The 'Official' AN8008 Meter Thread - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2019, 06:03:50 pm
content: I already own an Aneng AN8008 (also sold as the ZT109) and it's a pretty useful meter. I saw one today on Amazon for $6.49 US (+$2.99 shipping) and I couldn't resist (I've paid more for a beer) so I bought it. As expected it says it won't arrive until December 17 - January 9 so clearly it's on a slow boat from China, perhaps on a camel along the silk road? See the picture, it's not actually got 'Aneng' on it but it does have a cool black case.Let's use this thread to come up with all the things we can do with/to an AN8008.1. Calibrate it, my instructions on how to do thatare here.2. Dave's done a video review which I've put at the bottom - I concur with Dave, the Cat ratings are quixotic, BE CAREFUL!3. Fuses are 3.6 x 10 mm and can be purchased here...(can someone give me a link?)4. Someone has done a fuse upgrade here (still looking for it)5. Stability can be increased by adding Caps to reduce ripple on the power supply;check out this link.6.Russian websitethat covers most aspects of hacking the flash memory (use Google translate)7. Accuracy is pretty good except for low current (2-30 mAAC).This post gives typical results.8. Setting to hack the eeprom to add Temp to mV rangeis here.9. Kerry Wong's English website on DTM0660L-based meters andhow to hack the eeprom is here.10. Price ranges from $6.50 to $25Send in your ideas (note: suggestions for uses as an alternative to a rodent will likely be rejected).Dave's video on Youtube

author: bc888
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2019, 12:12:56 am
content: It looks good until you see the UT139C that retails for over $90 going for $9.69 with free shipping as well. No thanks. Looking forward to your notes on what shows up on your doorstep though. In fact, why not get the alleged 139C as well and do a head to head test?https://www.amazon.com/Multimeters-Electronic-Multimeter-Temperature-Measurement/dp/B07C77KXHC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=ut139+multimeter&qid=1574726830&sr=8-1

author: geogeo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2019, 12:57:18 am
content: Earlier this year, I bought a 17 dollar ut139c on Amazon. No uni-t logo, but comparing to posted photos it appears to be the real thing. Works great too. I paid $24 for my AN8008. The ut139c is the better meter, but the an8008 is easier to carry around in my backpack on the rare occasions I need take it along. Each has it's place.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2019, 01:03:48 am
content: Quote from: bc888 on November 26, 2019, 12:12:56 amSo your link brings up a UT139 meter priced at $70.79, where can you get it for $9.69?I got a 'your item has shipped email' very shortly after I placed the order for the AN8008.Has anyone figured out how to give the AN8008 serial communications?

author: bc888
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2019, 04:28:51 am
content: There was 1 at that $9.69 price. Someone got it (anyone here?). I should have screenshotted it, but wasn't that interested. It was there when I posted.

author: Johnboy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2019, 06:53:24 am
content: I have a ZT109 with no sticker actually calling it an AN8008, nothing printed but the CAT rating (!). I got it about a year ago when someone was offloading a pile of them for eleven dollars shipped. I read that the AIMO process meters might have been the same sort of thing, rejects or factory seconds or whatever. My ZT109 has a sort of warping of the casing that wouldn't have allowed the branding sticker on the top left to lie flat. That might be the only reason it was discounted and abandoned by the would-be badger. Hope so, anyway.I was interested enough that I bought a few of the Zotek meters, and I preferred the ZT109 to any of the others. It almost qualifies as a pocket meter-- an enterprising mind could certainly make it so-- and mine seems accurate enough. It's sort of fun, but my other meters are bricks, they feel like tools. This is, well... it's portable, it measures very low voltages. It's certainly worth what I paid for it, not that I use it often since getting a Simpson. Measurements are just more fun chasing a needle reading the scales, even if it can't claim the precision of the little red bug from the long boat.Hey, I noticed your AN8008 appears to have a black case. Trade ya.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2019, 10:01:56 am
content: Quote from: Johnboy on November 26, 2019, 06:53:24 amDream on Johnboy!Given that the unit name is blank (at least the picture shows that), maybe I could invent my own meter brand name like ACME?I am presuming that, for $6.49, this is a second/reject but I will do whatever upgrades are necessary/possible on this one. I understand that temperature is one that can be done with a chip reprogram. Again, if you can help out by giving me the links to the appropriate content, I'll edit the first post to create an AN8008 index.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2019, 10:04:02 am
content: Quote from: geogeo on November 26, 2019, 12:57:18 amSame here.It was sold as DM139C and it is the real deal as I put it through its paces including slapping it to a high voltage source on the non-volts ranges.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2019, 03:24:20 pm
content: Hmm, the black AN8008 I 'purchased' for $6.49 may be a scammer sale. The China post tracking says the tracking number that was created on Nov 25 is unknown. Seller was Mootea310

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2019, 04:23:57 pm
content: Quote from: Gandalf_Sr on December 08, 2019, 03:24:20 pmA few months ago I had a similar price for a AN8009 that didn't materialize. It was from eBay, though.I personally wouldn't pay the current regular price for the AN8008/8009 - there are better meters out there, but YMMV.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2019, 05:50:22 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on December 08, 2019, 04:23:57 pmNope. Not when you can get an AN860B+ for the same price (and an AN870 for $5 more).

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2019, 10:16:41 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on December 08, 2019, 05:50:22 pmI didn't pay the current price (around $20 I think) for my second AN8008, I paid < $10 US shipped.I already own an AN870 and it's a good meter but much bigger than the AN8008. I have suspicions about the seller but they responded to my latest query about the bad tracking number (see email in picture below). I didn't follow that t.17track link as it might be dodgy (and I suggest no one else does either) but I did query the new tracking number with China Post and it's a valid number that is going to the USA. Now I have to wait until January.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2019, 11:44:08 am
content: Good luck with your meter! The website m.17track.net is good but I wouldn't click on the link either.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2019, 01:06:22 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on December 11, 2019, 11:44:08 amThanks. I now have a feeling that my < $10 US (shipped) AN8008 will arrive but it may have been bought using a stolen credit card which is how the triangular scam works. If my paperwork (assuming there is any) that comes with my meter (assuming I get one) shows anything other than purchased by me then I will report to Amazon.

author: ender4171
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2019, 02:34:05 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on December 11, 2019, 11:44:08 amhttp://parcelsapp.com/enis even better. Also shows when a package is assigned a second (and sometimes third) tracking number as it goes through the process.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2019, 05:22:34 pm
content: Quote from: ender4171 on December 11, 2019, 02:34:05 pmInteresting to know, the more the merrier.Although I have found that 17track has usually the most up-to-date information. Several past orders were shown still in transit by EMS, Cainiao, etc. while I already had my package in hands (which was also reflected by the 17track).

author: geogeo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2019, 07:27:04 pm
content: I just got a refund from Amazon on my 8008 order. No real explanation, just "account adjustment".

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2019, 07:50:48 pm
content: Quote from: geogeo on December 12, 2019, 07:27:04 pmWhat was the name of your seller?

author: geogeo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2019, 10:22:08 pm
content: Mootea310I'd gotten a tracking number from them right away, but it never showed any updates.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2019, 11:22:36 am
content: Well I'm < $10 US out of pocket right now; I'll wait to see if the second tracking number delivers something but I'm not going to hold my breath. 12/23/2019 The second tracking number shows that something has arrived in Detroit (about 40 miles from where I live)Quote Now it's "out for delivery", it's aMIRACLE(maybe).

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2019, 01:16:37 am
content: A Christmas miracle! Yesterday a shiny new black Aneng AN8008 arrived in my mailbox, it even came with a decent probe set in addition to the crappy screw-adapter ones that came with my last one. After a quick check of the packaging, I put some batteries in and tested against my in-calibration DMMcheck + and it was dead nuts on; 5V gave 5.000 and 1 kOhm gave 1.000 k. I paid more for the nice gold-plated silicon lead set that I bought for my first red AN8008 than I did for this whole new black AN8008. I still suspect there was something dodgy about the deal - the original tracking number was BS but I paid my $6.49 + shipping, got the item within the specified time, and, so far, it seems perfect.

author: geogeo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 07:15:22 pm
content: (Reply to post#4)Yes, that was me. When I made the order, I'm sure the pictures showed a 139c but now they've changed to show a 139A.I got an email this morning from Amazon that I'm getting a refund, order cancelled.BUT, the tracking number shows *something* is being delivered today. Anyone want to place bets on just what I find in my mailbox when I get home? And, the answer was....Nothing.Tracking now shows an attempted delivery in some town in Texas. Nowhere near where I live. Ah, the old fake tracking number scam.

author: geogeo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 07:18:14 pm
content: Quote from: Gandalf_Sr on December 25, 2019, 01:16:37 amCongrats, looks good in black!

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 10:22:34 pm
content: Why do you title this the "official" thread?The original is here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/an8008-us-$19-10000count-1uv-0-01ua-0-01ohm-resolution-meter/Anyhow, take it apart and dothe capacitor mod.Don't forget AN8008 has a dead spot around AC 1mA and reads low until several mA.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2019, 11:02:27 pm
content: Quote from: floobydust on December 27, 2019, 10:22:34 pmI wanted to bring all the important things together in a post that had links. I will do the capacitor mod; at the moment, it seems to take 3 or 4 display updates before the reading settles down and I'm suspecting that's caused by power supply noise.

author: ocw
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2019, 11:11:59 pm
content: After returning from two days with Rohde & Schwarz in Columbia, MD I'm not sure if it was nice to receive an AN8008 which cost me $6.11 post paid on that melt-down Monday at the end of November. Anyway, each has its purpose. I will be receiving an R&S ETL DTV RF analyzer to go along with my EFA.The AN8008 was measured to have under 0.05% DC voltage accuracy and generally under 0.1% AC accuracy from 10 mV up to the 100 volt upper extreme tested. And, while not that sensitive I could measure frequency up to 79 MHz with it. As an experiment, I previously changed the 2 ohm mA/A current shunt resistor to a 0.1 ohm resistor. However, I use other meters for current measurement and I will leave this meter alone. It is just nice to have a small meter like the AN8008 for less demanding low voltage work and let it suffer the abuse of less critical projects.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2019, 09:37:30 am
content: Quote from: ocw on December 28, 2019, 11:11:59 pmRats! I overpaid for mineI paid $6.47 + shipping

author: immajor
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 25, 2020, 09:46:17 pm
content: Hi all!I would like to ask a little help regarding the AN8008. I have this meter and it was happy with it, but I noticed the AC voltage range is measuring a constant ~9VAC even if nothing is connected. If I manually change the range the it is ~93VACWhen I was "massaging" the pcb, I was able to make it to show 0V, but only for a few seconds. So I re-soldered all the parts (except the main chip) but the issue is still there.Could you give me a hint if it is fixable or not?Other functions work correctly except this one.Thanks!

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 12:54:47 am
content: I wonder if this is an issue with the contact between the PCB and the rotary switch. It is not uncommon on such budget meters.Another alternative is perhaps grime or other contaminant on the PCB that is causing the offset.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 05:34:20 am
content: Quote from: immajor on October 25, 2020, 09:46:17 pmWhat happens if you connect the probes and short them together?

author: Andrey_irk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 06:04:34 am
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on October 26, 2020, 12:54:47 amThe only meter I used that had this issue was the Aneng 8008. It made it useless for me because of that. I tried cleaning the contacts, bending them, using special lubricants - all was futile.It is a shame, really. Such a neat little meter with good specs and low price, but completely unusable.

author: immajor
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 09:18:36 am
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on October 26, 2020, 12:54:47 amI'm pretty sure it is not the rotary switch, because ACV DCV HZ is on the same position and the other functions are working.Quote from: Fungus on October 26, 2020, 05:34:20 amWhen I short the probes then it shows 0V. If I try to measure 240VAC then it shows ~94VAC.When it is not connected to anything then it goes back to ~93VAC (sometimes back to 0V for a sec).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 10:24:56 am
content: Quote from: immajor on October 26, 2020, 09:18:36 amHave you been using it to measure 240V AC a lot? If so, you might have made a mistake and zapped it (selector in wrong position).It's a good idea to get something tougher than an 8008 for measuring mains - mistakes happen!

author: immajor
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 11:00:39 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on October 26, 2020, 10:24:56 amActually I barely use it. Once in 1-2 month and I cant remember the last time I used it to measure main AC. I just had no phase tester pencil with me and I wanted to use it to check if the wire is live or not.But it is possible I made a mistake and killed this function

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 04:53:26 pm
content: Could also just be a broken bond connection of the blob by shrinkage of the blob resin. Could be a hairline crack of the PCB since applying mechanical plessure in some places restored the proper behaviour momentarily. Whatsoever, at the price these meters are sold for, I wouldn't expect any QC that's worth that designation. Moreover, spending any considerable time trying to repair it (except for training the skills) isn't worth it. I'ld forget it and get a (slightly...) more decent one.