The best multimeter?
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Posts: 46,084
Hi! I am looking for recommendations on a multimeter with a computer
interface. I need to be able to use all the meter's functions from the
pc and get all responses on the pc. It would be great if I could access
the meter in something like visual basic so I could write my own
programs for it. If anyone has any recommendations it would be greatly
appreciated.
David
interface. I need to be able to use all the meter's functions from the
pc and get all responses on the pc. It would be great if I could access
the meter in something like visual basic so I could write my own
programs for it. If anyone has any recommendations it would be greatly
appreciated.
David
Comments
for use in ATE systems and can supply them to interface via network, rs232,
ieee488 etc. They are, however, expensive.
jim
http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/
Original Message
From: David W. Sexton [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=K5IrKzu05mV-fIGM8rXxpbAk-7e7gMU3wf4ZC8RWjk_pc6IDWqes9k_1K33twMKMFJucmnuV2cgDxoJBG6ATgzEx2S0]sextondavid@b...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 9:13 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
Hi! I am looking for recommendations on a multimeter with a computer
interface. I need to be able to use all the meter's functions from the
pc and get all responses on the pc. It would be great if I could access
the meter in something like visual basic so I could write my own
programs for it. If anyone has any recommendations it would be greatly
appreciated.
David
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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experiments. I prefer the RS-232 due to low overhead, and NOT the need for
an accursed IEEE 488 card<G>. It comes with a IEEE 488 option. But there
are other meters out there that talk to a RS-232. The Fluke company even
provides example programs in the manual. For languages, so long as the
output is the same, it doesn't matter what you write the program in, this is
a help for you.
Note: The 45 will give you two parameters at a time, though you could set
it up for Voltage, Current, and Frequency at almost the same time. It has
essentially 2 channels. There is a relay that clicks between the two
channels for readings. This slows the readings down a bit, and you hear the
relay click for hours at a time (not a problem here due to high noise
levels<G>). When I close out my basic write to files, I also send a single
channel command to the 45 so that it will stop clicking<G>.
Also it has several baud rates. This can be good, so long as another
engineer doesn't change it and give it back to you. I have pulled my hair
out several times because of this<G>. Now, when it doesn't work, I look at
baud rate first<G>.
Let us know what you decide, may help us also.
--Original Message
From: Jim Forkin [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=_eJH84JLBZB97HVqqef0cFY-3EzuX9c66FyVtHQZKuNta-Jnj63t7UKBDj2o5A0yxHM7u-eG]jjf@p...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 11:02 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
check out the Fluke brand of meters. They have been making them for years
for use in ATE systems and can supply them to interface via network, rs232,
ieee488 etc. They are, however, expensive. jim
http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/
Original Message
From: David W. Sexton [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=ifaaSA3ZaJJqDzYpuBFvwsrIanXc4BRi_w0S401006b8LdGqYQGjPuIdKcZjAwgWo_iuNlYgnkF7zsrOWgYKiw]sextondavid@b...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 9:13 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
Hi! I am looking for recommendations on a multimeter with a computer
interface. I need to be able to use all the meter's functions from the pc
and get all responses on the pc. It would be great if I could access the
meter in something like visual basic so I could write my own programs for
it. If anyone has any recommendations it would be greatly appreciated. David
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
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The others I have found that say will let me control/read via serial are
the fluke 187 and fluke 189...
I also found the DMR-5200 from circuittest.com, but that one simply
streams out the readings constantly...
If anyone finds anything else let me know!
I suppose I should explain how this all relates to the basicstamp. I am
putting together my BOE-bot and as a blind person it's impossible to
tell the resisters apart so I need a meter that I can read the values on
the computer. They do make some talking meters but they are not so good
and are rather expensive. I have been pleased how easy it is to figure
out how to put the parallax things together. The manuals are pretty well
written for someone who can't see. As I said I am now stuck at resisters
and such.
Maybe I will just have to spend a ton on the 45 'cause I really like
it's description! Plus, I am studying electrical engineering and it'd
come in handy later.
David
Original Message
From: Grover Richardson [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=MHDTKff235I99sOfoGwhso-yadsKcnIkm-GJ-h3r_GBGWhxv7_cWafuTYXnF5-cjPedQij7AAyX8vQDP5qajOIZhNU70bKF7r1Y]grover.richardson@g...[/url
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 4:18 PM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
We use the Fluke 45 meter, for built in test equipment, for several of
our
experiments. I prefer the RS-232 due to low overhead, and NOT the need
for
an accursed IEEE 488 card<G>. It comes with a IEEE 488 option. But
there
are other meters out there that talk to a RS-232. The Fluke company
even
provides example programs in the manual. For languages, so long as the
output is the same, it doesn't matter what you write the program in,
this is
a help for you.
Note: The 45 will give you two parameters at a time, though you could
set
it up for Voltage, Current, and Frequency at almost the same time. It
has
essentially 2 channels. There is a relay that clicks between the two
channels for readings. This slows the readings down a bit, and you hear
the
relay click for hours at a time (not a problem here due to high noise
levels<G>). When I close out my basic write to files, I also send a
single
channel command to the 45 so that it will stop clicking<G>.
Also it has several baud rates. This can be good, so long as another
engineer doesn't change it and give it back to you. I have pulled my
hair
out several times because of this<G>. Now, when it doesn't work, I look
at
baud rate first<G>.
Let us know what you decide, may help us also.
--Original Message
From: Jim Forkin [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=19gXsAI0scjiPgTaVEyZCvlE38d7aiUuHHS0xkNiJjuWyJxLm-0_6GPFdkRKL3TCPRq3Uxpw]jjf@p...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 11:02 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
check out the Fluke brand of meters. They have been making them for
years
for use in ATE systems and can supply them to interface via network,
rs232,
ieee488 etc. They are, however, expensive. jim
http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/
Original Message
From: David W. Sexton [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=zr2T-VobYr126QG32FUwu5714r9Hjl0OgMBnh13-wIliogL4G7OMRJi1ALSUVXQsjWDxReYMCaEGE08g5mtLiTOvgQ]sextondavid@b...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 9:13 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
Hi! I am looking for recommendations on a multimeter with a computer
interface. I need to be able to use all the meter's functions from the
pc
and get all responses on the pc. It would be great if I could access the
meter in something like visual basic so I could write my own programs
for
it. If anyone has any recommendations it would be greatly appreciated.
David
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http://www.omega.com/ppt/ppt.asp?ref=HHM2
This would be a good Stamp project: A Stamp reads an RS232 DVM and outputs
text via an Emic module... Hmm... If I had an Emic module that might be the
project of the month, but it will have to wait until I get one, I suppose.
Regards,
Al Williams
AWC
http://www.awce.com
Original Message
From: David W. Sexton [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=PmyJgg6vQ9OUta0KdtKkewZOWAWPBONy4Sgr4u9zN2GBA84Z8ruCgFsATNvE8IOrhfljXXbIJTLnGu0jiBjtRdnF]sextondavid@b...[/url
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 12:10 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
Wow! That fluke 45 looks nice! Around 750-900 dollars though... The others I
have found that say will let me control/read via serial are the fluke 187
and fluke 189... I also found the DMR-5200 from circuittest.com, but that
one simply streams out the readings constantly... If anyone finds anything
else let me know!
I suppose I should explain how this all relates to the basicstamp. I am
putting together my BOE-bot and as a blind person it's impossible to tell
the resisters apart so I need a meter that I can read the values on the
computer. They do make some talking meters but they are not so good and are
rather expensive. I have been pleased how easy it is to figure out how to
put the parallax things together. The manuals are pretty well written for
someone who can't see. As I said I am now stuck at resisters and such. Maybe
I will just have to spend a ton on the 45 'cause I really like it's
description! Plus, I am studying electrical engineering and it'd come in
handy later.
David
Original Message
From: Grover Richardson [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=1ewaAwcaMVRG6kmk2hngqWWhyWtqsjE7BuoTDXqzMntukSE9afp45JuTqcHGnFShHAVAAMYPeWOlJFOkIJLgWi2rJJpbbhtNGfk]grover.richardson@g...[/url
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 4:18 PM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
We use the Fluke 45 meter, for built in test equipment, for several of our
experiments. I prefer the RS-232 due to low overhead, and NOT the need for
an accursed IEEE 488 card<G>. It comes with a IEEE 488 option. But there
are other meters out there that talk to a RS-232. The Fluke company even
provides example programs in the manual. For languages, so long as the
output is the same, it doesn't matter what you write the program in, this is
a help for you.
Note: The 45 will give you two parameters at a time, though you could set
it up for Voltage, Current, and Frequency at almost the same time. It has
essentially 2 channels. There is a relay that clicks between the two
channels for readings. This slows the readings down a bit, and you hear the
relay click for hours at a time (not a problem here due to high noise
levels<G>). When I close out my basic write to files, I also send a single
channel command to the 45 so that it will stop clicking<G>.
Also it has several baud rates. This can be good, so long as another
engineer doesn't change it and give it back to you. I have pulled my hair
out several times because of this<G>. Now, when it doesn't work, I look at
baud rate first<G>.
Let us know what you decide, may help us also.
--Original Message
From: Jim Forkin [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=Eqwfizm848blvv1wCh5j0VTU_GmiJgfdY2fhxQjQpOsVn3a4fCp9yMuJUrWVTQGJCzzlQ4kcAw]jjf@p...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 11:02 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
check out the Fluke brand of meters. They have been making them for years
for use in ATE systems and can supply them to interface via network, rs232,
ieee488 etc. They are, however, expensive. jim
http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/
Original Message
From: David W. Sexton [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=PmyJgg6vQ9OUta0KdtKkewZOWAWPBONy4Sgr4u9zN2GBA84Z8ruCgFsATNvE8IOrhfljXXbIJTLnGu0jiBjtRdnF]sextondavid@b...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 9:13 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
Hi! I am looking for recommendations on a multimeter with a computer
interface. I need to be able to use all the meter's functions from the pc
and get all responses on the pc. It would be great if I could access the
meter in something like visual basic so I could write my own programs for
it. If anyone has any recommendations it would be greatly appreciated. David
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Body of the message will be ignored.
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To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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experimentation after work. I can't afford good equipment at home<G>. I
guess I could cut costs and get rid of my Maine Coon though, but the wife
would leave with him<G>. Oh well.
Ahhh. Simple. I didn't think. I've been using that LT1298 (I think) 12
bit A/D chip. There's a write up about it on the parallax web page. There
is sample code that WORKS first time. I'm using it at work for one of our
projects. If you have a stamp, you can use that for digital conversion.
You would have to do the front end switch and resistor scaling (and ac
rectification), but it's a cheap and simple solution, and right along the
lines of this board.
You can even have the stamp indicate when you are out of range in either
direction in your software.
I'm using a BS2. Good beast!!! But the sample code is there for a BS1
also.
The only problem I have had with this situation is getting my Turbo Basic to
receive the data correctly. Haven't got that sorted out, so am using
Hyperlink to download the data (high speed) for work.
Original Message
From: David W. Sexton [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=tm9-NfElCe0C0hGfvFioadO1RXgo5vCkJfhrbm1z3wWYwCmq24F_6OzGWrG92jIcGBUx-RSh2mOGvbM-tCa5bQ]sextondavid@b...[/url
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 1:10 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
Wow! That fluke 45 looks nice! Around 750-900 dollars though... The others I
have found that say will let me control/read via serial are the fluke 187
and fluke 189... I also found the DMR-5200 from circuittest.com, but that
one simply streams out the readings constantly... If anyone finds anything
else let me know!
I suppose I should explain how this all relates to the basicstamp. I am
putting together my BOE-bot and as a blind person it's impossible to tell
the resisters apart so I need a meter that I can read the values on the
computer. They do make some talking meters but they are not so good and are
rather expensive. I have been pleased how easy it is to figure out how to
put the parallax things together. The manuals are pretty well written for
someone who can't see. As I said I am now stuck at resisters and such. Maybe
I will just have to spend a ton on the 45 'cause I really like it's
description! Plus, I am studying electrical engineering and it'd come in
handy later.
David
Original Message
From: Grover Richardson [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=Ee2qIzsQRPw7a7ROmgg_Pzh-rxP7fXMnNYeTOy48f4v6yuDzNoUl6UpAzSFO_ozYkZdCa9FPs8iAYgfenShzgTMg-UcRv5tF]grover.richardson@g...[/url
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 4:18 PM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
We use the Fluke 45 meter, for built in test equipment, for several of our
experiments. I prefer the RS-232 due to low overhead, and NOT the need for
an accursed IEEE 488 card<G>. It comes with a IEEE 488 option. But there
are other meters out there that talk to a RS-232. The Fluke company even
provides example programs in the manual. For languages, so long as the
output is the same, it doesn't matter what you write the program in, this is
a help for you.
Note: The 45 will give you two parameters at a time, though you could set
it up for Voltage, Current, and Frequency at almost the same time. It has
essentially 2 channels. There is a relay that clicks between the two
channels for readings. This slows the readings down a bit, and you hear the
relay click for hours at a time (not a problem here due to high noise
levels<G>). When I close out my basic write to files, I also send a single
channel command to the 45 so that it will stop clicking<G>.
Also it has several baud rates. This can be good, so long as another
engineer doesn't change it and give it back to you. I have pulled my hair
out several times because of this<G>. Now, when it doesn't work, I look at
baud rate first<G>.
Let us know what you decide, may help us also.
--Original Message
From: Jim Forkin [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=BoCDWr9s6esASxPnMAprZdnid0yMG7ZNaFPrzLmjFvs3GQSEewN-B1-ZXo7pPDdDoqSCQyX10NXeMQ]jjf@p...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 11:02 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
check out the Fluke brand of meters. They have been making them for years
for use in ATE systems and can supply them to interface via network, rs232,
ieee488 etc. They are, however, expensive. jim
http://www.geocities.com/jimforkin2003/
Original Message
From: David W. Sexton [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=tm9-NfElCe0C0hGfvFioadO1RXgo5vCkJfhrbm1z3wWYwCmq24F_6OzGWrG92jIcGBUx-RSh2mOGvbM-tCa5bQ]sextondavid@b...[/url
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 9:13 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] The best multimeter?
Hi! I am looking for recommendations on a multimeter with a computer
interface. I need to be able to use all the meter's functions from the pc
and get all responses on the pc. It would be great if I could access the
meter in something like visual basic so I could write my own programs for
it. If anyone has any recommendations it would be greatly appreciated. David
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
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To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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