Looking for an analog multimeter (with needle) capable of turning on (we see the - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Resist0r
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 26, 2023, 06:17:55 pm
content: July 2023Hello everyone,Please read carefully and if you answer, answer the question only. THANKS.I have a friend, over 70, who recycles sets of (small) Christmas lights, throwing them in the trash, because they are faulty. Of "all" kinds. For this, he goes to the local dump and is allowed to take these sets. They fix them and give them away, he does not sell them.My friend has a very old multimeter (over 30?) and I am not allowed to touch it. His device still "works", but it is broken and wrapped in tape. I do not know the name of the manufacturer.To use one of his expressions, his multimeter is “tired”.I gave him one that I own and bought another recently.https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bender-GMT-318-Multimeter-Function/dp/B00291X79OHe told me that they were not able to turn on the lights, individually, when they were checking them.Therefore, I am looking for an analog multimeter that would be able to turn on the Christmas lights when the multimeter is placed on the ohmmeter. As there are a multitude of these lights, they should light up, when they work, with voltages varying from 1 volt to 12 volts.I do not know if any of you know what I am talking about and if so, if you can suggest a multimeter that will make my friend "happy" eventually.Thank you and good day.P. – S.Yes, I know that:• There are devices designed specifically for checking Christmas lights. My friend owns one. However, he swears by his “old” multimeter.https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Repairing-Incandescent-replacement-Decorations/dp/B01M12DZLM/• That you can check lights without turning them on.• Those digital devices exist.• That my friend is "special".Etc.My friend will never change his mind. He will continue to use his old multimeter unless I offer him another that will do the same job.Kinds of lights, for indoor and outdoor, they check for sets of lights. It is not exhaustive.He also repairs the sets with the "big lights" but that is another story...https://www.amazon.com/Mudder-Replacement-Decorative-Christmas-Milliampere/dp/B07YFBR3BZhttps://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Replacement-Incandescent-Lights-Ampere/dp/B07YD53MWShttps://www.amazon.com/SQXBK-Christmas-Replacement-Incandescent-Transparent/dp/B0BL3DWM9Whttps://www.amazon.com/Mudder-Replacement-Christmas-Decorations-RBG-25M/dp/B07Z7BB8VLhttps://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Christmas-Lights-Decorations-Pieces/dp/B081YNNYZNhttps://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Replacement-Outdoor-String-Garden/dp/B09BVR7Q1Dhttps://www.amazon.com/Remagr-Christmas-Replacement-Decorations-Supplies/dp/B0BDG2NVRQhttps://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Multicolor-Efficient-Waterproof-Transparent/dp/B09C8DJBZLetc.Set of Christmas lights, indoor and outdoor, that he repairs. It is not exhaustive.https://www.amazon.com/Prextex-Christmas-100-Count-Multi-Decorations/dp/B07N8CNQ2Rhttps://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Outdoor-Decorations-Valentines-Certified/dp/B09CW5NCW3https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Multicolored-Decoration-Multi-Color-Lighting/dp/B08CY4ZLKPhttps://www.amazon.com/Dazzle-Bright-Multi-Colored-Incandescent-Connectable/dp/B0B5MZB3C4https://www.amazon.com/Sukesou-Battery-Christmas-Waterproof-Operated/dp/B0B6PFKBV6etc.

author: Infraviolet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2023, 08:29:38 pm
content: Perhaps you could get a multimeter style casing and an appropriately satisfying needle dial and rig up a custom circuit board for inside it which would internally be much the same as light testing devices, and then provide an appropriate signal to the dial so as to have it follow the behaviour of the dial in the present aging meter.I think you're talking about low voltage incandescent lights here? A circuit which put a sufficiently high voltage on the testing probes would likely do this, your dial could then be directly controleld by the amount of current flowing, just with the readings marked fof calirated for ohms given the known voltage. I doubt many modern multimeters would be applying voltages close to 12V to the probes in ohms mode, especially as such voltages would easily damage integrated circuits if used for continuity testing on anything involving 5V or 3V3 logic. A custom build might be the best option where the aesthetics of the device seem to be as key a part of its usage as the actual functionality.

author: Resist0r
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 29, 2023, 02:36:12 am
content: Hi,I understand what you say and it is good. Just, I would like to buy an existing multimeter who can light on a Christmas light. Maybe kind of multimeter no more exist today.Like I say, my friend wants to use just a multimeter for that (99% of time). He has a "concrete" head.Thanks for your feedback and have a nice day!

author: Kim Christensen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2023, 02:59:55 am
content: He's not using a "megger" (insulation tester) for this is he? It looks a bit like a multimeter but it puts out high DC voltages which are selectable on the front dial. You could light up a string of LEDs (dimly) with one of those.For lighting up incandescent bulbs, look for something that puts out a lot of current. I'm surprisedthese are still being made.

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2023, 03:23:00 am
content: Probably it's just an old VOM with a 9V battery for the ohms. Most of the "new" analog voltmeters seem to use AA or coin cells for the ohms mode but if you find one with a 9V battery it will probably work.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2023, 08:35:56 am
content: Quote from: ejeffrey on July 29, 2023, 03:23:00 amSome used 15V batteries for Ohms mode, AVO and a moving coil Kaise I have are 2 examples.15V batteries got darned pricy so instead I now stack LR44's and heakshrink them with copper tube each end to match a 15V battery length.

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2023, 04:53:58 am
content: Individual bulbs and 1 to 12 Volts. Just get a 6.3 V transformer, a fuse, and an unthreaded socket. He can just put the base of the bulb in the socket and see if it lights up. Or four flashlight batteries instead of the transformer.In the past, hardware stores had sockets like that for 115 VAC bulbs. Probably too much of a shock hazard today. But at 6.3 V, there would be no danger.A nice touch might be to rectify the 6.3 Volts and add a current limiting IC. There are inexpensive ones available for powering LEDs (example: NCR402TR). That way a 1 or 2 Volt bulb would not be burned out from the higher (6.3 V) Voltage.