Path: ...!news.roellig-ltd.de!open-news-network.org!weretis.net!feeder8.news.weretis.net!eternal-september.org!feeder3.eternal-september.org!news.eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail
From: legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: Extech EX410A  DVM  Don't Buy
Date: Sun, 06 Oct 2024 12:49:13 -0400
Organization: A noiseless patient Spider
Lines: 76
Message-ID: <njf5gjd7aas2d8his9irqpgdvqt13jpf0d@4ax.com>
References: <814ufjd9lg7p2mago36u2fk6njs0gtafq8@4ax.com> <7so0gjtispsfqvv9klhq9vlsgfpqd1vs2m@4ax.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Injection-Date: Sun, 06 Oct 2024 18:47:09 +0200 (CEST)
Injection-Info: dont-email.me; posting-host="614736221233d1b0c655c6a518399645";
	logging-data="1378009"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@eternal-september.org";	posting-account="U2FsdGVkX1/YrISYkCWQ37Q0119kjXHs"
Cancel-Lock: sha1:W9xWGBqua3ovDFlrX5yjAoA+x1o=
X-Newsreader: Forte Agent 4.2/32.1118
Bytes: 3825

On Fri, 04 Oct 2024 16:07:24 -0700, Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com>
wrote:

>On Thu, 03 Oct 2024 14:46:46 -0700, john larkin <jl@glen--canyon.com>
>wrote:
>
>>Extech EX410A  DVM  Don't Buy
>>
>>The auto power off is incredibly stupid. I'm going to throw mine away
>>and get something usable.
>
>What don't you like about the auto power off feature in the EX410A?
>
>EX410:
><https://www.flir.com/products/ex410a/>
>
>I have two Extech EX470 DMM's:
><https://www.flir.com/products/ex470a>
>Presumably, the auto power off function is similar.
>
>I've had both DMM's for over 10 years and use them often.  I've had no
>difficulties except with various 9V batteries.  I got tired of
>replacing them.  Over the last 5 or so years, I've experimented with
>two types of rechargeable Li-Ion 9V batteries.  
>
>The ones without an internal battery charger had self-discharge
>problems:
><https://www.ebay.com/itm/304501384792>
>They work, but I wouldn't recommend them.
>
>The batteries I'm using now, which have a built in charger, are
>better:
><https://www.ebay.com/itm/386563315011>
>
>If your complaint about the auto power off feature involves some
>leakage current when the auto power off feature has turned off, these
>batteries might help.  
>
>I just measured the battery drains in my Extech EX470.
>  Time to power off:  30 mins
>  Operating battery current:  5.4 ma
>  Power off after timeout:  0.02 ma
>  Power off using rotary switch: <0.01 ma
>
>I also have a Uni-T UT210E.  
><https://meters.uni-trend.com/product/ut210-series/>
>I bought it for automotive use because of the "clamp on" DC Ammeter
>feature.  3 DC scales (2, 20, 100 Amps DC) using a hall effect device.
>It's sensitive to nearby metal objects at <1A DC.  Switching from
>between AC and DC is not logical.  When switching ranges, it also
>switches from DC -> AC.  When using the hall effect ammeter, resetting
>to zero has to be done fairly often.  It uses two AAA alkaline cells.
>NiMH will barely work due to low voltage.  Li-Ion AAA are available
>but I haven't tried any (yet):
><https://www.xtar.cc/aa-aaa-battery.html>
><https://www.ebay.com/itm/364640309348>
>Otherwise, I like Uni-T.
>
>Also, some hacking is possible:
><https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/a-look-at-the-uni-t-ut210e/>

These are the ones that give a warning beep, but there's 
nothing you can do to prevent it from turning itself off, 
after the warning? 

Hillarious.

I've got it permanently attached to a thermocouple. Turn 
it on to measure once, then screw it. Next time . . . 

Wouldn't use it for anything running on a bench test.

Could you imagine four of these things beeping at you 
in the middle of a crucial measurement cycle?

RL