| General > General Technical Chat |
| Looking for an analog multimeter (with needle) capable of turning on (we see the |
| (1/2) > >> |
| Resist0r:
July 2023 Hello everyone, Please read carefully and if you answer, answer the question only. THANKS. I have a friend, over 70, who recycles sets of (small) Christmas lights, throwing them in the trash, because they are faulty. Of "all" kinds. For this, he goes to the local dump and is allowed to take these sets. They fix them and give them away, he does not sell them. My friend has a very old multimeter (over 30?) and I am not allowed to touch it. His device still "works", but it is broken and wrapped in tape. I do not know the name of the manufacturer. To use one of his expressions, his multimeter is “tired”. I gave him one that I own and bought another recently. https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bender-GMT-318-Multimeter-Function/dp/B00291X79O He told me that they were not able to turn on the lights, individually, when they were checking them. Therefore, I am looking for an analog multimeter that would be able to turn on the Christmas lights when the multimeter is placed on the ohmmeter. As there are a multitude of these lights, they should light up, when they work, with voltages varying from 1 volt to 12 volts. I do not know if any of you know what I am talking about and if so, if you can suggest a multimeter that will make my friend "happy" eventually. Thank you and good day. P. – S. Yes, I know that: • There are devices designed specifically for checking Christmas lights. My friend owns one. However, he swears by his “old” multimeter. https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Repairing-Incandescent-replacement-Decorations/dp/B01M12DZLM/ • That you can check lights without turning them on. • Those digital devices exist. • That my friend is "special". :P Etc. My friend will never change his mind. He will continue to use his old multimeter unless I offer him another that will do the same job. Kinds of lights, for indoor and outdoor, they check for sets of lights. It is not exhaustive. He also repairs the sets with the "big lights" but that is another story... https://www.amazon.com/Mudder-Replacement-Decorative-Christmas-Milliampere/dp/B07YFBR3BZ https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Replacement-Incandescent-Lights-Ampere/dp/B07YD53MWS https://www.amazon.com/SQXBK-Christmas-Replacement-Incandescent-Transparent/dp/B0BL3DWM9W https://www.amazon.com/Mudder-Replacement-Christmas-Decorations-RBG-25M/dp/B07Z7BB8VL https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Christmas-Lights-Decorations-Pieces/dp/B081YNNYZN https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Replacement-Outdoor-String-Garden/dp/B09BVR7Q1D https://www.amazon.com/Remagr-Christmas-Replacement-Decorations-Supplies/dp/B0BDG2NVRQ https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Multicolor-Efficient-Waterproof-Transparent/dp/B09C8DJBZL etc. Set of Christmas lights, indoor and outdoor, that he repairs. It is not exhaustive. https://www.amazon.com/Prextex-Christmas-100-Count-Multi-Decorations/dp/B07N8CNQ2R https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Outdoor-Decorations-Valentines-Certified/dp/B09CW5NCW3 https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Multicolored-Decoration-Multi-Color-Lighting/dp/B08CY4ZLKP https://www.amazon.com/Dazzle-Bright-Multi-Colored-Incandescent-Connectable/dp/B0B5MZB3C4 https://www.amazon.com/Sukesou-Battery-Christmas-Waterproof-Operated/dp/B0B6PFKBV6 etc. |
| Infraviolet:
Perhaps you could get a multimeter style casing and an appropriately satisfying needle dial and rig up a custom circuit board for inside it which would internally be much the same as light testing devices, and then provide an appropriate signal to the dial so as to have it follow the behaviour of the dial in the present aging meter. I think you're talking about low voltage incandescent lights here? A circuit which put a sufficiently high voltage on the testing probes would likely do this, your dial could then be directly controleld by the amount of current flowing, just with the readings marked fof calirated for ohms given the known voltage. I doubt many modern multimeters would be applying voltages close to 12V to the probes in ohms mode, especially as such voltages would easily damage integrated circuits if used for continuity testing on anything involving 5V or 3V3 logic. A custom build might be the best option where the aesthetics of the device seem to be as key a part of its usage as the actual functionality. |
| Resist0r:
Hi, I understand what you say and it is good. Just, I would like to buy an existing multimeter who can light on a Christmas light. Maybe kind of multimeter no more exist today. Like I say, my friend wants to use just a multimeter for that (99% of time). He has a "concrete" head. |O Thanks for your feedback and have a nice day! :) |
| Kim Christensen:
He's not using a "megger" (insulation tester) for this is he? It looks a bit like a multimeter but it puts out high DC voltages which are selectable on the front dial. You could light up a string of LEDs (dimly) with one of those. For lighting up incandescent bulbs, look for something that puts out a lot of current. I'm surprised these are still being made. |
| ejeffrey:
Probably it's just an old VOM with a 9V battery for the ohms. Most of the "new" analog voltmeters seem to use AA or coin cells for the ohms mode but if you find one with a 9V battery it will probably work. |
| Navigation |
| Message Index |
| Next page |