EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: UnexpectedBill on October 26, 2020, 03:52:19 am

Title: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: UnexpectedBill on October 26, 2020, 03:52:19 am
I'm in need of some customer service with regard to the EEVBlog 121GW multimeter. I purchased the meter a few months ago through Amazon in the US. Almost everything is fine, but the 1mS PEAK button has to be pushed extremely hard before it will do anything. (I've not had the meter apart to see if I could fix it or determine why this might be a problem.)

Several weeks ago, I sent a message to the warranty claim e-mail address given in the user's manual, but have not heard anything back. I understand that these are unusual times, and perhaps that is why.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. Any help or pointers would be appreciated. Likewise, if this post is misplaced, a gentle correction would certainly be appreciated.
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: MiroS on October 26, 2020, 07:23:49 am
I think email reading is not affected by covid yet  :-DD

Anyway you may try to report your problem here https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/eevblog-121gw-multimeter-issues/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/eevblog-121gw-multimeter-issues/)

Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: J-R on October 26, 2020, 08:25:51 am
The March 2020 manual has this:

If you have a warranty claim, you can contact us at the following email address:
sales@eevblog.com
Ph: +61(2)8626 8743

Is that what you tried?
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: UnexpectedBill on October 26, 2020, 04:10:05 pm
Sending an e-mail to the address in the March 2020 manual is exactly what I tried. I do not have any reason to believe it would not have gone through...
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: J-R on October 26, 2020, 06:51:23 pm
Try sending from a different e-mail address and/or send Dave a PM via the forums?
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: EEVblog on October 27, 2020, 06:47:52 am
I'm in need of some customer service with regard to the EEVBlog 121GW multimeter. I purchased the meter a few months ago through Amazon in the US. Almost everything is fine, but the 1mS PEAK button has to be pushed extremely hard before it will do anything. (I've not had the meter apart to see if I could fix it or determine why this might be a problem.)

Likely an easy fix if you open it up and inspect and clean the conductive membrane rubber assembly and contact. Probably some contaminant or object there. An isopropyl should work.
I only recall one other report of something like that, so pretty rare.
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: UnexpectedBill on October 28, 2020, 03:07:28 am
I will try cleaning the underlying pad to see if it helps! (I have to admit I find the possible need to do that a little disappointing, but if it works, that's good enough for me.)
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: UnexpectedBill on October 31, 2020, 06:19:32 pm
In case anyone happens to be interested, the problem turned out to be a small piece of metal sitting across the underlying contact pads. I'm surprised it never caused "phantom" button presses. With it removed, everything seems to be fine. :-DMM

I suppose it was the excess lead trimmed off from some component or another.
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: coromonadalix on November 01, 2020, 03:43:05 am
uh ???
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: EEVblog on November 01, 2020, 08:57:44 am
In case anyone happens to be interested, the problem turned out to be a small piece of metal sitting across the underlying contact pads. I'm surprised it never caused "phantom" button presses. With it removed, everything seems to be fine. :-DMM

(http://greyghost.mooo.com/misc-images/121GW/121GW-1.jpg)

(http://greyghost.mooo.com/misc-images/121GW/121GW-2.jpg)

I suppose this was the excess lead trimmed off from some component or another.

That happens unfortunately, seen it also in the BM235. Production debris can be anything in a busy factory.
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: nuclearcat on November 01, 2020, 09:30:23 am
At least this leg is not hairy  ;D
(sometimes insect parts make similar issues)
Title: Re: Help with a 121GW Multimeter
Post by: EEVblog on November 02, 2020, 03:50:58 am
At least this leg is not hairy  ;D

Yes, hair is a common find in all sorts of gear.