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Need Large display DMM for biasing amps

Hi tube aficionados

The need to bias some amps accurately with an outboard meter, has my attention expressly as of late. My particular needs are for a meter whose display is either really big, or one that can be displayed onto another screen Ie., LCD, CRT, or PC.

Anyone have any knowledge of a DMM which has a large high contrasting display? Or One that can be used with a monitor or PC?

Characters over one inch for sure is definitely needed . 1.5 inches or larger would probably work fine. Accuracy of the meter function of course, is important too.

Any suggestions in this regard would be a big, big, help.

Thanks very much.
blindjim
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 
For closure...

I just received the ESI 590 DMM w/2 in. display. it came with everything one could want, amprobe that can measure up to 20A, alligator terminated leads, reg. test leads, temp probe, carry strap, carrying case, and battery.

I got it online at:

http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/esi-590.html

for just over $100.00, this site isn't big on sending an invoice quickly, yet the unit arrived on a timely basis, and the price was good.

The enclosed and installed battery was dead. replacing it got things going in a positive direction. ESI is accessible by phone or email too, that's a plus as well.

Contrast is as important for me than is simply a large display, apparently. All things considered however, this unit is going to work out well I think.

It's accuracy exceeds that of some others yet falls a bit short of the better names like Fluke for instance.... but at 0.5% (.005) on DC/AC voltages, I think I can live with that!

Add to that the fact one can now check their fuel injectors 'pulse modulation width' and how could anyone ask for more? ..and it's covered in a red rubber finish w/stand.

BTW I've no affiliation with either the maker or the seller of this product.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Could you get a unit you can easily afford and use one of those swing away magnifying units, the large ones that are like 8 inches in diameter would work right?
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Chadnliz
Thanks. good thoughts.

that comes down to ergonomics I think. it's fairly cumbersome to incorporate an additional magnifyer lens. For that part I'd likely just use the Jordy II CCTV & my office TV.

Contrast is more the issue. With this ESI-590 DMM I think with a small light afixed somewhere, I'll be able to discard the CCTV path altogether.... for a while, anyways. The ESI DMM backlighting feature can be toggled on & off and with the proper lighting and angle I can actually see the display OK. Mostly. white numbers on a black background would be better by far.... but things are what they are, huh? Deal with 'em and move on. add to that the fact the ESI folks sent me the manual in .pdf, and I'm pretty well set.

In fact the amps need far less attention than I give them... once set and re-checked they hold bias pretty well. Any drift at all comes from extensive or energetic playing, and then it isn't very much... and newer output tubes will likely remedy that, as these are probably getting on.

Thanks again for the thoughtfulness.
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