ANENG replacement for defective UNI-T UT 71C - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: spikey1973
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 05:31:06 pm
content: Hello to all here.I just posted a message with tips on repairing my UNI-T 71C MM, I hope I will recieve great help here, but I also understand that i might not be so easy.So in the mean time I want to look around at a affordable replacement. Unfortunately the thickness of my wallet has severely shrunk since i bought my UT71C.So I will need to stay low on budget and found that the prices of UNI-T MM's have grown a bit since then.Therefor I am looking into ANENG machines, but just like UNI-T .. there are so many.so I hope that you people here can point me into a right direction, to something that would fit my wishes well, so therefor here below i typed a small list of preferences.1) quick continuity2) Auto (if this is in anyway possible with the quick continuity3) Large, good readable display4) long battery life / rechargeble batteries (have always been severely disappointed with the battery life of my UT71C5) 20.000 counts6) >600V AC/DC7) a fair but small pricingI have ofcourse looked around before asking this question an bumped into the 870 and the 681but both have fairly slow continuity.So I would love some thoughts on personal experience.Kind greatzMatthieu

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 06:22:59 pm
content: Well, Zotek/Aneng doesn't really have anything in the price range of your UNI-T afaik.The Zoyi-ZT-225 offers a lot for its price, but it's a $30 device.https://zotektools.com/products/zoyi-zt-225/Continuity is OK, but not super fast.The display could have more contrast.The 3 x AA batteries last a long time.It has auto-range, but doesn't automatically decide what to measure.25000 counts.1000VDC / 750VAC / 20A

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2024, 06:39:38 pm
content: Quote from: spikey1973 on October 30, 2024, 05:31:06 pmI don't know about the 681 but the 870 doesNOThave slow continuity.Quote from: spikey1973 on October 30, 2024, 05:31:06 pmThe rule around here is: First you have to tell us what you use it for. Be specific.

author: spikey1973
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2024, 12:54:46 am
content: @aldo22: I will have a look at that ZT-225 and it's specs.@Fungus: Oke, good to hear that about the 870, that has my preference untill now. but i will have a look at the ZT-225 also.I will be using it for, well, I am just a hobbyist, but I have used my UT71c as my main MM for years for work, such as some domestic repairs and work with Arduino/Wemos-like boards to AC and higher Voltage DC (solar panels) I use it quite often, but honestly I feel like I do not use it to it's fullest potention.The last thing I did with it was measuring the Voltage over 3 serial connected solar panels each 40V) so that should be way in specs for te UT71C, also I did not notice any issues at that point. only afterwards when I turned on a couple of weeks later the problem showed itself.Maybe in time I will try to get it fixed locally.I do have a UT210E as back-up that does the work for now.Kind greatsMatthieu

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2024, 01:58:03 am
content: Quote from: spikey1973 on November 01, 2024, 12:54:46 amThose Uni-Ts are known for dying easily. Our Joe Smith has killed a few ...

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2024, 09:45:24 am
content: I have just done a little continuity speed test with a signal generator and a transistor.The ZT-225 is 1Hz faster than the AN870, the fastest is, as suspected, the old and super-cheapVOLTCRAFT VC-22(aka UNI-T UT123).AN8008: 4HzAN870: 4HzZT-225: 5HzVC-22: 13HzThe test criterion was the frequency at which the individual beeps could still be distinguished from one another, i.e. before it changed to a continuous or irregular tone.Btw. ZT-225 and VC-22 additionally indicate the continuity with an LED, the two Anengs do not.

author: spikey1973
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2024, 10:51:02 pm
content: @aldo22thank you for this, very informativeand much appreciated that you took the timeKind greats Matthieu

author: GigaJoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 01:07:31 am
content: option zt303https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005004478385455.html

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 10:33:38 am
content: Quote from: GigaJoe on November 07, 2024, 01:07:31 amI think the TS has opted for ascopemeter.If he had asked me, I would have advised him to go for a Zeeweii. Imo they can do cheap oscilloscopes better.Even the new DSO1C81 for$33seems more mature to me.“Auto” works super fast (see in the video at second 16) and that's crucial with these little thingies.

author: spikey1973
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 04:58:13 pm
content: Oke, the full story... My 71C broke down when a mate of mine was using it.Neither of us believes that it was because of a fault, never the less he felt 'guilty' and ordered me the AOS03 / ZT703.I had looked enthusiastically at it without having the finances for it.Anyway he only told me about it after he ordered it so I had no real option to say, hey I rather have that, would've been kinda ungrateful.I didn't feel like the need to spill my gut about this online really.I kept this topic running as it is still interesting to me for a couple of reasons.1) he wants a MM for himself, so the options ar also interesting to him.2) I might be interested (at a later) point in something a little smaller then the scopemeter for the basics.As mentioned I also like a quicker continuity test (although, I am far from disappointed in the continuity functionof the AOS03 icw a nicer set of probes (than the once it came with).3) The ZT225 / ZT 303 / UT123(D) have already trigered my interest.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 05:31:22 pm
content: Quote from: spikey1973 on November 07, 2024, 04:58:13 pmThe UT123 can't do much and is not particularly precise. It has no current measurement mode.The only thing where it is trulyworld classis the continuity test. It's so cheap that you can buy it just for that. I always used it for continuity.It beeps and the green LED turns on when resistance is below ~30ΩThe red LED turns on when resistance is below ~420Ω.https://youtu.be/s8mRZVx4m6k?t=640As a general, inexpensive but powerful DMM, I (still) recommend the ZT-225 if size and weight are not an issue.

author: BILLPOD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2024, 07:40:44 pm
content: Good Morning Spikey1973, About a year ago I got the Uni-T UT117C and I just love this meter. I got it mostly because it has a hanging strap and magnet on itfor 'under the hood' work, but there is something about this meter that makes me reach for it instead of any of my other meters, some of which are high-end. It will do all you ask and it is a 60,000 count. the range selector knob is a smooth and positive and can be operated by the same hand that is holding the meter. I got it off Aliexpress for around $72, but I see it has increased quite a bit. Lots of positive reviews on it. If you are partial to Unit-T meters, give this one a try.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 09:33:57 am
content: Quote from: BILLPOD on November 07, 2024, 07:40:44 pmHiYou get five ZT-225s for the price of one of these now.Isn't that more of an electrician's meter?I don't see any milli-ranges comparable to the ZT-225 in the specifications.Can it measure something like in the attached picture (60µVAC, a fraction of 1mVAC), for example?

author: spikey1973
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 10:52:19 am
content: @BillpodI Do really like(d) Uni-T, but the prices have indeed gone up hill, reaching prices like (near) Fluke without the safety qualities you would expect for meters in that price range.So I feel they are using there name a little to much these days.Specifically if you indeed compare it to the Zoyt-225, although even though I very much like the accuracy of it. I wonder how useful that accuracy would actually be.My 71C still seems to work besides it making now no sound ((insulated the probes to the piezo disk) so my main usage for it, would be continity has lost it's use.in this case the UT123 would be interesting, small and functional. For Amp I have other options.(my UT clamp meter, my UT71C, potentially my future 3in1 scope meter) but something small for fast continuity test I would like the UT123. Now there is also the UT123Dpositves that it now has amp's negative to led anymore for the continuity!??So for now I am thinking about UT123 / ZT-223 / DSO312 or a combination in some sorts over time + plus trying to repair the UT71C (with the DSO3!2 or similar)Kind greatsMatthieu