SDM3045X to SDM3055X-E "Improvement" Thread

[bdunham7]

If you only care about speed, and not precision or stability, then don't waste time or money on a bench meter. 🤷

There are plenty of reasons to like a bench meter other than accuracy issues.  For one thing I can usually find them since they don't move around or get buried.  Also the batteries are never dead.  I have three bench meters with permanent homes and I often use them for a quick measurement like a battery where the last few counts or ppm don't matter.

[KungFuJosh]

There are plenty of reasons to like a bench meter other than accuracy issues.  For one thing I can usually find them since they don't move around or get buried.  Also the batteries are never dead.  I have three bench meters with permanent homes and I often use them for a quick measurement like a battery where the last few counts or ppm don't matter.

Sure, I agree with all of that. I love the screens on them too. But he is crying about start up time taking 30 seconds, and said he prefers to use his handheld for speed over any of the bench model benefits. 🤷

I get it; I often use my ST42 tweezers instead of my IM3570 when all I need is a quick read of something.

If speed is somebody's primary concern, they should either leave the bench meter on 24/7 or use a handheld.

[bdunham7]

If speed is somebody's primary concern, they should either leave the bench meter on 24/7 or use a handheld.

Or have a standby mode.  But of my three one has standby and is accurate immediately, one boots in 2 seconds and is also amazingly accurate immediately (low tempco) and the third doesn't actually boot at all but needs an hour to settle down to spec completely.  I suppose the boot times are just the consequence of the new meters having all the extra functionality.  But this just underscores the real need to have at least a half-dozen DMMs.  You just can't make do with less.

[StoneR]

There are plenty of reasons to like a bench meter other than accuracy issues.  For one thing I can usually find them since they don't move around or get buried.  Also the batteries are never dead.  I have three bench meters with permanent homes and I often use them for a quick measurement like a battery where the last few counts or ppm don't matter.

...

If speed is somebody's primary concern, they should either leave the bench meter on 24/7 or use a handheld.

Or buy a brand that start fast. 

Seriously, 16 seconds or more of boot time is a lot. We are in 2025.

[Kleinstein]

With many instruments the long boot time comes from unpacking and booting a Linux version of some sort, that is not optimized for fast boot on a relatively slow CPU. The problem with Linux is that much of the developement happens on rather fast PCs and parts are used also for the smaller much slower systems.

There can be a good reason for the somewhat longer boot time with a DMM:
A good DMM should do a self test on boot up and this test does need time. In addition to the actual time for the tests one may have to wait some time for the meter to somewhat stabilize before one can do a stringent test.

[mawyatt]

The old HPAK 34401As boot up quickly, but take some time (2~3hrs) to stabilize since they have no fan. All the newer bench types we have (KS34465A, DMM6500, DAQ6510, SDM3065X) take some time to boot up and usually stable within 0.5~1hr and have a fan.

Would be a nice if the new bench DMMs had a feature to allow critical internals (like LM399) to remain powered and the display and other functions in limbo or unpowered, but this might not be useful as without the fan on and all DMM circuits powered the internal temperature distribution will change.

We measured a temperature of 2~3 C above ambient on some DMMs just at the banana sockets by means of plugging in a dual banana plug supported precision resistor which we had attached a thermistor to measure the resistor temperature. This alone indicates the actual DMM internal banana sockets are higher in temperature and the internals even higher.

We're sure this has crossed the minds of the KS and Keithley DMM engineering staff before, as it's an obvious benefit, however this might be the reasoning as to why such hasn't been implemented at least in the higher end precision DMMs.

Best 

[bdunham7]

We're sure this has crossed the minds of the KS and Keithley DMM engineering staff before, as it's an obvious benefit, however this might be the reasoning as to why such hasn't been implemented at least in the higher end precision DMMs.

Fluke 8845A/8846A and Tek DMM4040/DMM4050 have a standby power and <2 sec to first reading if you use the front power button.  Only the rear power switch disconnects power entirely and if you use that, the cold boot takes 15 seconds or so.  These are fanless.

[StoneR]

Standby mode is possible not only for analog electronics. It is possible to get a faster boot using Suspend to RAM and Resume from RAM even in Linux.

For parts temperature it is possible to control that in standby mode without much energy consumption enclosing sensitive measuring components in an small oven. This is used mainly for precision clocks but can be used for anything else.

[KungFuJosh]

If speed is somebody's primary concern, they should either leave the bench meter on 24/7 or use a handheld.

Or have a standby mode.  But of my three one has standby and is accurate immediately, one boots in 2 seconds and is also amazingly accurate immediately (low tempco) and the third doesn't actually boot at all but needs an hour to settle down to spec completely.  I suppose the boot times are just the consequence of the new meters having all the extra functionality.  But this just underscores the real need to have at least a half-dozen DMMs.  You just can't make do with less.

The simplest thing is to have a screen saver that actually shuts the screen off. Siglent has this better than most. Keithley and Keysight both are inadequate in this regard. I gave feedback to Keysight through an email conversation, but I sincerely doubt Keysight will do anything. Keithley might. I gave feedback in a meeting with a couple reps from Keithley, and they might do something. I hope so, they seem more open to improvements and keeping their stuff updated than other brands.

[vileslide]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums and after buying a SDM3045X and reading through the post history I'm a bit confused.

I have the latest firmware from 2023 and the latest hardware revision - from what I could tell we are waiting for a new firmware revision.

Could anybody explain to me why exactly? :/

Is there no chance of downgrading the firmware on the SDM3045X, then upgrading to the 55X-E's firmware? And do we need a new firmware for the 45 or the 55X-e?

Thanks in advance 

[KungFuJosh]

I have the latest firmware from 2023 and the latest hardware revision - from what I could tell we are waiting for a new firmware revision.

What's the full number of your firmware version?

[vileslide]

What's the full number of your firmware version?

SW Version: 5.02.01.09R2

HW Version: 03-00-00-05-00

I talked with Siglent Support and apparently it's possible to downgrade the firmware, but when I tried with two different USB Sticks, I just got "update fail", so I don't know.

I read that Firmware version isn't compatible in the other posts and mainly wanted to know why

[tautech]

What's the full number of your firmware version?

SW Version: 5.02.01.09R2

HW Version: 03-00-00-05-00

Is the latest and you can get all 3045X versions here:
https://int.siglent.com/download/firmwares/?ProId=25

I talked with Siglent Support and apparently it's possible to downgrade the firmware, but when I tried with two different USB Sticks, I just got "update fail", so I don't know.

USB sticks must be formatted in FAT32 and preferably with 8k clusters to be recognised.

[vileslide]

USB sticks must be formatted in FAT32 and preferably with 8k clusters to be recognised.

Sorry but this information is not really helpful - the USB drives always get recognised, I can browse the files, but the updates fail.

I tested with a 1GB SD Card formatted to FAT32 at 8192 Byte Clusters, using a SD Card reader. That's the smallest storage I have.

I'm also testing with USB Sticks, formatting another one as I'm typing this, but I'm not very confident for it to work.


Can you confirm that it's possible to downgrade the firmware at all? I think I'm barking up the wrong tree here.

[tv84]

Reflash the same version that you have installed and tell us the results.

[vileslide]

Reflash the same version that you have installed and tell us the results.

I tried two different microSDs (1gb and 16gb) in a "dumb" sd reader and a 16gb 2.0 USB-Stick.

It just jumps to 100% instantly then says "update fail" - I formatted the drives correctly (slow format) and I'm not sure what to do next.

I can't just buy new USB Sticks with the hope of any of them eventually working.  Any ideas which brands could work?

[tv84]

Any ideas which brands could work?

"Dumb" SD readers are, definitely, not the best way. So, in my count, you only tested one USB stick. See here to better choose a tree to bark on:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-scope-usb-flash-drive-compatibility/msg5848931/

[vileslide]

"Dumb" SD readers are, definitely, not the best way. So, in my count, you only tested one USB stick. See here to better choose a tree to bark on:

To clarify, by dumb I meant that the SD is wired directly into the USB Port - so no need for drivers and no fancy negotiations as with USB 3.0+

I have one more Stick which I'll test, but it's 32GB in size so I doubt it will work.

Thanks for the link, I'll have a look

[vileslide]

Update: I ordered two USB Sticks of the list now, one arrives tomorrow, so let's see.

I'm not sure if that will make a difference though, because so far all my sticks were recognised.

[tv84]

SD is wired directly into the USB Port

That doesn't exist. Your "dumb" reader must have a "dumb" or "less-dumb" controller.

[vileslide]

That doesn't exist. Your "dumb" reader must have a "dumb" or "less-dumb" controller.

I looked it up and yes I mixed it up - I thought of other configurations where SDs are used without USB and wired up directly to a microcontroller. Sorry for the confusion.

[KungFuJosh]

SW Version: 5.02.01.09R2

The .02 there is what's screwing with you. You should request a USB "recovery package" for the DMM and see if that works for you.

FYI I've only ever used a 32GB flash drives with mine.

Thanks,
Josh

[vileslide]

The .02 there is what's screwing with you. You should request a USB "recovery package" for the DMM and see if that works for you.

Thanks - if that works, I can proceed with the Hex Editing after I downgraded? or how should I continue?

Update: I got the package, but it won't boot on any of the sticks I have (I found 3 more) - sadly I don't have a < 8GB Stick anymore, which is what the manual demands.

I'll try creating a small FAT32 partition to see if it helps.

[vileslide]

I'm back again.

I tried the recovery package, the USB Stick is read at startup, but nothing happens - the meter starts up normally with the indicator light blinking.

Still no luck downgrading the firmware. I wrote to Siglent support to see if they can get me the .02 version .ads file. Apparently that firmware is only installed at the factory.

I'll try again after I get the USB Sticks I ordered. 

[KungFuJosh]

Try formatting the smallest (preferably name brand) USB drive you have with this utility: https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/

Yes to your questions- if you can get the recovery to work, and downgrade to the correct firmware, then you should be able to proceed as normal with the conversion.

Whether or not that works with your hardware version is a good question, and if it doesn't, then run the recovery package again.