Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

[gastorgrab]

http://www.electronickits.com/kit/co...meas/ck105.htm

If you are using or planning to use a digital multi-meter in your training programs, you must consider this training kit. It is easy to assemble and comes with a complete training course, using sequential assembly procedures and testing. Specifications: 3.5 inch digit display, 34 ranges, 20 amp AC-DC current, measures capacitance and transistors.

Features:
• Extra Large 1" Display 3.5 Digits
• Transistor & Diode Test
• Overload protection
• Capacitance to 200uF
• Audible Continuity Test
• AC/DC Current Measurement to 20Amps
• Low Battery Indication
• Rubber Holster w/ Tilt Stand
• Safety input sockets for test leads.
• Includes 9 Volt Battery, Test Leads, and Manual

Specifications:
• Size: 3.5"W x 7. 5"L x 1.4"D
• AC and DC Volts: 200mV, 2V, 20V, 200V, 1000V, 750VAC
• Accuracy: 0.5% DC, 1% AC
• Resolution: 0.1mV
• AC and DC Current: 200µA (DC Only), 2mA, 200mA, 20A
• Accuracy: 1% DC, 1.5% AC, 20A 2%
• Resolution: 0 .1µA
• Resistance: 200 ohm, 2K ohm, 20K ohm, 200K ohm, 2M ohm
• Accuracy: 0.8%, 3% 20Mohm
• Resolution: 0 .1 ohms
• Capacitance: 2nF, 20nF, 200nF, 2uF, 20uF, 200uF
• Resolution: 1pF

I have a decent meter at work but i'd like one for home. I thought it would be interesting to build it myself.

Besides, i wan't to know if it works out before i waste my money destroying an ESR meter kit.
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[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

There's also a cheapy Cap meter for $29.95.


CM9601A - 3.5 DIGIT CAPACITANCE METER
http://www.electronickits.com/gold/capacitancemeter.htm

The CM9601a Digital Capacitance Meter uses a Dual-Slope Integration A/D Converter Measurement System. Our price of $29.95 is not a misprint, meters of equal quality sell for over $100.

Features:
• High Accuracy.
• 2-3 Second Measurement Rate Update.
• Low Battery Indicator.
• Zero Trim Pot.
• Alligator Clip Test Leads.
• Over-range Indication.

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[starfury1]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

Nope I am not

The one or two build your owns in OZ are the $10 cheapies (think it was 30 odd for the analog) so that looks like a better kit....
(although the build your owns cost more go figure)

not that I look at a lot of specs seems they are always some what close to each other
(except if your are talking Flukes maybe)

They seem a tad better then average....but thats working from memory.....

If that is the IC I think it is ICL7106, that chip has been around for a very long time
So guess any circuits build around it have been tried and trued if you get what I mean.

I think from memory it was the basis for a lot of project electronics mag type meters too.

Here's the pdf on the ICL7106

Building your own I think is a good way to get an idea of "how" the meter does things
An analog is probably best in this regard but mostly now its digital meters.
So guess digital with it more complex way of doing things is what your going to get these days.

Having an old analog is handy I think as there are just some things that are easier to do with them.
(pitty is now there are very few if any decent quality ones made although I haven't looked for a long time)

The increase of VLSI and integrated circuits has made it possible to build relatively high quality gear at a cheaper price.

So that cap meter does look like good value.
(being in mind thought it a capacitance meter not an ESR meter)


Here for the above items with similar spec you be paying $80 odd AU.

------------------
going off topic here but something I thing needs to be considered
for electronics and meters

Generally speaking

Digital is good but it does suffer from the problem of no visual start and end point of reference.

This is way even thought the cockpit of an FA18 maybe full digital the interface to the pilot is an analogue.

Same with car speedo's and for that matter clocks

In valve days techs would know if the voltage was right just by the velocity of the needle on the meter

Unfortunately these days a few hundred millivolts could mean the difference between a circuit working correctly or not
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If it was me for that money Id grab them both for general stuff
, but thats $US not $AU
(maybe better stuff for near same money US wise)

although nothing like rolling your own, you built it and it works......

Just my thoughts on it

Cheers

[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

If that is the IC I think it is ICL7106, that chip has been around for a very long time So guess any circuits build around it have been tried and trued if you get what I mean.

Thats what it looks like in the instruction manual;





Ordered the DVOM kit.

The capacitor meter can wait until i know what to do with it.
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[starfury1]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

Basically the capacitance meter will give you the capacitance and thats all
The multimeter has capacitance range but not up to the range of the capacitance meter (more useful for the large electro's on MB etc)

My meter is very similar but no pop up screen
Jaycar Q1572
(note the Au price)

It is a pity they don't do them with ESR as this has become a measurement to know these days. (and possibly more help in trouble shooting)

Take your time and double check your work with construction

Good luck and hope its a raving success for you

cheers

[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

Thank You much!

Finally, somethig i can use the 35w iron on.

Although it's great for taking them out, the 60w iron was making me nervous while putting caps in. I guess i've been quick enough with it though. So far every MB i've touched is working. (5 total)
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[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

The solder provided with this kit is garbage.

I know it's the solder because i tried the stuff i use for caps and the joint came out shiny and smooth under the microscope. The solder they gave me looks like frost under the microscope. It's the right shape but i don't tust it.

I hope i don't cook the first 4 components with the desoldering braid, especially the electrolytic. It's only 22uf and doesn't look too sturdy.

The 35 watt iron is a touch hot for this task but i'll manage.
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[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

Hmmm. Could the solder be reacting to the Kester Tip Tinner?



According to the manual the provided solder is 63/37.
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[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

What the hell? All i wanted to to was check out replacements for things i might have to replace.

The color code is different from the spec. Is this an error?




http://www.dannyg.com/examples/res2/resistor.htm

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[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

- It works when you read the color code correctly.

[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

I've completed steps A (the display section) and B (the DC voltage section) and everything seems to pass the tests given. It was only when i set the incomplete board in the case did i realize that i mounted the fuse holder on the wrong side of the board.

Oops. This board isn't as sturdy as a motherboard. When i desoldered the fuse holder one of the pins that i bent to hold the part in slightly lifted the foil a bit as i pulled the part out. I resoldered it and although it's around .5 mm high on one side it still has plenty of meat to conduct properly. The actual trace is on the other side.

I retested and it still works. When i finish the project i'll support it with a drop of cyanoacrylate. I use this stuff at work called Tak-Pak and it works very well for this sort of thing.

Tomorrow i'll post a couple of pics of my progress in case anyone is interested in trying this kit themselves.
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[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

It's not as complicated as it looks. The instructions are fairly clear.......but there is still room for confusion.

A few pics;












The foil that lifted can almost be made out in these pics. I don't anticipate any trouble with my repair.
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[gastorgrab]

Re: Is anyone familiar with Elenco M2666K

Awwwwww, dammit!

I forgot all about this.......and i've only a little futher to go. I should just finish it up tomorow.


......after a couple of beers.
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