I’m on the hunt for a new multi-meter. I’ve got several already, ranging from cheap and cheerful that I leave in the boot of the car for emergencies, to small, portable with additional features for environment monitoring like temperature and sound levels that I carry around in my rucksack, and some more typical larger units for workshop use. The other day on a whim, I got them all together and decided to see how accurate they were. I set my PSU to 12v DC, and one by one used each one to measure the measure the output voltage.  I started with my Thurlby Tandor bench multi-meter and left that one connected thought the test to monitor the output of the PSU in case it started to drift.

Every meter gave slightly different reading. They weren’t out by much, but it did get my thinking that it was time I invested in a reasonable quality one that was calibrated for bench use.

So, I went to EBay initially to have a hunt around to see what new equipment was available. I stumbled across a make I’m not familiar with, Uni-Trend. I’ve been seeing a lot of their equipment around recently and I found a rather nice unit – UT803 available in the UK for 104.95 GBP including VAT and delivery. On further inspection I found that it’s actually being sold by Rapid Electronics; this is why the make seemed familiar as I’d probably seen it on their site previously.

Annoyingly, the UT803 is listed on the Rapid main site, but it costs 114.07 GPB  including VAT and you’d get free delivery on that order as it’s over £30.

The Fluke 5211 from Rapid’s site is £246, but their Ebay shop sells it for £279.

I was displeased to see many other differing prices for Rapids offerings.

They have some 3.3v MES bulbs that are 100% more expensive on Ebay, but some hand tools that are cheaper, and the discrepancies go on and on.

MPLAB ICD2 Ebay - £154.95, Main shop - £150.50

Pack of 100 resistors - Ebay £0.99 - Mian shop - £0.62

The  ST Mems Sensor Evaluation Kit (82-1004) which is 79.50 on Rapid’s site, is only £38.99 from their Ebay shop.

You’ve really got to check both places now if your after the best prices from them. Also, delivery charges for orders under £30 from their main site attract a £5 + VAT delivery charge. The charges from their Ebay shops are much more reasonable.

If you find an item in their Ebay shop your intersted in, at the end of the product description is a numeric code. Just enter this code into the search on their main site and it will find the same product for you making it faster to do the price comparisons.

Wire strippers that is... sorry chaps...

Good tools are expensive and a decent pair of wire strippers can set you back a kings ransom, and by decent I mean a pair that you can use with one hand, will just grab the end of the cable and strip without too much pre-adjustment, not damage the metal inner conductor, and work pretty much every time.

If you want to find out just how much a pair can cost, checkout some of the bigger suppliers like RS and Farnell.

Well, all is not bad news. Rapid Electronics have some Abeco Micro Strippers on offer (Part number 86-0325) for less than £20 including VAT. I’ve had an identical pair of these for a while now (and paid a heck of a lot more for them at the time) and they are perfect for Hobby Electronics. They are a little bit smaller than the standard full size pairs which makes them ideal for use in tight spaces. They will happily work with common 10/0.1 stranded hook up cable and the 1/0.6 solid core preferred by breadboard users. They will of course also work with larger gauge wire as well.

They are supplied in a little plastic case, with three pairs of gripping pads and a small adjustment screw-driver.

I would suggest if you don’t have a decent pair or wire strippers (or your just looking for a second pair), whilst they are available at this bargain price you invest. My larger pair that I’ve used almost every day for 15+ years are still going strong.

Here’s the technical blurb:
·         Self adjusting over the full range
·         Small enough for closely packed assemblies
·         One hand operation allows use over long periods without discomfort
·         Incorporates a cutter which will cut wires up to a maximum of 1.5mm²
·         Supplied with three pairs of differently serrated gripping pads to suit various insulation materials without damage
·         Replacement jaws available
·         Weight 76g
·         Dimensions 155 x 80 x 14mm

http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Equipment/Microstrip-self-adjusting-wire-stripper-30552

Now I’m not in any way connected with Rapid Electronics in the UK, but I really do like using their services. If you order before around 8pm they usually deliver next day, and whilst I do wish their product range was a little larger in some areas, you can usually find what you need (or often an acceptable equivalent) and their prices are usually some of the best. As always when shopping, it pays to look around of course.

You can also be sure that their stock is genuine and non of this fake or out of spec rubbish that you can sometimes get landed with off auction sites.

I’ve just been looking on their site this morning, putting together my next order and they have some real bargains right now. I’ve listed a few below that caught my eye.

47-3302   L78S05CV +5v 2amp regulators at 20p each (normally they are 56p)
You can use these as a direct replacement for the usually cheaper 1 amp versions.

78-0206   16 key waterproof keypads at 3.15 each.  
Just because it’s waterproof doesn’t stop you using it indoors.

22-2431   15-way 90 degree pin headers (like molex connectors) for around 7p each, and 22-2432 16-way  versions for 11p each. These are ideal for cannibalising for their 90degree pins. You can then use these pins to convert smaller way connectors into 90degree versions. This means you don't need to buy seperate striaght and the more expensive 90 degree variants. The 16 way ones are also great for soldering to LCD displays as well.

77-0142   26-way right angle PCB mount hi-density D-type plugs. These are great for those projects that need a nice compact hi-density connector on the front. And they are only around 2p each.

They also have loads of stuff in their clearance section that’s worth a search.

Been really busy over the last few days with a lot going on.

I’ve started writing a series of articles on programming PICs with the AMICUS18 PIC BASIC compiler from Crownhill Associates. Each article covers a specific topic starting with how to get everything configured and writing your first “Hello World” BASIC program,  and then onto interfacing to common electronic components. Each article includes circuit diagrams and source code.

I’ve also added a review on a new toy… I mean tool, for the bench; a Weller gas powered soldering iron which recently arrived from Rapid Electronics.

Rapid Electronics new 2011 catalogue arrived on my doorstep with a thump the other day (actually it arrived as part of an order as they won’t just send a catalogue out on its own any more), and what a great read it is too.
Rapid have a rather cool and simple to use website for ordering stuff, but if you want to just browse around looking at what’s new then you can’t beat a catalogue. Whilst they are usually heavy and large, it’s good to keep a couple of previous ones around as they often provide useful technical information and it’s often interesting to see how the price or parts have fluctuated over the years.

Whilst I remember, if you think that there is something Rapid should be stocking but currently don’t, drop their sales people a quick note. They are always expanding their range and if there is interest in an item, they will add it to their range if possible.

So, what did I find whilst browsing, well, a couple of things caught my eye.

Product 85-5772 – A fine grit abrasive bar for removing stubborn oxides from soldering iron tips.
This is designed to be used when the bit is cold, and I’m hoping that it will help with a problem I’ve had from time to time, with new bits refusing to “tin” correctly.

Hobbyists and professionals alike will usually soon amass a collection of different test leads with all sorts of connectors, crocodile clips and other assorted plugs and jacks connected.
Product 01-0600 is a reel of extra flexible cable, available in six different colours and supplied on 25 meter reels with a maximum current rating of 6 amps.
I’ve been using this cable for a couple of years and I’ve found it excellent for making test leads with and the reason I mention it is that Rapid have reduced the price per reel.

Whilst electronics should be a safe and fun hobby, accidents will happen and Rapid has an excellent range of cost affective first-aid kits for the home, car, office and workshop.

Having accidentally burnt myself on a soldering iron a couple of years ago (it was very late and I was tired) I can certainly recommend having a small burns kit around the place. It was a painful remainder just how easy it is to injure oneself so I decided it would be sensible to have a proper first-aid kit and a small eye-wash kit… just in case. I also took the opportunity to add a second fire extinguisher and a couple of smoke detectors.

Screw-fix in the UK is a great source for these Health and Safety items as well.