DIGITAL READOUT KITS AND
DESIGNS
Over the years, I would once in a
while supply homebuilders with "Plug and Play" Digital readout
kits.
I stopped doing this because:
1) When I sold the XS3 product line to
Graves, I sold them all the rights and technology. These
designs are no longer my property.
2) Because of ROHS regulations and the
naturally fast pace of the electronics industry most of the
parts for the XS3 original circuit are no longer made. The
original LCD design that appeared early on these pages was
already based on a surplus meter from the type of places that
sell them, and they are of course long obsolete.
3: There were abuses by commercial
entities who were attempting to build a for-sale product. They
failed, but the intent was there.
4: And finally, the crowning event,
which must be seen to be believed.
A few years ago I sold someone a kit. Recently, I got a
complaint about the display jittering. The following pictures are the "defective" device I was
sent. MINERAL ACID SOLDERING PASTE WAS USED, and the meter was
CARVED UP to fit a case.Look at
this. The deliquescence from the flux had wicked into the
meter's gain trimpot.Look, this is not rocket science. It's just a half
bridge voltage divider and a good 2V meter, with the best pot
you can buy and critically regulated DC supply.Here is the generic circuit principle. If you
can read a simple schematic and can be trusted wth a soldering
iron, go for it:When I have to
warranty things like those pictures, I think you will agree
that Mother Theresa would lose patience. I DO NOT NEED THIS
AGGRAVATION.I will not reply to
requests for Digital Readout kits, plans, etc. I have been out
of that business for years, and as you can imagine from the
above pictures, I do not miss it one damned bit.
Back to the previous
page.