Used multimeter buyer's guide

[1audio]

The HP3456 (and 3455 ) are fine instruments. Also look at the Fluke 8502a and 8506A. I replaced an HP 3456 with a Fluke 8506A because I wanted the thermal AC converter and the 1 MHz accuracy. I got 7 1/2 digits in the process. But these are all large metrology instruments and not well suited to the constant change of tasks that a benchtop service instrument needs to deal with. For value a Fluke 8810 for less than $100 on ebay is hard to beat. Very fast and straightforward to work with. A Fluke 8860 is also well suited to benchtop work. Really better than the Keithley 2015 I replaced it with. I will probably revert soon.

[usagi]

image courtesy of sglabs.it


Topic: Keithley 2000 and the leaking caps
Topic: Keithley 2000 A15 firmware
Topic: Repair : Old Keithley 2000 teardown and fix

[crazyguy]

I see a bunch of these AD584 voltage reference modules on ebay for under $3



The pcb looks clean.  I like it.  Thing is I am guessing they don't measure them with their 6 digit calibrated meters there and record the values onto a label    But wow these are sweet.  I could design and 3d print a case for it (and share the file on thingiverse.com for people to download and print).   Trick is getting it measured.  Maybe my local electronics shop would measure it for me .. friends with the owner.

I could use this pcb as part of a larger, affordable, reference unit.  Throw in some resistors for resistance checking.  Not smart enough yet to build a current reference.  But if I got help with that I could make a case that houses all three and share the CAD file with everyone on Thingiverse.  Could even print out a few cases for people if I got some help with the design.

[I suppose I should create a separate thread for this.. maybe I am getting too off topic here?  Sorry OP.]

If you want to buy this AD584 module, some seller do not give you the calibration sheet.

The original seller is on Taobao
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.22.IXBCJG&id=525111728557&ns=1&abbucket=18#detail

You can download the calibration spreadsheet in here
http://pan.baidu.com/s/1cdpRbC
password?07np

[JenniferG]

Thanks I ended up buying a 584L.  The guy allegedly measures each individually and records the measurement for each of the voltages. 

I'll compare to local electronics store meter to verify. I am sure he has a high digit one well calibrated.

[usagi]

Dozens, maybe hundreds cheaply available from this ebay seller

[usagi]

[cellularmitosis]

Thank you so much for organizing this list!  I had started doing this myself before I found your list.

Can you add an entry for the Datron 1071?  feedback.loop has featured it in several videos.

https://youtu.be/jcCC867gKXE

A little later in the video he compares it against a HP 34401A.

[Neomys Sapiens]

Ok, this is useful (the OP).
We should extent the List and write it forth!

Country/Market is GER for the following:
Unigor 6E 50...200€ unchanging over several years, depending on state and assurances given.
Schlumberger 7151 (5.5dig LCD RMS IEC+RS232) 'computing multimeter' 150€ without but fit for cal. (else?)
Prema 6001 (in 2012), 6.5d RMS LED-dot IEC) internal scanner,  with unofficial calib. 400€ else 300...600€

[usagi]

added new data.

but would you really recommend a hobbyist pick a unigor 6e over a similarly priced HP 3457A ? 

[Neomys Sapiens]

I recommend nothing. Except having always at least a DMM and an analogue meter. My preference is having the right multimeter for any application, task, and environment.

[Neomys Sapiens]

And another remark: it is not very likely to pick up a HP 3457A for 200$ anywhere but in the US and from what I have seen in the Bay and elsewhere, even there that seems to be the low end of the range. That was behind my mention of market/area and giving a price range. The 200.- for the Unigor would have been used, within spec., tested, with warranty, return possible.
The ranges given exclude desolate examples and those obviously needing work.

[usagi]

Fluke 8845A/8846A review



Fluke 8845A/8846A Product Page

[alm]

Some suggested changes to the table in your first post:
Keithley 192: ACV is optional, no current.
Keithley 2015: Very similar to Keithley 2000.
Datron 1081: there is no option for current measurement, only ACV and resistance.
Datron 1082: Datron 1081 with resistance, ACV and GPIB.

[Vtile]

There could be room for Keithley 197A and 197, 5½ digit "Microvolt DMM". Options were GPIB and battery operation IIRC.

[rsjsouza]

Keythley 191 is a very good 5-1/2 (200000 counts) manual range DMM that can be had for quite a bargain and has a high quality service manual that I scanned and uploaded to KO4BB site. It does not have current and ACV is optional.

Racal Dana 5001 is also a nice 5-1/2 (220000 counts) autorange DMM that can also be had for good prices. It also has service manuals available and features current.

Both meters use standard parts and have published calibration procedures.

[ogdento]

thanks for this great thread for finding a 5 1/2 digit meter!  I'm waffling between a Keithley 197/197a or an HP 3478a...

rsjsouza, did you mean Keithley 197 - not 179 - was the 5 1/2 digit model (I thought the 179 was only 4 1/2)?  Also, in an earlier post I think you said you got some hp3478a meters... how do you like them?

there's a really nice looking Racal Dana 5001 online now, but from what I've read on the forum it's more temperature sensitive than the 3478 (and it's less counts), and it has no gpib - not the end of the world but gpib would be fun to play with.

[don.r]

197/197A are great meters. 200000 count 4-wire measurement, 200uA/200mV range with 1nA/1uV resolution optional GPIB, data logging, relative measurements, db mode. 0.007% or better on DCV and 0.01% on most ohm ranges. Usually go for less than US$100 + shipping. All through hole for easy repair. I picked up and repaired its little brother the 179A 4.5 digit meter. Cost me $19 + shipping and a $2 op amp.

[ogdento]

hey don thanks for the input on the Keithleys... 19 bucks for a 179a, holy smokes!  i read modemhead's 197a post the other day and he got his for 32 shipped (5 years ago).  those are crazy deals for that kind of spec!!

[don.r]

Anything under $100 for a 197/A or under $50 for a 179/A is a good deal IMO. Real steals seem far and few between these days.

[rsjsouza]

rsjsouza, did you mean Keithley 197 - not 179 - was the 5 1/2 digit model (I thought the 179 was only 4 1/2)?  Also, in an earlier post I think you said you got some hp3478a meters... how do you like them?

Sorry, I fixed my post. I meant 191. The Keithley 197 is a more featured version with a LCD screen.

You are correct; I have a pair of 3478As at home and they are excellent meters as well - however, their displays are really terrible in comparison but they feature GPIB and 300k counts.

there's a really nice looking Racal Dana 5001 online now, but from what I've read on the forum it's more temperature sensitive than the 3478 (and it's less counts), and it has no gpib - not the end of the world but gpib would be fun to play with.

My Racal Dana 5001 stabilizes quite well after 20~30 min - it runs on an air-conditioned room and has an excellent LED display (like the 191 above). It is my workhorse at work.

I think I saw the eBay auction you are referring. The second photograph the person put the voltage reference to the force jacks of the 4-wire ohms, not the actual voltage inputs... 

(I have done that and no damage was done to the meter)


By the way, this week I uploaded a high quality service manual for the Racal Dana to the KO4BB site. I see they also added my 300dpi scans of chapter 6 with the mechanical and schematics drawings, so you can have a nice reference.

http://www.ko4bb.com/getsimple/index.php?id=manuals&dir=Racal/Racal_Dana_5001

[ogdento]

ha thanks for the racal notes... I thought that shot showing their power supply looked funny!!  I noticed that the voltage source is set to 9.9-something volts and the meter is showing 9.7988, then thought "hey is that even connected right?"   I wish it had gpib!

[EEVblog]

thanks for this great thread for finding a 5 1/2 digit meter!  I'm waffling between a Keithley 197/197a or an HP 3478a...

Fluke 8840A for AU$100
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-8840A-Digital-BenchTop-DC-MultiMeter-5-1-2-Digit-Display-50-60-400-Hz/254385404407

[don.r]

thanks for this great thread for finding a 5 1/2 digit meter!  I'm waffling between a Keithley 197/197a or an HP 3478a...

Fluke 8840A for AU$100
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-8840A-Digital-BenchTop-DC-MultiMeter-5-1-2-Digit-Display-50-60-400-Hz/254385404407

US$100 + Does Not Ship To United States (for once!)

[rsjsouza]

thanks for this great thread for finding a 5 1/2 digit meter!  I'm waffling between a Keithley 197/197a or an HP 3478a...

Fluke 8840A for AU$100
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-8840A-Digital-BenchTop-DC-MultiMeter-5-1-2-Digit-Display-50-60-400-Hz/254385404407

US$100 + Does Not Ship To United States (for once!)

Huh? To me it shows that it ships from Fullerton, California... With no restrictions to where I live.

[AVGresponding]

For me, doesn't matter where they ship or don't; no AC-09, no sale