Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter?
I've had a Triplett 930PL for over 40 years and it's always performed
well. In recent years, I've not needed it for resistance measurements, so I removed the batteries. Just today I found that the voltage readings are terribly off. Imagine my surprise when working on a outdoor irrigation timer when I measured the input voltage at 205V (should be 115-120) and the transformer output at 32V (should be 24). I tried a few other measurements using a bettery charger and the readings are always significantly off. I have not even opened the case yet because I don't know what to look for (if anything). Is there a specific repairable/replaceable component that I should be inspecting? TIA. |
#2
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter?
|
#4
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter?
"Michael Todd" wrote in message
... I've had a Triplett 930PL for over 40 years and it's always performed well. In recent years, I've not needed it for resistance measurements, so I removed the batteries. Just today I found that the voltage readings are terribly off. Imagine my surprise when working on a outdoor irrigation timer when I measured the input voltage at 205V (should be 115-120) and the transformer output at 32V (should be 24). I tried a few other measurements using a bettery charger and the readings are always significantly off. I have not even opened the case yet because I don't know what to look for (if anything). Is there a specific repairable/replaceable component that I should be inspecting? TIA. Some old meters require the battery to bias the AC rectifier. The original AVO 7 is this way. Pretty standard type VOM, but the AC voltage readings are wrong if no 1.5 volt battery is in place. Mark Z. |
#5
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter? - 630pl zoom.jpg (0/1)
On Fri, 29 May 2009 05:27:44 -0400, JW wrote:
On Thu, 28 May 2009 22:17:54 GMT (Richard Cranium) wrote in Message id: : On Thu, 28 May 2009 17:02:50 GMT, (Michael Todd) wrote: I've had a Triplett 930PL for over 40 years and it's always performed well. In recent years, I've not needed it for resistance measurements, so I removed the batteries. Just today I found that the voltage readings are terribly off. Imagine my surprise when working on a outdoor irrigation timer when I measured the input voltage at 205V (should be 115-120) and the transformer output at 32V (should be 24). I tried a few other measurements using a bettery charger and the readings are always significantly off. I have not even opened the case yet because I don't know what to look for (if anything). Is there a specific repairable/replaceable component that I should be inspecting? TIA. Here's some more info: I opened the case and visually inspected the replaceable parts. There are two resistors that seem like they may be faulty. One especially is bulging at one end. The manual states only the resistance value of these resistors as 2.5 ohms and 25.12 ohms. It does not say what type they are or any other specification value. Any ideas on the type, power, % etc.? It looks like a pretty easy replacement using the existing leads, but I need to identify what parts to order. A bulging resistor? That's a new one... Can you take pictures of the parts? Well ... maybe 'bulge' was a poor word choice. However, there does appear to be damage at one end of a resistor. Not sure if a binary will be allowed here, but I shrunk a picture down to 56K to show the damaged part. |
#6
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter?
On Fri, 29 May 2009 07:30:05 -0500, "Mark Zacharias"
wrote: "Michael Todd" wrote in message .. . I've had a Triplett 930PL for over 40 years and it's always performed well. In recent years, I've not needed it for resistance measurements, so I removed the batteries. Just today I found that the voltage readings are terribly off. Imagine my surprise when working on a outdoor irrigation timer when I measured the input voltage at 205V (should be 115-120) and the transformer output at 32V (should be 24). I tried a few other measurements using a bettery charger and the readings are always significantly off. I have not even opened the case yet because I don't know what to look for (if anything). Is there a specific repairable/replaceable component that I should be inspecting? TIA. Some old meters require the battery to bias the AC rectifier. The original AVO 7 is this way. Pretty standard type VOM, but the AC voltage readings are wrong if no 1.5 volt battery is in place. Mark Z. I don't think that's the case here as the meter has been working fine without the batteries for quite a while now. I'm pretty sure there is a damaged resistor and am trying to post a photo here of same. |
#7
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter? - 630pl full.jpg (0/1)
On Fri, 29 May 2009 05:27:44 -0400, JW wrote:
Here's a shot of the full meter back. |
#8
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter? - 630pl zoom.jpg (1/1)
|
#9
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter? - 630pl zoom.jpg (0/1)
"Richard Cranium" wrote in message
.. . On Fri, 29 May 2009 05:27:44 -0400, JW wrote: On Thu, 28 May 2009 22:17:54 GMT (Richard Cranium) wrote in Message id: : On Thu, 28 May 2009 17:02:50 GMT, (Michael Todd) wrote: I've had a Triplett 930PL for over 40 years and it's always performed well. In recent years, I've not needed it for resistance measurements, so I removed the batteries. Just today I found that the voltage readings are terribly off. Imagine my surprise when working on a outdoor irrigation timer when I measured the input voltage at 205V (should be 115-120) and the transformer output at 32V (should be 24). I tried a few other measurements using a bettery charger and the readings are always significantly off. I have not even opened the case yet because I don't know what to look for (if anything). Is there a specific repairable/replaceable component that I should be inspecting? TIA. Here's some more info: I opened the case and visually inspected the replaceable parts. There are two resistors that seem like they may be faulty. One especially is bulging at one end. The manual states only the resistance value of these resistors as 2.5 ohms and 25.12 ohms. It does not say what type they are or any other specification value. Any ideas on the type, power, % etc.? It looks like a pretty easy replacement using the existing leads, but I need to identify what parts to order. A bulging resistor? That's a new one... Can you take pictures of the parts? Well ... maybe 'bulge' was a poor word choice. However, there does appear to be damage at one end of a resistor. Not sure if a binary will be allowed here, but I shrunk a picture down to 56K to show the damaged part. Richard, the resistors that you've mentioned are in the DC Current circuit; not even involved in the AC Voltmeter circuit. It's to be expected that a 40 year-old multimeter will have some inaccuracies due to inevitable changes in component values. If you don't have a good digital multimeter to measure the resistors, maybe you could borrow one from a friend or neighbor. The resistors (R1 through R6) and the rectifier in the AC Voltage circuit should be under scrutiny, especially the rectifier. Check the values of the resistors. If they are pretty close (they are 1% resistors), then the rectifier is the most likely suspect, and it might be difficult to find a direct replacement. I don't see the picture that you posted (this isn't a binaries group), but if you'll repost the image to a binaries group such as alt.binaries.schematics.electronic, I'm sure more people can see it. I used to work in a calibration lab that serviced Simpson, Triplett and Weston meters and multimeters. I don't remember specifically what the rectifier looks like, but it's possible that I might have one or two in my junque box that I can send if the resistors prove to be OK. Cheers!! -- HAM AND EGGS -- A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig. Dave M |
#10
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter? - 630pl zoom.jpg (0/1)
On Fri, 29 May 2009 11:11:53 -0400, "Dave M"
wrote: "Richard Cranium" wrote in message . .. On Fri, 29 May 2009 05:27:44 -0400, JW wrote: On Thu, 28 May 2009 22:17:54 GMT (Richard Cranium) wrote in Message id: : On Thu, 28 May 2009 17:02:50 GMT, (Michael Todd) wrote: I've had a Triplett 930PL for over 40 years and it's always performed well. In recent years, I've not needed it for resistance measurements, so I removed the batteries. Just today I found that the voltage readings are terribly off. Imagine my surprise when working on a outdoor irrigation timer when I measured the input voltage at 205V (should be 115-120) and the transformer output at 32V (should be 24). I tried a few other measurements using a bettery charger and the readings are always significantly off. I have not even opened the case yet because I don't know what to look for (if anything). Is there a specific repairable/replaceable component that I should be inspecting? TIA. Here's some more info: I opened the case and visually inspected the replaceable parts. There are two resistors that seem like they may be faulty. One especially is bulging at one end. The manual states only the resistance value of these resistors as 2.5 ohms and 25.12 ohms. It does not say what type they are or any other specification value. Any ideas on the type, power, % etc.? It looks like a pretty easy replacement using the existing leads, but I need to identify what parts to order. A bulging resistor? That's a new one... Can you take pictures of the parts? Well ... maybe 'bulge' was a poor word choice. However, there does appear to be damage at one end of a resistor. Not sure if a binary will be allowed here, but I shrunk a picture down to 56K to show the damaged part. Richard, the resistors that you've mentioned are in the DC Current circuit; not even involved in the AC Voltmeter circuit. It's to be expected that a 40 year-old multimeter will have some inaccuracies due to inevitable changes in component values. If you don't have a good digital multimeter to measure the resistors, maybe you could borrow one from a friend or neighbor. The resistors (R1 through R6) and the rectifier in the AC Voltage circuit should be under scrutiny, especially the rectifier. Check the values of the resistors. If they are pretty close (they are 1% resistors), then the rectifier is the most likely suspect, and it might be difficult to find a direct replacement. I don't see the picture that you posted (this isn't a binaries group), but if you'll repost the image to a binaries group such as alt.binaries.schematics.electronic, I'm sure more people can see it. I used to work in a calibration lab that serviced Simpson, Triplett and Weston meters and multimeters. I don't remember specifically what the rectifier looks like, but it's possible that I might have one or two in my junque box that I can send if the resistors prove to be OK. Cheers!! -- HAM AND EGGS -- A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig. Dave M Hi Dave: Unfortunately, BellSouth, in their infinite wisdom, is blocking the binary groups. Upon inspecting the meter, it's very clear that one resistor is damaged. What I initially described as a bulge seems to be a burned section at one end of the resistior. In the manual it's designated as R8 with a value of 2.5 ohms. The Triplett part number is listed as 15-2869. I thought itwould be relatively easy to locate such a replacement but that doesn't seem to be the case (plus I'm a 1960's vintage ME, not an EE). I looked up resistors in a Digi-Key catalog and the first time a 2.5 ohm value appears is as a RS Series Silicone Coated Wirewound (3 Watts; 1%). I then opened an Allied catalog and quickly recognized that I'm over my head in that I need a more complete description of the type of component I should be looking for. Along the lines you suggested what circuit is the resistor associated with, I looked at the schematic and R8 is part of the DC MA circuit. Resistors R1 through R6 all look OK. I'll try to borrow a multimeter in the next few days to check them more thoroughly and report back here. |
#11
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter? - 630pl zoom.jpg (1/1)
Richard Cranium wrote:
[a photo] Well, the photo made it to my server okay, & it's nice & clear. It looks to me like your resistor is a wirewound job, & the bulge is just a weld or something on the former, & unrelated to the problem you're having. I suspect that when you test it with a DMM, it'll turn out to be fine. I think you'll need to look elsewhere for the cause of your problem. As another poster suggested, I think it's just drifted out of calibration with age. You know you can pick up a basic DMM these days for under $25, right? -- W . | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because \|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est ---^----^--------------------------------------------------------------- |
#12
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter? - 630pl zoom.jpg (0/1)
"Richard Cranium" wrote in message
.. . On Fri, 29 May 2009 11:11:53 -0400, "Dave M" wrote: "Richard Cranium" wrote in message ... On Fri, 29 May 2009 05:27:44 -0400, JW wrote: On Thu, 28 May 2009 22:17:54 GMT (Richard Cranium) wrote in Message id: : On Thu, 28 May 2009 17:02:50 GMT, (Michael Todd) wrote: I've had a Triplett 930PL for over 40 years and it's always performed well. In recent years, I've not needed it for resistance measurements, so I removed the batteries. Just today I found that the voltage readings are terribly off. Imagine my surprise when working on a outdoor irrigation timer when I measured the input voltage at 205V (should be 115-120) and the transformer output at 32V (should be 24). I tried a few other measurements using a bettery charger and the readings are always significantly off. I have not even opened the case yet because I don't know what to look for (if anything). Is there a specific repairable/replaceable component that I should be inspecting? TIA. Here's some more info: I opened the case and visually inspected the replaceable parts. There are two resistors that seem like they may be faulty. One especially is bulging at one end. The manual states only the resistance value of these resistors as 2.5 ohms and 25.12 ohms. It does not say what type they are or any other specification value. Any ideas on the type, power, % etc.? It looks like a pretty easy replacement using the existing leads, but I need to identify what parts to order. A bulging resistor? That's a new one... Can you take pictures of the parts? Well ... maybe 'bulge' was a poor word choice. However, there does appear to be damage at one end of a resistor. Not sure if a binary will be allowed here, but I shrunk a picture down to 56K to show the damaged part. Richard, the resistors that you've mentioned are in the DC Current circuit; not even involved in the AC Voltmeter circuit. It's to be expected that a 40 year-old multimeter will have some inaccuracies due to inevitable changes in component values. If you don't have a good digital multimeter to measure the resistors, maybe you could borrow one from a friend or neighbor. The resistors (R1 through R6) and the rectifier in the AC Voltage circuit should be under scrutiny, especially the rectifier. Check the values of the resistors. If they are pretty close (they are 1% resistors), then the rectifier is the most likely suspect, and it might be difficult to find a direct replacement. I don't see the picture that you posted (this isn't a binaries group), but if you'll repost the image to a binaries group such as alt.binaries.schematics.electronic, I'm sure more people can see it. I used to work in a calibration lab that serviced Simpson, Triplett and Weston meters and multimeters. I don't remember specifically what the rectifier looks like, but it's possible that I might have one or two in my junque box that I can send if the resistors prove to be OK. Cheers!! -- HAM AND EGGS -- A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig. Dave M Hi Dave: Unfortunately, BellSouth, in their infinite wisdom, is blocking the binary groups. Upon inspecting the meter, it's very clear that one resistor is damaged. What I initially described as a bulge seems to be a burned section at one end of the resistior. In the manual it's designated as R8 with a value of 2.5 ohms. The Triplett part number is listed as 15-2869. I thought itwould be relatively easy to locate such a replacement but that doesn't seem to be the case (plus I'm a 1960's vintage ME, not an EE). I looked up resistors in a Digi-Key catalog and the first time a 2.5 ohm value appears is as a RS Series Silicone Coated Wirewound (3 Watts; 1%). I then opened an Allied catalog and quickly recognized that I'm over my head in that I need a more complete description of the type of component I should be looking for. Along the lines you suggested what circuit is the resistor associated with, I looked at the schematic and R8 is part of the DC MA circuit. Resistors R1 through R6 all look OK. I'll try to borrow a multimeter in the next few days to check them more thoroughly and report back here. Richard, the resistors in the DC Current ranges are 1% units at 1 watt or greater. The current shunts in multimerters are usually wirewound, so the resistor you found at Digikey will work fine. R8 is the current shunt for the 100ma range. Those part numbers in the manual are Triplett part numbers, and are meaningful only to Triplett (now owned and known as Jewell Instruments, LLC). If you need anything non-standard for your meter, you might try to find a service shop or cal lab that services Triplett instruments. They are likely to have those parts. Also, you could email Triplett at and ask for a quote on the parts. The 630 is quite old, and some parts might not be available. Cheers -- HAM AND EGGS -- A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig. Dave M |
#13
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Repair Triplett 930PL Meter? - 630pl zoom.jpg (0/1)
Richard Cranium wrote: On Fri, 29 May 2009 11:11:53 -0400, "Dave M" wrote: "Richard Cranium" wrote in message . .. On Fri, 29 May 2009 05:27:44 -0400, JW wrote: On Thu, 28 May 2009 22:17:54 GMT (Richard Cranium) wrote in Message id: : On Thu, 28 May 2009 17:02:50 GMT, (Michael Todd) wrote: I've had a Triplett 930PL for over 40 years and it's always performed well. In recent years, I've not needed it for resistance measurements, so I removed the batteries. Just today I found that the voltage readings are terribly off. Imagine my surprise when working on a outdoor irrigation timer when I measured the input voltage at 205V (should be 115-120) and the transformer output at 32V (should be 24). I tried a few other measurements using a bettery charger and the readings are always significantly off. I have not even opened the case yet because I don't know what to look for (if anything). Is there a specific repairable/replaceable component that I should be inspecting? TIA. Here's some more info: I opened the case and visually inspected the replaceable parts. There are two resistors that seem like they may be faulty. One especially is bulging at one end. The manual states only the resistance value of these resistors as 2.5 ohms and 25.12 ohms. It does not say what type they are or any other specification value. Any ideas on the type, power, % etc.? It looks like a pretty easy replacement using the existing leads, but I need to identify what parts to order. A bulging resistor? That's a new one... Can you take pictures of the parts? Well ... maybe 'bulge' was a poor word choice. However, there does appear to be damage at one end of a resistor. Not sure if a binary will be allowed here, but I shrunk a picture down to 56K to show the damaged part. Richard, the resistors that you've mentioned are in the DC Current circuit; not even involved in the AC Voltmeter circuit. It's to be expected that a 40 year-old multimeter will have some inaccuracies due to inevitable changes in component values. If you don't have a good digital multimeter to measure the resistors, maybe you could borrow one from a friend or neighbor. The resistors (R1 through R6) and the rectifier in the AC Voltage circuit should be under scrutiny, especially the rectifier. Check the values of the resistors. If they are pretty close (they are 1% resistors), then the rectifier is the most likely suspect, and it might be difficult to find a direct replacement. I don't see the picture that you posted (this isn't a binaries group), but if you'll repost the image to a binaries group such as alt.binaries.schematics.electronic, I'm sure more people can see it. I used to work in a calibration lab that serviced Simpson, Triplett and Weston meters and multimeters. I don't remember specifically what the rectifier looks like, but it's possible that I might have one or two in my junque box that I can send if the resistors prove to be OK. Cheers!! -- HAM AND EGGS -- A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig. Dave M Hi Dave: Unfortunately, BellSouth, in their infinite wisdom, is blocking the binary groups. Upon inspecting the meter, it's very clear that one resistor is damaged. What I initially described as a bulge seems to be a burned section at one end of the resistior. In the manual it's designated as R8 with a value of 2.5 ohms. The Triplett part number is listed as 15-2869. I thought itwould be relatively easy to locate such a replacement but that doesn't seem to be the case (plus I'm a 1960's vintage ME, not an EE). I looked up resistors in a Digi-Key catalog and the first time a 2.5 ohm value appears is as a RS Series Silicone Coated Wirewound (3 Watts; 1%). I then opened an Allied catalog and quickly recognized that I'm over my head in that I need a more complete description of the type of component I should be looking for. Along the lines you suggested what circuit is the resistor associated with, I looked at the schematic and R8 is part of the DC MA circuit. Resistors R1 through R6 all look OK. I'll try to borrow a multimeter in the next few days to check them more thoroughly and report back here. Create a free account at http://www.flikr.com, and make the images public. -- You can't have a sense of humor, if you have no sense! |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Triplett 666-HH | Electronics Repair | |||
Electricty to flat: Powercard meter, coin meter, or what? | UK diy | |||
UPDATE: 11 Meter to 10 Meter Yagi Antenna Conversion | Electronics Repair | |||
UPDATE: 11 Meter to 10 Meter Yagi Antenna Conversion | Electronics Repair | |||
Fluke 8600a meter repair | Electronics Repair |