On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 15:48:12 -0800 (PST), George Herold <ggherold@gmail.com> wrote:>On Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 5:10:59 PM UTC-5, Joe Gwinn wrote: >> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:42:39 -0800, John Larkin >> <jla...@highlandSNIPMEtechnology.com> wrote: >> >> >On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:39:41 -0800 (PST), George Herold >> ><gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >> > >> >>On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7:14:13 PM UTC-5, John Larkin wrote: >> >>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 15:06:09 -0800 (PST), George Herold >> >>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> >> >>> >Hi guys! Long time no smell.* I miss you guys, but I've been doing almost zero electronics. (I lurk every now and then) So my son wants a cheapish DMM for Xmas. What brand should I look at? Extech? Searching this Klein tool one looks nice. >> >>> > Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter, Digital Auto Ranging, AC/DC Voltage, Current, Capacitance, Frequency, Duty-Cycle, Diode, Continuity, Temp 600V >> >>> >~$50 on amazon >> >>> > >> >>> >George H. >> >>> > >> >>> >*Did I recommend "Emperor of Scent" as a good read? >> >>> I've been happy with extechs, for home use and teaching. >> >> >> >>Thanks, Extech it is then... One with a TC probe would be nice. >> > >> >Definitely get the TC. It's good for cooking too. >> Yes. I do that too. Particularly useful for determining the >> temperature of cast iron skillets, especially with a puddle of oil in >> them. Also used to measure the air temperature inside the oven. Not >> useful for broilers. >> >> What I have been using since 2007 is an Extech model 421501, which is >> a "Type K Thermometer". No problems so far. I bought it with a >> penetration probe, but it has standard thermocouple sockets, and so >> can be used with all manner of purchased or made probes. What I use >> for the skillets et al is a homemade Teflon-insulated type K wire >> probe about 2 meters long. >> >> While one is supposed to weld the two wires together to take the TC, >> it also works to twist them tightly and soft-solder them together. >> >> One can weld the wires together using a 100-watt incandescent lamp and >> a lump of carbon, drawing an arc between twisted wires (fluxed with >> borax) and the carbon lump. The 100-watt lamp will pass ten amps, and >> then drop to one amp. >> >> Joe Gwinn >Thanks, yeah totally getting the TC. Can you soft solder a type K TC? I use to use type T, easy to solder and not very magnetic. (Hmm maybe one for me and one for my son?)Yes, you can solder Type K. I don't recall what flux I used, probably plumbers grease flux. Good idea to clean the flux residue off before use. Joe Gwinn
~$50 DMM
Started by ●November 19, 2022
Reply by ●November 20, 20222022-11-20
Reply by ●November 20, 20222022-11-20
On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 12:25:44 AM UTC, Rich S wrote:> [snip] > > Hi George, Have you looked at eevblog spreadsheets? > https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/multimeter-spreadsheet/ > Its not that easy to use, and not that current (last edit, ca 2017) > the "hand held" spreadsheet is here (Excel or equiv app is required): > https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/multimeter-spreadsheet/?action=dlattach;attach=1188318 > Let me see if I can clean it up.... > = RScleaned up version is here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-LmzNywKutQfQZCjPl9UPnKlV57EAVyaSE2UETEvVLk/edit?usp=sharing IMHO Id get something thats likely stand up to many oops and he can use for very many years, like a Fluke 101 cheers, RS
Reply by ●November 20, 20222022-11-20
On 11/19/2022 8:39 PM, George Herold wrote:> On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7:14:13 PM UTC-5, John Larkin wrote: >> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 15:06:09 -0800 (PST), George Herold >> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Hi guys! Long time no smell.* I miss you guys, but I've been doing almost zero electronics. (I lurk every now and then) So my son wants a cheapish DMM for Xmas. What brand should I look at? Extech? Searching this Klein tool one looks nice. >>> Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter, Digital Auto Ranging, AC/DC Voltage, Current, Capacitance, Frequency, Duty-Cycle, Diode, Continuity, Temp 600V >>> ~$50 on amazon >>> >>> George H. >>> >>> *Did I recommend "Emperor of Scent" as a good read? >> I've been happy with extechs, for home use and teaching. > > Thanks, Extech it is then... One with a TC probe would be nice.As an alternate consider the Amprobe AM220: <https://www.amazon.com/Amprobe-AM-220-Compact-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B003Z7UMKI/> What I like about it is it's a rugged meter, I've been using one almost daily for about 15 years and still going strong. The buttons and rotary dial are solid and not made of that rubbery Chinesium crap that wears out fast with use like the Klein Tools meter maybe has.. I believe the 220 is discontinued but looks like an Amazon reseller still has some kicking around..
Reply by ●November 20, 20222022-11-20
George Herold wrote:> On Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 5:10:59 PM UTC-5, Joe Gwinn wrote: >> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:42:39 -0800, John Larkin >> <jla...@highlandSNIPMEtechnology.com> wrote: >> >>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:39:41 -0800 (PST), George Herold >>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7:14:13 PM UTC-5, John Larkin >>>> wrote: >>>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 15:06:09 -0800 (PST), George Herold >>>>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi guys! Long time no smell.* I miss you guys, but I've >>>>>> been doing almost zero electronics. (I lurk every now and >>>>>> then) So my son wants a cheapish DMM for Xmas. What brand >>>>>> should I look at? Extech? Searching this Klein tool one >>>>>> looks nice. Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter, Digital Auto >>>>>> Ranging, AC/DC Voltage, Current, Capacitance, Frequency, >>>>>> Duty-Cycle, Diode, Continuity, Temp 600V ~$50 on amazon >>>>>> >>>>>> George H. >>>>>> >>>>>> *Did I recommend "Emperor of Scent" as a good read? >>>>> I've been happy with extechs, for home use and teaching. >>>> >>>> Thanks, Extech it is then... One with a TC probe would be >>>> nice. >>> >>> Definitely get the TC. It's good for cooking too. >> Yes. I do that too. Particularly useful for determining the >> temperature of cast iron skillets, especially with a puddle of oil >> in them. Also used to measure the air temperature inside the oven. >> Not useful for broilers. >> >> What I have been using since 2007 is an Extech model 421501, which >> is a "Type K Thermometer". No problems so far. I bought it with a >> penetration probe, but it has standard thermocouple sockets, and >> so can be used with all manner of purchased or made probes. What I >> use for the skillets et al is a homemade Teflon-insulated type K >> wire probe about 2 meters long. >> >> While one is supposed to weld the two wires together to take the >> TC, it also works to twist them tightly and soft-solder them >> together. >> >> One can weld the wires together using a 100-watt incandescent lamp >> and a lump of carbon, drawing an arc between twisted wires (fluxed >> with borax) and the carbon lump. The 100-watt lamp will pass ten >> amps, and then drop to one amp. >> >> Joe Gwinn > Thanks, yeah totally getting the TC. Can you soft solder a type K > TC? I use to use type T, easy to solder and not very magnetic. (Hmm > maybe one for me and one for my son?) George H. >Nope, chromel and alumel don't solder. Type T (copper/constantan) is a good solderable system. Cheers Phil Hobbs -- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 http://electrooptical.net http://hobbs-eo.com
Reply by ●November 21, 20222022-11-21
On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 20:45:08 -0500, Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:>George Herold wrote: >> On Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 5:10:59 PM UTC-5, Joe Gwinn wrote: >>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:42:39 -0800, John Larkin >>> <jla...@highlandSNIPMEtechnology.com> wrote: >>> >>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:39:41 -0800 (PST), George Herold >>>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7:14:13 PM UTC-5, John Larkin >>>>> wrote: >>>>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 15:06:09 -0800 (PST), George Herold >>>>>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi guys! Long time no smell.* I miss you guys, but I've >>>>>>> been doing almost zero electronics. (I lurk every now and >>>>>>> then) So my son wants a cheapish DMM for Xmas. What brand >>>>>>> should I look at? Extech? Searching this Klein tool one >>>>>>> looks nice. Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter, Digital Auto >>>>>>> Ranging, AC/DC Voltage, Current, Capacitance, Frequency, >>>>>>> Duty-Cycle, Diode, Continuity, Temp 600V ~$50 on amazon >>>>>>> >>>>>>> George H. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *Did I recommend "Emperor of Scent" as a good read? >>>>>> I've been happy with extechs, for home use and teaching. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks, Extech it is then... One with a TC probe would be >>>>> nice. >>>> >>>> Definitely get the TC. It's good for cooking too. >>> Yes. I do that too. Particularly useful for determining the >>> temperature of cast iron skillets, especially with a puddle of oil >>> in them. Also used to measure the air temperature inside the oven. >>> Not useful for broilers. >>> >>> What I have been using since 2007 is an Extech model 421501, which >>> is a "Type K Thermometer". No problems so far. I bought it with a >>> penetration probe, but it has standard thermocouple sockets, and >>> so can be used with all manner of purchased or made probes. What I >>> use for the skillets et al is a homemade Teflon-insulated type K >>> wire probe about 2 meters long. >>> >>> While one is supposed to weld the two wires together to take the >>> TC, it also works to twist them tightly and soft-solder them >>> together. >>> >>> One can weld the wires together using a 100-watt incandescent lamp >>> and a lump of carbon, drawing an arc between twisted wires (fluxed >>> with borax) and the carbon lump. The 100-watt lamp will pass ten >>> amps, and then drop to one amp. >>> >>> Joe Gwinn >> Thanks, yeah totally getting the TC. Can you soft solder a type K >> TC? I use to use type T, easy to solder and not very magnetic. (Hmm >> maybe one for me and one for my son?) George H. >> > >Nope, chromel and alumel don't solder. Type T (copper/constantan) is a >good solderable system.I'd bet that tinners flux (HCL plus Zn) would work. Failing that, stainless-steel (phosphoric acid) flux. Haven't needed to solder Chromel-Alumel so far, but have soldered lots of stainless steel hardware. What also can help is to mechanically clean the surfaces under oil, to keep oxygen away from the freshly cleaned surface to be soldered. This also works on aluminum. Joe Gwinn
Reply by ●November 21, 20222022-11-21
On 11/19/2022 6:06 PM, George Herold wrote:> Hi guys! Long time no smell.* I miss you guys, but I've been doing almost zero electronics. (I lurk every now and then) So my son wants a cheapish DMM for Xmas. What brand should I look at? Extech? Searching this Klein tool one looks nice. > Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter, Digital Auto Ranging, AC/DC Voltage, Current, Capacitance, Frequency, Duty-Cycle, Diode, Continuity, Temp 600V > ~$50 on amazon > > George H. > > *Did I recommend "Emperor of Scent" as a good read?Got one. If that folded piece of paper is what they call a manual, it's a stretch of the imagination. It has a 1500mAh battery. Curious things about charging are: * After normal use it will require 1 hour of charging. * After it's fully run down it will 1 hour of charging. * The wall wart charger capacity is 800mA. -- Dogs make me happy. Humans make my head hurt.
Reply by ●November 21, 20222022-11-21
Joe Gwinn wrote:> On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 20:45:08 -0500, Phil Hobbs > <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote: > >> George Herold wrote: >>> On Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 5:10:59 PM UTC-5, Joe Gwinn wrote: >>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:42:39 -0800, John Larkin >>>> <jla...@highlandSNIPMEtechnology.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:39:41 -0800 (PST), George Herold >>>>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7:14:13 PM UTC-5, John Larkin >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 15:06:09 -0800 (PST), George Herold >>>>>>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hi guys! Long time no smell.* I miss you guys, but I've >>>>>>>> been doing almost zero electronics. (I lurk every now and >>>>>>>> then) So my son wants a cheapish DMM for Xmas. What brand >>>>>>>> should I look at? Extech? Searching this Klein tool one >>>>>>>> looks nice. Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter, Digital Auto >>>>>>>> Ranging, AC/DC Voltage, Current, Capacitance, Frequency, >>>>>>>> Duty-Cycle, Diode, Continuity, Temp 600V ~$50 on amazon >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> George H. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> *Did I recommend "Emperor of Scent" as a good read? >>>>>>> I've been happy with extechs, for home use and teaching. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks, Extech it is then... One with a TC probe would be >>>>>> nice. >>>>> >>>>> Definitely get the TC. It's good for cooking too. >>>> Yes. I do that too. Particularly useful for determining the >>>> temperature of cast iron skillets, especially with a puddle of oil >>>> in them. Also used to measure the air temperature inside the oven. >>>> Not useful for broilers. >>>> >>>> What I have been using since 2007 is an Extech model 421501, which >>>> is a "Type K Thermometer". No problems so far. I bought it with a >>>> penetration probe, but it has standard thermocouple sockets, and >>>> so can be used with all manner of purchased or made probes. What I >>>> use for the skillets et al is a homemade Teflon-insulated type K >>>> wire probe about 2 meters long. >>>> >>>> While one is supposed to weld the two wires together to take the >>>> TC, it also works to twist them tightly and soft-solder them >>>> together. >>>> >>>> One can weld the wires together using a 100-watt incandescent lamp >>>> and a lump of carbon, drawing an arc between twisted wires (fluxed >>>> with borax) and the carbon lump. The 100-watt lamp will pass ten >>>> amps, and then drop to one amp. >>>> >>>> Joe Gwinn >>> Thanks, yeah totally getting the TC. Can you soft solder a type K >>> TC? I use to use type T, easy to solder and not very magnetic. (Hmm >>> maybe one for me and one for my son?) George H. >>> >> >> Nope, chromel and alumel don't solder. Type T (copper/constantan) is a >> good solderable system. > > I'd bet that tinners flux (HCL plus Zn) would work. Failing that, > stainless-steel (phosphoric acid) flux. Haven't needed to solder > Chromel-Alumel so far, but have soldered lots of stainless steel > hardware. > > What also can help is to mechanically clean the surfaces under oil, to > keep oxygen away from the freshly cleaned surface to be soldered. This > also works on aluminum. > > Joe Gwinn >You're probably right that it can be done OK that way. During the Battle of Britain, the RAF used to repair shot-up aircraft by attaching Al plates using plumbing solder under oil, so that one has a pretty good pedigree. Cheers Phil Hobbs -- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 http://electrooptical.net http://hobbs-eo.com
Reply by ●November 21, 20222022-11-21
On Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:12:14 -0500, Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:>Joe Gwinn wrote: >> On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 20:45:08 -0500, Phil Hobbs >> <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote: >> >>> George Herold wrote: >>>> On Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 5:10:59 PM UTC-5, Joe Gwinn wrote: >>>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:42:39 -0800, John Larkin >>>>> <jla...@highlandSNIPMEtechnology.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:39:41 -0800 (PST), George Herold >>>>>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7:14:13 PM UTC-5, John Larkin >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 15:06:09 -0800 (PST), George Herold >>>>>>>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hi guys! Long time no smell.* I miss you guys, but I've >>>>>>>>> been doing almost zero electronics. (I lurk every now and >>>>>>>>> then) So my son wants a cheapish DMM for Xmas. What brand >>>>>>>>> should I look at? Extech? Searching this Klein tool one >>>>>>>>> looks nice. Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter, Digital Auto >>>>>>>>> Ranging, AC/DC Voltage, Current, Capacitance, Frequency, >>>>>>>>> Duty-Cycle, Diode, Continuity, Temp 600V ~$50 on amazon >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> George H. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> *Did I recommend "Emperor of Scent" as a good read? >>>>>>>> I've been happy with extechs, for home use and teaching. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks, Extech it is then... One with a TC probe would be >>>>>>> nice. >>>>>> >>>>>> Definitely get the TC. It's good for cooking too. >>>>> Yes. I do that too. Particularly useful for determining the >>>>> temperature of cast iron skillets, especially with a puddle of oil >>>>> in them. Also used to measure the air temperature inside the oven. >>>>> Not useful for broilers. >>>>> >>>>> What I have been using since 2007 is an Extech model 421501, which >>>>> is a "Type K Thermometer". No problems so far. I bought it with a >>>>> penetration probe, but it has standard thermocouple sockets, and >>>>> so can be used with all manner of purchased or made probes. What I >>>>> use for the skillets et al is a homemade Teflon-insulated type K >>>>> wire probe about 2 meters long. >>>>> >>>>> While one is supposed to weld the two wires together to take the >>>>> TC, it also works to twist them tightly and soft-solder them >>>>> together. >>>>> >>>>> One can weld the wires together using a 100-watt incandescent lamp >>>>> and a lump of carbon, drawing an arc between twisted wires (fluxed >>>>> with borax) and the carbon lump. The 100-watt lamp will pass ten >>>>> amps, and then drop to one amp. >>>>> >>>>> Joe Gwinn >>>> Thanks, yeah totally getting the TC. Can you soft solder a type K >>>> TC? I use to use type T, easy to solder and not very magnetic. (Hmm >>>> maybe one for me and one for my son?) George H. >>>> >>> >>> Nope, chromel and alumel don't solder. Type T (copper/constantan) is a >>> good solderable system. >> >> I'd bet that tinners flux (HCL plus Zn) would work. Failing that, >> stainless-steel (phosphoric acid) flux. Haven't needed to solder >> Chromel-Alumel so far, but have soldered lots of stainless steel >> hardware. >> >> What also can help is to mechanically clean the surfaces under oil, to >> keep oxygen away from the freshly cleaned surface to be soldered. This >> also works on aluminum. >> >> Joe Gwinn >> > >You're probably right that it can be done OK that way. > >During the Battle of Britain, the RAF used to repair shot-up aircraft by >attaching Al plates using plumbing solder under oil, so that one has a >pretty good pedigree.Battle tested! Plumbers' grease flux contains zinc chloride and ammonium chloride in petroleum grease, so it has more bite than radio solder. I've found tinners flux good for soldering battery holder terminals to their riveted battery contacts. Apply with a wet toothpick. Rinse in hot water when done. Joe Gwinn
Reply by ●November 21, 20222022-11-21
On 20/11/2022 23:54, George Herold wrote:> On Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 7:53:00 AM UTC-5, erichp...@hotmail.com wrote: >> On 19/11/2022 23:06, George Herold wrote: >>> Hi guys! Long time no smell.* I miss you guys, but I've been doing almost zero electronics. (I lurk every now and then) So my son wants a cheapish DMM for Xmas. What brand should I look at? Extech? Searching this Klein tool one looks nice. >>> Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter, Digital Auto Ranging, AC/DC Voltage, Current, Capacitance, Frequency, Duty-Cycle, Diode, Continuity, Temp 600V >>> ~$50 on amazon >>> >>> George H. >>> >>> *Did I recommend "Emperor of Scent" as a good read? >> Nice to hear from you again! My experience is that auto ranging can be >> painfully slow and does not make it to my list of desirable features. >> Neither is frequency nor duty cycle. Capacitance can be handy but DMMs >> tend to have rather limited ranges. Many low end units only have DC >> current but AC current (even if only LF) is a nice to have. Personally I >> like to have more than one DMM to hand, the second unit can be very >> low-end but seeing (for example) voltage and current simultaneously >> without swapping probes etc is great. A clamp meter with AC/DC hall >> effect current sensor is always in my toolbag, not much use at mA levels >> but very handy for general troubleshooting. >> >> piglet > > Thanks piglet, If there is a range button so you can turn off the autorange and just select one, then that works. > I think mostly my son will want to check continuity/ resistance and low DC voltages and maybe currents. > Nothing fancy just simple trouble shooting stuff. > I trust you have plenty of haycorns packed away for the winter. :^) > (2-3 feet of snow here and 5-6 just a few miles north of me. Lake effect in Buffalo, is fun and challenging.) >Thanks, yes foggy and cold here! piglet
Reply by ●November 21, 20222022-11-21
On 20/11/2022 22:10, Joe Gwinn wrote:> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:42:39 -0800, John Larkin > <jlarkin@highlandSNIPMEtechnology.com> wrote: > >> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 17:39:41 -0800 (PST), George Herold >> <ggherold@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> On Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7:14:13 PM UTC-5, John Larkin wrote: >>>> On Sat, 19 Nov 2022 15:06:09 -0800 (PST), George Herold >>>> <gghe...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi guys! Long time no smell.* I miss you guys, but I've been doing almost zero electronics. (I lurk every now and then) So my son wants a cheapish DMM for Xmas. What brand should I look at? Extech? Searching this Klein tool one looks nice. >>>>> Klein Tools MM400 Multimeter, Digital Auto Ranging, AC/DC Voltage, Current, Capacitance, Frequency, Duty-Cycle, Diode, Continuity, Temp 600V >>>>> ~$50 on amazon >>>>> >>>>> George H. >>>>> >>>>> *Did I recommend "Emperor of Scent" as a good read? >>>> I've been happy with extechs, for home use and teaching. >>> >>> Thanks, Extech it is then... One with a TC probe would be nice. >> >> Definitely get the TC. It's good for cooking too. > > Yes. I do that too. Particularly useful for determining the > temperature of cast iron skillets, especially with a puddle of oil in > them. Also used to measure the air temperature inside the oven. Not > useful for broilers. > > What I have been using since 2007 is an Extech model 421501, which is > a "Type K Thermometer". No problems so far. I bought it with a > penetration probe, but it has standard thermocouple sockets, and so > can be used with all manner of purchased or made probes. What I use > for the skillets et al is a homemade Teflon-insulated type K wire > probe about 2 meters long. > > While one is supposed to weld the two wires together to take the TC, > it also works to twist them tightly and soft-solder them together. > > One can weld the wires together using a 100-watt incandescent lamp and > a lump of carbon, drawing an arc between twisted wires (fluxed with > borax) and the carbon lump. The 100-watt lamp will pass ten amps, and > then drop to one amp. > > Joe GwinnYep, I very successfully welded TC junctions using a carbon rod (from a old dry cell) and capacitor discharge arc. Cannot recall details, but something like 200uF charged to 50V. piglet
