Author Topic: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues  (Read 747586 times)

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Offline jcosper

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1425 on: July 29, 2024, 06:56:05 pm »
Hello all,

My GW121 recently starting misbehaving. I pulled it out after a 2 week vacation, and now it beeps constantly and displays "LEAD" in resistance/capacitance/continuity modes (but diode mode doesn't beep and seems to work). It also happens in voltage measurement mode, and some current measurement modes, but not all.

I changed the batteries (standard cells) with no change. I tried different probes (and no probes) with no change. Fuses test good. My meter has FW 2.05 sn 210403113. I didn't find mention of this code in the manual, and no relevant hits searching. Any thoughts? AFAIK, it was fine when I stored it away after last use, but something gave up.

Thanks!
Jay
 

Offline J-R

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1426 on: July 29, 2024, 10:16:48 pm »
It is odd that it doesn't beep in diode mode.
What current modes does it beep?

Typically the first step is to thoroughly clean the A and mA jacks.  Has it been used in a dirty environment?
Beyond that you could return it if it's still under warranty.
If not, disassemble and inspect the "Input Warning Circuit" as shown on the schematic.  The resistances involved are pretty high, so again I'd look for some contamination as the first suspect.
https://www.eevblog.com/wp-content/plugins/download-attachments/includes/download.php?id=11618
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1427 on: July 29, 2024, 11:41:51 pm »
Typically the first step is to thoroughly clean the A and mA jacks.  Has it been used in a dirty environment?

Yes, always the first step.
 

Offline jcosper

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1428 on: July 29, 2024, 11:46:09 pm »
It is odd that it doesn't beep in diode mode.
What current modes does it beep?

Typically the first step is to thoroughly clean the A and mA jacks.  Has it been used in a dirty environment?
Beyond that you could return it if it's still under warranty.
If not, disassemble and inspect the "Input Warning Circuit" as shown on the schematic.  The resistances involved are pretty high, so again I'd look for some contamination as the first suspect.
https://www.eevblog.com/wp-content/plugins/download-attachments/includes/download.php?id=11618
Thanks for the input. It beeps in uA but not A/mA (shows 0.07mA with nothing connected). I really only use it in my home lab. I guess I'll start tearing it apart and give it some tlc. I have owned it for a couple of years now.
 

Offline J-R

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1429 on: July 30, 2024, 12:23:42 am »
In that case I think I would focus on the A 500mA jack first.
No need to open it up for the cleaning.  Just scrub the inside of the jack to start.
 

Offline jcosper

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1430 on: July 30, 2024, 03:47:18 am »
In that case I think I would focus on the A 500mA jack first.
No need to open it up for the cleaning.  Just scrub the inside of the jack to start.
I cleaned the jacks and now Ohm/continuity/A/uA don't beep and display "LEAD" but capacitance and voltage measurements still do. I'll scrub it some more to see if I can get all functionality to recover.  :-//
 

Offline snoozer

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1431 on: October 05, 2024, 10:58:27 pm »
Hi,

I have one of the plastic ferrules around the input jack for the positive Volt, Ohm etc broken, I found it stuck in the test lead. I wonder are the replacement terminal still available ? I am not using the meter on the road etc, its exclusively used on the bench in my hobby lab. I don't post the SN of the 121GW here but I can ofc on request give it. I also have the invoice of Welectron where I bought the meter on the 28/08/2019.

Kind Regards
J. Paulini
 

Offline J-R

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1432 on: October 06, 2024, 07:10:58 am »
Hi,

I have one of the plastic ferrules around the input jack for the positive Volt, Ohm etc broken, I found it stuck in the test lead. I wonder are the replacement terminal still available ? I am not using the meter on the road etc, its exclusively used on the bench in my hobby lab. I don't post the SN of the 121GW here but I can ofc on request give it. I also have the invoice of Welectron where I bought the meter on the 28/08/2019.

Kind Regards
J. Paulini
E-mail or PM Dave for info on this.
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1433 on: October 06, 2024, 07:56:15 am »
I have one of the plastic ferrules around the input jack for the positive Volt, Ohm etc broken, I found it stuck in the test lead. I wonder are the replacement terminal still available ? I am not using the meter on the road etc, its exclusively used on the bench in my hobby lab. I don't post the SN of the 121GW here but I can ofc on request give it. I also have the invoice of Welectron where I bought the meter on the 28/08/2019.

Because you bought it from Welectron, they will have to handle support, so I can't send a free replacement, but if you want to pay for shipping I can send one. I'm not sure if they offer the jack.
 

Offline snoozer

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1434 on: October 06, 2024, 10:14:17 am »
Hi,

thanks for getting back to me. I was not even considering a free of charge spare part, I am happy to pay for it. How shall we proceed with this, I am not happy putting my address etc. public. Shall I PM you or will you PM me ?

Thanks
J. Paulini
 

Online robert.rozee

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1435 on: October 06, 2024, 11:44:04 am »
I have one of the plastic ferrules around the input jack for the positive Volt, Ohm etc broken, I found it stuck in the test lead [...] I bought the meter on the 28/08/2019.

this seems to be an increasingly common occurrence with multimeters and other test equipment, where mechanical components are failing within a few years of purchase. yet i use older gear dating from the 1990's that have been subject to significant wear-and-tear without bits 'breaking off'. i just had a look at an HP34401A and see it has solid copper tubes where the shrouded banana plugs fit in; a Fluke 8842A has machined brass with a chrome plating.

i'm not wanting to criticize Dave, but...

1. it is not fair to expect better from modern manufacturers? how functional will (for example) a 121GW be 10 years from now? or a Fluke 87V, that i believe suffers similar failures.

2. why hasn't someone come up with a retrofit for such pieces of relatively expensive gear? sockets made out of solid copper that can be fitted in place of the current ones that seem to keep failing. it seems that something could be turned out by an automatic lathe for minimal per-piece cost.

Dave: my apologies, i think you are doing a sterling job helping out owners of the affected gear. my criticisms are for the manufacturers who must surely be aware of the failings.


cheers,
rob   :-)
« Last Edit: October 06, 2024, 11:46:09 am by robert.rozee »
 

Offline J-R

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1436 on: October 06, 2024, 08:07:27 pm »
I have one of the plastic ferrules around the input jack for the positive Volt, Ohm etc broken, I found it stuck in the test lead. I wonder are the replacement terminal still available ? I am not using the meter on the road etc, its exclusively used on the bench in my hobby lab. I don't post the SN of the 121GW here but I can ofc on request give it. I also have the invoice of Welectron where I bought the meter on the 28/08/2019.

Because you bought it from Welectron, they will have to handle support, so I can't send a free replacement, but if you want to pay for shipping I can send one. I'm not sure if they offer the jack.
But what is the arrangement for the serial numbers that had the known issue (if snoozer's DMM S/N is within that range)?  Is Welectron handling those as well?  Since it was purchased in 2019...
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1437 on: October 06, 2024, 10:28:42 pm »
thanks for getting back to me. I was not even considering a free of charge spare part, I am happy to pay for it. How shall we proceed with this, I am not happy putting my address etc. public. Shall I PM you or will you PM me ?

Send me an email.
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1438 on: October 06, 2024, 10:30:24 pm »
But what is the arrangement for the serial numbers that had the known issue (if snoozer's DMM S/N is within that range)?  Is Welectron handling those as well?  Since it was purchased in 2019...

I have no insight into what Welectron do, they buy the meter direct from Kane Test and handle their own support.
 

Offline LeifG

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1439 on: October 30, 2024, 09:19:41 am »
I have a multimeter 121GW where a banana probe connection has broken.
Searched and saw a post about broken probe connections.
My question is if it is still possible to get a replacement part?
If it can be obtained, I need to know how to proceed.
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1440 on: October 30, 2024, 09:40:28 am »
I have a multimeter 121GW where a banana probe connection has broken.
Searched and saw a post about broken probe connections.
My question is if it is still possible to get a replacement part?
If it can be obtained, I need to know how to proceed.

Email me your address.
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1441 on: December 03, 2024, 09:58:41 pm »
FYI, the Meteor app for the 121GW was just updated today for Android 14 compatibility:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.westerncomputational.meteor&hl=en_AU&pli=1
 
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Offline adriansmith31

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1442 on: Yesterday at 12:33:05 pm »
I purchased a 12GW meter on the 19th of March 2024 (order number 1264) but unfortunately the meter has developed a fault where it will not show any voltage nor current readings. The display does not show 0.000 when probes shorted in resistance mode and does not show any digits at all in voltage and resistance / diode test mode. Does not show 0.FL as well. It has literally only been used around 20 times and is in like brand new condition.

@dave

I sent you an email to which you replied asking me to check a few things. I replied and followed up with a video link showing the faults however I didn't get a reply to both emails. You must have read them as you commented on my video asking me to try re-flashing the firmware but I've tried that (as mentioned in the video and the initial email I sent you) but radio silence since.

Video link https://youtu.be/6_N-A-NHnKQ

I've tried new probes, re-flashing firmware, new batteries etc. I don't think the jacks are faulty as lead detection works although that only works when it feels like it. Current flows through the meter when reading current but the display remains blank.

As it has only a few weeks left on the warranty and I've had no reply to my emails or YouTube video comments where do I go from here? Can I return it for repair or replacement?

Thanks,

Adrian
« Last Edit: Yesterday at 12:35:20 pm by adriansmith31 »
My YouTube channel - electronics and oddball equipment teardowns https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-teLYZizQoOEJiQiu0QTzQ

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Offline joeqsmith

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1443 on: Yesterday at 03:31:13 pm »
Watched your video.  It appears the meter works from time to time as you rotate the function switch.  That switch has had several contact designs, board thickness, shims...  If you press down in the center of the switch while rotating, does the display change?   If so, and the meter appears to start working, you may be able to clean it up.  Depending where you live and what your climate is like, I could see it forming some oxidation, just sitting there.  Maybe adding some grease once it is cleaned would prolong the life.   

Offline adriansmith31

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1444 on: Yesterday at 04:31:57 pm »
Ill give that a try, thanks

Edit: No, does not appear to be the selector switch.
« Last Edit: Yesterday at 07:59:52 pm by adriansmith31 »
My YouTube channel - electronics and oddball equipment teardowns https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-teLYZizQoOEJiQiu0QTzQ

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Offline J-R

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Re: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter Issues
« Reply #1445 on: Today at 05:15:32 am »
You could try sending Dave a private message via the forums.

I'm sure he'll take care of you at some point.
 


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