Electrical test meters,,,got one ?

[GPintheMitten]

I guess I need to learn how to use a meter. On my Kubota, the rear flasher lights don't work. I checked the actual lights and ground with a different wire to the battery and they work.

I think it is either the switch or the thing that makes them flash.

I have a swing meter that my brother gave me before he passed away. It's a Triplett model 310. No manual with it.

Any suggestions?

 

[k0ua]

Your wish is my command:

http://www.liberatedmanuals.com/TM-10-6625-3127-13-and-P.pdf

It is an manual from the Army, but it is a triplet 310 manual.. see if it helps.

James K0UA

 

[GPintheMitten]

Thanks, K0UA. That will help. I downloaded and printed it. Now I have to study it a bit.

 

[LarryD]

I agree for the most part with what you are saying, not sure about making a living today. I have been out of the loop since 1995, I could see the handwritting on the wall. Less and less serviceable consumer electronics, no place to walk in and buy electronic parts in my locale. I gave away all my old test equipment over 15 years ago and haven't missed it. Tractors are more fun!

I went to Radio Shack to buy a terminal block. The kid at the door asked if he could help me and when I said what I wanted he didn't have a clue. I might as well have been speaking a foreign language. I found the part I needed.

I'll bet you he could have spent hours telling me about the latest cell phone though.

 

[k0ua]

I went to Radio Shack to buy a terminal block. The kid at the door asked if he could help me and when I said what I wanted he didn't have a clue. I might as well have been speaking a foreign language. I found the part I needed.

I'll bet you he could have spent hours telling me about the latest cell phone though.

Yes times have changed, us old timers who used to troubleshoot to the component level are getting fewer and fewer. The local parts houses are about all gone now. its Digikey and Mouser if you want parts. No one at Radio Shack knows anything anymore, and they have less and less parts, and more and more phones and toys. Oh well it is what it is, I still have all my tools and instruments, but use them less and less. But when I need to do something I still remember how:thumbsup: I sometimes astound my friends and co-workers with the simplest of things like soldering or testing something with an ohm-meter.

James K0UA

 

[jenkinsph]

Times have changed for sure, I remember when I was a spphmore in high school and passed the test for an FCC 1st phone, youngest person in New Orleans to do this. Today you don't need an engineering license persay, just fill out an application and you are good to go. Having some background with theory and hands on experience does make trouble shooting much easier in other jobs and fields, so I don't consider it a total loss. It does help to a point with self reliance if that is worth anything.

Today I could easily get by with an inexpensive clamp/dvm meter for most trouble shooting I do. My Fluke 336 is good for most things I do around the tractors, rv, boat and home. It is my favorite meter since it has the ac/dc clamp which some of the cheaper meter don't have.

 

[GPintheMitten]

For those of us using multimeters for the first time, there are some pretty good videos on YouTube for both digital and analog meters.

 

[BobRip]

For those of us using multimeters for the first time, there are some pretty good videos on YouTube for both digital and analog meters.

I agree. I have seen some good videos that might help even experienced trouble shooters. I particularly like using a light bulb to jumper around a fuse that blows intermittently or even continuously.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Well, with the help of folks here, I was encouraged to learn about the multimeter that my brother gave me.

I traced the problem with my flashers and found the problem. The wire that fed the flasher voltage was broken off of the terminal at the key switch. No parts were needed.

I'm happy with the results and learned something along the way.

Who said you can't teach an old fart new tricks.

 

[jonyyuma]

I agree. I have seen some good videos that might help even experienced trouble shooters. I particularly like using a light bulb to jumper around a fuse that blows intermittently or even continuously.

The light bulb was a very old trick, back when the tester was a"Wiggins, or a Knok". But it works well...Meters then were very expensive, but still a tripplet, or a simpson meter...