I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack
about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm pretty
much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and repair for
old Radio Shack equipment?

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:24:26 -0800, "Zootal"
wrote:

I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack
about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm pretty
much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and repair for
old Radio Shack equipment?

Do you know Spanish?

http://support.radioshack.com/produc...Scopes&Reuse=N

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:24:26 -0800, "Zootal" wrote:

I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack
about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm pretty
much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and repair for
old Radio Shack equipment?

A definite source? No. Doubt one exists.

I'd take it apart, see if you can spot the problem. If not an easy fix, try
sci.electronics.repair. Someone there might know something we don't.

Good Luck,
P

"Law Without Equity Is No Law At All. It Is A Form Of Jungle Rule."

"Zootal" wrote in message
...
I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack
about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm
pretty much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and
repair for old Radio Shack equipment?


Depends upon what is wrong with the meter. It could be as simple as a blown
internal fuse or something that would cost more to fix than the meter is
worth.

Parts would be available at Radio Shack, or online:
http://www.allelectronics.com/
http://www.jameco.com
http://www.alliedelec.com/

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:35:34 -0500, "DesignGuy"
wrote:


"Zootal" wrote in message
m...
I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack

I don't know there part numbers by heart. What exactly is this.
Digital, with a needle?

about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm
pretty much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and
repair for old Radio Shack equipment?

What he said. What's wrong with it? Does it work at all?

Is one setting not working? That could be a burned out resistor. It
might say on the resistor what the value is, but if that part might be
burned off. You maybe can measuere the resistor for the settings on
either side, and the one burnt out with be the, I forget what you call
it, but if the ones left are 20 ohms, 200, 20000, 200K, the one in the
middle that is burned out is 2000.

Also www.mouser.com . Most parts don't have to come from Radio
Shack.

Depends upon what is wrong with the meter. It could be as simple as a blown
internal fuse or something that would cost more to fix than the meter is
worth.

Parts would be available at Radio Shack, or online:
http://www.allelectronics.com/
http://www.jameco.com
http://www.alliedelec.com/

On 2/27/2009 4:39 PM mm spake thus:

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:35:34 -0500, "DesignGuy"
wrote:

"Zootal" wrote in message
...

I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio
Shack

I don't know there part numbers by heart. What exactly is this.
Digital, with a needle?

about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old
I'm pretty much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of
parts and repair for old Radio Shack equipment?

What he said. What's wrong with it? Does it work at all?

Is one setting not working? That could be a burned out resistor. It
might say on the resistor what the value is, but if that part might be
burned off. You maybe can measuere the resistor for the settings on
either side, and the one burnt out with be the, I forget what you call
it, but if the ones left are 20 ohms, 200, 20000, 200K, the one in the
middle that is burned out is 2000.

Problem is, you can't just drop a new resistor into a meter and call it
done. The resistors inside them are high-precision: at least 1%,
sometimes more, and sometimes weird, completely non-standard values.
(You might get lucky and be able to replace one, but that's not a sure
thing.)

We need to hear from the O.P. just what's wrong with the unit.

Besides, it may be that it just isn't worth it to fix it. Radio Shack
(Micronta) multimeters are mediocre quality at best. Better to get a
*real* meter, like an old Simpson, Triplett, etc.


--
Personally, I like Vista, but I probably won't use it. I like it
because it generates considerable business for me in consulting and
upgrades. As long as there is hardware and software out there that
doesn't work, I stay in business. Incidentally, my company motto is
"If this stuff worked, you wouldn't need me".

- lifted from sci.electronics.repair

"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
.com...
On 2/27/2009 4:39 PM mm spake thus:

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:35:34 -0500, "DesignGuy"
wrote:

"Zootal" wrote in message
...

I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio
Shack

I don't know there part numbers by heart. What exactly is this.
Digital, with a needle?

about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old
I'm pretty much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of
parts and repair for old Radio Shack equipment?

What he said. What's wrong with it? Does it work at all? Is one
setting not working? That could be a burned out resistor. It
might say on the resistor what the value is, but if that part might be
burned off. You maybe can measuere the resistor for the settings on
either side, and the one burnt out with be the, I forget what you call
it, but if the ones left are 20 ohms, 200, 20000, 200K, the one in the
middle that is burned out is 2000.

Problem is, you can't just drop a new resistor into a meter and call it
done. The resistors inside them are high-precision: at least 1%, sometimes
more, and sometimes weird, completely non-standard values. (You might get
lucky and be able to replace one, but that's not a sure thing.)

We need to hear from the O.P. just what's wrong with the unit.

Besides, it may be that it just isn't worth it to fix it. Radio Shack
(Micronta) multimeters are mediocre quality at best. Better to get a
*real* meter, like an old Simpson, Triplett, etc.


I wouldn't mind having an old Simpson. Those things are bricks - you can use
them in place of a hammer and they still work

So - the fuse is not blown. The unit turns on (it's digital), display
appears. I switch to ohms, the display shows 11M with the leads
disconnected. If I plug in a set of test leads and squeeze the tips with my
fingers, it shows an erratic display, indicating that it's trying to do
something. I put a 12k resister across the leads, and it shows 10.00M with
the ones digit flashing off and on. All other settings result in -1000v with
the one flashing on and off. I put a battery across it, nothing. I put the
leads across a 120vac source, nothing. It is effectively non-responsive
except in ohms mode. There isn't much to this thing - it was not a high
quality unit to start with, and there are only a handfull of components in
it. There is no obvious sign of damage. Is it worth fixing? Probably not.
But it belonged to my Father and it has some sentimental value. I'm willing
to give it a shot.

The 22-166A is a small digital only meter. It has five settings, DC V, AC V,
ohms, diode test, 200mA. There are no other settings or controls.

Zootal wrote:

I wouldn't mind having an old Simpson. Those things are bricks - you
can use them in place of a hammer and they still work

So - the fuse is not blown. The unit turns on (it's digital), display
appears. I switch to ohms, the display shows 11M with the leads
disconnected. If I plug in a set of test leads and squeeze the tips
with my fingers, it shows an erratic display, indicating that it's
trying to do something. I put a 12k resister across the leads, and it
shows 10.00M with the ones digit flashing off and on. All other
settings result in -1000v with the one flashing on and off. I put a
battery across it, nothing. I put the leads across a 120vac source,
nothing. It is effectively non-responsive except in ohms mode. There
isn't much to this thing - it was not a high quality unit to start
with, and there are only a handfull of components in it. There is no
obvious sign of damage. Is it worth fixing? Probably not. But it
belonged to my Father and it has some sentimental value. I'm willing
to give it a shot.
The 22-166A is a small digital only meter. It has five settings, DC
V, AC V, ohms, diode test, 200mA. There are no other settings or
controls.

Uh, have you replaced the battery?

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:04:15 -0800, "Zootal"
wrote:


"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
s.com...
On 2/27/2009 4:39 PM mm spake thus:

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:35:34 -0500, "DesignGuy"
wrote:

"Zootal" wrote in message
...

I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio
Shack

I don't know there part numbers by heart. What exactly is this.
Digital, with a needle?

about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old
I'm pretty much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of
parts and repair for old Radio Shack equipment?

What he said. What's wrong with it? Does it work at all? Is one
setting not working? That could be a burned out resistor. It
might say on the resistor what the value is, but if that part might be
burned off. You maybe can measuere the resistor for the settings on
either side, and the one burnt out with be the, I forget what you call
it, but if the ones left are 20 ohms, 200, 20000, 200K, the one in the
middle that is burned out is 2000.

Problem is, you can't just drop a new resistor into a meter and call it
done. The resistors inside them are high-precision: at least 1%, sometimes
more, and sometimes weird, completely non-standard values. (You might get
lucky and be able to replace one, but that's not a sure thing.)

We need to hear from the O.P. just what's wrong with the unit.

Besides, it may be that it just isn't worth it to fix it. Radio Shack
(Micronta) multimeters are mediocre quality at best. Better to get a
*real* meter, like an old Simpson, Triplett, etc.


I wouldn't mind having an old Simpson. Those things are bricks - you can use
them in place of a hammer and they still work

So - the fuse is not blown. The unit turns on (it's digital), display
appears. I switch to ohms, the display shows 11M with the leads
disconnected. If I plug in a set of test leads and squeeze the tips with my
fingers, it shows an erratic display, indicating that it's trying to do
something. I put a 12k resister across the leads, and it shows 10.00M with
the ones digit flashing off and on.

If a digit is flashing off and on, get away from it. it's going to
explode.

All other settings result in -1000v with
the one flashing on and off.

Hurry!!!!

I put a battery across it, nothing. I put the
leads across a 120vac source, nothing. It is effectively non-responsive
except in ohms mode. There isn't much to this thing - it was not a high
quality unit to start with, and there are only a handfull of components in
it. There is no obvious sign of damage. Is it worth fixing? Probably not.
But it belonged to my Father and it has some sentimental value. I'm willing
to give it a shot.

The 22-166A is a small digital only meter. It has five settings, DC V, AC V,
ohms, diode test, 200mA. There are no other settings or controls.

I see now that it's flashing on and off. That's not dangerous at all.
I thought you said it was flashing off and on. That's when you have to
worry.

I have saved everything my father had too, that my mother had saved.
His shaving kit bag has been my sewing kit bag for the last 45 years.

I have his cane from 1936 Shriner's convention. His fez from some
other Mason or Shriner event. His shirt collar, from the days when
shirt collars were separate from the shirt. His spats. And his
diplomas on the wall from 1912 (high school) and dental school. Etc.

I would want to save this too, but I can't help you fix it.

On 2/27/2009 6:04 PM Zootal spake thus:

There isn't much to this thing - it was not a high quality unit to
start with, and there are only a handfull of components in it. There
is no obvious sign of damage. Is it worth fixing? Probably not.

You've answered your own question there. Probably the majority of the
circuit, including what's damaged, is in one ASIC (application-specific
integrated circuit). Not a replaceable part.

Get a new meter.


--
Personally, I like Vista, but I probably won't use it. I like it
because it generates considerable business for me in consulting and
upgrades. As long as there is hardware and software out there that
doesn't work, I stay in business. Incidentally, my company motto is
"If this stuff worked, you wouldn't need me".

- lifted from sci.electronics.repair

On Feb 27, 8:04*pm, "Zootal" wrote:
"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message

.com...





On 2/27/2009 4:39 PM mm spake thus:

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:35:34 -0500, "DesignGuy"
wrote:

"Zootal" wrote in message
news:A7idnSv0pLqI9TXUnZ2dnUVZ_hiWnZ2d@giganews. com...

I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio
Shack

I don't know there part numbers by heart. *What exactly is this.
Digital, with a needle?

about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old
I'm pretty much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of
parts and repair for old Radio Shack equipment?

What he said. *What's wrong with it? *Does it work at all? *Is one
setting not working? *That could be a burned out resistor. It
might say on the resistor what the value is, but if that part might be
burned off. *You maybe can measuere the resistor for the settings on
either side, and the one burnt out with be the, I forget what you call
it, but if the ones left are 20 ohms, 200, 20000, 200K, the one in the
middle that is burned out is 2000.

Problem is, you can't just drop a new resistor into a meter and call it
done. The resistors inside them are high-precision: at least 1%, sometimes
more, and sometimes weird, completely non-standard values. (You might get
lucky and be able to replace one, but that's not a sure thing.)

We need to hear from the O.P. just what's wrong with the unit.

Besides, it may be that it just isn't worth it to fix it. Radio Shack
(Micronta) multimeters are mediocre quality at best. Better to get a
*real* meter, like an old Simpson, Triplett, etc.

I wouldn't mind having an old Simpson. Those things are bricks - you can use
them in place of a hammer and they still work

So - the fuse is not blown. The unit turns on (it's digital), display
appears. I switch to ohms, the display shows 11M with the leads
disconnected. If I plug in a set of test leads and squeeze the tips with my
fingers, it shows an erratic display, indicating that it's trying to do
something. I put a 12k resister across the leads, and it shows 10.00M with
the ones digit flashing off and on. All other settings result in -1000v with
the one flashing on and off. I put a battery across it, nothing. I put the
leads across a 120vac source, nothing. It is effectively non-responsive
except in ohms mode. There isn't much to this thing - it was not a high
quality unit to start with, and there are only a handfull of components in
it. There is no obvious sign of damage. Is it worth fixing? Probably not.
But it belonged to my Father and it has some sentimental value. I'm willing
to give it a shot.

The 22-166A is a small digital only meter. It has five settings, DC V, AC V,
ohms, diode test, 200mA. There are no other settings or controls.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

All those symptoms add up to a high probability of a bad lead,
probably the black one. Hold the plugs and pull on the wire. If you
see any stretching of the insulation, that's where the break is at.
Red

Besides, it may be that it just isn't worth it to fix it. Radio Shack
(Micronta) multimeters are mediocre quality at best. Better to get a
*real* meter, like an old Simpson, Triplett, etc.

The old Simpson meters (c. 1960) weren't particulaly accurate. Their
accuracy was expressed as "Percent of full scale."

Thus, if you measured a nominal 10 volts on the 100 volt scale, your reading
could be up to 1 volt in error with a 1% full scale accuracy meter. Use a
2% meter (Most Simpsons were 2%), and you can be off by 20% on a 10 volt
measurement on the wrong scale.

I didn't take that seriously until I had to make a LOT of measurements on
microwave diodes and found that my "simpson" meter readings were so
inaccurate as to make my data worthless.

You can pick up a digital meter from Harbor Freight for less than $5 that's
more accurate than any "analog" meter.

You might want to keep the old meter around as a curiosity (or in case you
fear that WWIII will fry everything electronics) but except for "fun"
purposes, they aren't worth fixing.

"John Gilmer" wrote in message
net...



Besides, it may be that it just isn't worth it to fix it. Radio Shack
(Micronta) multimeters are mediocre quality at best. Better to get a
*real* meter, like an old Simpson, Triplett, etc.

The old Simpson meters (c. 1960) weren't particulaly accurate. Their
accuracy was expressed as "Percent of full scale."

We used a lot of them for maintenance on various pieces of government
equipment. They were accurate enough for what we were using them for.
Filiment voltage...6.2v...close enough for me...anode voltage 150v...close
enough for government work


You can pick up a digital meter from Harbor Freight for less than $5
that's more accurate than any "analog" meter.

Like many old timers, I cut my teeth on analog meters, and I still prefer
them to digital meters. When I'm working on house wiring, I usually use some
digital clamp on thing made for electricians. But when I'm working on my
rf/audio gear, I'll take the analog meter any day.

"John Gilmer" wrote in
net:




Besides, it may be that it just isn't worth it to fix it. Radio Shack
(Micronta) multimeters are mediocre quality at best. Better to get a
*real* meter, like an old Simpson, Triplett, etc.

The old Simpson meters (c. 1960) weren't particulaly accurate. Their
accuracy was expressed as "Percent of full scale."

Thus, if you measured a nominal 10 volts on the 100 volt scale, your
reading could be up to 1 volt in error with a 1% full scale accuracy
meter. Use a 2% meter (Most Simpsons were 2%), and you can be off by
20% on a 10 volt measurement on the wrong scale.

I didn't take that seriously until I had to make a LOT of measurements
on microwave diodes and found that my "simpson" meter readings were so
inaccurate as to make my data worthless.

You can pick up a digital meter from Harbor Freight for less than $5
that's more accurate than any "analog" meter.

You might want to keep the old meter around as a curiosity (or in case
you fear that WWIII will fry everything electronics) but except for
"fun" purposes, they aren't worth fixing.




the DMMs from Harbor Freight are only 1 megohm input Z.
any good DMM is at least 10 MegR.
And the first one I had measured a 1.5V alkaline cell at 1.8 volts.
I would NOT rely on them for accuracy.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Zootal wrote:
I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack
about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm pretty
much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and repair for
old Radio Shack equipment?


Hi,
RS never sold a meter worth fixing. Just chuck it if you can find a
problem inside like worn out battery or fuse. I saw a digital meter with
clamp on AC current probe for 9.99 in a local store.
My meters are Fluke, Amprobe, and Simpson.

"Tony Hwang" wrote in message
...
Zootal wrote:
I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack
about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm
pretty much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and
repair for old Radio Shack equipment?
Hi,
RS never sold a meter worth fixing.

RS hasn't sold much of *anything* worth fixing for a very long time. I
stopped buying Radio Shack products years ago because I got tired of them
breaking or otherwise going bad. A long time ago Made In Japan products used
to have a bad reputation (ok, I'm dating myself). Now it's the made in China
stuff, which is just about everything in Radio Shack, is even worse.

I took the thing apart, and found two pots I need to check. I have a
half-dozen meters already, so I think I'll put this back on a shelf with the
rest of the stuff I don't have time to sort through.

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:30:33 -0800, Zootal wrote:

"Tony Hwang" wrote in message
...
Zootal wrote:
I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack
about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm
pretty much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and
repair for old Radio Shack equipment?
Hi,
RS never sold a meter worth fixing.

RS hasn't sold much of *anything* worth fixing for a very long time. I
stopped buying Radio Shack products years ago because I got tired of them
breaking or otherwise going bad. A long time ago Made In Japan products used
to have a bad reputation (ok, I'm dating myself). Now it's the made in China
stuff, which is just about everything in Radio Shack, is even worse.

With chinese stuff, it depends on the engineering. The engineering of the
product and of the manufacturing process is rarely chinese.

Radio shack like the lipstickonapig approach. The crappiest products, but
with a pretty case.

RS never sold a meter worth fixing. Just chuck it if you can find a
problem inside like worn out battery or fuse. I saw a digital meter with
clamp on AC current probe for 9.99 in a local store.
My meters are Fluke, Amprobe, and Simpson.

They haven't made anything worth fixing?

Try 22-174B and 22-220

In article ,
"Zootal" wrote:

I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack
about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm pretty
much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and repair for
old Radio Shack equipment?

35 posts and no one mentioned bad leads. They're the most likely part of
a meter to fail. Did you ohm them out with another meter?

"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"Zootal" wrote:

I have an old Radio Shack multi meter, 22-166A. I talked to Radio Shack
about betting it fixed, and they said that for something this old I'm
pretty
much out of luck. Does anyone here know of a source of parts and repair
for
old Radio Shack equipment?

35 posts and no one mentioned bad leads. They're the most likely part of
a meter to fail. Did you ohm them out with another meter?

Yah. I did the broken-meter 101 stuff like using known good leads and known
good batteries, etc.

Actually, someone did mention bad leads, and new batteries, none of which
helped.