Simpson 260 Series 2 Multimeter - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

SteveCG · 27th Oct 2020, 5:34 pm

Help from somebody who specialises in Simpsons would be much appreciated.

This meter was bought from a place that specialised in house clearances - and looked like it had come out of loft judging by the muck on it. However its meter needle was not bent and swung freely and its case was intact. There was no Series number on it but thanks to the www.simpson260.com website I was able to identify it as a Series 2 and downloaded the information on it. (It does not have a 50 uA separate socket, even though it is a 20,000 Ohm per Volt DC meter; its AC sensitivity is 1,000 Ohm per volt. Its Serial Number is 15366).

To cut a long story short the meter movement is open circuit. So my first question is this: To get the meter movement out of the case do I really have to unscrew the meter scale?

I would also like to remove the four 1.5 Volt 'AA' type batteries which have corroded. The instruction manual does not detail this and it looks as if I have to unsolder quite a few wires - or am I missing something!

Thanks

retailer · 28th Oct 2020, 12:14 am

It's been a long time since I fixed my Simpson 260, initial diagnosis was an OC meter, when finally apart I found on the rear a curved metal link joining the hair spring to the terminating point - I can't recall if it was broken or had come unsoldered but only took a few seconds to solder - has been good for over 15yrs perhaps have look at the rear of the meter - you never know.

SteveCG · 1st Nov 2020, 11:15 am

An update:

First the battery removal. I discovered that what looked like a single black paxolin cover was in fact two separate L shapes. These slid out sideways allowing the batteries to be removed.

Second the meter movement. I carefully removed the meter scale plate and undid the two retaining screws. This allowed the meter movement to be unsoldered and removed. Unfortunately the winding is open circuit. I am working up to try gently to make contact with the ends of the meter coil that are soldered to the springs to check whether it is actually the coil that is O/C and not just an open circuit solder joint.

27th Oct 2020, 5:34 pm	#1
SteveCG Nonode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 2,495	Simpson 260 Series 2 Multimeter Help from somebody who specialises in Simpsons would be much appreciated. This meter was bought from a place that specialised in house clearances - and looked like it had come out of loft judging by the muck on it. However its meter needle was not bent and swung freely and its case was intact. There was no Series number on it but thanks to the www.simpson260.com website I was able to identify it as a Series 2 and downloaded the information on it. (It does not have a 50 uA separate socket, even though it is a 20,000 Ohm per Volt DC meter; its AC sensitivity is 1,000 Ohm per volt. Its Serial Number is 15366). To cut a long story short the meter movement is open circuit. So my first question is this: To get the meter movement out of the case do I really have to unscrew the meter scale? I would also like to remove the four 1.5 Volt 'AA' type batteries which have corroded. The instruction manual does not detail this and it looks as if I have to unsolder quite a few wires - or am I missing something! Thanks

28th Oct 2020, 12:14 am	#2
retailer Heptode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 541	Re: Simpson 260 Series 2 Multimeter It's been a long time since I fixed my Simpson 260, initial diagnosis was an OC meter, when finally apart I found on the rear a curved metal link joining the hair spring to the terminating point - I can't recall if it was broken or had come unsoldered but only took a few seconds to solder - has been good for over 15yrs perhaps have look at the rear of the meter - you never know.

1st Nov 2020, 11:15 am	#3
SteveCG Nonode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 2,495	Re: Simpson 260 Series 2 Multimeter An update: First the battery removal. I discovered that what looked like a single black paxolin cover was in fact two separate L shapes. These slid out sideways allowing the batteries to be removed. Second the meter movement. I carefully removed the meter scale plate and undid the two retaining screws. This allowed the meter movement to be unsoldered and removed. Unfortunately the winding is open circuit. I am working up to try gently to make contact with the ends of the meter coil that are soldered to the springs to check whether it is actually the coil that is O/C and not just an open circuit solder joint.