Recommendation on datalogging and/or bluetooth multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jancelot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2015, 10:02:47 am
content: Searching a good multimeter like the Brymen BM869s or BM257s. Those are great on features for the price. But since I've got to spend the money, the unlimited datalogging is desired (logging battery discharge, etc). For that reason the connection to a remote device is mandatory, via bluetooth, wifi, usb, rs232 or even infrared.The multimeters I know of similar features are:Fluke 233: Remote Display Digital MultimeterExtech GX900: True RMS Graphical MultiMeter with Bluetooth® Transmits key electrical readings to Android™ mobile devicesGossen Metrawatt Metrahit Ultra and Ultra BT: Precision TRMS Multimeter with Remote Control via Bluetooth, ± 310,000 DigitsDMM Plus Bluetooth Plus Android Equals FreedomAny thought/recommendation?

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2015, 11:33:43 am
content: Hi,As far as I know the FLUKE 233 doesn't have any logging capability (apart from MIN/MAX/AVG). It does have the detachable display but as far as I know there's no way to have it communicate with a PC or anything like that.The FLUKE289 has does have internal logging capabillity and with the optionalFLUKE Connect IR3000adapter it can communicate with an Android device. Add the PC3000 USB adapter and it should be able to communicate with a PC wirelessly. I don't know if it's Bluetooth or some custom stuff.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 15, 2015, 08:41:17 pm
content: A recommendation depends on how long you need to log, and if you need a handheld or a bench top meter.If it must be a handheld, then you will be limited in logging time by the battery life. The Fluke 289 will go 200 hours in logging mode and has 15,000 readings with time stamps, but only 10,000 readings per recording session.The Brymen BM525 also does internal recording, but has 87,000 records in single measurement mode, or 43,500 in dual measurement mode, and can record 20 times per second. The battery life is about equal to the Fluke.Both have PC connection capabilities. The 289 has many more features for recording and analysis built in than the BM525 and there are some features in favor of one over the other depending on your needs or tastes.Fluke 289 $600 plus $60 for communications cableBrymen BM 525 $180 plus $48 for cableIf you do not need stand alone measurement capabilities and can have a PC attached the whole time, then all of the Brymens have PC capability with an optional cable.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 15, 2015, 08:53:26 pm
content: If you need unlimited time for logging, then you need to consider a bench top multimeter. There are many to choose from depending on the quality and price you want to pay. You can get one for $150 from Vici or thousands of dollars for more famous brands. I believe there is also a Gossen Metrawatt meter that has an external power supply as an option. There is also the Chauvin Arnoux brand that has some meters with AC power supplies.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2015, 09:22:20 pm
content: Quote from: jancelot on June 15, 2015, 10:02:47 amIf you are looking for a low cost portable solution to log battery discharge and assuming it is low voltage, see this response that I wrote.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/modifying-a-multimeter-to-take-external-power-instead-of-battery/msg639170/#msg639170