Maplin Precision Gold M285 DMM - manual wanted - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 02:50:55 pm
content: This is a bit of a long shot. A makerspace I am associated with tries to provide (links to) manuals for all equipment, so makers can be told to RTFM when necessary.I cant find a manual for a Precision Gold M285 digital multimeter anywhere online. An image at picclick.co.uk linking to a long gone Ebay auction shows the same manual for models M205, M225 and M285. Note that 'Precision Gold' was a Maplin Electronics Ltd. house brand, slapped on a lot of OEM stuff.Does anyone either have the above manual (and are willing to scan it), or are able to cross-reference it to the OEM and model number?

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 03:48:21 pm
content: Photos may help.Don't help much, but looks similar to a Voltcraft 91.Seem to remember that some Voltcraft DMMs fromthis time were made by Metex.Edit: Looks identical to a Voltcraft 92.Also a video here:https://youtu.be/RUZ6ckHhW6A

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 05:44:50 pm
content: I think OP has this one:That Voltcraft 92 is certainly related but doesn't have the (weird) capacitor measurement contacts that the other one has.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 05:49:06 pm
content: Indeed Voltcraft 92:

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 05:55:22 pm
content: Quote from: tunk on October 17, 2024, 03:48:21 pmIn the video is a Dick Smith Q-1446A, slightly different. But very close.Completely unrelated to Dick Smith Q-1446 (without A)

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 10:19:15 pm
content: As requested, images of the actual meter at the makerspace. The extra contacts between the 10A and mA jacks are for a thermocouple for temperature measurement - I assume type K.Unfortunately I can't find a Voltcraft 92 manual either . . .

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2024, 01:30:26 pm
content: Wouldn't it be better to find a good Youtube multimeter introduction?(With an admonition not to use the amp ranges.)

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2024, 02:03:19 pm
content: *THAT* is a whole other issue . . .The M285 and other budget DMMs we have are fine for low voltage work, but we do admonish our makers *NOT* to use them for mains (We have various Flukes for that), and to be careful *NOT* to blow the *EXPENSIVE* Fluke current range fuses. If they need to measure a totally unknown, but suspected to be high current in a low voltage circuit, we'd much rather they used a cheap DMM and worst case get a cheap pair of test leads a little toasty, rather than blow Fluke 11A fuses!Its more a case of wanting to have the manuals so the specs and official operating procedures for our test equipment are available.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2024, 11:22:31 pm
content: Looks similar to the GW Instek GDM-351A and GDM-352A.No manuals for these either.https://bbs.pigoo.com/thread-75455-1-1.htmlPhoto from the link: