Multimeter Backlights - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: codingwithethanol
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 02:11:37 pm
content: Nearly every multimeter i've seen with a backlight has a timeout for no reason at all. Battery be damned, the meter will turn off by itself anyway! Is it too much to ask for a toggle switch? Honestly seems like a nobrainer, hitting a button 4 times a minute to keep the screen lit is infuriating!

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 02:23:02 pm
content: QuoteYes

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 02:30:00 pm
content: In a few multimeters, it's a setting. Many do not allow to switch the "auto backlight off" feature though, maybe just because otherwise there would be many customers complaining the device eats up batteries like cookie monster. Even those that deliberately switched the feature off. Yep, customers can be irritating like this.I know some customers want more control and are actually able to take full responsibility for their added powers. I guess that's only a minority though.

author: codingwithethanol
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 02:30:25 pm
content: @MosherIVHey, I saw you on my other thread! You get around friend

author: codingwithethanol
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 02:35:28 pm
content: @SiliconWizardYeah I know power conservation would be the main argument here, but it just doesn't compute as many meters shut off automagically if left idle for a certain period of time. I could only guess this might be an issue if you have a cheapie on set to measure voltage, and it keeps the screen active displaying mV noise. But truly, besides most meters being weebles that do fall down, this is one of the things which drives me to rage!

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 05:19:35 pm
content: This is one reason to own a bench meter. But I agree there should be an override for both the backlight and for the auto shut off.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 05:24:39 pm
content: Quote from: codingwithethanol on July 27, 2019, 02:35:28 pmWell. It usually does compute. On a simple multimeter (not those huge ones with integrated scopes or whatever), the power consumption of the backlight may probably be an order of magnitude higher than the multimeter's own consumption, or something like that.Now again I'm all for giving the user a choice, but knowing how customers can be a PITA, I can understand why some companies choose not to bother...IME, the more control you give your customers and the more staffed your tech support must be...

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 05:26:40 pm
content: Quote from: codingwithethanol on July 27, 2019, 02:11:37 pmMany if not all Flukes come with a continuous backlight. It's harsh having to pay that premium for the feature but it's definitely a nice one to have.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 06:31:06 pm
content: I find any sort of auto power off infuriating, I can disable it on my Fluke if I remember but I have to do it every time I turn the thing on. I really wish I could just permanently disable the "feature", I'll turn it off when I'm good and ready and if I forget and it drains the battery I'll pop it in the charger and swap in another one, no big deal.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 06:55:32 pm
content: This was what finally killed the Brymen for me.I have a Fluke 87V now. It goes off when I turn it off!Keysight U1241C has by far the best backlight of any DMM though. But even that turns off.

author: Synthtech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 09:05:00 pm
content: Drives me mad with my otherwise perfect Hioki meter and to a lesser extent with my Keysight meter as it has a longer timeout delay. They need a “Lab” mode whereby auto off and auto backlight off can be disabled when the meter is being used in a lab. I hate having my meter just going dark or turning itself off at the whim of some arbitrary number set by a marketing department.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2019, 09:14:53 pm
content: I actually think the vendors are afraid that a battery will leak if it stays on.

author: windsmurf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2019, 12:21:43 am
content: Quote from: Synthtech on July 27, 2019, 09:05:00 pmYou should be able to disable backlight timer on both the Hioki and Keysight... Hioki by just holding down the backlight button while turning on, and Keysight through the setup menus.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 28, 2019, 12:31:03 am
content: You could always buy yourself anEEVBlog 121GW. Once you switch the backlight on, it stays on until you manually turn it off or power cycle the meter.