Author Topic: Mooshimeter multi-channel multimeter - safe to use or more a gadget? (Read 30233 times)

pascal_sweden · « **on:** July 27, 2015, 07:54:30 pm »

Anyone familiar with the Mooshimeter? How does it perform? Is it safe to use?
https://www.dragoninnovation.com/projects/34-mooshimeter

Does it have enough blast resistance?

dadler · « **Reply #1 on:** July 27, 2015, 08:41:41 pm »

Of interest:

http://www.theamphour.com/218-an-interview-with-eric-vanwyk-meiotic-mountenance-mooshimeter/

artag · « **Reply #2 on:** July 27, 2015, 09:06:08 pm »

active thread here :

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/crowd-funded-projects/mooshimeter-wireless-smartphone-multimetre/

Lightages · « **Reply #3 on:** July 27, 2015, 10:45:11 pm »

Personally, I really like the concept and they have made a device that answered my concerns about proper ratings. The unfortunate part is that the software seems to be rather limited still, and $120 is really steep. Each time I think I should buy one to support my solar installation work, I choke at the price. I realize that this is a more limited production item than most multimeters but I feel it should be well below $90. Just my humble opinion.

VK5RC · « **Reply #4 on:** July 27, 2015, 11:31:44 pm »

If the software/app did the maths and gave Power, it would be great. It does do logging and graphing nicely though.

NoItAint · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2015, 03:48:29 am »

There's a bug

I may have to wait for the second run

Once the hardware is solid, I'm sure the software will follow. There is a python API available for those so inclined.

jameswhong · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2015, 04:33:43 am »

Hi guys - this is James (the guy in the video).

The high resistance lockup bug has a workaround in firmware, it shouldn't degrade your readings. I posted that because it was a rather annoying setback in shipping to backers of the crowdfunding campaign, and I wanted to be open about the delays. You should be fine reading high resistances (>1Mohm).

If the price is still too steep the second manufacturing run is underway and you can still get in on a $100 preorder if you're OK waiting for about 6 weeks. Also the second run fixes the high resistance lockup bug at the hardware level if that's still a concern.

Happy to answer questions, thanks for being interested!
~James

pascal_sweden · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2015, 10:32:58 am »

Will the second production run have better input protection (MOVs, VARistors, blast compartment) to really make the supposed CAT III rating?

There are so many videos out there about bad vs good multimeter design, and still these guys missed the basics on making it a safe design. First get the basics right, and then add the bells and whistles.

Fungus · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2015, 10:56:02 am »

Quote from: pascal_sweden on July 27, 2015, 07:54:30 pm

Does it have enough blast resistance?

Enough blast resistance for what?

idpromnut · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2015, 11:34:46 am »

Quote from: pascal_sweden on July 27, 2015, 07:54:30 pm

Does it have enough blast resistance?

I think if you're standing close enough to it for blast resistance to matter, you're doing it wrong. Also, those safety features are not for the meter, they're to protect the user, which in this case is done by distance from the meter or having a wall or some other obstacle in between the user and the meter.

So, probably not important at all.

pascal_sweden · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2015, 11:40:17 am »

One thing people seem to forget here is that you still have to connect the leads to the appliance on which you are going to measure.

So yes, it is important. Or are you going to send out a robot to make the connection?

Moreover it is not rocket science to make it more safe. It will add to the cost, but will not reduce the product appeal, on the contrary, it will build up confidence in the overall product quality and performance. People will get the "these guys know what they are doing" feeling, instead of "what is this?"

ruffy91 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2015, 11:52:45 am »

Break before make. Just switch the appliance off, hook up the multimeter, turn it back on, not because the multimeter but because of the appliance. If diagnosing failures it is more likely the appliance you are diagnosing and have open in front of you will blast then anything other (making a short with the probes or replaced electrolytics the wrong way).

VK5RC · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2015, 12:26:47 pm »

Fully agree with making connections with the power off and with clipped leads rather than hand held, esp if sensitive circuits; far less stuff ups.

McBryce · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2015, 01:00:00 pm »

For electronics this usually isn't a problem, but there are many electrical tests where switching off the power is either impossible (the entire building is pulling power from the circuit) or undesirable (restarting the system is a 4 hour process).

McBryce.

rolycat · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2015, 01:41:08 pm »

Interesting bit of gear... Check the cost of shipping to the UK: $25. Pretty reasonable

Let's add a spare fuse for just $3... Shipping is now $40

And yes, if you want two spare fuses it's $55

Muttley Snickers · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2015, 01:56:23 pm »

I've been looking at these meters for no other reason than in our entire collection of equipment we do not have any meters that are currently wireless, our available options are one of these or the wireless and bluetooth modules for the Flukes and Agilents that we have.

The Fluke modules are currently on sale through E14 for around $60, I need to confirm the price on the Keysight BT adaptors but they were around $60 and $120 respectively.

The only thing that I would miss with the Mooshimeter is a decent and trustworthy holster, I had a Fluke 70 series explode once accross 3 phase and the only thing that both survived and saved any personal injury was the holster, even though we are not likely to be using one of these in the same circumstance I still much prefer a meter surrounded in rubber.

Also I need to find out if these can run directly off a Win 7 or XP PC for testing and logging as I dont expect that we will always use it with the tablets and phones, maybe they just write to the onboard card for this stuff, I need to do some more research.

Muttley

Trax · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2015, 04:01:27 pm »

Mooshimeter LOL
that name is really funny in German

idpromnut · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2015, 04:33:35 pm »

Quote from: pascal_sweden on July 28, 2015, 11:40:17 am

One thing people seem to forget here is that you still have to connect the leads to the appliance on which you are going to measure.

So yes, it is important. Or are you going to send out a robot to make the connection?

Moreover it is not rocket science to make it more safe. It will add to the cost, but will not reduce the product appeal, on the contrary, it will build up confidence in the overall product quality and performance. People will get the "these guys know what they are doing" feeling, instead of "what is this?"

Wouldn't you simply check with a "safer" multimeter before connecting your mooshimeter? I mean, either it'll go bad then, or you'll connect the mooshimeter and it will go bad after some action that changes the state of the system under measurement (which you at that point presumably have some control over).

Also, if it's not rocket science to make a "safe" meter, why is it that people only seem to trust certain brands/models when testing high energy circuits?

Howardlong · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2015, 04:36:03 pm »

I have one, and it works pretty well, the concept and execution is sound, but I find I've found that I tend to use "normal" DMMs instead as I prefer the UI of a standard DMM. Using an app to measure I & V on the iPhone is just that little bit too fiddly, but I can understand why others may have a different view.

I could not find a way to make the app display power or energy directly, although it will simultaneously measure current and voltage. There may be a more recent app revision since I last tried a couple of months ago that does this, I don't know.

jameswhong · « **Reply #19 on:** July 28, 2015, 05:14:01 pm »

Yeah, direct power measurement is not displayed in the app yet. It's been on the to-do list for quite a while, just hard to figure out what to prioritize. I do all the support and fulfillment and coordination too so I find a frustratingly small amount of time to actually make forward technical progress. All I can say is "soon". And I hear you regarding using a normal DMM in most circumstances. I do too - it's just faster to reach for if you have to take a single quick measurement. I hope you're finding some uses for it though! I really appreciate feedback.

Oh - I saw also in this thread that someone was sad about international shipping costs - sorry about that! It's a limitation of the selling platform... I can only specify a single international shipping price and a per-item price after that, it doesn't have a way to differentiate between shipping a Mooshimeter and shipping a fuse... very frustrating and I'm moving platform for the next manufacturing run.

McBryce · « **Reply #20 on:** July 28, 2015, 07:53:18 pm »

Quote from: Trax on July 28, 2015, 04:01:27 pm

Mooshimeter LOL
that name is really funny in German

I already have a Mooshimeter, but it only has a range of 30cm!

McBryce.

dadler · « **Reply #21 on:** July 28, 2015, 07:58:29 pm »

Quote

“Mooshim” is a Zen Buddhist phrase meaning heart without heart. Eric lived in Tokyo for a while and understood more of the cultural meanings vs the straight translation.

Hmm... The etymology can't be random... I think with my heart all the time.

I joined the second-run preorder back in May. Looking forward to the release, sounds like 6ish weeks out?

jameswhong · « **Reply #22 on:** July 28, 2015, 08:20:14 pm »

Quote from: McBryce on July 28, 2015, 07:53:18 pm

Quote from: Trax on July 28, 2015, 04:01:27 pm
Mooshimeter LOL
that name is really funny in German

I already have a Mooshimeter, but it only has a range of 30cm!

McBryce.

Sorry about that. Didn't know about the meaning in German when deciding the name

But that's very strange about the range. What device are you connecting to it with? I get easily over 50m with Galaxy S4.

Quote from: dadler on July 28, 2015, 07:58:29 pm

Quote
“Mooshim” is a Zen Buddhist phrase meaning heart without heart. Eric lived in Tokyo for a while and understood more of the cultural meanings vs the straight translation.

Hmm... The etymology can't be random... I think with my heart all the time.

I joined the second-run preorder back in May. Looking forward to the release, sounds like 6ish weeks out?

Thanks! Most of the plastics and machined parts are China sourced and on a boat this week. Electronics assembly is starting up next week. So if all goes well, I expect the first units from the second run to start shipping in about 6 weeks *knock on wood*

Mooshim (??) is a high minded buddhist concept but it's also my mom's dog's name, which is why the company is named as it is

mtdoc · « **Reply #23 on:** July 28, 2015, 08:20:23 pm »

I own a Mooshimeter and am very happy with it. Very well contructed and yes, it does pass as a Cat III 600V device

It has very good resolution and accuracy (by my measurements) is within its specs.

The phone/tablet UI does have a lot of room for improvement but the beauty of the device is that it can continually improve.

The name issue was discussed extensively in the original thread on the device during the crowd funding campaign.

McBryce · « **Reply #24 on:** July 28, 2015, 08:37:58 pm »

Quote from: jameswhong on July 28, 2015, 08:20:14 pm

But that's very strange about the range. What device are you connecting to it with? I get easily over 50m with Galaxy S4.

You're not fully getting the joke and I'm not going to explain it here. I'll send you a PM

McBryce.


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Author Topic: Mooshimeter multi-channel multimeter - safe to use or more a gadget? (Read 30233 times)

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