23
I finally got around to testing that old 'dryer sheet on the multimeter probe' trick for static
Tried it on a stubborn Whirlpool dryer in my shop, expecting maybe a slight improvement in contact. The reading jumped so wildly it fried the cheap meter's board, a $45 lesson in not trusting every shop tale. Has anyone actually had that method work without causing more problems?
4 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In4 Comments
the_claire1mo ago
Fried the board" is exactly why I don't try those old tricks.
8
the_wesley1mo ago
Yeah, "fried the board" is no joke. My buddy tried to bring an old tube radio back to life last year. He was following some forum advice about reforming the capacitors with a dim-bulb tester, but he must have wired it wrong. There was a pop, a wisp of smoke, and that was it. The whole thing just went dark. He was so bummed.
8
emery102d ago
Man that sucks. I had a similar thing happen with an old stereo amp I found at a garage sale. Spent like three hours replacing capacitors and tubes just to hear one loud hum and then nothing. Still sitting in my garage.
6
abby_martinez1mo agoTop Commenter
That "pop and smoke" is scary, but a dim-bulb tester is actually a safe way to start. It's all about checking your wiring twice before you plug it in.
3