Patrick.Gormley@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Patrick Gormley) (04/20/91)
Index Number: 15063
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
A couple of days ago, I was listening to World Radio and heard a
demonstration of the talking multimeter from Radio Shack. My sighted
reader is Joe Grzesik KU3Z and we were both interested in seeing a live
model of the device to get a hands-on demonstration. The other day we
found a radio shack and tested several batteries, a couple of fuses in
its built-in continuity checker and we checked out its capabilities.
When in the continuity mode, the meter emits a high-pitched buzz just
before the reading is displayed and spoken. Since this meter is an
automatic range meter, it's a good idea to wait about 30 seconds before
pressing the button on the side of the positive probe to get a reading.
It runs on 4 AA batteries and will measure up to 750 volts and can
measure up to 30 megohms resistence. If the scale range is exceeded, it
will say over and will also say that if you have an open circuit and
can't measure the value it will just say over. When you touch the two
probes together, it will say 0 ohms etc. It's a handy device to have
around the place to troubleshoot equipment and is a good first purchase
for a test bench. I was wondering if anyone has done any adapting of
regular test equipment using plans from the Smith-Kettlewell Technical
File articles. I would like to hear from them in any case. 73- KK3F
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Patrick.Gormley
Internet: Patrick.Gormley@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.orgDanny.Keys@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org (Danny Keys) (04/25/91)
Index Number: 15165
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
The only real problem which I found with that multimeter, is that it
doesn't go very high as far as amperage is concerned.
You couldn't use it for work on most kitchen appliances, or heavy duty
devices like 10, 20, or 30 amp devices. It wouldn't even be adiquate
for an electrition. It was really designed for radio, and at that, I
still have doubts.
I guess that what I am saying, is there any way one could use an amprobe
with the system, to atenuate the current, and get the correct readings.
It wouldn't even be safe to use that meter on a something like, a
starter in a car.
Next time, they might come out with something which is able to do more
in the way of current.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!119!5.0!Danny.Keys
Internet: Danny.Keys@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.orgDanny.Keys@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org (Danny Keys) (04/25/91)
Index Number: 15202
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
I agree with you. My point was that there are other volt meters, which
don't have voice, that go up to 10, 20, amps, and even higher, with the use of
an amprobe. An amprobe is a transformer like device which is placed
around the wire, and you never have to physically touch a bare lead.
Thus, limiting the risk of death. In other words, why did they stop at
that point. I also have talked to other friends of mine who are
electricians and they all say that the meter is extremely slow in
getting a reading. I am still considering buying it, and developing my
own attenuation devices.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!119!5.0!Danny.Keys
Internet: Danny.Keys@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org