Author Topic: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"  (Read 4034 times)

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Offline HummingBirdTopic starter

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MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« on: July 06, 2016, 07:17:40 pm »
Hello,

I got an MM 37XR which shows no of the 7 segment digits when turned on. Symbols are changing when you change the measurement option, so display is OK. Buttons are reacting, in MIN/MAX you see all the digits reading 00.00...so they are also OK - anybody some ideas how it is "blank" on startup? ADC broken? Or...?

Thx in advance for any help, Klaus.
 

Offline retiredcaps

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2016, 10:18:08 pm »
If you haven't tried a fresh battery, please try that.  Post clear focused pictures of both sides of the pcb so we can see the inside.

Did you purchase this meter new or used?
 

Offline HummingBirdTopic starter

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2016, 08:51:58 am »
It was a "present", because ist broken...I dont know anything about how it got broken. All parts are looking good, no traces of fumes or sth else :) But I guess thats a very specific Problem so also without any circuit diagram or anybody who repaired exactly the same issue ist some Kind of unrealistic...but there is still some hope left ;)
 

Offline SteveyG

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2016, 09:29:09 am »
Worth checking the zebra strip on the LCD?
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/sdgelectronics/
Use code: “SDG5” to get 5% off JBC Equipment at Kaisertech
 

Offline HummingBirdTopic starter

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2016, 09:31:00 am »
...nope, as all Digits are working in MIN/MAX but showing 00.00 :) Ist no technical Problem of the uC or the Display. Its sth else...
 

Offline Kleinstein

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2016, 11:51:49 am »
The blank display could be a way to show overload, though not the best. The fuses for the current ranges are missing, so current measurement will not work, but should still read 0.000 .  So looks like broken and hard to repair.
For such metes there usually is no schematics available and much of the functions is inside one of the big chips. So unless something obvious near the input, it is hard to impossible to repair.

One thing one could check is, if there is a reasonable current flowing when in Ohms mode or diode test. Continuity test  (beep) might work independent of the display and adc, so it could be still working.
 

Offline HummingBirdTopic starter

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2016, 07:17:01 pm »
Hmmmpf...I guess you are right but I dont want to accept. 0Ohm Tester is also not working, but it detects "wrong plugs" by beeping. Overload is normally "OL"...I think it is really broken and cant be repaired. I will put the PCB in stock and thats it...Thx!
 

Offline retiredcaps

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2016, 08:25:24 pm »
I'm having a difficult time following your abbreviations and description of the problem.  Let's get a baseline.

Q1) Without any probes plugged in, what does DCV show?
Q2) Without any probes plugged in, what does ohm show?
Q3) Without any probes plugged in, what does ACV show?
Q4) Plug in your probes and short them, what does ohms show?
Q5) Measure a 1k ohm resistor, what is the reading?
Q6) Measure an 1.5V AA cell, what is the reading?
 

Offline HummingBirdTopic starter

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2016, 09:02:14 am »
1) all symbols as selected measurement (Ohm, mA, A, V...) but no 7 segment digits (blank)
2) see 1
3) see 1
4) nothing, still blank, beeper does also not work
5) see 4
6) see 4

But if you select MIN/MAX, you read 00.00, so the digits themself and the µC are not the problem...

Thx a lot for your patience but as I have "some more DMMs" its not important to reactivate that one, anyway its an TrueRMS which would have been missing in my equipment...

Klaus.
 

Offline lowimpedance

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2016, 11:00:31 am »
Just curious , are you able to check that both crystals are oscillating?, well the one with the micro controlling the lcd is but what about the other?. Reason for the rather odd question is because I fixed an old 'Escort' branded meter that had the TC820 a/d converter chip oscillator stop working and the result was no 7 segment digits displayed!. But the LCD micro was still working. Similar sounding symptoms to what you have with your meter.
 (Just noted also in the photo that yours has two crystals!! just like the old Escort).
The odd multimeter or 2 or 3 or 4...or........can't remember !.
 
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Offline HummingBirdTopic starter

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #10 on: July 09, 2016, 09:21:11 pm »
...funny, I was thinking about testing the same - but I thought: Nooo way, that completely unlikely. But, now I WILL test it :) I think too that the ADC is the problem.

Thx, Klaus.
 

Offline HummingBirdTopic starter

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2016, 04:43:41 pm »
HEUREKA, lowimpedance! That was it! The osci of the ADC was broken, 1.23V cont level measured...I changed it - works! F*cking perfect, thx for persuading me that its worth testing it!

Best regards, HB!
 

Offline Hydrawerk

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2016, 06:16:14 pm »
 :-+ :-+
Amazing machines. https://www.youtube.com/user/denha (It is not me...)
 

Offline retiredcaps

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #13 on: July 14, 2016, 04:54:04 am »
@ lowimpedance.  :-+
 

Offline PatrickWang1

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2020, 09:30:26 am »
Hi HummingBird,

I got the same issue like your 37XR.
My broken one is the X1 crystal, May I ask your advice on what is this XTAL PN, or its frequency?

Thank you! Wish you a great day!

Best,
Patrick
 

Offline PatrickWang1

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #15 on: May 13, 2020, 03:47:04 am »
Hi HummingBird and All,

Turns out I found the DAC datasheet on-line.
It should be using a 4MHz crystal.

https://www.alldatasheet.com/view.jsp?Searchword=Es51966&gclid=CjwKCAjwkun1BRAIEiwA2mJRWWvuQFYGRsBzg8vyyc5aOX3QWebapBazKMCa8l4U4_M5JDGh2bHqsBoCp9MQAvD_BwE

Best,
Patrick
 

Offline rph-r

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Re: MeterMan 37XR "no digits"
« Reply #16 on: April 28, 2021, 10:59:44 pm »
Same diagnostic, same cure!
I was about to throw it when I found this post.
You made me save n-hundred $ and keep an old friend of my electronics adventures... so THANK YOU!
 


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