Re: DMM with PC interface reduced @ maplin

["David Chapman" <david@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Forgive the updated repost from last month but very relevant:

> My thinking is that I have a digi-meter (bought from Maplins) that has
a
> PC serial output, if the
> meter can make some kind of sense of the output then it may be
> better/cheaper PC solution.

Basically what I have done - the Mastech 345 which has PC interface is
measuring the current in mA that is going through a clamp meter. The clamp
meter is a £12 Ebay cheapy - just take the back off and route
clamp/coil
lead through Mastech. Of course values on the Mastech are a bit meanless
but
are linear so just need a multiplier which you can do on the PC.

Alternative - the leads from the clamp meter to the clamp can be extended -
mine have about 15 metres of screened cable on, the clamp is removed and
around the tail in the outside meter box, the display (body of clamp meter)
is in the kitchen in a box and fed from a 9V adapter so always on. Pics
here
show how I lashed it all up for test. It's been working fine for over a
year.

http://www.manbus.com/DSCF4654.JPG
http://www.manbus.com/DSCF4655.JPG
http://www.manbus.com/DSCF4867.JPG

David C