Vintage test equipment

[Bert_]

Found this cool little watt meter yesterday. Wasn't aware that robinair ever made electrical test equipment. Works fine although the meter movement for wattage is a little sticky.

I have a killawatt meter that I use semi regularly so this will be a fun thing to use instead.

 

[rmanrman]

Nice find
I have a Simpson 260 multimeter in a bakelite box when I was a computer tech in the late 70’s
Can’t get batteries or see the small needle on the scale. Senior living is not what I thought it would be

 

[fitter30]

Got to love bakelite cases give them a dirty look and their broke. That 10k volt scale on that 260 scary!

 

[justsam]

Isn't Simpson 260 ownership a right of passage for those involved in electrical/electronics? I don't recall a 10KV scale, but if there it would have assumed a HV probe is being used.

 

[nadogail]

Nice find
I have a Simpson 260 multimeter in a bakelite box when I was a computer tech in the late 70’s
Can’t get batteries or see the small needle on the scale. Senior living is not what I thought it would be

I lost my Simpson 260 about 35years ago, my stupid fault. I don't recall the battery as being exotic, have you tried Amazon?

 

[MattGarage]

Isn't Simpson 260 ownership a right of passage for those involved in electrical/electronics? I don't recall a 10KV scale, but if there it would have assumed a HV probe is being used.

Triplett 630 for the more sophistimicated palate

 

[justsam]

Triplett 630 for the more sophistimicated palate

That explains it, I failed on the sophistimicated part! Always was a Chevy/Ford, Miller/Lincoln argument regarding VOM's.

 

[ttpete]

I lost my Simpson 260 about 35years ago, my stupid fault. I don't recall the battery as being exotic, have you tried Amazon?

My 260 uses regular batteries. The big Triplett meters use a 30V battery for hi ohms.

 

[Higgy1300]

I got this when my Dad passed away. He was an elevator mechanic for 32 years. This was one of the first items he bought. I have yet to use it.
he worked for Montgomery Elevator in Moline Illinois.

 

[nadogail]

The Simpson 260 was the Gold Standard when it was introduced.

I regret having lost mine due to my own stupidity.

 

[MBfreak]

I lugged around and used an AVO 8 1964 to 1975 for trobleshooting everything from photo cells to advanced 4 quadrant 600 kW thyristor units for DC motor speed control . 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. Wonderful instrument.
Bought one at an auction a while ago.

Ola

 

[mikedodge]

When I was in college all the meters were Simpson ones like that and the smaller more specific ones. They were all old at that time and they're probably still using them or replaced with the ones they still sell new.

 

[Dagny]

I have the poor mans simpson micronta from radio shack. I would not be without one as I hate everything digital.It gets way below zero here and analog always works.

 

[Davefr]

I'm also really fond of some of this old test equipment. (especially vintage HP and Fluke). The engineering and build quality is supurb. There are still many applications where watching a needle move can be better then watching digits flash.

 

[Zeke]

Just got a Simpson 260 and it worked! 2 other vintage test pieces did not, but they seem repairable. IOW, no big brown spots on the boards.

 

[iron block]

I am a fan of old meters. To quote a post I made here some years ago:

If you are looking for something off the beaten path, and if you are into vintage test gear, check out military surplus multimeters from the Vietnam war era.

Rugged as can be. These things are built to mil spec; watertight casing and all. And they are electrically bulletproof -- you can't fry them no matter how hard you try.

I've got the AN/PSM-37 (also known as the ME-418) on my garage workbench and love it. Another possibility is its predecessor, the ME-297/U.

Each one shows up in online auctions from time to time; usually around $50 - $100. I found mine at a local electronics flea market for less.

 

[WillyBoy]

I found a Triplett 60B at a swap meet a few years ago. It's in nice shape. Someone took care of it.
Since then I came across a Simpson 260, also in nice shape. Just like the one our department on the boat had back in the 1960's - 70's.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I still have (and use) my Simpson 260 that was my graduation gift when I graduated trade school in 1972.
The "high tech" meter back then was a vacuum tube meter that was used on delicate electronics.

TIP! The trick for longevity on the Simpson 260 is to change the batteries to prevent leakage.

 

[cherokee]

I'm also really fond of some of this old test equipment. (especially vintage HP and Fluke). The engineering and build quality is supurb. There are still many applications where watching a needle move can be better then watching digits flash.

I agree with you, IMHO AC is not digital, not on or off but a wave. There are a lot of things I think have been lost in the move to digital everything, music is another.

I love the old equipment.