Simpson Meter

DonNOhio · Jul 5, 2020

I have just acquired this Simpson 260 multi meter. Seems to work ok except on the ohms scale Rx1 the needle doesn't go to 0 ohms. The batteries are all new and all are good. Suggestions or is this normal? Thanks in advance.

Repairman60 · Jul 5, 2020

No this is not normal. Previous owner may have tried to read voltage while meter set on X1 resistance. Probably opened a resistor or possibly a fuse internally. I can't remember if the 260 has a fuse in that section or not. Many VOM's have had this done to them. Easy fix most of the time.

MARK ROBKE · Jul 5, 2020

Is there a knob for 'zeroing' the pointer needle when on the ohm scale? You hold the leads together and turn the knob to zero the needle-kind of a fine tune adjustment, so to speak. Mark.

Steve@Advance · Jul 5, 2020

Did you try turning the screw there in the center?

Andy C · Jul 5, 2020

There is a ZERO OHMS knob there on the right. With meter on the ohms scale hold the probes together and use the knob to zero it.

Repairman60 · Jul 5, 2020

DonNOhio, maybe I misunderstood. Does the hand move when touching probes when set to Rx1?

DonNOhio · Jul 5, 2020

Yes with the leads together and set to Rx1 is when the needle does not go to the far right 0 ohms. Also have turned the zero adjust to full counter clock wise. And the center screw to get the needle to 0 at the far left.

DonNOhio · Jul 5, 2020

Must add. The fuse is good.

guido · Jul 5, 2020

ote="DonNOhio"](quoted from post at 05:36:04 07/06/20) I have just acquired this Simpson 260 multi meter. Seems to work ok except on the ohms scale Rx1 the needle doesn't go to 0 ohms. The batteries are all new and all are good. Suggestions or is this normal? Thanks in advance.
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto49593.jpg">[/quote]

Each ohms range needs to be zeroed. The knob on the right is what sets the meter to zero.

If you zero the meter flat, that is how you should use it.
If you zero it bench style, vertical up, you should use it that way.

The meter will show two different readings, for the same source-value for each positions.

I can't see it clearly on the picture, but it seams that the mechanical zero is off too,

You adjust that to zero in the position you will use the meter also,
Guido.

Steve A W · Jul 5, 2020

Maybe someone here can help.
Simpson260.com

JMOR · Jul 5, 2020

(quoted from post at 19:06:56 07/05/20) Is there a knob for 'zeroing' the pointer needle when on the ohm scale? You hold the leads together and turn the knob to zero the needle-kind of a fine tune adjustment, so to speak. Mark.

wonder why people who know nothing about the meter being asked about would respond ????????/// :evil: :roll:

Repairman60 · Jul 6, 2020

Based on my experience and assuming you acquired it must be in used condition. Not knowing the history I'm still betting it has been used to test voltage while in resistance setting. Since the meter moves while touching the leads together on RX1 but will not zero one of two things has happened. First the meter work is damaged but I doubt that since everything else works okay. Assuming that means the meter is reading correct voltage AC & DC and other resistance settings read correct values on different scales. So second guess is unit damaged as stated before and someone either repaired it and did not get the correct internal value resistors that may have been damaged or the voltage tested wasn't high enough to completely open the internal resistor and the unit now will not zero. As with any test measure device it can only measure based on its condition. It has been sometime since I had a 260 open but I think a resistor internally is incorrect. Just my 2 cents worth.

tech4 · Jul 6, 2020

I have two Simpson 260 meters and I have that problem very often. True it can be a resistor or even the meter out of tolerance but most of the time it is poor connections of the D cell and or the test leads if it will zero on the R X 100 or RX 10000 scales. Clean the battery contacts with a good contact cleaner (WD 40 will work if a good cleaner is not available. Also clean the test lead jacks with a Q tip soaked in cleaner. If that does not work then you have an internal problem, but try cleaning the connections first.

BobReeves · Jul 7, 2020

The 260 use to be the work horse of the industry but has largely been replaced with digitals. They were really bad about knocking the meter out of whack when dropped and doesn't take much of a drop to do it. Back when the meter could be replaced for around $50.00 and I replaced many. If your 260 won't maintain the mechanical 0 odds are pretty good it needs a new meter.

DonNOhio · Jul 7, 2020

Thanks for all the reply's. It does read correctly on the voltage ranges. I gave it a good cleaning and some better batteries. Seems to work better now.

tech4 · Jul 7, 2020

The Simpson 260 draws over 100 milliamps in the R X 1 scale and any corrosion, oxidation or poor contact will prevent the meter from zeroing on the R X 1 scale. All other scales will work fine. Sometimes just tapping the case will help when in a hurry. The jacks and pins of the test leads can become dirty and loose. Just take a knife and bend the test lead pins out for better contact. My oldest meter was purchased in 1970 and it is just as accurate today as in 1970. One of the best contact cleaners with a brush is DEOXIT D series. Expensive but I have a bottle that I bought over 15 years ago and still half full and used many times on various electrical contacts.
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