Volt Meter Question.

[guido]

Hello,
I still have not found the problem with my Sympson 260.
I have checked all the suggested resistors, and so far they all checked O.K. The only thing i found, is that the 10K pot is only measuring
9.16k of resistance.I will have to study the circuit and see what is left to check. I like the meter and would ike to find the problem.
Guido.

 

[glennster]

if ya get it fixed, maybe i 'll send you my analog vom meter to fix. the needle seemed a little sticky when it sweeps across, so i sprayed a little electrical contact cleaner on it. now the needle doesnt move at all. dang and i really like that meter. got some digitals but i kept this one in my truck for tractor troubleshootin.

 

[440roadrunner]

I get the feeling I'm in on this third hand. What if anything does it do? Does it work on ANY ranges? You have a diagram? Can you post it?

the reading on your pot is probably fine---you speaking of the zero adjust or what?

Have you determined that the meter movement itself is OK?

EDIT--already found a resource page:

http://www.simpson260.com/downloads/downloads.htm

What is the exact model?

 

[Jerry (KS)]

If the needle doesn't move at all It probably has a small iron filing in the meter magnet and hitting the moving coil. Use a tiny pice of masking tape and VERY cearfully wipe the inside of the magnet. It worked on aircraft instruments.

 

[tech4]

OK confirm that the meter just does not zero on the R X 10,000 scale. Are all the other scales and ranges correct? Check some known voltages and check some known resistors and report back what you get. That pot being off that small amount should not be your problem.

 

[guido]

Hello,
The meter is a Simpson 260, I have posted the picture last time i ask the question.
The volt reange works fine the amp range also is fine. The resistamce range can be set to zero, but the reading is very low 1 or 1 ohms with any resistor i try to measure.
Here is a picture of the back of the meter.
Thanks........Guido.

 

[tech4]

Before I thought it was just out on hi ohms- your problem is R16 the 11.2 ohm resistor is burned open from someone using R X 1 ohms on 115 AC It is the resistor in the hole 5th from right on the top. It looks burnt in the picture. it solders to the switch. That is a precision wire wound resistor. I have in emergency used a standard 10 ohm resistor that was out of tolerance and read about 11 ohms. I have also wound my own with resistor wire. My neighbor is a retired Simpson repairman- he is not home right now but I will talk to him later this afternoon about finding the right resistor

 

[Anonymous-0]

That resistor is the usual Simpson 260 malady.

Gerald J.

 

[tech4]

I just talked to my neighbor and he agrees that it is the 11.2 ohm resistor. He said the later models changed to 11.7 ohms. His shop ordered the resistors from Newark and Brownell but he said that you can subsitute a good quality 10 ohm carbon resistor (try to measure one that reads 11 ohms) and the meter will only be off 2 or 3 per cent

 

[Guido.]

Hello,
I will check the 11 OHM resistor and will let you know if is out of spec. I do have some resistors around with the smoke still in them, don't know if i have one that will be close.If the meter was used in a voltage range, that seams the concensus on the possible problem.
Thank you for all your input, it is appreciated.
All other functions of the meter are working fine, THANKS!!........................Guido.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The theoretical value for that resistor is the midscale reading on the meter, something more than 11 ohms. But the resistor value is lower to allow for there being resistance in the low ohms battery and the zero adjust. So its not so absolutely critical, but its the weak link when 120 volts ac gets applied to the RX1 position.

Gerald J.

 

[guido]

Hello 440roadrunner,
The street version of the 440, would give the 426 HEMI a run for its money. Hope you got one!
Anyhow, i posted earlier on my meter voes, and most of the responders were there the first time around. That is why i did not go into details. I reposted on the top of this thread.
Thanks for your input.
Guido.

 

[Anonymous-0]

After fixing a couple of those resistors, one picks up a preventative technique. ALWAYS store the meter on the 250 VAC scale. That way it will always indicate if there's a reasonable voltage applied, AC or DC. If you leave it on DC and apply AC there's no meter deflection. If you leave it on ohms and apply AC there's no meter deflection, but sometimes that puff of smoke from that 11 ohm resistor. So anytime you finish with the meter, set the range switch to 250 volts and the mode to AC. Then the resistor lasts decades, has for me.

Gerald J.

 

[tech4]

Gerald J, you are right - I learned many years ago when I was in Navy electronics school to always leave the meter in 500 volts AC and to measure high voltages with my left hand in my back pocket

 

[tech4]

Gerald J, you are right - I learned many years ago when I was in Navy electronics school to always leave the meter in 500 volts AC and to measure high voltages with my left hand in my back pocket

 

[tech4]

Guido, if you do not find a resistor let me know and I will mail one to you at no charge..

 

[440roadrunner]

(quoted from post at 16:32:28 12/07/09) Hello 440roadrunner,
The street version of the 440, would give the 426 HEMI a run for its money. Hope you got one!

Guido.

Unfortunately I haven't had or been able to afford one for a number of years. I've had a number of Mopars a 69 383 RR, a 64 426 Plymouth, and my namesake, relates to my '70 440sixpack Roadrunner. Put a LOT of miles on that car, it later had a 340 for a few years.

 

[Roy Suomi]

After buying a Fluke meter , I put my Simpson 260 in the garage sale....No comparison

 

[guido]

Hello 440 roadrunner,
Drove all of those, onwened none. Spend a few years wrenching them at the dealer.
The 383 was a nice engine, even though it had an hydraulic cam.
Have a good day.........Guido.

 

[guido]

Hello tech4,
Thanks , i think i can come up with one. If not i'll let you know. Appreciate the offer.
Guido.

 

[rbel]

9.16K is close enough

 

[guido]

Hello Gerald J.,
I had the meter in class, and someone must have zapped it while i was not looking.
Should have brought in an inexpensive/cheapos that i still have. Life is the best teacher, not always kind to your pocketbook.
Guido.

 

[Guido.]

Hello Roy Suomi,
Fluke's reputation is well known. I may get one for dc amps with the inductive pick up, and add it to my collection of meters.
Some auto ranging meters are too ticklish for me, always looking for voltage and never staying to zero. They seam to mearure static electricity in the air.
Guido.

 

[440roadrunner]

(quoted from post at 11:38:36 12/08/09)
Some auto ranging meters are too ticklish for me,
Guido.

I've never had an issue with my Fluke(s) once I finally "converted." I had several different meters, including RadShak, and don't EVER buy a B&K.

My Flukes are actually getting a little old now.

My first new one was a 79 Series II, about 1995?, and I immediately found a used 77 for a good price in a pawn shop, of all places. Recently I was at a garage sale and bought a little compact "10" which I don't recommend--pretty limited.

NONE of those has had problems.


Only caveat is to BUY EXTRA of the special fuses for the current function--it's way too easy to pop them. Unfortunately they are a little pricey.

 

[guido]

Hello,
Thanks to all of your input, I will keep you posted.
Guido.