Fully computer controlled multimeter that doesn't cost a small fortune? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: K5_489
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2025, 01:50:52 am
content: Like many, I have a tiny bench full of equipment...like the proverbial 20 pounds of crap in a 5 pound sack, and I'm always looking for ways to clean it up a bit. One of my biggest annoyances is having a handheld meter on the bench, as it always seems like there's never a place to put it where it's easy to see, yet not in the way...or maybe I'm just too picky, lol. I've been thinking about getting a bench style meter, but then where do I put that thing??I was thinking what would be really nifty is if there was some kind of interface box that I could plug test leads in to, then the meter display and all controls would be handled on the computer, then the interface box could be shoved somewhere completely out of the way.I found this Keysight meter that's EXACTLY what I was thinking, but it's discontinued, and was $2,000+...I was hoping for something more like $100 on Amazon, lol.I don't need high precision for this..99% of the time my $50 Klein is plenty and I have several nice Flukes for the other 1%. I can't remember ever going above 54V DC measurments, and really only need the basic VOM functions and diode checks. Does something like this exist in the "reasonable broke guy budget" price range?

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2025, 05:18:06 am
content: The OWON XDM1041 and others in the series may be controlled via USB (really a serial connection). There is a large thread about it here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/owon-xdm1041-the-unknown-multimeter/A list of commands you can send the meter is contained in this post:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/owon-xdm1041-the-unknown-multimeter/msg3602006/?topicseen#msg3602006and in this github repo:https://github.com/TheHWcave/OWON-XDM1041in the SCPI subdirectory.It also comes with a Windows program to control meter if you don't want to write your own.

author: Arhigos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2025, 01:51:30 pm
content: Not a multimeter, but you can buy a used PCI DAQ card around $20 on ebay

author: robert.rozee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2025, 02:24:28 pm
content: is something like this what you are thinking of?https://digilent.com/reference/add-ons/dmm-shield/startit was a 5.5 digit DMM module that plugged on top of an Arduino board, and used a HY3131 DMM chip. Digilent no longer make it, and when it was available the price was - as i recall - horrendous. since the schematics are available for download from Digilent's website, i am surprised that no one has created a far cheaper version. indeed, while 5.5 digits is nice, a 4.5 digit version would be fine for most users.cheers,rob :-)

author: osmax_br
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2025, 02:26:24 pm
content: Quote from: ledtester on March 01, 2025, 05:18:06 amI agreeand if you plan on getting one BE CAREFULthere are 2 versions, an older one with rs coms and 220v input to power it upand there is a newer version which is usb powered and uses usb for comsI suggest paying 20$ more and getting 1241people sometimes suggest analog discovery, I don't have a one , and I don't know whether it has a dmm built-in

author: K5_489
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 03:18:55 pm
content: Quote from: robert.rozee on March 01, 2025, 02:24:28 pmWell, that's at least close to the concept of the thing I literally included a picture of as an example, lol . I probably could have made that Digilent work, though something USB controlled via a PC would still be better, as I already have a large monitor connected to a PC hanging over the bench.Even going down the OWON line, something like the VDS1022 is again the form factor I have in mind. Or the Hantek 6022. If I could get that, but with VOM/DMM functionality instead of a 'scope, it would be perfect. ...especially with the sub $100 price tag, lol.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 03:38:03 pm
content: Quote from: K5_489 on March 02, 2025, 03:18:55 pmYou just add an Arduino which has a USB serial port. The software is here:https://github.com/Digilent/Arduino-DMMShield-Library

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 04:35:39 pm
content: What about this ?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335823827924I don't have one so I don't know how convenient it is for individual measurements as opposed to datalogging, but it seems a lot like what you imagined and is probably better protected against abuse than a digilent, which is more for experimental setups than dmm use.There's a version C as well, marginally more expensive. Don't know how it differs.On the other hand, you could get a secondhand HP 34401A for under $300. I know which I'd get.

author: K5_489
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2025, 05:56:47 pm
content: Quote from: ledtester on March 02, 2025, 03:38:03 pmAnd actually FIND the discontinued hardware....

author: K5_489
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2025, 06:43:54 pm
content: Quote from: artag on March 02, 2025, 04:35:39 pmOk, so having an actual example to look at makes the datalogger suggestion a lot clearer. So thank you for that!I've had a number of people say "Oh, what you're really looking for is a data logger...", and I'm like no, I don't need to check if the diode is good every 30 seconds for 6 hours, I just need to know if it's good right now. But actually having a model suggestion makes it clearer that I could use one of these as a "normal" DMM as well without logging data. Having an actual model number to look at was a lot better than simply googling "usb data logger".I looked up the 365 on Hantek's web site, and found there's six different versions with different features - True RMS, bluetooth, battery powered, and iPad support, so the 365A would be fine for me without all those. And looking through the manual showed that I could use it for spot checks easily.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2025, 07:44:56 pm
content: Maybe a Mooshimeter will do what you need? (note: I have no experience with this). I'm not sure if it's still being manufactured, but I think you can still find it for sale.It's advertised as connecting only to iPhone or Android, but I'd guess that someone has done a PC interface for it.Also I recall reading about at least one other similar device, but I can't recall any names. I'm sure EEVBlog reader will remember.