8840a Repair Project

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  I have been keeping an eye out for a good, name brand bench DMM for personal use for a few months now.  Did a bit of research and started looking for a Fluke 8842, 8840, or a 45.  Watched some popular auction sites and even CL.  These Flukes, especially working ones go for $150+ and well, didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for one.  So, during my research, I know that these have VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) that dims after a time.  Figured I could get a dimmed display DMM cheap.

I finally came across a 8840a with the AC option 9 and the GPIB options included and had one person bid at $32 with 13hrs remaining!  In the description, it stated that they did try some solutions found on the web to get the display working, but couldn't.  Long dramatic story short, I placed a bid in the last 2 seconds and won an 8840a!

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Tricorder

Star Trek TNG Tricorder

  So, yes, I'm a Trekkie.  I didn't grow up during the TOS series, instead, it was the ST:TNG period. With that useless knowledge, I have a few TNG toys and even though they are great collectors items, I want to make them more detailed like they are on screen.  With lots of LEDs, buttons, and even a working LCD screen. 

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Decade Resistance Box With Display

  I figured it was time for a Decade Resistance Box as I am getting tired of using single resistors to test circuits.  But, these projects are fairly simple, so I want to complicate it a little bit.  Looks like a display will complicate it to satisfy that itch.  Yes, I know, these boxes don't need one and reading the dial is really easy. 

  As of April 6th, 2019, I have started researching what components I want to use.  First, I'll need some type of enclosure.  Sure, I could go for the really cheap Chinese extruded aluminum projects boxes, but everyone does that!  After browsing through page after page of DIY boxes, my eyes seen this box and didn't want to look any further.

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