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ralphmariafinch(at)gmail.
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 Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 2:07 pm Post subject: Recommend a digital multimeter? |
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Fellas, thanks for the advice. I just came back from Harbor Freight with
two of their fine products in hand (http://bit.ly/9UbhcS). I splurged and
paid the big bucks for the backlight unit.
OK, I also ordered a Fluke 115 from Amazon (http://amzn.to/aU9nm8). For
each type of tool I do like to have at least one quality example in addition
to the HF knockoffs. Now back to building...gotta use these things!
Ralph Finch
Davis, California, USA
RV-9A QB-SA
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Float Flyr
Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland
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| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:37 am Post subject: Recommend a digital multimeter? |
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I use a special wax strips which melt at specific temps. I believe the temps I have are 325 and 350 (I’d have to check). I simply mark the bottom of my iron and when the 325 melts and the 350 doesn’t I’m in the park. I also have the IR thermometer but I tend to use it to find a dead cylinder without frying my hands.
Noel
From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Marvin Haught
Sent: November 16, 2010 6:06 PM
To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: Re: Re: Recommend a digital multimeter?
Mike -
I'm a distributor for Stewart Systems and use irons extensively, and have found that the IR units vary greatly in accuracy, hence my desire to have reliable testing source in the form of a mulltimeter. Now, I calibrate the little temp sensitive spring units with a multimeter and use them in my classes rather than relying on the IR units, except for the ones I have verified are accurate. I have several brands of the IR units and several of the brand I sell, and only 3 of the 10 or so are accurate (of course, it depends upon the type of surface you are reading). And when I say "inaccurate" I'm talking 40 to 50 degrees either hot or cold. Like you, I monitor my irons carefully when shrinking.
M. Haught
On 11/16/2010 3:10 PM, Mike Welch wrote:
Ira,
Having done the fabric last year on my Kolb MkIII, I can't imagine using a DMM temp probe
on the Poly Fiber, when you consider they have IR Thermometers that are SO fast and
accurate, like these;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Non-Contact-IR-Infrared-Digital-Thermometer-Laser-/390225147065?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adb3b34b9
I paid about $35 for mine about three years ago, but the prices appear to have come down a
lot. I used it to monitor the iron mostly, sometimes every 10-15 seconds. Takes about 2 seconds to check
a temperature. Just a thought.......
Mike Welch
[quote] <www.buildersbooks.comwww.homebuilthelp.comhttp://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List[/url][/b]=====[/b][b]
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Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats |
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handainc(at)madisoncounty
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| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:57 am Post subject: Recommend a digital multimeter? |
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Thanks Noel for the feedback, and the wax strips would probably be okay using a solvent system with proper cleaning, but with water based products, ANY exposure of the fabric to any wax or oil is a HUGE potential problem. Even a fingerprint from rubbing your nose will show up when filling the fabric with the UV Block and filler. We use a special cleaner periodically throughout the covering process to prevent contamination from oils and waxes. Even tack wipes supposedly specifically for water based products can cause huge problems with fish eyes in the top coat.
M. Haught
On 11/17/2010 9:29 AM, Noel Loveys wrote: [quote] <![endif]--> <![endif]-->
I use a special wax strips which melt at specific temps. I believe the temps I have are 325 and 350 (I’d have to check). I simply mark the bottom of my iron and when the 325 melts and the 350 doesn’t I’m in the park. I also have the IR thermometer but I tend to use it to find a dead cylinder without frying my hands.
Noel
From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com) [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com)] On Behalf Of Marvin Haught
Sent: November 16, 2010 6:06 PM
To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com (aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com)
Subject: Re: Re: Recommend a digital multimeter?
Mike -
I'm a distributor for Stewart Systems and use irons extensively, and have found that the IR units vary greatly in accuracy, hence my desire to have reliable testing source in the form of a mulltimeter. Now, I calibrate the little temp sensitive spring units with a multimeter and use them in my classes rather than relying on the IR units, except for the ones I have verified are accurate. I have several brands of the IR units and several of the brand I sell, and only 3 of the 10 or so are accurate (of course, it depends upon the type of surface you are reading). And when I say "inaccurate" I'm talking 40 to 50 degrees either hot or cold. Like you, I monitor my irons carefully when shrinking.
M. Haught
On 11/16/2010 3:10 PM, Mike Welch wrote:
Ira,
Having done the fabric last year on my Kolb MkIII, I can't imagine using a DMM temp probe
on the Poly Fiber, when you consider they have IR Thermometers that are SO fast and
accurate, like these;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Non-Contact-IR-Infrared-Digital-Thermometer-Laser-/390225147065?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adb3b34b9
I paid about $35 for mine about three years ago, but the prices appear to have come down a
lot. I used it to monitor the iron mostly, sometimes every 10-15 seconds. Takes about 2 seconds to check
a temperature. Just a thought.......
Mike Welch
[b]
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ainut(at)hiwaay.net
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| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:41 am Post subject: Recommend a digital multimeter? |
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I have a (believe it or not) a Craftsman DMM. It has a thermocouple for
temperature readings (k type, I think) as well as scales for freq (hz,)
and a proprietary link to serial port for computer connection. It
autoranges, can read (low) ac and dc amps, and has been quite reliable
during the years I've owned it. IIRC, it cost about $100 but was well
worth it. The hz scale alone helps me tweak the a/c generator in the
RV. Don't even know if it is available anymore but it's a model 82325.
It comes with alligator clips that screw onto the pointy ends as needed.
http://www.commercial.sears.com/comsale/industrial/toolcat/ti.cgi/item.ti/3143?tool=9-82325
David M.
Mike Welch wrote:
| Quote: | Although I have a Radio Shack DMM, which cost me about $20, it
definitely feels
like a cheapie. It works fine and all, but it has about 10" test
leads, and they are
near impossible to fold back inside the unit, and then close the cover.
Again, this little meter worked fine, but I just felt like get
something that felt
more "substantial." We don't have much decent shopping in my new
town, except
for WalMart. I looked over their selection, and one unit caught my
eye. It was
the typical bright yellow/black standard appearence DMM. At $20-$21,
it looked
like a bargain. So I bought it, and initially I used it for checking
hot circuits, etc,
on my house, which I was building at the time.
After I finished the house, I needed to check on some resistors, and
found that my
year-old preferred DMM didn't work anymore. Upon taking it apart, my
guess is they
don't work long after someone dumps coffee in them. Greatly
dissapointed, I tried
to find the SAME one on eBay. No luck. After looking everywhere and
not finding it
elsewhere, I checked back at my local WalMart, and fortunately, it's
still there. So,
I grabbed a new one. I'm very pleased with it's performance, and I
keep it away
from most beverages! (it wasn't ME that dumped something in it)
The DMM unit is made by "Etek". The model # is 10709. It has the
basic functions
you'd expect to find, plus a thermister for checking temperatures. I
like it, I'd recommend it.
It also has a few bonus features, like; flashlight and "non-contact"
voltage warning alarm,
although with my hearing, I don't hear it if it sounds. It's probably
Chinese, but I wouldn't
necessarily consider it a total cheapie.
One small "oh goodie" of having to buy a new one is, I now have two
sets of leads. So, I
converted one set into alligator clips. Now, I have a choice....clips
or pointy ends. So, that's
my recommendation; Etek #101709 ~$21. Just keep your employees
coffee away from it.
Mike Welch
*
*
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--
If you're an American, just say NO to the Obamanation and to Soros!
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Eric M. Jones
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 565
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 6:23 am Post subject: Re: Recommend a digital multimeter? |
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I have a pile of meters that await some golder moment when inspiration strikes me to fix them.....hah.
I agree generally that cheapo meters will get the job done. My Galvanic frog-leg is still kicking when I apply the juice, but it is really nice to have dependable tools.
After reading this list I went to Ebay and snapped up a like-new Fluke 77 for $38 including shipping. The seller had a note "Home Use Only!" on it, which scared away some potential buyers, but was only meant to indicate it had never seen industrial use.
Last year when I had a very difficult 0.1% measurement, After considering all the alternatives, I bought a freshly calibrated Fluke 87V meter (on Ebay too!) that offered FOUR digits behind the decimal. Not cheap but 1/2 price on Ebay.
The Fluke 11 was proof that not all Fluke meters are great, but Fluke seems to be the ticket for great products at a fair price.
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_________________
Eric M. Jones
www.PerihelionDesign.com
113 Brentwood Drive
Southbridge, MA 01550
(508) 764-2072
emjones(at)charter.net |
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