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121GW multimeter firmware hack to prevent remembering last mode

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JDW:

--- Quote from: J-R on March 04, 2023, 01:42:01 am ---I'm not concerned about the case, the big question would be the circuit design.

--- End quote ---

Based on what I see in Dave's video, again, I would say the answer is NO.  And I suspect Dave doesn't know exactly either and couldn't until he spoke to his contacts, but he would probably speculate NO too at this point.  Again, that video he linked for us really does answer a lot of questions.  It's worthwhile to make time to watch it.

I see no need to get too nervous about the meter disappearing.  Unless UEi is "losing money" on it, so long as demand exists, it doesn't make a lot of sense for them to kill it without offering a feature-packed substitute.  The 121GW is about packing a huge number of features in a very small size, all for a US$200 price point.  It's good PR for UEi to keep it alive too, I think.

Most likely, what may spell the demise of the 121GW is exactly what Dave said.  If too many of the components become unavailable for purchase some day in the future, the meter could not be manufactured anymore without a major redesign or a switch to another meter of similar size, capabilities and price.  But that is true of any electronic device you manufacture.  Okay, well maybe it's different for Fluke which has been selling the same models for years and years and years. But their prices are rather high, so I suspect they do redesigns to get around problems with parts sourcing.  Not sure.

EEVblog:

--- Quote from: J-R on March 04, 2023, 01:42:01 am ---I'm not concerned about the case, the big question would be the circuit design.

--- End quote ---

The 555 circuit is near idential to the 121GW, but it doesn't have the 15V diode mode, and it adds an ATM90E26 energy measurement chip with SI8441 digital isolator chip. And because the LCD is bigger it uses a separate LCD driver chip.
NCV detection and 3 phase motor added.
SD card is the same inside the back cover.
I'd guess that almost certainly the firmware is near identical aprt form the new energy measurement and other features.

EEVblog:

--- Quote from: JDW on March 04, 2023, 01:46:47 am ---Most likely, what may spell the demise of the 121GW is exactly what Dave said.  If too many of the components become unavailable for purchase some day in the future, the meter could not be manufactured anymore without a major redesign or a switch to another meter of similar size, capabilities and price.  But that is true of any electronic device you manufacture.  Okay, well maybe it's different for Fluke which has been selling the same models for years and years and years. But their prices are rather high, so I suspect they do redesigns to get around problems with parts sourcing.  Not sure.
--- End quote ---

Fluke have made many major design changes on the 80 series for example. They even switched processor to an MSP430.

JDW:

--- Quote from: EEVblog on March 04, 2023, 02:29:51 am ---Fluke have made many major design changes on the 80 series for example. They even switched processor to an MSP430.

--- End quote ---

Very interesting!

Dave, please forgive this last off-topic question, but I've been searching the EEVBlog Youtube channel in vain for the answer....

I see that Brymen BM235 gold-plated probes were originally included with the 121GW, as per the Kickstarter FAQ; but of course, the probes included today appear to be stainless steel.  WHEN was that change made and WHY?

EEVblog:

--- Quote from: JDW on March 04, 2023, 02:33:02 am ---I see that Brymen BM235 gold-plated probes were originally included with the 121GW, as per the Kickstarter FAQ; but of course, the probes included today appear to be stainless steel.  WHEN was that change made and WHY?
--- End quote ---

For supply and logistics reasons.
At some point after the Kickstarter Brymen had a supply issue with the probes, the lead tme was too long, so I had to go with the Kane probes.
Also, supplying the Brymen probes was a PITA because I'd have the open every box before shipment and pack the probes in myself. It was just logisticaly a lot easier to keep supplying the Kane probes.

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