Too many DMMs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: HiTech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 07:44:22 pm
content: Was given an HP 3465A today for free. Works great, is in very good condition cosmetically and measures accurately according to my Ronan and Loveland Controls calibrators. Ok, so now it's this latest HP DMM on the bench, a Beckman 360, a Tektronix DM501A, two Datron 1065A lab units, and a couple of handheld DMMs (Wavetek & Mastech). Maybe I'll thin the herd, starting with the Beckman since it's nothing special to write home about. The Datron units are my standard Go-To units so they aren't going anywhere out of my sight.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 09:20:09 pm
content: What?TOO MANY DMMs? LOL, never!

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 09:50:07 pm
content: Quote from: Lightages on January 29, 2014, 09:20:09 pmComing from one of our resident DMM junkies...That said, will you please save me a seat at the next "DMM Junkies Anonymous" meeting.

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 09:59:46 pm
content: "DMM Junkies Anonymous"Maybe someday, If I have more as 30, upto then I'm still in the denial stage..

author: Po6ept
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 10:00:04 pm
content: I just picked up the same model HP DMM a couple weeks ago at a hamfest for $5. It had a dim bad display digit and all I had to do is unplug and clean the cable connector to the display board. It's a nice DMM for its age. My other bench DMM is a Tek CDM250 and I'm not sure which one to keep active. The Tek isn't as precise (spec wise), but it's easier to read, accurate enough, smaller, and it has the diode check feature.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 10:04:38 pm
content: When my parents last visited me, they gave me hell about the amount of "stuff" I have..Dunno how you guys fight off your loved ones.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 10:18:12 pm
content: When they complain, just tell them: "It was this or cocaine"

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 10:22:39 pm
content: Quote from: PA4TIM on January 29, 2014, 09:59:46 pmNo, the denial stage does not pass !

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 10:37:17 pm
content: There is no such thing as too many multimeters!I'm currently at 11. I regret nothing!

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 10:39:03 pm
content: Well, at age 51 and relatively new to electronics, I tell my wife it's midlife crisis management - it's either this or a sports car and a mistress...

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 11:10:15 pm
content: Damn, I allready over 30, and this are only the "normal" meters and I'm rather sure I have missed some .HELP, I do not know what to do now. Do I have a problem ?

author: willb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 11:19:50 pm
content: No such thing as too many! Not pictured are my Fluke 45 and my HP 3478A.My spouse does think I have a problem, I'll probably come home to an intervention one of these days.

author: Sbampato12
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 11:36:28 pm
content: I only have 3 handheld DMM and my wife tell me that is a lot. I surely disagree... for me, I think, it will be enough when I get one or two more, and some two bench dmm.....or not...

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 12:04:40 am
content: Quote from: PA4TIM on January 29, 2014, 11:10:15 pmNow look into my eyes and repeat after me -- I do not have any problems , I am completely normal.done.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 12:05:58 am
content: I daren't count how many I have, probably about 80, including a pile of Keithley 2015THD, at least 20 Fluke 25, a dozen Wavetek handhelds, a pile of Iso-Tech IDM 205RMS and some from Datron, HP and probably a few others that I've forgotten about. At least they don't take up too much room.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 12:12:16 am
content: Quote from: lowimpedance on January 30, 2014, 12:04:40 amNo, no, no. The first step is admitting you have a problem and that you are powerless over your addiction!Test Equipment Anonymous, anyone?Quote from: KJDS on January 30, 2014, 12:05:58 amNow KJDS - isn't your post kind of like a drug dealer showing up at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting and complaining about how many drugs they have for sale?..

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 12:22:47 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on January 30, 2014, 12:05:58 amNow KJDS - isn't your post kind of like a drug dealer showing up at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting and complaining about how many drugs they have for sale?..ooops, busted

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 02:16:53 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on January 30, 2014, 12:05:58 amIf I may ask, I can see having a collection from buying replacements, upgrades, etc., or a few of the same to get consistent readings at the same time to compare product1 vs product2 types. How come you have 20 of the same kind?

author: Napalm2002
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 02:37:37 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on January 29, 2014, 10:18:12 pmStill laughing! My wife knows that I would never do drugs, because i wouldn't have any left for my electronics slush fund.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 03:43:15 am
content: Quote from: mtdoc on January 29, 2014, 10:39:03 pmunless the mistress is such a fox that you just can't....resistor!

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 04:47:31 am
content: The easy cure for too many DMMs is to buy more power supplies....

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 05:05:54 am
content: Quote from: HiTech on January 29, 2014, 07:44:22 pmI'd say let the Mastech DMMs go. They don't deserve to be on the same bench with an HP.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 09:22:18 am
content: Quote from: Rick Law on January 30, 2014, 02:16:53 amI deal in used test gear, so when I'm offered a big pile of good meters then I'll buy lots of them.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 02:55:24 pm
content: I'm seeing words, but it's like a foreign language - I can't make any sense of it.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 03:44:56 pm
content: Quote from: Sbampato12 on January 29, 2014, 11:36:28 pmWith three, you can't even simultaneously monitor the voltage and current on both input and output of a power converter. And you probably need another to monitor the temperature of a heatsink during the run. And you always need another special capability, like logging, or super input protection, or weatherproofing, or remote reading...Quote from: Sbampato12 on January 29, 2014, 11:36:28 pmYeah, it'll always be one or two more...

author: HiTech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 07:52:23 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on January 30, 2014, 05:05:54 amActually the Mastech stays in the garage for automotive uses. I won't cry if it falls into a spinning water pump fan or engine pulley! Heck, for that matter the Wavetek can fall against a burning hot exhaust header for all I care about that brand!Here is one of the two Datron meters I cherish:

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 08:16:30 pm
content: Quote from: Excavatoree on January 30, 2014, 02:55:24 pmPerhaps your eyes are trying to protect your brain from all the "too many meters" blasphemy going on, by sending gibberish to it.

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 08:49:15 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on January 30, 2014, 04:47:31 amAnd what's the next cure if you have more than enough power supplies?I already got new cure, called "collecting Proxxon's", just asking your opinion...

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 08:51:41 pm
content: Quote from: Spawn on January 30, 2014, 08:49:15 pmSource meters

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 09:07:53 pm
content: Quote from: sync on January 30, 2014, 08:51:41 pmOscilloscopes

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 01:21:54 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on January 30, 2014, 09:07:53 pmCalibrators. Save up 5 years and buy one. A slow, creeping addiction.

author: HiTech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 02:43:12 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on January 31, 2014, 01:21:54 amFunny you should mention calibrators--- I have a Ronan X85 and a Loveland Controls FasTest process calibrator. Sure is nice having a calibrator on hand in the shop.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 03:44:17 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on January 30, 2014, 09:22:18 amKJDS,Thanks for clearing my puzzle.Rick

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 07:13:19 am
content: When my delightful but forthright daughter visited my shack, she said "you have too much stuff, what are we going to do with all this stuff when you get demented" I am only 50yo!

author: coldframe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 07:26:58 am
content: Too Many Leads...Unfortunately , Here are just a few of themWe need New Technology.(wirelesss Something)Waiting for GodotWaiting for The God of DMMs

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 07:27:52 am
content: Quote from: VK5RC on January 31, 2014, 07:13:19 amMake sure she has an account in this forum, and just make a thread when the time comes, so we can "help" easing her ....

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 07:31:14 am
content: Quote from: Excavatoree on January 30, 2014, 02:55:24 pm

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 11:27:25 am
content: BravoV, its actually quite a good idea! I have a fondness for HP, Agilent gear, I told my daughter any thing with the HP logo SELL, other stuff connectors , components give to my local amateur radio club.I also have a terrible feeling that a lot of good gear gets trashed by some grieving widow or some children who have no interest. A crime really.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 05:20:51 pm
content: Quote from: coldframe on January 31, 2014, 07:26:58 amIf you want to sell some, PM me.

author: coldframe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2014, 01:26:56 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on January 31, 2014, 05:20:51 pmThank you for your time and consideration.I'm sorry, it's not for sale