DMM with a proper backlight?

[KristoZ]

Hi,

I'm looking for a sub-$/€100 multimeter with a proper backlight functionality, but so far haven't found any that wouldn't turn the backlight off after ridiculous 10/30 seconds. 

IMHO ideally it would turn on whenever readings change more than the next to least significant digit and stay on for at least a minute, but that's utopia isn't it? Of course, there's always the DIY backlight solution like described here https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/uni-t-ut61e-backlight-mod-with-touch-sensor-%28tutorial%29/, but I was wondering whether there is such meter that keeps the backlight on for at least a minute? 

Please advise!

[Wytnucls]

Second-hand Fluke 114/115/117

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-115-True-Rms-Multimeter-/231867764672?hash=item35fc654fc0:g:uCAAAOSwP~tW27c4

[FlyingHacker]

Grab an older Fluke bench meter with LED display. You get digital you can read from a distance, and in dim light. You never have to change batteries either 

[nctnico]

If you don't want auto-power down then you are looking for a mains powered DVM like the VC8145 but that is slightly over $100 I'm afraid.

[Muttley Snickers]

There are plenty of meters available with the ability to customise the backlight options and I’m not sure that the particular visual alert feature you describe is all that necessary for most people and applications, on most handhelds the backlight is timed to conserve battery life and as you probably know some can be configured so that the backlight stays on for a certain time, permanently or corresponds to a particular function although you probably won’t find all of those options on a cheaper meter.

If you specifically needed a visual indication to alert you in relation to a change in a measurement reading then perhaps a meter that incorporates min/ max or auto hold would be better suited, most will notify of a change with a beep from the piezo but perhaps you could modify the meter so that the beep also turns on the backlight or other visual indicator but if it were for a timed duration and already on then further changes in the readings won’t give any visual indication except for the beep during that period.

Also you would probably want the ability to enable and disable the feature so that other measurements or modes would not be affected in normal operation, a momentary flash of the backlight or other visual indicator would be a better scenario and some meters are now incorporating this feature in continuity mode such as the Keysights and Dave’s meter, otherwise if your requirement is for logging, monitoring or sorting then perhaps you should be looking at a meter with a PC connection and software or better still a decent bench meter rather than a handheld

[Fungus]

These cost $2:



PS: If you're working with electronics/multimeters in the dark, aren't you already going to be wearing one of these?

[mos6502]

The Fluke 87V has no backlight timer. Once turned on, it only turns off when the button is pressed again, or if the meter automatically powers off after 30 minutes. If the auto power off is disabled and the backlight is activated, both the meter and the backlight will stay on until the battery is depleted.

I'm not aware of any meter having a visual indicator mode like you mentioned. But the Fluke 87V has AutoHOLD. In that mode, the meter will beep every time the signal changes to a new stable value and also hold that value on the display. There is also the Min/Max mode. In that mode, the meter will beep every time the previously recorded minimum or maximum values are exceeded.

Time to pony up some cash.

[KristoZ]

Second-hand Fluke 114/115/117

That's an option, but a bit above the set price range for delivering to Northern Europe: $105+ shipping $48 + import VAT $25 = $178 Although Fluke 17B+ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluke-17B-Auto-Range-Digital-Multimeter-/331794146409 might fit the bill. I suppose its backlight function doesn't differ from Fluke 114/115/117?

Grab an older Fluke bench meter with LED display. You get digital you can read from a distance, and in dim light. You never have to change batteries either 

Sorry, forgot to mention - I would need it to be portable.

There are plenty of meters available with the ability to customise the backlight options...

Thanks for the extended post, but to be even more helpful could you please name some particular ones which has this ability for given budget?

One example for application for this kind of use would be:
As here in Northern Europe we don't have that much daylight available especially during winter time having a backlight to take readings is rather essential. E.g. when working on a car by the engine and setting up the DMM then going to turn the ignition on to see immediate effect of voltage change/ current consumption/ resistance etc.

These cost $2:
..
PS: If you're working with electronics/multimeters in the dark, aren't you already going to be wearing one of these?

Thanks Fungus, it would help in some situations, but in others it might not. E.g. the light will bounce off of the meter's display when set at certain angle, or it might be difficult to shine the light through windshield and through the crack of an opened hood.

The Fluke 87V has no backlight timer.
...
Time to pony up some cash.

Aaah - of course they've done it correctly and the 87V would be perfect, but that price tag though. 

However I found out that Dave's BM235 Multimeter has exactly what I need - according to manual - see attachment:

Let's just hope that even with the backorder the price for shipping and import VAT will not skyrocket. 

I'm still open for more suggestions.

[Muttley Snickers]

Wytnucls really is one of the goto guys on the forum for great advice and guidance in relation to multimeters and as he recommended you can't really go wrong with any of the smaller Fluke meters, I have both a 115 and 117 in addition to Dave's BM-235 and they are all excellent meters to use both out in the field and on the bench.

From the description of your application in an automotive sense I would strongly advise you to look at a meter that incorporates min/ max or auto/ peak hold as metioned previously, from the sound of it your budget restricts the selection dramatically and one meter that may fit the bill is the Owon B35T.

I don't own this meter nor can I recommend it but from what I have read it should be ok for low voltage stuff and I did download both the manual and software with the intention of buying one, from memory the input protection was questionable and also the applied voltage during frequency measurements is very limited, otherwise it is a good looking meter with a very nice display and bluetooth, be careful because there was a mention in another thread that it may not be legal in Europe, something to watch out for.

[KristoZ]

@Muttley Snickers
Thank you! I was excited at first when looking at the Owon B35T, but after reading the mubes' teardown here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/owon-b35t-bluetooth-multimeter-teardown/

Backlight is great while its on, but useless because it switches off after 10 seconds :-(

dismissed the idea of having it. Of course, I could try and hook it up to my mobile and take remote readings that way, but that would make me depend on one more device/propriety software. 

Now I'm looking at Brymen DMMs (32 secs?) and BK Precision 2709B which has it on for 60 seconds, but price-wise it competes with Fluke 17B+...

[Muttley Snickers]

Yes I do know about the short backlight time on them and was trying to avoid making the post a three part trilogy.....

Some of the features particularly the bluetooth control and logging are not generally found on a meter in this price bracket and that's why I mention it, I do understand your application and have a history with the installation of vehicle security systems, central locking, car audio, trailer wiring, marine accessories and general auto electrical repairs but that was a lifetime ago.

Anyway hope you can find the perfect multimeter, some of us are still looking for it after decades of searching....  

This fellow below does a very good review of the Owon B35.