http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR5yf4jMNPM&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR5yf4jMNPM&feature=youtu.be)
This meter belonged to my late Father. I restored it and, found that it had both a D cell 1.5 volt battery and a 30 volt battery. I discovered that the 30 volt has not been made for about 30 years. I did some research online and found an old radio site that said you could put three 9-volt batteries in series and it would work in the old radios.
I contacted Rick at Allamericanfiveradio on Youtube and he made a video the next day with his old Triplett meter using the 9 volt batteries and they worked fine. (Check out his channel. He has a lot of good info over there)
My battery hack was a little different in that I gutted the original 30 volt bat. and just soldered my power leads from my new battery pack to the old terminals of the gutted battery so I could just pop it into place and it left the rest of the meter original.
I hope this helps someone else restoring one of these great old meters. This works great and functions perfectly.
Bill
That's cool. I had a Triplett that looked very much like that in the early 60's. I wish I still had it but I think the needle in it broke. I always like to see old things restored. We've become too much of a throw it away disposable goods society.
Hi again Bill, you must be very proud to own something that your father used. Youv'e made a splendid job of the resoration and it will continue to work well for many years to come. I'm 67 years young and remember using these old analogue meters. Your next challenge is to assemble a "Joule Thief" circuit inside that spent battery case to provide your 30v supply!! Nice one Bill Kind Regards Merv
Hello Merv, good to see you. Thank you so much for your kind words, I really do appreciate it. Yes, I love this old meter and now that it works, I will put it to good use. I was surprised how many of these old meters are still floating around out there on ebay and similar places. Most of them say they do not work and I'll bet it is the batteries. One guy wanted like $160.00 but most of the others were in the $30-$50 range, which is more reasonable.
I'll bet that the meters being made today in China will not be around 50 or 60 years from now.
Thanks again Merv.
Bill
Quote from: e2matrix on April 15, 2013, 12:05:25 PM
That's cool. I had a Triplett that looked very much like that in the early 60's. I wish I still had it but I think the needle in it broke. I always like to see old things restored. We've become too much of a throw it away disposable goods society.
Thank you...and I agree. But, they are not making stuff like they used to. These old things were built to last, not to toss out when they had a problem. I guess I am getting older but I have respect for these vintage things. No other meter that I own will be working 50 years from now I would bet you.
Bill
I made my own replacement test leads. I will post some photos when I can. I used the original wire from the old test leads and the original bananna plugs. This works great and it now looks totally original.
Bill
Here is a photo of the completed meter along with the original restored wire and bananna plugs and some probes i had sitting around that were very, very close to the originals. Notice how well the WD-40 cleaned up those probe wires to make them look new again. Those wires are over 50 years old.
Bill
I also re-did an old B&L microscope that I had from the old days. It is a great scope and has the companion light source.
Bill
Meter C.U.
That meter looks like new now Bill, well done...keep it away from JT's though!!! The only old item I still have is a Yashica 8mm wind up movie camera from many years ago. I've work in electronics for well over 50 years but don't own any vintage test gear. I have several digital multimeters including one very expensive high performance model, however there was something very special about those old analalogue meters, great memories from times gone by... Splendid refurb job.
Quote from: crowclaw on April 23, 2013, 02:06:05 PM
That meter looks like new now Bill, well done...keep it away from JT's though!!! The only old item I still have is a Yashica 8mm wind up movie camera from many years ago. I've work in electronics for well over 50 years but don't own any vintage test gear. I have several digital multimeters including one very expensive high performance model, however there was something very special about those old analalogue meters, great memories from times gone by... Splendid refurb job.
Thank you very much, I really appreciate that. I have to admit the meter turned out better than I had hoped. I hope folks learn from my WD-40 accidental discovery on the bakelite and those old grungy cords, makes them look brand new. My brother saw the photos and can't believe it is the same meter.
Thanks again,
Bill