that actually spin like a slot machine.

 

Maybe you could replace some(not all) of those digits with pictures of fruit, posted on October 1, 2016 at 15:24:39
alaskahiatt
Audiophile

Posts: 7503
Joined: December 9, 2000
Contributor
  Since: November 1, 2005
 You could then lend it out to friends and wait for the phone call.

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 1, 2016 at 16:04:22
Jeff Starr
Audiophile

Posts: 1574
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Joined: March 4, 2000
 Got you, I didn't look at the names on the meters. When I enlarged the pic, I then realized I had mixed up the RS with the one in the middle.

Digital is nice, no guessing between the lines on an analog device.

What were you doing on the Mustang that required the meter? I went to school for auto body, but never learned more than the basics, engine wise. I would change plugs or put a timing belt in my Vega, but never learned how to do full tuneups. Or anything beyond bolting on a set of headers. And no, the headers weren't for the Vega.

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 1, 2016 at 16:56:37
dxho
Audiophile

Posts: 86
Location: Virginia, the colonies
Joined: September 24, 2006
A cheap Extech that has lasted for years and a mega328, which is actually a transistor tester.



 

RE: Maybe you could replace some(not all) of those digits with pictures of fruit, posted on October 2, 2016 at 09:32:31
fredtr
Audiophile

Posts: 1987
Location: Phoenix
Joined: January 4, 2005
 That's a good idea. If i'm lucky it could help solve my problem of running out of quarters.

 

Yeah, between the laundromat and the parking meters, I have been bummed too., posted on October 2, 2016 at 10:11:44
alaskahiatt
Audiophile

Posts: 7503
Joined: December 9, 2000
Contributor
  Since: November 1, 2005
 nt

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 3, 2016 at 11:00:35
Alpha Al
Industry Professional

Posts: 2958
Location: N. Carolina
Joined: February 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: December 3, 2015



Simpson 260 rules! I do keep a Fluke around also, for times whan they're necessary.

 

An all analog display!(nt), posted on October 3, 2016 at 12:12:35
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 3, 2016 at 12:14:54
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 The clear case is cool!

Dave

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 3, 2016 at 12:19:47
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 Definitely the most unusual one that I have ever seen!

Dave

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 3, 2016 at 12:40:09
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 It was a procedure to adjust the throttle positioning sensor. You stick a safety pin in the the wire clip the multimeter to it and ground the other end. There are specific voltage readings you should get with the key on and engine not running, the engine idling and WOT. You adjust the throttle positioning sensor accordingly. As I recall, my 5.0 was in the correct range so I did not need to do any adjustments.

Dave

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 3, 2016 at 12:47:18
fredtr
Audiophile

Posts: 1987
Location: Phoenix
Joined: January 4, 2005
 Why thank-you, I usually hear that about my wife.

 

RE: An all analog display!(nt), posted on October 3, 2016 at 19:02:31
Alpha Al
Industry Professional

Posts: 2958
Location: N. Carolina
Joined: February 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: December 3, 2015
 Absolutely! Had to put one Fluke in the picture, though.

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 6, 2016 at 20:38:51
Schurkey
Audiophile

Posts: 121
Location: The Seasonally Frozen Wastelands
Joined: May 14, 2015

Automotive Fluke here. About a thousand years old. Double-branded as a Mac ET-88, but it's a first-generation Fluke 88. Had some issues with it--the display goes flaky from time to time, but disassembly and cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser puts it in fine order for another couple of years.

Was having trouble with flaky readings--the reading would never "settle"; so I had to guess at the true reading while the meter indicated a moving target. Was about to buy another meter, when on a whim, I replaced the test leads. Problem solved.

The internal fuses are hatefully expensive. There's a kit to put an external fuse into the test leads...but that sounds like trouble to me.

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 6, 2016 at 20:40:22
Schurkey
Audiophile

Posts: 121
Location: The Seasonally Frozen Wastelands
Joined: May 14, 2015

And another of the display:

 

I have one of those but it turned out to be useless to me; the range is 0-10mv. Neat meter, though. )MT(, posted on October 7, 2016 at 18:10:39
J. S. Bach
Audiophile

Posts: 9575
Location: Chester, SC
Joined: November 28, 2001
Contributor
  Since: June 29, 2004

Later Gator,
Dave
Find more about Weather in Chester, SC

 

Look out man!!!, posted on October 10, 2016 at 17:57:33
PakProtector
Audiophile

Posts: 12363
Joined: May 14, 2002
 That thing is showing apple-apple-lemon-apple, and I think those caps are only rated to lemmon-apple-apple-orange!

Douglas

Friend, I would not hurt thee for the world...but thou art standing where I am about to shoot.

 

RE: Show us your multimeters!, posted on October 11, 2016 at 16:18:32
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 That is the first that I have seen the automotive version of the Fluke.

Dave

 

Page processed in 0.042 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]