As a technician, I've found that discussing/emailing/posting about anything remotely technical can be next to impossible -- even when the other person has a technical background.
It's a case where a picture (or drawing) really is worth 1,000 words.
Another issue with folks learning how to use their multimeters (VOM meter) are “fuses.” Depending on the functions of a multimeter, there may be one or more internal fuses usually located near the battery compartment. It can be easy for an unfamiliar user of a multimeter to select the wrong meter function or not select the correct test lead connection at the meter, or just forget to change the meter function or test lead connection at the meter. Causing a fuse to fail and meter readings to go wonky or not at all. When VOM meters seem to be acting up, check the fuses too.
I worked as defense subcontractor and learned early on when working with a lot of military people, (engineer/technical terminology can really confuse people), I had to start with the basics, assuming they knew very little and work up from there
Reminds me of tech call with a customer. Asked to measure across a capacitor. Expecting it to read +12v, surprise when he told me 4 1/2. Turn out he was using a tape measure.
A large percentage of my readers have never touched a multimeter before. And getting a technician to fix their RV can take months. So if I’m very careful to ask the right questions I should be able to teach them basic electricity safely.
Some of the stories I’ve recently heard about RVers changing a flat tire on a coach by themselves are frightening. I worked in a truck shop when I was 16 and changed tires on semi-trucks and trailers all the time. It was difficult and dangerous work even with the right tools!
Holy cow this is fantastic! Please keep this up I have so many elementary gaps in my knowledge and most of the time I don’t even replicator!
Excellent! And photos like you posted really help.
As a technician, I've found that discussing/emailing/posting about anything remotely technical can be next to impossible -- even when the other person has a technical background.
It's a case where a picture (or drawing) really is worth 1,000 words.
Another issue with folks learning how to use their multimeters (VOM meter) are “fuses.” Depending on the functions of a multimeter, there may be one or more internal fuses usually located near the battery compartment. It can be easy for an unfamiliar user of a multimeter to select the wrong meter function or not select the correct test lead connection at the meter, or just forget to change the meter function or test lead connection at the meter. Causing a fuse to fail and meter readings to go wonky or not at all. When VOM meters seem to be acting up, check the fuses too.
I worked as defense subcontractor and learned early on when working with a lot of military people, (engineer/technical terminology can really confuse people), I had to start with the basics, assuming they knew very little and work up from there
Reminds me of tech call with a customer. Asked to measure across a capacitor. Expecting it to read +12v, surprise when he told me 4 1/2. Turn out he was using a tape measure.
After all that, it was time for her to hire someone to do the work. Dangerous to continue with her.
A large percentage of my readers have never touched a multimeter before. And getting a technician to fix their RV can take months. So if I’m very careful to ask the right questions I should be able to teach them basic electricity safely.
Some of the stories I’ve recently heard about RVers changing a flat tire on a coach by themselves are frightening. I worked in a truck shop when I was 16 and changed tires on semi-trucks and trailers all the time. It was difficult and dangerous work even with the right tools!