I was using a Sparkfun VC830L Digital Multimeter and it was reading some very high voltages (1.9+ volts) from some 1.5V AA batteries that should have been dead… and then it turned off. Looked like low battery as when I switched it off and on again it would attempt to power the screen and then go blank again. I thought the battery for the DVM was just low so I changed the 9V battery but in my slightly tired state I brought the battery terminals into contact the wrong way around a heard what sounded like a tiny spark. When I then brought them into contact with the correct polarity and turned on the DVM to any settings it makes a continuous beeping noise. I visually examined the internal fuses hoping I would just need to replace one of them but they look intact. Have I blown up the DVM and need to get a replacement ?
I checked the tutorial guide but it doesn’t say anything about this continuous beeping (or give any warning about attaching the battery with wrong polarity; I feel a little surprised it would have totally blown it up with such a trivial mistake but perhaps it has?)
I’m not familiar with your particular device but, in any case, I think you should treat yourself to a new multimeter. You seem to know what you’re doing and might as well spend a little more to get a better one.
In my opinion, an auto-ranging model is a bit of a must-have for my primary DMM and I’ve updated/upgraded probes over time but, besides that, I don’t use a very fancy one. The entry level Flukes are enormously expensive for what they are but worth keeping an eye out for pre-owned. I sort of prefer the lighter weight of the cheapie ones, too; it seems my meters are always swinging by their wires.
I’ve been really happy with my used Extech EX470A but, if I had to replace it at full cost, I’d consider a lower tier: it’s a bit over-featured for me and the Amazon reviews aren’t so good, hmmm.
But, after the spending pain, the news gets better: You’ll be able to use the new meter to troubleshoot and maybe fix the faulty one. You won’t regret having another meter around, either. I was camping a few weeks ago and, sure enough, was wishing I had a DMM while trying to figure out some charger dealie.
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