Cheapest RS232 Serial DMM with LabVIEW instrument driver

[picometer473]

What's the model of $89 USB DAQ?  I want to measure +- 10vpp acv dcv ac/dc current <100ma >.1ma freq(maybe)

Thanks

[Brian_P]

Try looking here.  The most inexpensive USB DAQ that we have is about $99.

[ChillyWilly]

I'm re-visiting this and just did a quick search and found just what is needed to write the Vi

http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/TP4000ZC/TP4000ZC_serial_protocol.pdf

that document seems to have everythin needed and a writeup for the TekPower TP4000ZC meter.

If anyone manages to write a good logging program please share it.

[ChillyWilly]

I finally got a working Vi for this Multimeter.  It has access to everything on the LCD and a few other things not displayed.  The key was the document I found and reported on earlier today.

Here is the a zip file with the code as is so far.  It is a point where anyone can use it to log data to text files.  However, it still needs some work to interpret the units, range mode, scale, etc....

Enjoy and share yoru code if and when improved...

[JPP]

Wow, thanks for that code. I intend to use it to help me write for this wireless USB multimeter which uses a similar protocol:

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=QM1571&CATID=97&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1060#1

[Hooovahh]

So I wanted to buy a better DMM for home.  I wasn't sure if I really needed a ton of digits or fancy features.  But having RS-232 built in seemed cool so I bought this DMM which at the moment is $36 on Amazon.  I think eventually I might try to add a wireless display like mentioned here:

https://hackaday.io/project/3525-multimeter-remote-display

But the first thing I could do with this before I build that is a simple interface and some LabVIEW drivers.  I saw there were some good starting points but I mostly did my own thing.  My code takes roughtly 150 microseconds to perform the read and parsing of data.  It is hard to say how long the other methods posted took because they would sit and wait for the data where my version reads and moves on, only coming back to read more when it is called again.

I also implemented all the other functions of the meter returning the units, and modes.  I also have support for out of range readings.

In general I think this is a great hobby meter with frequency, duty cycle, thermocouple, and micro-amps reading, which you don't see in many meters at this price.  Of course this only 3 1/2 digits, but for most of what I do at home, that's fine.

Drivers are attached and saved in 2011.

[Jay.GAO.AU]

Nice one, Hooovahh.