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General => General Technical Chat => Topic started by: iXod on May 16, 2016, 04:33:57 am

Title: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: iXod on May 16, 2016, 04:33:57 am
I frequently find myself working on 5-color offset presses while they're running. Not only is this thing printing 200 sheets every minute (and the noise that makes), there's blowers, vacuum pumps, water chillers, fans, and any number of other accessories running within stone's throw.

Using a DMM in any mode that beeps (non-contact voltage detect, continuity, etc.) is futile in this environment.

I've used Flukes (77, 117, 87V) and Extech (330) but I sometimes have to put these up to my ear to hear it.

Has anyone noticed a particular model that has a louder-than-average beeper?

Cheers.
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: Brumby on May 16, 2016, 04:43:31 am
Dave's BM235 flashes the backlight for continuity - so you only need to have it somewhere in your field of vision.

It works if the backlight is on, too.
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: retiredcaps on May 16, 2016, 04:48:54 am
Quote from: iXod on May 16, 2016, 04:33:57 am
Has anyone noticed a particular model that has a louder-than-average beeper?
1) I have used a lot of meters including the Flukes you listed and by far, the Simpson 467, has the loudest beeper.  The continuity feature is also very quick.  The downside is that it is very old and will not meet current safety standards.  Build quality is also suspect.  See

https://plus.google.com/photos/112655239822287610782/albums/6106071623775568689 (https://plus.google.com/photos/112655239822287610782/albums/6106071623775568689)

I have the Xerox rebranded version.  It is significantly louder than the Flukes listed above.  It is so loud, I don't use it.

If I have time tomorrow, I might try measuring how loud it is using some smartphone app?

2) If you can't hear, some of the newer meters will flash the lcd if there is continuity.  Some of the current Agilent/Keysight models have this feature.

3) Another option might be to use a meter like the Fluke 233 with its detachable display so you can see the continuity/resistance reading instead of listening for it?

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/caen/digital-multimeters/Fluke-233.htm?PID=56054 (http://www.fluke.com/fluke/caen/digital-multimeters/Fluke-233.htm?PID=56054)
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: iXod on May 16, 2016, 04:57:34 am
Thanks. If I need a bench meter I'll consider finding one of these. But I'm looking for a handheld meter.

Cheers.
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: retiredcaps on May 16, 2016, 05:05:33 am
Quote from: iXod on May 16, 2016, 04:57:34 am
Thanks. If I need a bench meter I'll consider finding one of these. But I'm looking for a handheld meter.
The Simpson 467 is a handheld meter.

Look at the picture link I listed above.  It uses a 9V battery and the dimensions are shown in this screenshot from the manual ...

http://www.simpson260.com/downloads/simpson_467_user_manual.pdf (http://www.simpson260.com/downloads/simpson_467_user_manual.pdf)
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: retiredcaps on May 16, 2016, 05:11:13 am
More on the 467 ...

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/simpson-model-467-dmm/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/simpson-model-467-dmm/)
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: iXod on May 16, 2016, 05:47:36 am
Quote
Dave's BM235 flashes the backlight for continuity - so you only need to have it somewhere in your field of vision.

It works if the backlight is on, too.

Hadn't considered the option of a flashing backlight. Sounds (c; like an ideal solution.

I would love one of those meters. But the shipping to USA and possible customs issues... dunno. Have other EEV-fanbois in the US ordered these?

Thanks!
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: wraper on May 16, 2016, 08:03:56 am
Keysight U1272A is very loud, I'd say too loud.
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: amyk on May 16, 2016, 08:20:48 am
It's funny that a lot of the comments I've seen are about DMMs with the beeper being too loud, and here's someone who says they're not loud enough!

Do any DMMs have adjustable volume?
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: wraper on May 16, 2016, 08:34:25 am
Quote from: amyk on May 16, 2016, 08:20:48 am
It's funny that a lot of the comments I've seen are about DMMs with the beeper being too loud, and here's someone who says they're not loud enough!

Do any DMMs have adjustable volume?
On U1272A it can be adjusted in a workaround way. 3 buzzer frequencies can be set, only one of them (default) is very loud, guess because of the resonance.
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: Raj on May 16, 2016, 08:43:22 am
you could google "audible ohms meter" if you intend it to be used in continuity testing only
Title: Re: What's a handheld DMM with a LOUD beeper?
Post by: Wytnucls on May 16, 2016, 10:04:51 am
To avoid buying another meter, you could build a small accessory, strapped to your DMM,  to light up a LED when the meter beeper is activated:

(https://d3i5bpxkxvwmz.cloudfront.net/resized/images/remote/http_s.eeweb.com/members/extreme_circuits/blog/2013/04/19/room_noise_detector_schematic_circuit_diagam-1366410431_492_216.gif)