Multimeter batteries.

[maisey]

I have just watched Martin`s video` VOLTAGE STANDARD REF TESTS - FOLLOW-UP` with the concerns about the DC Voltage supply giving reading errors & Martin commenting on using fresh sets of alkaline batteries if you are after more of  precise measurements. Has any body got any views regarding rechargeable or lithium batteries? One of my meters uses four AA at an alarming rate. Or was it just the 287 data logging meter which had problems with alternate power sources?

Maisey

[ttp]

Meters generally don't care what type of battery powers them, they care about voltage. You need to test your meter at what voltage it stops working reliably. Rechargable batteries start with lower voltage (usually 1.2V against 1.5V) but the meter could be happy with that. Don't have first hand experience with meters but had a few cameras and some were happy running on NiMH, others would shut down straight after turn on with low battery warning.

[retiredcaps]

One of my meters uses four AA at an alarming rate.

Which one do you have that eats batteries?

[maisey]

One of my meters uses four AA at an alarming rate.

Which one do you have that eats batteries?

Thanks for getting back to me.I am borrowing a friends Fluke 189 to do some long term data logging with solar panels & just inquiring about long life batteries with multimeter other than alkaline. Seeing the problems that Martin had with his 287 with the external DC power.....all I can imagine was that it was noise from the cable.

[maisey]

]Yes my Mrs`s has had problems with her camera with NiMH batteries, so we switched over to Energizer lithium & can now take any thing up to a thousand photos on 2 AA batteries. What I am trying to do is use a data logging multimeter to do long term studies on solar panels which I will need reliable batteries or an external battery pack, this is where I noticed Martin had problems, it seemed he was splitting hairs with the readings but I want to get as accurate figures as possible.
.

[retiredcaps]

The Fluke 18x and 28x can be battery hogs.

With respect to nimh batteries, the newer low self discharge (LSD) batteries are significantly better than the first generation nimh.  The LSD discharges at a much lower rate.  First generation, especially high capacity mAh (like 2700) can self discharge in as little as 30 to 60 days and they seem to die quicker.

Having a good nimh battery charger also helps. 

I personally use eneloops 2000 mAh and they are great.   More info at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eneloop

[maisey]

The Fluke 18x and 28x can be battery hogs.

With respect to nimh batteries, the newer low self discharge (LSD) batteries are significantly better than the first generation nimh.  The LSD discharges at a much lower rate.  First generation, especially high capacity maH (like 2700) can self discharge in as little as 30 to 60 days and they seem to die quicker.

Having a good nimh battery charger also helps. 

I personally use eneloops 2000 maH and they are great.   More info at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eneloop

Thank you for your reply. Martin holds you in high regard you are a Man of great knowledge. I will take on board what you have said & do more of my own research. Batteries & single cells were a great invention but they can also be a bane in modern life which we have become to rely on. So I just need to do more research & will keep the blog up-dated.

[retiredcaps]

An alternative for purely data logging is the $30 Tekpower TP4000ZC that Martin reviewed.

The Fluke 189 has 72 hour battery life according to manual.  (I have a Fluke 187 with eneloops inside).

While there is no comparison between the $30 Tekpower and the Fluke 189, if all you want is to log some simple measurements, then $30 is a pretty decent option.

The Tekpower uses about 4mA when data logging and with eneloops AA at 2000 mAh, you should get around 500 hours of battery life +/- 50 hours?  The Tekpower manual doesn't state a battery life.

Franky sells it here

http://mjlorton.com/forum/index.php?topic=195.0

I suggest getting the blue colored holster if the Tekpower meets your requirements. 

[retiredcaps]

Obviously with the Tekpower, you need a PC to capture the data.  The Tekpower also will measure temperature which might be useful for you?

[iloveelectronics]

Franky sells it here

http://mjlorton.com/forum/index.php?topic=195.0

I suggest getting the blue colored holster if the Tekpower meets your requirements. 

The blue version is actually currently out of stock, but I am getting a few more blue holsters (just the holsters) from the manufacturer and they should be here either tomorrow or Monday. The meters are almost sold out though, regardless of colour, only a few left. New stock won't arrive until at least a month later

[maisey]

Obviously with the Tekpower, you need a PC to capture the data.  The Tekpower also will measure temperature which might be useful for you?

Regarding the Tekpower Franky has had enough money out of me since Christmas !!!(joke in aside)
 Since Christmas I have purchased 2 UNI-T 61E`s from him specifically for the purpose of data logging (which are working very well) with the 3 meters, volts, amperage & temperature is what I like to measure . The 61E`s have up to 200 hours whilst data logging.
 I have read up on the Sony batteries they sound a good buy & hopefully they will do the job. You specifically say that a good charger. Could you recommend one that I could purchase in the UK?

[retiredcaps]

I have read up on the Sony batteries they sound a good buy & hopefully they will do the job. You specifically say that a good charger. Could you recommend one that I could purchase in the UK?

If you mean Sanyo, not Sony, the Eneloops are hard to beat.

A "good" charger might be something like a Maha or La Crosse, but unless you do a lot of battery charging, it might be cheaper to get more Eneloops and use a generic charger.

For example, La Crosse Technology BC-700 is around $40 USD.  It has a ton of features.  For that price you can buy a lot of extra AA Eneloops (they are around $2 to $2.50 each in Canada on sale).

[maisey]

Sorry, I did mean Sanyo not Sony......that`s one armed typing for you!! I have recently had a shoulder operation.
I have tracked down a La Crosse Technology BC-700 on amazon @ £29 might have to hint for an early birthday present for this one. The spec looks really good.
Thanks very much for sharing your great knowledge

[retiredcaps]

This is another less expensive option?  La Crosse Technology BC500.  It has less features, but should be "good enough" for most people.

Right now I have 3 "semi-smart" chargers so I don't need another one.  I had one that would do a full discharge, but unfortunately I can't trust it because I can smell distinct "magic smoke" from it.  I haven't taken it apart and even if I did, I'm not risking a fire trying to fix a $15 charger because I can't properly test it afterwards.

If you want to learn more, go to

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forum.php

You will find a ton of information on eneloops, maha, la crosse, etc. The people over there have discharge graphs, long term testing on eneloops, etc.