External power for hand held meters? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: hostile
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2023, 03:13:02 pm
content: I wish they made an adapter for external power on DMM like the Brymen and Fluke handheld meters. Anyone seen as such or made their own? Just seems like it would be nice to use one as a bench meter and leave on for long periods of time.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2023, 03:17:09 pm
content: can of safety worms waiting to be opened.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2023, 03:23:04 pm
content: Gossen on the 28 and 29s have ac-dc isolated adapters ...Some here had integrated huge battery pack under their meter with the charge circuitryBut some meters whatever you put for supply power, will simply shutdown, some meters can change this in the menu settings ...I have such a pack for the Fluke 189, with 4x C type battery it can go up to 400 hrs but never tried thatAnd yes you open some dark doors if not done properly for ground insulation

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2023, 03:23:47 pm
content: Flukes scopemeter 123 has one. It is a weird thing because a standard DC barrel isn't deep enough in the enclosure for the high common mode voltage of the circuits you could be measuring.

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2023, 03:35:30 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on February 08, 2023, 03:17:09 pmI'd rather invest in more batteries than give up the protection that isolated equipment provides...But I could see the desire for low voltage bench work... How about some rechargables?

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2023, 05:56:28 pm
content: Maybe get yourself a good Fluke 8050A. I have seen them in working condition for well under $50 US. 4 1/2 digits, plus uses an isolated linear power supply. Can sit there turned on and ready for your needs any time you want it. If your handy you can get one that needs a bit of repair. I recently got one for about $26 and had to replace a CD4054E LCD driver chip in it - but now it's 100% and back in business. Didn't even need adjustment

author: GLouie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2023, 08:19:05 pm
content: Old Fluke handhelds used to have AC adapters available, such as the 8060 and D801. The manual warned against using anything but the Fluke adapter, which had a custom, extra long coax plug. That could be a problem today if you get an old meter - finding the approved adapter, and that will still probably not meet modern safety standards.I assume newer safety standards and better efficiency made that go away. Most handhelds run so long anyway, although a few are power hungry. I use Eneloop rechargeables for all AA or AAA, and Energizer lithium in the old Fluke 8060A, even though I do have the Fluke AC adapter.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2023, 10:06:22 pm
content: Quote from: hostile on February 08, 2023, 03:13:02 pmThere's good reason why proper mains powered bench meters have been made for decades, maybe you should consider investing in one.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 01:03:19 am
content: Quote from: hostile on February 08, 2023, 03:13:02 pmI made my own. You can read about my experience here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/the-bm235-does-not-accept-lithium-batteries/msg1031797/#msg1031797

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 05:24:49 am
content: Quote from: tautech on February 08, 2023, 10:06:22 pmThey have advantages, sure, but that doesn't answer the question of why handheldscan'tbe mains powered.Quote from: themadhippy on February 08, 2023, 03:17:09 pmIf only they could print a CAT rating on the front that corresponds to that.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 05:39:26 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on February 08, 2023, 05:56:28 pmThey're huge compared to a handheld...Maybe get one of those tiny-footprintOwons:https://www.google.com/search?q=OWON+XDM1041&tbm=isch

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 05:44:48 am
content: There's a few meters with 1000-hour battery life and no auto-power-off. You can leave them on all day and they'll still go for months.The real question is: Why can't they make those meters with a little solar panel to extend the battery life even further? They could probably go for years...(eg. Like CASIO calculators)

author: chinoy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 06:33:34 am
content: My Fluke 105B has a d/c jack.It also has a bat bay for a custom bat. But fluke bats cost too much. So I made my own pack using two li-ion bats.When I want accurate readings. I prefer to use just the bat to power the unit.At some point I want to add a bat pack to my hantek dso5000 series scope.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 06:56:21 am
content: Metrix mtx3283works with 3 x AA rechargeable batteries, and has an AC adapter that can power the instrument and/or recharge the batteries without removing them from the instrument. A nice instrument, just that it's too slow.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 04:16:04 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on February 09, 2023, 05:39:26 amI had assumed he already had a handheld and wanted something for his bench. While the Fluke 8050A takes up some area, it has a nice flat top that can be used to stack other stuff on, is the same width as the Owon, not as high and costs about 1/4 as much.See if you can do this with the Owon:

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 06:11:03 pm
content: Quotewere can i buy a working fluke 8050A for £29 inc vat?

author: Bushougoma
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 06:59:26 pm
content: I'd just get a good bench meter a Keithley 175 or it's more accurate Microvolt brother the 197 can be had for under $100 on e-bay.They have auto range capability and diode check mode only thing they don't have is a continuity beeper. The 197 even supports 4 wire resistance measurements.I have both and they're my go to bench meters use them more often than my Fluke 87-5.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 08:23:23 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on February 09, 2023, 06:11:03 pmIncluding vat? What a strange query. As a matter interest, what are you comparing that price to?Try eBay. That's where I found the one I got for the equivalent of about £16. It was working but had one weak display driver, which I got for about £0.50. Our taxes are 13%. You can add that on if you like.Here's the place I got mine, except these are 100% good, if you're not so good at electronics work:https://www.ebay.ca/itm/325470804246?epid=10015460561&hash=item4bc7925916:g:a9gAAOSw32hjEih2If you can do a bit of electronics repair, here's the pile I got mine off:https://www.ebay.ca/itm/374419355296?epid=10015460561&hash=item572d21f6a0:g:fPMAAOSwa7djo20K

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 08:37:59 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on February 09, 2023, 08:23:23 pm$50 + $79 shipping + taxes ... adds up to ... quite a lot for a manual ranging meter with limited functions.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 09:11:05 pm
content: QuoteIm comparing it with the owen linked to above that cost £116.34 delivered to my door,complete with warranty.As for the vat,well a price that dont included it suddenly gets 20% more expensive when you goes to pay

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 09:34:10 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on February 09, 2023, 08:37:59 pmThat place is a 30 minute drive from me where I do a lot of my grocery shopping (everything is far from where I am). But it serves to illustrate the pricing. And that's Canadian funny money too. More like $35US or 30GBP.But if you want that odd-ball shaped Owon .. go for it. Like I said, it seems the OP already has a modern handheld meter and just wanted something for the bench. Auto ranging is for woosies that can't push a single button. It's not a deal breaker for me anyway.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 09:37:39 pm
content: Quote from: hostile on February 08, 2023, 03:13:02 pmWhy not get a bench meter then? There are many models out there. My personal favourite is the Vici VC8145 but Uni-t and others also make 4.5 digit bench meter that are very affordable. The added bonus is that these meter can also be stacked on top of other equipment.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 09:38:21 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on February 09, 2023, 09:11:05 pm2 things.1) That price does not include VAT. The Royal Mail (or whoever does your customs) will catch that and charge the 20% + any duties + processing fees + + +.2) Warranty? Good luck with that.

author: hostile
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 10:32:27 pm
content: Have a couple bench top multimeters. Flukes and HP. Just curious in having an extern power for handhelds on the bench. Most of my work is low voltage embedded systems, so not too concerned.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 10:38:38 pm
content: QuoteDont it, would you like to see the invoice ?QuoteNot a problem as its down to the company i purchased it from ,a well established name in the uk ,who are part of a larger global company,to deal with warranty claims,not the manufacturer.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 11:23:28 pm
content: So much for keeping the discussion technical... If you live in a country with high import fees/taxes, then why not work to get things changed?? With regard to shipping costs, go research the reason some countries can ship you items for pennies, while others have to pay tens or hundreds of dollars. It will probably make you angry... Regardless, its still obvious that shipping for a single item is going to be silly expensive, so order in quantity. There are re-shippers available that can consolidate things for you. Why not buy a dozen various bits of test equipment, have it all shipped over, fix and keep what you want, sell the rest in-country?IMHO, the older Fluke and Keithley bench DMMs with the mechanical push-button switches are not ideal for a modern electronics bench since the buttons can be noisy, sticky, pop out, need cleaning, etc. Feature sets are somewhat limited, and the LCD displays are just not that great. Granted, the Keithley 197/197A is pretty good at what it does.Running wires outside of a handheld DMM's case is typically frowned upon. I suppose if you are truly looking for a proper project, you could replace the internal batteries with a LiPo pouch cell and add a Qi charging setup inside the DMM. Run the DMM all day on the batteries, then charge it back up while you sleep.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 11:31:14 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on February 09, 2023, 10:38:38 pmThen it seems you bought it from someplace in the UK, not AliExpress or other some such place. Bad assumption on my part. That link Fungus gave was just a google search.Anyway, no issue then.I still use my Flukes. Mostly for fixing period stuff, but that 8050A is a nice meter no matter what way you slice it, and they can be had for a low price. Plus, they do fit well into an equipment shelf. Better than most meters you can get for under $50. That one in the picture I posted matches my Siglent SDM3055 within it's stated accuracy in every range. Not bad for a DMM old enough to be a grandfather.As for the Owon, the only issue I have with it is it's lack of stackability. It otherwise from the specs and user reports it seems like a nice unit. If it had been available back 12 or so years ago I would have jumped on it over the UNI-T POS UT803 I got back then. Now that thing just sits there holding something else up at eye level. It's only redeeming feature is that it is both mains and battery powered.You live and you learn.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2023, 11:42:46 pm
content: Quote from: hostile on February 09, 2023, 10:32:27 pmExternal battery packs might be a solution. Something with an 18650 or two in it would power the average handheld DMM for days or weeks before needing to be charged. The manufacturer could allow you to disable auto-off once the pack is plugged in. Might be a good feature.

author: hostile
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 12:18:56 am
content: That looks nice, how do you like it?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 07:56:44 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on February 09, 2023, 09:34:10 pmSure... if I happened to live near a place where I could just drop by, pick out the best one from the pile, try it out, pay no shipping, I'd have a stack of them, too.That's not usually the case though. Buying online is a lot more expensive and alotriskier.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 07:59:57 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on February 09, 2023, 11:42:46 pmMany handhelds let you disable it by holding down a button at power-on or whatever.The ones that start beeping to warn you after 15 minutes are really annoying.I don't mind them powering off but do they really have to beep???

author: GLouie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 04:54:10 pm
content: Here's the Fluke AC adapter for the 80s handhelds like 8060A, with the long custom barrel plug. I got this at a surplus store with the Fluke name defaced, but the model number made it obvious. Otherwise, it looks like an ordinary Ault wall wart adapter of the day.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 06:27:48 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on February 10, 2023, 07:59:57 amAgreed. Not even sure what use that is.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 11:09:27 pm
content: Quote from: hostile on February 10, 2023, 12:18:56 amWhen there are multiple threads of discussion going on then it is best to quote the person you are replying to.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 10, 2023, 11:16:06 pm
content: Quote from: GLouie on February 10, 2023, 04:54:10 pmSimilar thing required for charging batteries in my old Philips/Fluke PM93 Scopemeter. A pain in the butt to source or hack together.