Defective product

[wdfifteen]

It's defective and I'm screwed. I ordered a talking volt/ohm meter in November. It arrived from China in early January. The box got lost among some other stuff and I didn't find it until a couple of days ago. I've had it too long to send it back. First, it's not what I ordered. It's not a talking meter. Too late to send it back, so I went to put batteries in it and use it anyway when I noticed something missing.





I might be able to fix it, but I've already got a pile of stuff to fix. I'll probably keep the leads (they fit my other meter) and toss this one out.

[Eric Hahl]

Oh my!

[deanp]

Hard to tell from the photo, but is that battery compartment sized right for a 9V? I'm assuming you're referencing what appears to be missing terminal tabs? Or is it the battery compartment door that's missing?

[pwd72s]

Ever heard of Fluke?

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by deanp

I'm assuming you're referencing what appears to be missing terminal tabs?

Yes. It takes 2 AA batteries. You can see the +- indicators at the top. The terminal at the bottom that would connect the batteries is completely gone.

[Scott Douglas]

Aluminum foil comes to mind....might work.

[GH85Carrera]

But, I bet it was cheap! Worth even less.

[stevej37]

most likely 'break time' when that happened.

[Esel Mann]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Yes. It takes 2 AA batteries. You can see the +- indicators at the top. The terminal at the bottom that would connect the batteries is completely gone.

To make that DMM talking, have your wife hold it and read out loud the display measurement(s).

Correct, with AA batts, the shunt piece (which is missing) is needed. Interesting the DMM uses two AA batts, I'm used to them using single 9v batts.

One possible idea is to find something cheap at harbor freight that uses 2 AA's side-by-side. That piece should be in said item.

I'm at home, but if I have time this weekend, I'll swing by my office. I'm not positive, but I recall I have some AA battery boxes kicking around. That piece should be in them. If I have it, it's yours.

[rwest]

Are you sure it doesn’t take a 9V battery? Maybe see if one fits?

[fastfredracing]

Sure looks like it is for a 9 v to me . I believe my fluke, and me el cheapos take 9v. Maybe its not the multimeter that is defective product...
Have a good weekend WD !

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Yes. It takes 2 AA batteries. You can see the +- indicators at the top. The terminal at the bottom that would connect the batteries is completely gone.

Not that I don't believe you, but you do realize that a 9V battery would have 2 terminals at the top and one would be + and the other would be -?

[Arizona_928]

Electrons are negative

[908/930]

I just looked up the specs it takes a 9V

[stevej37]

That is a different type of connection for a 9volt battery. Normally they have the push-on clip.

[Esel Mann]

Not necessarily true. The push on 'clip' with a wire pigtail is what is referred to as a battery strap.
A common 9v batt connection, yes. Exclusive, no.
What you see there are leaf contacts. They can be purposed for a variety of batt sources of which 9v is but one.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

That is a different type of connection for a 9volt battery. Normally they have the push-on clip.

Yep. It's probably just a cheaper connection. And it enables the user to accidentally put the battery in backwards which is probably the reason for the usual push on clip.

[stevej37]

Yeah...I think most smoke detectors come with that type connection....but they do not get used like a multi-meter would.

Edit: Actually they even have the clip on attachment...just built in.

[Esel Mann]

You'd be surprised even with the battery strap, aka clip, how many attempt to connect a 9v backwards. Because the 9v battery could be put in backwards and the unit powered on, one would hope that they put a simple diode inline on the circuit board to protect from a reversed battery.

Looking at the battery compartment at the lower end there is provision for the shunt connection for a 2 AA arrangement. So it is entirely possible the battery compartment supports a couple of different applications. Some use 2 AA's, others 9v batt types. Using the leaf contacts means less different parts to manage and reduces costs by using such across multiple product lines.

[stevej37]

^^^ ok..but two AA's doesn't equal a 9volt.