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Community Bench Meter
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Mastro Gippo:
http://www.polycase.com/item/vm-36boot.html
this looks nice and cheap. I would like a handheld multimeter, not a bench one...
GeekGirl:

--- Quote from: Mastro Gippo on January 30, 2010, 12:58:41 pm ---http://www.polycase.com/item/vm-36boot.html
this looks nice and cheap. I would like a handheld multimeter, not a bench one...

--- End quote ---

Nope, Can not use them.... They don't come in PURPLE ;);)

I think if we can make it modular then we can have a simple front end display for hand held and a fully optioned desktop model ?
The prices of the hand held case is VERY GOOD, for low qty.
GeekGirl:

--- Quote from: EEVblog on January 30, 2010, 12:20:36 pm ---
--- Quote from: GeekGirl on January 30, 2010, 11:29:34 am ---When it comes to the enclosure I am going to suggest that we use Farnell / Newark, this is so that we can all have everything FIT, Front Panel overlays the right size etc.

--- End quote ---

When doing a project like this I like to start with the form factor and user interface first and how that's all going to work, and then work backwards to the detailed schematic. Because a schematic does not a project make.

http://www.hammondmfg.com/
http://www.serpac.com/
http://www.polycase.com/
are some of my favorites.

Also, I'd consider a budget too, too high a price and it's going to be a show-stopper, so cost should always be factored in.

I'd probably go with PIC myself for familiarity and simplicity. 32bit ARM power is not needed for such a thing, and the development tools are harder to work with for the average punter.
It's hard to beat the $40 PICkit, MPLAB, and free (limited) C compilers for the PIC combo.
A lot of people say ARM and GNU C is cheap and free, but when it comes down to it the tools are not consistent, and harder for a beginner to use.
But of course that may not really matter if most people just want the finished pre-programmed product.
Heck, I'd even seriously consider jumping on the Arduino bandwagon here. Separating the custom front end board from the processor board entirely. Gives options and lowers the development risk. And it will excite the hacker and makers (don't underestimate that market appeal)

Dave.

--- End quote ---


I want to try and use a chip and "common" compiler, I am not a huge fan of GCC (although I use it the most) as it is not like a commercial product that you install and it just works. I know GCC is getting better, but things are not there yet.

I agree we do not need an ARM processor. Just an 8 or 16bit uC with a good amount of Flash and RAM.

Even though I am an Atmel Gal, I see no reason to not to consider a PIC or MSP serries, (horses for courses ;)

I am starting to picture this project as a "modular" system, basic is display and Multimeter front end, more advanced would be to add the 4wire resistance, ESR, LCR, Logic Analyser (to give us the ability to spec # of channels (less channels = more samples/longer period)) Frequency counter, Function generator, maybe even a terminal adapter ie send and receive RS232 for exercising projects.

I think that we need to cull the list and not make this project a tool for every situation.

I am not sure, but I am sure that in the next few days I will make a list and description of every idea so we can work out what we REALLY want in this product.
armandas:

--- Quote from: GeekGirl on January 30, 2010, 01:37:09 pm ---
--- Quote from: Mastro Gippo on January 30, 2010, 12:58:41 pm ---http://www.polycase.com/item/vm-36boot.html
this looks nice and cheap. I would like a handheld multimeter, not a bench one...

--- End quote ---

Nope, Can not use them.... They don't come in PURPLE ;);)

I think if we can make it modular then we can have a simple front end display for hand held and a fully optioned desktop model ?
The prices of the hand held case is VERY GOOD, for low qty.

--- End quote ---
I think the bench-top would be most appropriate and easy to build. But hey, it's going to be open-source, so anyone can build their own version, if they like!
Andrew:
When looking for the mentioned "original instrument enclosure" I think I went through everything mentioned here and more (Hammond, Serpac, Polycase, Bopla, Pactec, Proma (now gitec), Prio, Combiplast, Teko (brrr), ...).

And because of that I am of course fully educated and informed where to get PURPLE enclosures GeekGirl so desperately needs: http://www.elpac.de/categories.php?cat=200&lang=en

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