diy solar

diy solar

What's the best solar-related item you bought in 2023?

TOU47 said:
Why? Not disputing, why is it better for that price? Thx
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The inrush measurement is consistent and accurate. My other meters do not give consistent results. Instead of using a scope or shunt, I just clamp it on in two seconds. Just easier to make the videos. And tax deductible.

I didn't care for fluke until I got one. Just works every time. Broke two meters in the last few years. Even my Klein.
 
Will Prowse said:
The inrush measurement is consistent and accurate. My other meters do not give consistent results. Instead of using a scope or shunt, I just clamp it on in two seconds. Just easier to make the videos. And tax deductible.

I didn't care for fluke until I got one. Just works every time. Broke two meters in the last few years. Even my Klein.
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Gotcha... thank you. I just have the Klein you recommended previously. I don't use it much compared to you & I sure doing make a living with it. Merry Christmas ? ?
 
Will Prowse said:
The inrush measurement is consistent and accurate. My other meters do not give consistent results. Instead of using a scope or shunt, I just clamp it on in two seconds. Just easier to make the videos. And tax deductible.

I didn't care for fluke until I got one. Just works every time. Broke two meters in the last few years. Even my Klein.
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I didn't know there were any other brands of meters but Fluke! ?
 
If what I measure really mattered I'd be using my fluke meters all the time but I rarely do. The cheap ones I got off amazon are fairly accurate and disposable :)

Losing a $20 to $30 test tool doesn't bother me near as much compared to one of my $300+ fluke meters.

The fluke meters don't suck they just cost to much to risk for most of the stuff I do. Also the cheap ones are lighter and smaller.

Just now dawned on me what I normally use the fluke equipment for is testing the accuracy of the cheap junk I buy off amazon :ROFLMAO:
 
Will Prowse said:
The inrush measurement is consistent and accurate. My other meters do not give consistent results. Instead of using a scope or shunt, I just clamp it on in two seconds. Just easier to make the videos. And tax deductible.

I didn't care for fluke until I got one. Just works every time. Broke two meters in the last few years. Even my Klein.
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I received this fluke as part of my tool kit, as a new computer technician for Digitial Equipment Corporation in the early 1980's. After several moves to new homes, I thought I had lost it. I had not used it since the late 90's.

I found my old tool kit after my last move in 2021. I opened up the kit, and there it was, which was great, cause I needed it to check the voltages on my LiFePo4 cells.

Believe it or not, I switched it on, and to my utter amazement, the display lit up and it was ready and waiting. I thought to myself, WTF? does this thing have a nuclear battery? It was in my kit untouched for around 30 years! And I had never replaced the battery in this meter before.

I opened it up by unscrewing the back, and found an Aerocell 9V inside. I immediately ordered a bunch of Aerocell batteries!

Its obvious that these FLUKE meters pull zero volts when switched off, and are built like tanks. Worth every penny. I still shake my head in wonder that it turned on after all these years.
 

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Sanwizard said:
I received this fluke as part of my tool kit, as a new computer technician for Digitial Equipment Corporation in the early 1980's. After several moves to new homes, I thought I had lost it. I had not used it since the late 90's.

I found my old tool kit after my last move in 2021. I opened up the kit, and there it was, which was great, cause I needed it to check the voltages on my LiFePo4 cells.

Believe it or not, I switched it on, and to my utter amazement, the display lit up and it was ready and waiting. I thought to myself, WTF? does this thing have a nuclear battery? It was in my kit untouched for around 30 years! And I had never replaced the battery in this meter before.

I opened it up by unscrewing the back, and found an Aerocell 9V inside. I immediately ordered a bunch of Aerocell batteries!

Its obvious that these FLUKE meters pull zero volts when switched off, and are built like tanks. Worth every penny. I still shake my head in wonder that it turned on after all these years.
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I think I have one of those. I thought it was the one in the cabinet beside me but it was my fluke 77. Now I have to go look in the garage :)
 
The one I was thinking of is a 70. I still think I have a 75 somewhere. I'll keep looking from time to time. I need to get them all in one place. I'm bad about stashing them around different spots to be handy back before I switched to using cheap meters to keep from risking them as much.


myflukes121723.jpg


I use this one for work bench testing in the garage.


20231217_121626.jpg

The large red led display is easy to read while working on stuff.
 
Crowz said:
The one I was thinking of is a 70. I still think I have a 75 somewhere. I'll keep looking from time to time. I need to get them all in one place. I'm bad about stashing them around different spots to be handy back before I switched to using cheap meters to keep from risking them as much.


View attachment 183515


I use this one for work bench testing in the garage.


View attachment 183516

The large red led display is easy to read while working on stuff.
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Sweet! Looks like you have been at this game a while too! I do miss my original HP ocilliscope that was runied when my basement flooded during Hurricane Sandy.
 
Sanwizard said:
Sweet! Looks like you have been at this game a while too! I do miss my original HP ocilliscope that was runied when my basement flooded during Hurricane Sandy.
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Ive got one of those too! Its so damn bulky though I couldn't justify the space on the workbench for it. I've been wanting to get one of the new lcd ones since they don't take up any room.
 
Sanwizard said:
I received this fluke as part of my tool kit, as a new computer technician for Digitial Equipment Corporation in the early 1980's. After several moves to new homes, I thought I had lost it. I had not used it since the late 90's.

I found my old tool kit after my last move in 2021. I opened up the kit, and there it was, which was great, cause I needed it to check the voltages on my LiFePo4 cells.

Believe it or not, I switched it on, and to my utter amazement, the display lit up and it was ready and waiting. I thought to myself, WTF? does this thing have a nuclear battery? It was in my kit untouched for around 30 years! And I had never replaced the battery in this meter before.

I opened it up by unscrewing the back, and found an Aerocell 9V inside. I immediately ordered a bunch of Aerocell batteries!

Its obvious that these FLUKE meters pull zero volts when switched off, and are built like tanks. Worth every penny. I still shake my head in wonder that it turned on after all these years.
Click to expand...
No way!.... I have an old original Fluke 73, from my first employer - also from the 1980's - exactly like this...

1702843594495.png
Just like yours, but without the audio diode test and 300mA current socket. Those PP3 batteries last ages. After nearly 40 year's service I treated it to a new set of probes when I was building my 14.3kWh battery pack :) And I even used it just this afternoon :)
 
SeaGal said:
No way!.... I have an old original Fluke 73, from my first employer - also from the 1980's - exactly like this...

View attachment 183533
Just like yours, but without the audio diode test and 300mA current socket. Those PP3 batteries last ages. After nearly 40 year's service I treated it to a new set of probes when I was building my 14.3kWh battery pack :) And I even used it just this afternoon :)
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Right!? These things are indestructable. Even my probes are still the original ones. These were built when Made in the USA meant something. While a technician, I used mine every day for almost two decades.

I gather from your handle that you are using yours in a marine setting? LiFePo4 on board? What make vessel?
 
SeaGal said:
A light-hearted thread for Christmas time...

As the title says... what's the best thing / what do you love the most that you bought this year. Either directly solar or a solar related tool, component etc...

I'll kick it off to say I love my new Raspberry Pi 5... amazingly powerful yet so small and power efficient. Lucky to get one as they're very limited supply over here. It will be put to good use for to handle some inverter RS485 comms in due course - once this old dog has learnt some new tricks, that is ;) ?‍?
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An extra 50 kWh in storage ;)
 
I had one of those Flukes too but I had to chuck it out because the display seemed like it had leaked out and was turning black. Supposedly they have a lifetime warranty but only for 30 years or something ?
Going to have to find my Avo8 to replace it with haha
 
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