I just speed read through the 30 or so pages of round 2, so I now have a feel for progress so far.
First off special thanks to: cellularmitosis, TiN and vindoline for their extraordinary efforts. Also to everyone else that contributed along the way.
I would like to participate to either the end of round 2 or get in line for round 3. I will PM vindoline.
What I plan to do:
1) Prepare while waiting:
A)
get a GPIB logging system up an running well in advance *
complete B)
log data using my Data Precision calibrator, even though it appears to drift more than all of my best 5 DMM’s in progress C)
previous step will also give me some idea of temperature swings D) fabricate a four sided metal box to allow me to easily slip out Data Precision** (presently on bottom of heap) completeObjectives:
a) begin logging drift history of my DMM’s relative to each other and occasionally with the cal club references.
b) calibrate at minimum the 10V range of my 5 DMM’s
c) explore the possibility of upgrading my calibrator ** with improved: reference, resistors and op amps, I will start a new thread asking for advice.
*Question:
Regarding data logging, I’m left with the impression that different participants used different data logging programs and windows created a fair bit of problems related to GPIB drivers and updates. I have had multiple GPIB instruments successfully communicating in the past with a clone HP to USB adapter however I also experienced numerous problems in the past as well, in fact the last time I tried to use some excel macros that were working fine they no longer worked. I have wasted too much time on this in the past and prefer to learn from that and move on. To that end I’m inclined to setup a Raspberry Pie as a dedicated reliable data logger. I have never used a RP so if this idea holds merit if someone can suggest what model I should order, suitable operating system (or do they already come with an OS?) and data logger software that would allow logging 2 or 3 DMM’s at the same time for the sake of time efficiency
Thanks,
J
EDIT--> UPDATE
My Data Precision 8200 calibrator has about 10 pieces of equipment on top of it, making removal a real PITA, so I decided to weld up a 12 gauge steel box that houses the calibrator making it easy to slip out without moving everything above. Mission accomplished....
I was able to get three instances of the Nx-1997 HP34401A Standalone software running and logging 3 DMM's on a Win 10 tablet, when I tried to log a 4th channel for temperature Win10 had a conniption so I put together a quick and dirty temperature logger that logs to a microSD card. I will let it run for a day or two and see how the data looks.