DMM with 4.5 digits, temperature and maybe Logging/Sending - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: grantb5
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 08:23:36 pm
content: Originally I was looking for a 4-1/2 digit (or better) DMM with temperature (below boiling ... just chip temps) as an upgrade from the 3-1/2 digit original Fluke 77 I have now. I see there are meters with data transmit and/or logging. I think this would be a great asset for watching temperature without, you know, watching. I would say the budget is roughly $500 USD but will happily pay less.*Might* pay a bit more.Keysight seems to have some goofy IR thing for data logging, Fluke I'm not sure there is support for Win10, Simpson and TPI maybe, but I want the logging to actually work if I buy it.Yes I have seen the madness that is the EEVBlog spreadsheet. I don't know how to filter the results though.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 08:37:39 pm
content: I find TestController by EEVBloggerHKJto be handier than most logging or graphing setups--even though you need a connected PC--provided it supports your meter. Perhaps look at his page and find a meter that is supported. I have the Fluke 289 which is excellent, but they are quite expensive these days. Worth it, IMO, but if you don't have the money to spend... The Brymen 869S is commonly recommended here and in addition to TestController support, it can do two Type-K temperatures simultaneously. It is sold by Greenlee as the DM860A for more money but with a lifetime warranty. You can still get the entire meter/cable/software package well under your $500 limit.If you want to use OEM software, Fluke View Forms does work with Windows 10 and the not-cheap IR189 cable. Brymen also has their own software and cable, available through Greenlee as well.

author: grantb5
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2023, 08:40:51 pm
content: Thank you! I will check out the meters supported by that software as well as the ones you mentioned.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2023, 09:55:39 am
content: Quote from: grantb5 on May 15, 2023, 08:23:36 pmUsing an IR interface for the wired data connection isn’t some “goofy” Keysight thing, it’s what’s used by everyone for the data ports of handheld multimeters. I just checked the following to make sure I’m not talking out of my ass, and they all use IR data ports on their handheld DMMs: Fluke, Keysight, Hioki, Chauvin Arnoux/Metrix, BK Precision, Brymen, even Uni-T.It’s an easy, inexpensive way to provide total galvanic isolation, and if needed, water and dust ingress protection.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2023, 10:11:34 am
content: Quote from: grantb5 on May 15, 2023, 08:23:36 pmThe issue with 'most' 4 1/2 digit class DMM's is they tend to use Type K thermocouples so your general accuracy will be +- 1-2 degrees C. So 4 1/2 digits is also by and large pointless if this is your only use.I have done a bunch of playing with and run some evilbay RTD boards into an Arduino and from there you can drop the log to an SD card if you like and just let it do it's thing over time with far better accuracy. Or if you want to run Type K then similar boards exist for those too.Short term logging when I don't really care about ultimate accuracy then Daves meter is fine via BT.

author: alligatorblues
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2023, 10:52:08 pm
content: I don't think there are any wifi meters, only Bluetooth. You can't monitor anything for more than a few minutes, only put some distance between yourself and the connections and measurement setup. Once the meter sleeps, you can't remotely awaken it. Fluke has a meter with detachable display. You can monitor with that.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2023, 06:23:24 am
content: The thermocouple interface of most DMMs (including higher resolution ones) is not very accurate. This starts with the connector and the way the cold junction temperature is measured. Those higher end meters with a scanner card can be a bit better.Thermocouples have a limited accuracy, but this may not be an issue if one is after only differences or stability. So the extra resolution may still be useful. Lower grade meters also tend to have more drift in the voltage reading that also translates to additional error. It is normal that meters don't get the same accuracy on all ranges and the TC reading in usually one of the more difficult ones.For longer time logging a bench meter with link to a PC may be worth a look, e.g. the XDM1041 may be worth a look, though with it's weak points (e.g. logging on the meter seems to have issues).