Is my Brymen BM235 multimeter faulty? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: numloxx
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 06:47:20 am
content: Hi all,It will not measure DC voltage anymore (I don't test AC, never had a need to). I only ever measure resistance, DC voltage and capacitance, so I don't use this every day.I think it was working when I first got it, but now no matter what I do in Auto Range, it says OL (Overload).Tried it on a 1.5v AAAA battery, nothing. Tried it on a 11.v Lipo pack, and also a 13.8v dc power supply.Any ideas what I should do in regards to troubleshooting, or just return for a exchange?

author: StuUK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 06:55:08 am
content: Fuse?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 07:03:18 am
content: Quote from: StuUK on September 27, 2016, 06:55:08 amThe fuse isn't in the DC voltage path.

author: StuUK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 10:21:22 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on September 27, 2016, 07:03:18 amMy Bad...

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 10:26:00 am
content: QuoteQuote from: numloxx on September 27, 2016, 06:47:20 amLet's see, you claim it can't read DC voltages but you only think it worked when you first bought it. I had provided a sketch of the front end when I reviewed it. Without a working meter, even if you had the skills needed, it will be difficult to check out. If it's under warranty, I would send it in. If you attempt to repair it, you may do more harm than good and void any warranty.If you just want to check the basics,Are you sure you have the meter in the DCV mode?Did you check continuity of the leads?Have you checked all the other modes and know if they are working or not?

author: numloxx
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 10:42:33 am
content: Ok, this is what I've done so far.I've tried a different set of test leads from another multimeter. Didn't change the results.I set my power supply to 13.8v dc and it shows 13.83 on my other multimeter, but the Brymen shows OL.Testing a 50ohm resistor shows 14.93Megaohms.Other multimeter shows 50.3 Ohms.Continuity is ok on the test leads, but when I measure resistance it goes ape...Not quite sure how to test the other modes, sorry.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 11:02:16 am
content: Perhaps try: pull the battery from the Brymen, maybe even short out the battery connector terminals............. wait a minute or three, them refit the battery & retest.

author: numloxx
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 11:27:30 am
content: Tried it, but didn't fix it.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 01:05:07 pm
content: It's broken. Send it back.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 11:08:29 pm
content: So resistance mode is dead as well. That's too bad.Quote from: Fungus on September 27, 2016, 01:05:07 pmCurious what you did that caused it to fail. That rebranded EEVBLOG one I tested is tough as nails.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 08:27:16 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on September 27, 2016, 11:08:29 pmIt has to be a bad solder joint or something. I don't think it would fail electronically if used for DC Volts+resistors.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 12:42:56 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on September 28, 2016, 08:27:16 amYes, it has to be something!They may not use it every day and may have used low voltages to check it but for all we know it may have been placed across the rectified side of the microwave oven. It may have been just one time. I doubt it would survive for even a second. People do some pretty dumb things at times (myself included).What's the story on this one?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 01:11:07 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on September 28, 2016, 12:42:56 pmObviously we need the full story...Nothing said so far indicates a crazy owner but you never know.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 10:12:29 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on September 28, 2016, 01:11:07 pmNope we don't but I doubt it failed while reading a loose resistor on the bench. Tend to agree, the lack of a response seems to indicate there is a good story here waiting to be told.

author: numloxx
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 12:51:36 am
content: Sorry to disappoint, but the lack of response is because I don't have a lot of time on the net to follow up on thingsWill send it back in today.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 01:27:39 am
content: Quote from: numloxx on September 29, 2016, 12:51:36 amAt least you could have made something up!

author: numloxx
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 01:32:08 am
content: Oh of course, sorry. I forgot... this is what REALLY happened...As I was watching a video about how great Trump would be as President... I got sent a video about adding a 3.5mm headphone jack to the iPhone 7...So I thought that could work on the BM235... so I used a 6.5mm (I only have the big headphone plugs) drill bit, but it went right through the case and into the PCB.So I filled it with carbon dust from a lead pencil to stop everything from rattling and making a noise. Topped it off with some wood glue.Still covered under warranty right?

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 01:33:09 am
content: Your not using brand new Lithium energiser AA batteries inside the meter, with slightly too high a voltage (>>1.5V) for the meter ?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 07:03:21 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on September 28, 2016, 10:12:29 pmIf it's a bad solder joint then maybe the weather got colder (or warmer).Or maybe something flexed once too often while inserting/removing a lead.

author: Johnny Electron
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 08:46:33 am
content: Quote from: numloxx on September 29, 2016, 01:32:08 amNo way! This is exactly what happened to me!

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 09:46:49 am
content: Quote from: Johnny Electron on September 29, 2016, 08:46:33 amAnd me too!To find out more about why the Carbon dust was stopping things, I watchedJohnny Electron, this episode in particular...

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 09:50:45 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on September 29, 2016, 07:03:21 amWell, we know it won't be the first 235 to have that issue.

author: vinceroger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 03:35:57 pm
content: Quote from: numloxx on September 27, 2016, 06:47:20 amMaybe related to this?

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 07:33:43 pm
content: Quote from: numloxx on September 29, 2016, 01:32:08 amWhat the hell is this.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2016, 08:43:48 pm
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on September 29, 2016, 07:33:43 pmIt was a joke.As requested/hinted at being created by other(s), earlier in the thread.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 12:28:17 am
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on September 29, 2016, 07:33:43 pmYou don't get out much, do you?As mentioned above - it was a joke ... A piece of fiction generated for our amusement at the prompting of another member. A piece of fiction that I found quite entertaining - having drawn in a number of contemporary topics of bemusement in themselves. I felt the OP had some skills and, perhaps, an aptitude for writing as an alternate vocation.