"Richard Clark" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 2 Feb 2008 12:10:10 -0500, "Ralph Mowery"
wrote:

One minor thing is the meter movement on those meters are sluggish so it
takes a slow adjustment of amplifiers to get them to the max output.

Hi Ralph,

The meter needle probably has an aluminum vane in the magnetic field
that is used as a dampener through eddy current induction.

As a general consideration for fine meter movements, and to prevent
their being damaged while being transported; some are equipped with
shorting bars (or switches) across the meter terminals. This is more
commonly encountered with bridge instruments.

This can be simple observed by rotating the meter movement quickly and
noting the deflection of the needle on the scale through inertia. An
undampened meter can be deflected by vigorous movement up to half
scale (possibly more), where a dampened meter would deflect barely a
tenth.

You got a bargain beyond dollars in your purchase.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Yes, I did get a great bargain. The meter came with a spring type wire
across the meter to short it out. I know this helps protect the meter
movement. Just have to remember to take it out when I want to use the
meter. Some of the old analog VOMs had an off position that did the same
thing.

Some of the Bird Hammate wattmeters had the very slow movements and Bird
would change them out for you.