Simpson 260

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Simpson 260
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 05:38 pm:

I found a Simpson 260 meter in an antique store for 40 bucks. One lead was in bad shape, but it had the book and case. Don't know if it worked, though. I was concerned about battery type. It said one D cell and four Type Z. Not sure what that is. Anyway, should I have bought it? I can probably arrange to still get it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 05:42 pm:

Well,I use a 260 about anytime I do electrical work.It is old and ragged.But it is dang good.
The leads could be had cheap.There was a vendor at Denton not far from my camper selling them for a dollar a pair.Factory Fluke leads I think but would work.Radio shack still carrys leads for them as well.
The D cell is for the lower ohms scale.The other 4 are for the higher ohm scale.It would measure Ac and dc volts without a battery.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve in Tennessee on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 05:44 pm:

Hal,

I recently found a 260 for the same price in an antique store. Mine takes D cells and AA cell batteries.

Steve


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve in Tennessee on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 05:45 pm:

Hal,

Additionally, you may find this site of use:

http://www.simpson260.com/downloads/downloads.htm

Steve


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Mikeska, Denver CO on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 05:53 pm:

I use a Simpson 260 all the time. Digital meters are the rage right now but when troubleshooting control systems analog meters are the best bet. If I found one in good condition for 40 dollars I would own 2 of them

Paul


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 05:58 pm:

I have a 260. It takes 1 D cell and a 9 volt. Newer model? Anyone know where I can get leads? all I see are the reverse insulated type (outside insulation with a post inside the meter) This takes the un-insulated bullet type connectors.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warren W. Mortensen on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 05:59 pm:

Can't beat an old-timer like the 260.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 06:09 pm:

I was an Electronics Technician in the Coast Guard in the 60's. The Simpson 260 is what we used then. I wish I could find one now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 06:13 pm:

Just checked Radio Shack. All they show on line is the reverse insulated type. In fact that's all the Simpson site shows. Wonder what's up?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 06:14 pm:

Mike their all over e-bay and Simpson does sell re-conditioned ones for like new prices.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Garnet on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 06:24 pm:

Just cut the outside insulation sleeve off newer meter leads - they should work just fine. There's nothing hard about finding a Simpson meter online to buy. As mentioned in another thread by John Regan, if you're looking for one, try to get the one with the white circuit breaker button on the front panel ... model 6P comes to mind but there can be others. It will save you replacing fuses or letting out the magic smoke! There are some on e**y right now. Mine has served me well throughout many years use in my vintage radio & telephone hobby.

Regards all,
Garnet


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Johnson on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 06:30 pm:

I picked up a gently used Simpson 260 Series 7 for $7.50 at an estate sale two years ago. It included the leather carrying case, leads, screw on alligator clips and instruction book.

I go to a lot of estate sales and see Simpson meters every so often and typically they have very low prices. I didn't think there was much demand for them but I guess I should start picking them up for resale.

I also have a small Midland meter that I picked up for $2.00 that I like to use.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joseph Magedanz on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 07:33 pm:

I just bought this one on eBay for $50 ("buy it now"--all leads, case, book (rev. 12-75)) after some recent postings on the forum about how good the Simpson 260 with protected circuitry is.

Simpson 260

So far I really like it...did you know that a AA battery is 1.5 volts DC and that my house current is 115 AC? Yes, of course you did, but it was fun to test.
So they are out there for reasonable prices.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John W. Oder - Houston, Texas on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 07:47 pm:

Got my TS 505 D/U down - thought it may be a Simpson and might need batteries, but it isn't and plugs in, so must not have bats. Lots of these in Naval Aviation fifty years ago when I was in.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Cascisa - Poulsbo, Washington on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 08:47 pm:

I have seen many Simpson 260's and Triplett 630's (an equally good meter - I have several) go by on eBay with no bids. There are currently dozens of each on eBay with prices ranging from $10 to $200.

Be_Zero_Be


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 10:38 pm:

I was given a mint condition Triplett a couple months ago.I had just put new batterys in it,a 25 dollar problem as it uses a wierd battery>Man ask me to replace them and then was given a new meter that he liked better :>0.It is still in it's cardboard box ,the leads never untied.I used another set to test it.
Hal,If I can remember I will look and see if I have some banana leads like ye need.But the above advice will work fine.
Digital meters are good for some jobs.But if you were checking the mag output on the T,a digital would just flash jibberish.A analog,you can watch the needle move from the low output amount to the high and interpret the results.

20 years ago or better there was a fellow that bought pallets of Simpson meters from military auctions.He would send me big boxes of banged up meters and I would fix the good 1's and send them back.
He told me to keep or chunk the old parts and such.Which I did throw out the "junk".When I started ebaying it was when I was cleaning up my old electronics work bench in the basement.It had been 15 years since I had fixed any and there was no more comeing.So I ebayed the bulk of the parts.I think i kept some resistors and such and glad I did since I picked up the old Simpsons I use now


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andrew Deckman, Ogden Utah on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 10:45 pm:

You can buy them new! Look in newark electronics


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Saturday, July 07, 2012 - 11:17 pm:

Hal

What series is your 260? It can usually be found on the meter face near the bottom.

Mine is a series 4 and if I remember right it calls for 4 type z batteries. I believe type z batteries are really what we call a double A today (AA), as that is what I use in mine. The tricky part is that the 4 AA's "wrap around" the PC board. At first it looks like there is only room for 2. Look carefully and you will see 2 batteries parallel to the bottom and 1 on each side reaching up under the pc board.

The D cell is for the lower R ranges and the 4 AA's are connected in series with the D for 7.5 volts on the higher R ranges.

Check the PC board for corrosion as that can be a problem. A little corrosion on the battery contacts isn't unusual and can be easily cleaned.

Cheers
schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Sunday, July 08, 2012 - 07:13 am:

Schuh,

I didn't buy it, but I might get my son to back and get it for me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John McGinnis in San Jose area, CA. on Sunday, July 08, 2012 - 08:30 am:

I have used a 260 for over 50 years and couldn't troubleshoot or develop without it....power, phones, Model Ts, etc.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bede Cordes, New Zealand on Monday, July 09, 2012 - 01:03 am:

Mike walker, ill send you mine if you send me one of those old rusty chassis and engines like in stan howe's 'it all went to the scrapper thread' that you americans think are worth peanuts ! :-) regards, bede


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Monday, July 09, 2012 - 10:37 am:

Hi, Bede -- Thanks for the offer, but now that I know the meters are available on ebay, I believe I can buy one of those for much less money than it would cost to ship you a "worthless" frame and engine. :-)

BTW, thanks to the guys above who mentioned ebay as a source for a meter. There are currently about 80 of them listed. I look at ebay just about every day, but I'm looking for Model T parts mostly. Sometimes it's difficult to get out of my rut and think about ebay as a source for other things I need.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Cascisa - Poulsbo, Washington on Monday, July 09, 2012 - 11:47 am:

If you need something (anything at all) you only need got to one of two places ...

eBay
Amazon

Be_Zero_Be


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willie K Cordes on Monday, July 09, 2012 - 12:11 pm:

Mike, this is the other Cordes in Texas, not the one down under.
I saw your comment about using a Simpson in the Coast Guard. I joined the Coast Guard in 1961 and stayed the required 4 years. I also went into the electronic field and later the Loran C program.
We will have to talk sometime, we may have crossed paths.


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