Re: Extech EX410A DVM Don't Buy

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/>




--
Jeff Liebermann                 jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272      http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann      AE6KS    831-336-2558