Multi-tester.

[CV Gus]

Well, well!

 

Last week, at a garage sale, I found a digital multitester- from 1988- for only $10.00.

 

It works fine.

 

It has many options, including the ability to test continuity by using sound (so you don't have to look back and forth).

 

It also has the ability to read resistances. This is typical, but this is the first time I can actually do so with any real accuracy- a problem, many of you will recall from my earlier posts, that I had when building those 5200 controllers.

 

Hopefully now, since at least some of the guesswork can be eliminated, I can carry on some projects with greater speed now.

 

Strangely enough, if I become proficient in anything, it'll be with accessories (e.g. 7800 controller-5200 games system mini-modules, 5200 lightgun, etc.) and repairs.

 

 

One interesting thing- according to it, both a 5200 and CV take about 7* watts even when switched off. This is probably because they use transformers. Lamps and old televisions have a "kill switch," so they do not.

 

* Or maybe I'm thinking of something else, but they do use power.

Edited August 10, 2009 by CV Gus

[+batari]

Well, well!

 

Last week, at a garage sale, I found a digital multitester- from 1988- for only $10.00.

 

It works fine.

 

It has many options, including the ability to test continuity by using sound (so you don't have to look back and forth).

 

It also has the ability to read resistances. This is typical, but this is the first time I can actually do so with any real accuracy- a problem, many of you will recall from my earlier posts, that I had when building those 5200 controllers.

 

Hopefully now, since at least some of the guesswork can be eliminated, I can carry on some projects with greater speed now.

 

Strangely enough, if I become proficient in anything, it'll be with accessories (e.g. 7800 controller-5200 games system mini-modules, 5200 lightgun, etc.) and repairs.

 

 

One interesting thing- according to it, both a 5200 and CV take about 7* watts even when switched off. This is probably because they use transformers. Lamps and old televisions have a "kill switch," so they do not.

 

* Or maybe I'm thinking of something else, but they do use power.

I hope you got a high-quality multimeter, as basic digital multimeters are really cheap these days:

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=90899

 

I have one (on sale for $2.99) and it is accurate enough.

 

Of course I also have a high-quality meter (that still wasn't terribly expensive) but I use the cheap one as well.

[CV Gus]

It's a good one from 1988, so I must make prongs for the smaller circuits used today- like in a DVD player. It has quite a few functions, and can measure up to 10 Amps, too.