Problem with my multimeter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: electrowhiz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 06:43:37 am
content: multimeter is not working. When I switched on the multimeter , the multimeter is displaying the some battery symbol .After some time it gets switched off. I have attached the image. What will be the problem?

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 06:48:20 am
content: Have you tried replacing the battery?

author: electrowhiz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 08:13:59 am
content: Yeah it worked

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 10:51:39 am
content: Thanks @ heliusfor sparing us all a 1000 page troubleshoot and repair thread

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 10:57:02 am
content: spoilsport

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 11:19:51 am
content: Did it maintained the calibration after battery replacement?

author: glarsson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 11:30:35 am
content: The pictured multimeter is of a class that most likely never experienced any calibration.

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 12:35:42 pm
content: Darwin Moment, like reading a troubleshooting guide for your new gadget and the first bullet is "Is it plugged in?" And you ask yourself "do they really need to ask that?". I guess so

author: OE2WHP
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 01:21:38 pm
content: ok, seems we won't have 1000 pages of troubleshooting but 1000 pages of flaming instead

author: iainwhite
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 01:50:21 pm
content: Let's just celebrate a success and be happy it is fixed easily!

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 02:19:28 pm
content: Quote from: Old Printer on May 17, 2018, 12:35:42 pmAnd then you do and the customer says it is. You drive an hour to find out they didn't bother to check and it really is unplugged, kicked by a foot. Resolution code: operator error

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 09:48:03 pm
content: 999 pages to go...

author: JS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 10:24:30 pm
content: He should open it anyway and start poking around, what do we do if not?JS

author: shakalnokturn
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2018, 10:35:22 pm
content: Yep, problem solved, it is the beginners section.The lesson to learn is good for any electronics troubleshooting: Is the power good? (Secondarily have you RTFM?)

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 08:25:44 am
content: Quote from: JS on May 17, 2018, 10:24:30 pmI feel your pain bro

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 01:00:17 pm
content: Please don't use that meter for hazardous voltages i.e. anything above 60VDC or 30VAC! It's not safe.The 10A current measurement is also unfused. Don't use it on anything not powered from a current limited power supply small battery (i.e. AA cells), otherwise it can catch fire if overloaded.Really that multimeter is a turd. Ideally it should be replaced with a decent one, long term.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 05:41:33 pm
content: Quote from: glarsson on May 17, 2018, 11:30:35 amActually, it probably have the ability to be calibrated.It looks like a variation of the DT830B that I have. There is a VR on the board for the DT830B. I calibrated my pair of DT803B with my 5V reference from Voltage Standard. I held pretty well too.

author: glarsson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2018, 06:59:22 pm
content: Quote from: Rick Law on May 18, 2018, 05:41:33 pmAny meter can be calibrated. Just compare the displayed values to the expected values and write down the numbers on a piece of paper.Note that calibration does not involve any adjustments of the displayed value.This multimeter may have one or more potentiometers for adjustments, but I doubt anyone bothered with a thorough calibration.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2018, 01:54:45 am
content: It probably would have been cheaper to buy a new multimeter.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2018, 10:41:56 pm
content: Quote from: glarsson on May 18, 2018, 06:59:22 pmThat meter, if it indeed like the DT830, would have just one (cheapo) VR. I would adjust that against the 5V standard I have.While some would sneer at cheapies like DT830B, but it has its use. For $1-ish, it is rather decent for the money. It holds to the nominal 1%-2% accuracy rather nicely, some range better than others of course...