WTB [EU] 5.5/6.5 digits DMM with GPIB - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Lemonizer
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2020, 08:19:10 pm
content: Hello everybody !To compliment my dear fluke 8502a, I'd like to get a second GPIB cable DMM, 6.5 digits would be nice, but I can live with 5.5.HP 3456a, Philips Pm2534, another fluke 8502... I don't know every models, so I'm open to propositions, with the price you want expect for it, please.I'll etudiate your propositions to see what's available at which price, to determinate my budget, but no more than what a 3456a sells for, for example !Thanks a lot for your time,Lemon

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2020, 05:37:15 am
content: Check all the suggested meters specs, compare them on a sheet, it would give you an ideaIt depend of your needs, precision / hobby ? etc ... you should already have an idea.Most meters on fleabay are not calibrated unless specified, some meters have unobtanium parts ...Many people here will give you some examples or models, in the end you'll be the one to choose.For me an hp agilent 34401a is a good piece, service manual available, kinda costly to software calibrate, but very good meter.If you have an 8502, try to get another onesame frame size ?? unless you want a reackmount meter ??

author: Lemonizer
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2020, 10:05:48 am
content: Thanks for your answerWell for now the size don't really matters. As for the accuracy, I'm looking at something close to my 8502a, or if 5.5 digits, let's say in the average of those class of meters. I'm not too picky either ! For calibration, for now, the most used range for me is the 10V one, and under. I do have a LM399 calibrated/adjusted which is enough as a sanity check for me to see if it's correctly in specs. I know that for the price I'm asking, I can't ask for too much !But as you said, I'll be the one making a choice, that's why I prefer people to post here what they have, so I can discover new things, see if I like them, and eventually buy them.And yes, I know about ebay, usually I prefer to ask on forums because people take a good care of their stuff, and the price is honnest. It's rare to find people asking outrageous prices. I want to pay the right price, no less, no more.About unobtanium parts... that's indeed a big problem yes. Hard to avoid, sadly. Older meters have a greater chance to be repaired, I guess !

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2020, 03:45:21 pm
content: A first choice step would be: do you need to go higher than 300volts AC or DC6.5 digitsYou have some Keithley 196 Tektronix DM5120 who are 300,000 counts based on lm399, but the prices went up .... service manual available for themThey had giga ohms impedance up to 3 volts if i recall.Keithley 192 i know its has some AC board options ... service manual available5.5 digits 1kv measurementKeitley 195 cant recall the reference, service manual availableAaaaand the list goes on and on lollOlder models or more modern machines ?Even a NASA put to sell owned meter Fluke 8520 5.5 digits lollhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/NASA-Owned-FLUKE-8520A-DIGITAL-MULTIMETER-5-5-DIG-IEEE-488/324124000406?Same modelhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-8520A-DIGITAL-MULTIMETER-5-5-DIG-IEEE-488/254561799162?Meaning you may get lucky and snatch a good deal ... or not it depends if you want to take the long route with uncertainty "uncalibrated meter(s)"Eventually you will need one fully calibrated to have a "reference" in you test bench appartus, you could have big surprises if not, thrust me even with portable dmm's vs the bench ones, you may end with the same problems.Or you need to find super/ultra precision resistors, AC-DC precision voltages references, precision capacitors etc ... to check your dmm(s) But they need to be calibrated too or at least checked with calibrated equipment,A big loop

author: Lemonizer
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2020, 04:21:12 pm
content: Thanks again for your answer !As I said, the most used range for me is 10V and under. Having the hability to measure high voltages is nice, but a couple hundreds only instead of 1kv is fine. Also for the price I'm asking, I'll obviously going for older models, I also love their look (don't we all ?).Keithley's are really nice yes but as you said prices are up there sadly. I do have a model 175 that I really like !The 5.5 digits ones you listed are pretty neat but sadly, shipping and customs kill the deal, as with everything coming for US, hence why I'm asking for stuff in the EU (I already pretty much looked at most ads on ebay from those parts of the world. I could have missed stuff tho !)I do have a calibrated 10V LM399 based reference which is fine for now, the next thing I want is one or two resistor resistances, I was tempted to get some of those USSR surplus models, and find someone who can calibrate it for me.For me, if the meter is within 1 year specs at least in the 10V ranges and under, and close to it on the rest, that's fine ! I can't really ask for more, I'm fully aware that a couple hundreds can't buy you something that cost much more (even if you can get lucky, that's true !).Gladly, my 8502a is still pretty well within 1 year spec, and even a tad better (for voltage, for current I don't know, I quickly compared it to the keithley and they were agreeing (the 175 is bang on), but I don't really measure currents, so no problems (for now, again). What is a bigger problem is the Ohm converter, I don't know it's state, as I have no references, I can only compare it to my XJW01, which isn't the best thing ever). But that will be for another topicLemon

author: BU508A
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2020, 08:03:43 pm
content: Quote from: Lemonizer on April 11, 2020, 08:19:10 pmI can second the suggestion of a HP/Agilent/Keysight 34401A 6.5 digit meter. They can be seen on ebay sometimes as a bargain. Reasonable prices for them are (imho) something between 350 and 450 Euro.We have here also a fellow forum member which has actually some 5.5 6.5 and 7.5 DMM in stock:(no affiliations with him)https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/ice-teas-score-thread/His ebay shop:https://www.ebay.de/str/iceteastestequipmentThese are Schlumberger Solartron and as per description on ebay it's not clear, if they have the GPIB interface.I recommend to send him a PM.A nice 5 1/2 digit meter is a Fluke 8840A which can be found on ebay occasionly for EUR 200.- or so.Example, but a bit too pricey (imho):https://www.ebay.com/itm/254549390600HTHRemark:No affiliations with the sellers mentioned here in this posting.

author: giosif
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2020, 09:21:44 pm
content: I've got a Fluke 8840A/AF with AC and GPIB options installed that I could sell for £120 + shipping.PM me, if you are interested.

author: Lemonizer
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 11:35:36 am
content: Thanks to everybody who sent me offers, I found one !!A beautiful HP 3456a, in good cosmetic condition and fully working, for 185 euros including taxes and shipping. I should get it in a week or two ! It was taken out of a working environment (yes, I asked the seller, it's not the usual default 'comes from a reputable source') so with some luck, it should be at least within 1 year specs.I love this meter and I've been wanting one since I begun to be interested in this world of digits and uncertainties !Knowing me, if I find a good offer for another one, I might get it....

author: iJoseph2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2020, 12:02:51 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on April 12, 2020, 03:45:21 pmWow... 25 dollars !!I know it's broken but I'm still surprised.