DMM Fuse Replacement - Mastercraft 052-0055-6

[markz]

If I can replace the 500mA 250V Fast Blow Fuse (Which is blown), then where do I find where the other 15A 250V Fast Blow Fuse is located on the DMM?

I put the meter on 20DCA (red probe plugged into 20A plug) and black as usual, had 3.3V can with coiled nickel strip of 1ohm, probes in series and I never could get a reading of 3.3V/1ohm = 3A reading on the 20A setting, just read 0. Even swapped probes if its polarity related and always read 0. Checked all connections, tried a dozen times. Tried it on ACA which would have read an incorrect reading and still read 0.

Maybe when the 500mA fuse blows, 20A doesnt work.

It did not come with instructions, I could only find questions/answers online. Nothing about 15A fuse. I took out the 3 other screws on back, the DMM does not come apart.

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[nutnspecial]

This is beyond me, as many of your questions are. I'm not even sure if you're using it properly. I can at least tell you this is why I buy cheap meters, and instructions are helpful. Testing overcurrent or trying to test continuity of a live circuit doesn't work 'good'.

If you can't find a fuse online or digikey or something, just say 'eff it' and throw a EMPTY .22 round in there, seriously make sure it's a spent shell.

Actually, have you ever put match heads in a spent shell? That's pretty fun- fold the end and gently tap with a hammer. Sometimes there is a little shrapnel though. Adult supervision recommended lol

Ok, back on topic, what aboot a piece of wire in there? Just make your own lil fuse and try not to over size it (and also don't use the meter wrong?)

 

[markz]

Well CRAPPYTIRE, aka Canadian Tire got me again. I only spent $10 on this regularly priced $40 unit. If I can find the receipt or not, I will return the defective unit.

should the autoranging digital multimeter beep continuously?
I just purchased the autoranging digital multimeter. It seems like great value. However, the specific unit emits a continuous beep in all modes. Is this normal, or should I exchange the unit for another?
asked 1 year, 8 months ago by
ringingEars
- Toronto
on Autoranging Digital Multimeter

Mine doesn't beep unless I tap one of the top buttons. Might need an exchanging.
answered 1 year, 6 months ago by
jpedlow
- Victoria, BC

I exchanged the meter for a new one. The original was defective -- the new one beeps only when it should.
answered 1 year, 8 months ago by
ringingEars

There is a constant beep and a flashing red light near the CAP plug
Hi! I just installed batteries for the first time, and I noticed the unit keeps beeping no matter what. There is also a flashing red LED to the left of CAP plug. The batteries appear to be in good condition... the backlight is bright..
asked 5 months, 1 week ago by
Mike514
- Montreal
on Autoranging Digital Multimeter


We would suggest returning it to the store, with your receipt, for warranty exchange. Warranty exchanges without the original receipt will be offered at the Canadian Tire store’s discretion.
Staff Answer
Expert Answer
answered 5 months, 1 week ago by
CanadianTireTeam
- CanadianTireAnswers

Nutspecial -

If you can't find a fuse online or digikey or something, just say 'eff it' and throw a EMPTY .22 round in there, seriously make sure it's a spent shell.

Well no, I cant do that. Most Canadians in big towns do not own guns, nor shot a gun. Its just not our culture, but I like your useful alternative ramblings. I like to ramble too. I could go on about Canada vs America on the gun issue slash murder rate, but I will not. I did think about just shorting the holder out like you mentioned when I measured infinite ohms on the fuse. But either way the Mastercraft (Canadian Tires house brand) will be returned, whether I buy a new one and switch them out and return, or find the receipt. Its been under a year for the warranty either way, so its all good! I should not be too hard on CT, their return policy is quite good. Im tempted to tell my rusted out brake rotors I bought from them. Someone scammed them, and it sure was not me. Returned parts back to them and got my coin, went to a local autoparts store instead. Their front desk repair people get commission. Be warned.

I'm not even sure if you're using it properly.

Well I know for a fact I am using it properly now. Perhaps before I wasnt using it properly, hence the blown fuse. At first I was confused over the "mA" and regular "A" dial setting and corresponding to one of 2 plugs. The amperes reading is the only "different" setup. Which is inline aka series. Amps has to go through the DMM, unlike V or ohm reading. Having youtubed my situation a few times, its quite common for people to blow fuses so its not suprising I blew mine. Thankfully I am not using an old school analog meter.

 

[Punx0r]

I think you need to dig deeper and locate that 15A fuse for the high-current measuring setting.

 

[markz]

I think you need to dig deeper and locate that 15A fuse for the high-current measuring setting.

Yes I have been "trying to dig deeper" to find the 15A fuse.
The unit doesnt want to come apart when all visibile screws have been unscrewed
There seems to be an upper half and lower half by the mold line
I get a continual beep. Something related to the blown fuse(s) (500mA or 15A) I bet.

 

[Punx0r]

That's the one. The fuses are for the current facility - it's a separate circuit to that use for the other functions, hence you have to plug the test lead into a different socket on the meter. I've blown fuses in meters before, but a continuous beep didn't result. Worth trying a replacement fuse, though.

 

[markz]

I replaced the fuses, its working fine now.
The long steady beep is strange and odd. When I have my red probe plugged into Ohms, Volts, ACV and Continuity plug, and the dial corresponding, no beep. However, Temp, ACA, DCA, CAP I get steady beep. Unplug red probe beep goes away, set dial to mA, probe in mA is fine anywhere else beeps.

I think its just an audible warning to let the user know a setting and/or probe plug combo is incorrect. Plus an added Blown Fuse warning too.

I will open it up and put some hot glue in the beeper. The beeper is loud.

 

[Punx0r]

That would make sense as that would be a useful feature to warn the user they're about to screw up. I've done it plenty of times by mistake.