Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Johnny's Peak Meter
Johnny's Peak Meter [message #327793] |
Fri, 05 January 2018 00:30 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030 Registered: January 2004 Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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This is an informal and not complete review of the Peak Meter.
A month or two ago Johnny Bridges posted a GMCnet entry about "the last meter you will ever need". Based on Johnny's posting I looked at what he was recommending. I have enough multi-meters around here from expensive Flukes, to Sears Craftsman, to $5.00 Harbor Freight ones. I certainly do not need any more.
I looked at Johnny's recommended Peak Meter PM890C. I also looked at the PM890D and another pair that looked like the same thing. (the PM18C and PM18D)
The first thing that I wanted to understand was the differences in the 4 models. My reason for looking at these was to recommend, or not recommend, them for use by the non-electronic person in maintaining or trouble shooting their GMCs. Gene Fisher has recommended the use of the Harbor Freight free to $10.00 multi-meter. Yes, it definitely will do the trick. I am not trying to discourage it's use.
So here is what I have found:
First, the above 4 models are almost identical.
The models that end in C have a temperature probe and temp scale included. The models ending in D do not have the probe or scale.
The PM18 models have an added LED on the back the will illuminate the area where you are trying to attach probes. The PM890 models do not have this neat feature.
Other than the above differences, the following applies to all 4 models.
Pluses:
1. ALL 4 MULTI-METERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR UNDER $20.00 (including shipping) on Ebay and Banggood. The PM18C, right now, with the added back light is actually cheaper than the PM890. I initially bought a PM890C from China for $17.38 on Banggood. Later I bought PM18C for $18.03 on ebay which added sales tax.) You can not have too many multi-meters. I saw this same meter at Home Depot for $97.00.
2. They have a simple easy to use single rotary dial that the inexperienced user ought to be able to master is under 1/2 hour.
3. Additional features like capacitance, FREQUENCY FOR SETTING ONAN SPEEDS, and temperature are available for the more advanced user.
4. They come with a nice impact resistant case.
5. Nice high voltage pointed probes and a temperature probe are included.
6. Nice back-light on the screen that times out in 15 seconds to save battery. I really like this feature when looking at voltages under the GMC hood near the isolator, battery boost relay, fan relay, and battery(s).
7. Automatic Power off. I'm always killing batteries by forgetting to turn off meters when I'm done. I found a meter in my hangar just last week that I left on for 2 days. I tested the Peak Meter and it went dormant after less than a minute of non-use but left the display on. I let it sit and at exactly 15 minutes. It completely shut off. Turning the rotary dial to off resets it for normal use again. During it's dormant period (under 15 minutes), pressing any key makes it active again.
8. Most scales are in multiples of 6 rather than 2. Example: The 2nd lowest DC voltage scale is 0-60 volts. On most other multi-meters it would be 0 to 20 volts.
9. It is powered by four double A batteries rather than the normal wimpy 9 volt ones used on other meters. Even my Fluke is a single 9 volt battery. The batteries can be replaced without removing the impact resistant cover. Battery life ought to be very good in this meter.
Minuses:
1. No alligator clip adapters. I do not like the alligator adapters that are available for this type of probes. They always seem to loosen up. I have modified several of these clips by adding solder to the sides where the pointed probe goes in. That stiffens them up. My suggestion is to buy or make a second set of probes with alligator clips on the ends (and banana plugs on the other ends). Pre-made ones are available on Banggood for a couple of dollars. I did not check ebay.
2. No carrying case for meter and probes and adapters. I use to buy small camera cases from Walmart when I had a need like this. My local Walmart no longer has them, so I got a couple of small zipper cases from the local hospital that they hand out for free to new mothers with product samples. Harbor Freight also does not give you a case. I have not looked on ebay because I'll find some more at the next hamfest.
3. The PM890C that I bought from Banggood came with a Chinese only manual. An English manual is available on the Internet for download. The PM18C That I bought on ebay and was shipped from the US came with an English manual.
In summary. There are many more features that I did not review and that I, and probably you, will never use. I checked the AC and DC voltage calibration against my oscilloscope and it was right on. For less than $20.00 I would strongly recommend this meter for use in your GMC. You do not need to be an electronics nut to use it and many of us here can help you if you get are new to them and get lost. I think for the price it can not be beat.
Ken B.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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Re: Johnny's Peak Meter [message #327795 is a reply to message #327793] |
Fri, 05 January 2018 03:19 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412 Registered: May 2011 Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Positive points- standard lead sockets... I use my Fluke probes. There's a sensor on top to tell if AC lines are hot.
Got a URL fir the English manual?
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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Re: [GMCnet] Johnny's Peak Meter [message #327838 is a reply to message #327797] |
Fri, 05 January 2018 20:13 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030 Registered: January 2004 Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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That is it.
It is a shame to go all the way to Russia for it but at least it is in English.
Come to think of it the URL I supplied is right next door in China.
Thanks for finding it.
Ken
Peer Oliver Schmidt wrote on Fri, 05 January 2018 04:01Johnny Bridges via Gmclist schrieb/wrote
> Got a URL fir the English manual?
Does this manual describe the device:
https://supereyes.ru/img/instructions/PM890C/D.pdf
--
Best regards
Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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Re: Johnny's Peak Meter [message #327851 is a reply to message #327795] |
Sat, 06 January 2018 04:04 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030 Registered: January 2004 Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Johnny,
Sorry about the delay but I was having problems with email last night. As far as I
could tell the file never made it here. I kept getting messages to that effect from
the server. So OK on the receipt of the manual file.
I also have the PM18C file. You probably won't need it as it is identical to the
PM890C/D. AS far as I can tell only one sentence is different in the whole manual.
It is regarding the additional back side LED.
I tried the non-contact voltage sense last night for the first time. That is
really neat. Now I need to figure out and try the high voltage "Live" position.
The other strange thing is the clock symbol on the upper left of the screen. The
book says it indicates that "auto power off" is running. As far as I can tell
"Auto Power Off" is always running and there is no way to turn it off. So why did
they need to include that symbol which is always displayed?
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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Re: [GMCnet] Johnny's Peak Meter [message #329609 is a reply to message #327798] |
Sat, 03 March 2018 13:35 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726 Registered: March 2004 Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Despite that "too many already" admission, I couldn't resist ordering that
meter, whose price has now gone from $15.72 to $25.72. Here's the Review I
just posted to Amazon:
=======================================
Well, that didn't turn out well: I bought the meter on 6 Jan 2018 and
didn't get around to using it until last night, 2 Mar. I used it because
the heat pump quit after dark so I need the illuminated display.
Unfortunately, that turns itself off after 15 seconds -- not long enough
for my old self to do anything useful. Using a mouth-held flashlight, I
measured about 12 volts on all 3 phases of the power to the HVAC, so called
the power company. Imagine my MSEE embarrassment when their meter showed
120 volts at those 3 points! The heat pump had an internal failure, not
power loss. Today I've tested and found that on all ac and DC ranges, the
reading is only 1/10 what it should be -- the decimal is misplaced. The
only other range I tested is *C/*F -- that's at least 10*F low. The real
disappointment is that my Amazon return period expired on 7 Feb. :-(
=======================================
So, if you've bought one, or plan to, be sure to check it ASAP after it
arrives.
If I can't get warranty support for it, I'll stick a warning label on it
and probably never read that again. :-(
Certainly not my most expensive folly. :-)
Ken H.
> https://smile.amazon.com/PEAKMETER-PM18C-Digital-Multimeter-Backlight/dp/
> B01IEXM2FK/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g2609328962?_encoding=
> UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8
>
> $15.72 Amazon Prime
>
> Ken too many already H.
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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Re: Johnny's Peak Meter [message #329611 is a reply to message #327793] |
Sat, 03 March 2018 16:52 |
Tilerpep
Messages: 404 Registered: June 2013 Location: Raleigh, NC
Karma: 7
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I got one when this thread was active the first time...it arrived with an English manual, and it has worked fine the few times I have used it. And, the stand on the back allows it to hang on the open front hood like a KISS shelf!
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC
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Re: Johnny's Peak Meter [message #329612 is a reply to message #327793] |
Sat, 03 March 2018 18:07 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412 Registered: May 2011 Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I found an English manual someplsce - the thing was sold many places. Basically said read the fial and the readout.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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Re: [GMCnet] Johnny's Peak Meter [message #329613 is a reply to message #329612] |
Sat, 03 March 2018 18:17 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726 Registered: March 2004 Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Mine came with an English manual. I've already gotten a promise from the
vendor of a replacement (w/no return) after I send them a video showing the
problem. I'll do that tomorrow: Plug two side-by-side meters into the
same socket. We'll see how it goes.
Ken H.
On Sat, Mar 3, 2018 at 7:07 PM, Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> I found an English manual someplsce - the thing was sold many places.
> Basically said read the fial and the readout.
>
> --johnny
>
>
> --
> 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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Re: [GMCnet] Johnny's Peak Meter [message #329625 is a reply to message #329609] |
Sun, 04 March 2018 05:05 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030 Registered: January 2004 Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Well, I ended up buying 6 of them from 3 sources. The 2 from Chinese sources came with non-English manuals. I have the English manual in .pdf if anyone wants one. Of the 6, I kept one, I gave one to my daughter, I gave two away as Christmas presents, and two people at the airport wanted one so they paid me for them. I installed batteries and tested all 6 of them on several ranges. I primarily tested DC voltage, AC voltage, frequency and one or two ohm scales. All were very accurate.
What got me test them is I have a Harbor Freight throw away meter that is always reading 2 volt over the actual. So I started comparing DC voltages on every meter that I found sitting around. The Peak Meters all read the same and matched my oscilloscope. So I assume that they are accurate. I finally got out the Peak Meter and found that it read correctly.
The high reading HFT one threw me for a loop at first because I could not understand how two 12 volt batteries were reading 14.5 and 14.6 in a coach I was working on. I looked everywhere for that voltage source. It was the damn meter. I need to remember to hit the it with a hammer so I do to try to use it again.
I also ordered 6 sets of meter leads with alligator clips on them for less than $2.00 each. I hate using the slide on adapters. One set of leads went to each new meter owner.
I'm sorry you got a bad one. Hopefully they will make it right.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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Re: [GMCnet] Johnny's Peak Meter [message #329627 is a reply to message #329625] |
Sun, 04 March 2018 07:44 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452 Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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If this is the Digital Multimeter mentioned a month or so back, I bought two of them; one for me and one for my son. One of his sons is a student at New Mexico State University in the electrical engineering program. The son and other students bought the SAME meter due to recommendation from their professor.
Mine has NO brand label, but is bright orange and has an LED backlighted display for use in low light situations. I like it.
D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio K2GKK
Since 30 November '53
USAF and FAA, Retired
Member GMCMI & Classics
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
TZE166V101966
'76 ex-Palm Beach
k2gkk + hotmail dot com
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Ken Burton
Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2018 05:05
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Johnny's Peak Meter
Well, I ended up buying 6 of them from 3 sources. The 2 from Chinese sources came with non-English manuals. I have the English manual in .pdf if
anyone wants one. Of the 6, I kept one, I gave one to my daughter, I gave two away as Christmas presents, and two people at the airport wanted one so
they paid me for them. I installed batteries and tested all 6 of them on several ranges. I primarily tested DC voltage, AC voltage, frequency and
one or two ohm scales. All were very accurate.
What got me test them is I have a Harbor Freight throw away meter that is always reading 2 volt over the actual. So I started comparing DC voltages
on every meter that I found sitting around. The Peak Meters all read the same and matched my oscilloscope. So I assume that they are accurate. I
finally got out the Peak Meter and found that it read correctly.
The high reading HFT one threw me for a loop at first because I could not understand how two 12 volt batteries were reading 14.5 and 14.6 in a coach I
was working on. I looked everywhere for that voltage source. It was the damn meter. I need to remember to hit the it with a hammer so I do to try
to use it again.
I also ordered 6 sets of meter leads with alligator clips on them for less than $2.00 each. I hate using the slide on adapters. One set of leads
went to each new meter owner.
I'm sorry you got a bad one. Hopefully they will make it right.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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