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Testing devices

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Tinster

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Here is a photo of the two testing devices I attempted
to learn the use of for my car. Neither device came with an instruction booklet.

I connected the wires coming out of the boxes directly to
battery terminals to see what different settings would
accomplish. Red to red, black to black.

One box box got very hot and then smoke came out of the
insides.

The other box made a pop sound and then nothing registered.
I never tried either device again.

What have I purchased? What do I need to purchase?
I have Sears, Radio Shack and Western Auto available.

elecBoxes.jpg
[/img]
 
You did what???No wonder they are fried.Don't DO that again.
Here is the one I have. Got it for xmas. Works great.

Multimeter.jpg
 
Dale
The both are Volt/Ohm meters.
Generally, for connecting to a battery, using the red meter, the red test lead would go in the connection marked with the V and Ohm or Omega symbol, and the black test lead goes in the connection marked COM. The dial is set to V with the straight overbar indicating DC voltage. The other V is for AC. Connection to battery follow + to Red and - to black and you should get 12 VDC.
You might try checking this out and the references at the bottom.
 
The box that popped might have blown a fuse. Replace the fuse and it should work again.

When I taught Basic Electricity, I would carry a box of fuses for the VOMs in my lab coat because the students blew the meter fuses with regularity. One kid blew five fuses. Usually caused by connecting across a power source with the meter in Ammeter mode.

It happens all the time, Dale.

However, the meter that failed the smoke test...
 
Hey cuz,

The voltohm meter that smoke, you can probably trash.

The other one, just blew a fuse. common.

Should be able to go to radio shack website and download instructions(used to, hopefully still can) for usage and operation and specs of the vom's.


Also there are lots of listings on the web for how to measure voltage drops, how to measure resistance, etc. Just do a quick search engine search. How To website used to have a pretty good page on vom's.

A brief synopsis. The multimeter(vom) at the very least will measure voltage and resistance, often also amperage(on a small scale, usually 10 amp maximum).

Just make sure that when you hook the probes up, they are in the correct sockets for what you are trying to read, and that the test selector is turned to the proper setting. If you have the gauge set up to read ohms, and hook it to a power source(battery positive and negative, for example) the screen will often go blank, because you've used the safety device internally located in the vom, called the fuse. Fuses can be replaced with just the removal of a couple of screws holding the back cover on. Also you will find battery(ies) in the digital multimeters. Helps to replace it once or twice a year.

Multimeters(voms) are quite useful tools,really worthwhile investments. I think I only have about 5 here and a couple more over in my storage garage. Some have more features than others.

Aloha, and Slainte
 
Twosheds said:
It happens all the time, Dale.

However, the meter that failed the smoke test...
Click to expand...

I agree it happens all the time. As to the one that you let the smoke out of. We use to joke about all electronics work on smoke, once you let the smoke out they stop working:smile:

Seriously, it may just be a resister that fried when you had the meter on current mode. Keep it as a project, because once AMOS is up and running you will be bored at about the 5000 mile mark with no repairs to AMOS and you will be greatful for the chance to fix that meter.
 
I have a "Fluke" brand multimeter (simple Volts-Amps-Ohms version) - not the cheapest, but really worth it. Available at Sears I believe.

We used these for our lab lessons when I was in University (Electrical Engineering) and so they are pretty indistructable. Exposing them to a bunch of hapless Engineering students is a sure way to find out if something will break or not!

Rob.
 
Tinster said:
The other box made a pop sound and then nothing registered.
I never tried either device again.

What have I purchased? What do I need to purchase?
I have Sears, Radio Shack and Western Auto available.
Click to expand...

Dale,

As said they are multimeter's and the one that popped is probably still good....

But -

You can buy a fairly inexpensive good digital multimeter at Sears for $9.99 to $20.00 to practice with and they come with instructions. I recommend you get a digital so you know what your looking at. Remember to always set the scale for a higher setting especially for AC voltage than you thnk it is. You can always reduce it once you get an initial reading! But, that is also all in the instructions.



Guy's and Gal's, this chapter should be interesting!
 
While working in the shipyards, an electrician friend went to work in the oil fields. In the shipyards were used to working on circuits not exceeding 480 volts and frequently tested using a Wiggins solenoid meter. Well, in the oil fields, he attempted to check a 20,000 volt line with his Wiggins. Lost both arms to the elbow, one eye, and other miscellaneous parts of his body and head were likewise burned or blown off.
 
TR6oldtimer said:
Well, in the oil fields, he attempted to check a 20,000 volt line with his Wiggins. Lost both arms to the elbow, one eye, and other miscellaneous parts of his body and head were likewise burned or blown off.
Click to expand...

But did it blow the fuse in the VOM????
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] But did it blow the fuse in the VOM???? [/QUOTE]
Not exactly, it was vaporized.
 
Dale
Make NO PURCHASES for meters until I'm there.
I am bringing a small meter with me and I can leave it with you as I own about 4 different kinds. I am, after all the warranty guy for Honda.
We will check yours when I'm there and maybe revive them, well except for the smoked one.
Dave See you Saturday.
 
God's speed, David!!

Oh, better warn your womenfolk.

I might be a bit "ripe" when I meet you at the airport.
I'll be fishing all morning and leaving directly from the
dock to get you. (double ouch!) I'll be driving Wendy's
beloved red Jeep Liberty.

Call me on my cell during the day Friday for last minute
stuff.

d
 
Tinster said:
...What do I need to purchase?...
Click to expand...

Horrible Freight has their bottom of the line multimeters on sale right now for under 3 bucks:

https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90899

Shoot, they come with a 9V battery, that alone is worth half the price.

I have several of these (the old yellow version) so I can keep one in every car and one on the bench with alligator clips replacing the pointy tips.
 
George-

Horrible Freight is not a vendor I will use.
$45 shipping for $15 of their cheap junk is
a total rip off.

Because I live in the far away, distant, foreign
country of Puerto Rico. Gosh, we don't have 'lectric
or even indoor toilets yet! But I hear the telegraph
might soon get installed here!

Gotta go water the camels and feed the yaks, ta ta!!

d
 
You got a Sears down there, mon?? Get one of their plastic cased digital multimeters on sale for $14.99 regular $24.99. Will last you forever.

I take the Sears unit on the road. The $125 unit never leaves the bench. Leftover from my old Ham radio days. Sentimental reason, more than anything else.
 
Hey Cuz,

See if you can get Dave to get you some of the Honda training on meter usage. I know that AHM had very comprehensive and easily understandable training that pretty much all auto tech that worked on Honda and Acura had to take.

Course this was in the 70's and 80's dunno what they use now. When I got sick of AHM stealing my labor and gave up wrenching on them I gave all my Honda literature to a friend at a Midas store.

I worked on the line on Honda's and Acuras for better than 20 years.
 
Hey Primo!

High on my list of things to swap with David!

Gizzmo teaching for boat ride or roasted pig.

d
 
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