Digital Caliper Problem. Anyone ever?

Cowboy_mo · December 2, 2014, 02:23 PM

Okay, I have a Frankford Arsenal Digital Caliper. It has worked well for the 2 years I have had it.

Yesterday I was going to load some new rifle rounds. I opened my caliper box and the instrument was going crazy flashing from one measurement to another. I pushed the on/off button to try and turn it off and nothing happened. So, I took the battery out thinking this would create a reboot situation similar to turning off a computer. When I put the battery back in, the same thing happened.

Simple solution, buy a new caliper which I did. But my inquiring mind is still wondering what could have gone wrong while the instrument was safely stored in it's case?

Anyone have any ideas?

hooligan1 · December 2, 2014, 02:40 PM

Battery is dead, mine does the same, I justbreplace battery and its fine.

jdscholer · December 2, 2014, 02:44 PM

My ideas?-- Have a little redundancy in your system, for instance a pair of dial or even veneer calipers to use when the new fangled letrical types go toast on ya.

Of course I'm kinda primitive in my equipment, and have yet to own even a digital scale.

, which may be the subject of my next thread. jd

HiBC · December 2, 2014, 03:25 PM

I have nothing against digital calipers.I have been told some of the Mitutoyos hold up well to coolant.
The FrankfordArsenals,etc are certainly inexpensive.

For myself,just my preferences,I like the good old Browne and Sharpe/Tesa type mechanical dial calipers.

And,on my reloading bench I have a nice old 6 in vernier.I don't have to worry about a dead battery or a powder granule in the rack.I do have to take a few extra seconds to squint in order to see which lines are lined up,but,part of the fun!

Salmoneye · December 2, 2014, 03:31 PM

I agree that it was a bad battery...

jdscholer · December 2, 2014, 03:44 PM

Now if I could just replace this old slide rule with one of those lettronical cypherin thingys that I see the kids using these days.

jd

wogpotter · December 2, 2014, 04:22 PM

Frequently low batteries will blink, flash or do something "OFF" to let you know there is a problem. Try a new battery first as others have suggested.

Some calipers only auto OFF if they are reading "00.0" so do a zero as you put them away if there is no ON/OFF switch as such.

FWIW I keep a fresh spare battery in the case so if there's a problem I'm prepared.

madmo44mag · December 2, 2014, 04:45 PM

All my measuring tools are old school.
Back in my machine shop days I saw more screwed up parts from guys using digital mics and calipers.
Nothing beats a good tool that holds "O.000" after it is dropped.
Do that with a electronic device and you have to recalibrate, if it survived the fall.

pathdoc · December 2, 2014, 05:48 PM

Mine did the same thing recently. New battery failed to cure the problem. I am getting a dial caliper for Christmas. It doesn't go wonky in the cold, and will never need batteries.

Cowboy_mo · December 2, 2014, 06:05 PM

Thanks guys. I will have to locate a new battery and give it a try. If that fixes it, I will have one for backup.

JD: if that old slide rule ever breaks, let me know. Pretty sure I have mine from college in the basement. It hasn't been used since 1975

Bart B. · December 2, 2014, 06:23 PM

A lot of times, leaving the battery out overnight lets a lot of the circuits discharge completely. Put the battery back in the next morning. But cross your fingers, first.

GeauxTide · December 2, 2014, 08:10 PM

I've noticed the same thing with mine. Batteries discharge when off in mine. I keep 2-3 extra and haven't had anymore problems.

jcwit · December 2, 2014, 10:31 PM

Check out E-Bay for the batteries, much, much cheaper. I usually get a couple of cards of 10 each, the lazer we use for a kitty toy takes the same batteries. Also a couple of my pen flashlights take the same batteries.

phudd · December 3, 2014, 04:06 AM

The Frankford Arsenal are cheap Chinese junk. They eat batteries and don't hold zero well. I have Mitutoyos with year(s) old batteries. They are very dependable and worth the money.

rebs · December 3, 2014, 06:47 AM

I never had that happen with mine that I bought at Harbor Freight. But I do have a dial caliper for backup.

**Unclenick** · December 3, 2014, 11:04 AM

I have several sets of digital calipers fro 4" to 12", a good Mitotoyu digital micrometer, and a digital height gauge on my surface plate. Every one of their displays blink when the battery gets low.

What I think most people don't realize is that the on/off button on these devices is a software on/off. It's not a mechanical power switch that fully disconnects the battery, or you would feel it click. What it does is greatly reduce the power drain by putting the electronics into standby mode, but still awake enough to sense when you push the on/off button again to bring the unit back on line. This is also the reason you can turn one of these devices off with the jaws open, and when you turn it back on it still shows the same measurement. It draws enough power to remember where it is. Bottom line, the off switch does not shut it down completely.

You have to remove the battery when you store one of these devices if you want to maximize battery life. Just bear in mind that batteries all have a small amount of reverse leakage current so they eventually run themselves down even if they aren't being used. That's why they have a shelf life. If you go purchasing batteries in quantity, be sure you will use them up before they can lose too much stored energy that way. I try to buy a quantity that I will use up by about the time half the shelf life is gone. Near the end of published shelf life they already are not lasting as long.

jimbob86 · December 3, 2014, 11:48 AM

Quote:

A lot of times, leaving the battery out overnight lets a lot of the circuits discharge completely. Put the battery back in the next morning. But cross your fingers, first.

IDK about digital calipers, but some digital instruments (my Delmhorst moisture meter comes to mind) can lose calibration if completely discharged, either by a battery going bad or being removed completely for long periods .....

If you were going to "keep a back-up" it might be a good plan to keep a dial caliper that did not rely on batteries, which would be the most likely cause of failure in your digital caliper, as your "back-up".

jdscholer · December 3, 2014, 11:48 AM

So one day my chick calls me up from the Goodwill store, and says, "I think there's sumpthin down here you might be interested in."
I headed down there after work, and here's what I got for twenty bucks. The calipers are Mitutoyo, and the dial indicator Chinese, but not too bad. Calipers alone would cost -- up around a hundred I think. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than smart. jd

**Unclenick** · December 3, 2014, 12:38 PM

If you've been getting away with referring to women as "chicks" these days, I think the lucky part is a given.

jdscholer · December 3, 2014, 02:20 PM

Quote:

If you've been getting away with referring to women as "chicks" these days, I think the lucky part is a given.

You probably just have no idea how young and hip we are.

She's my chick, and I'm her dude. What she DOESN'T like is "my ol' lady", and "the old hen" is outa the question. jd

Hunter2678 · December 3, 2014, 03:31 PM

I guess Im lucky if you can call it that.,...Ive been using my late grandfathers Brown & Sharpe 6" dial caliper for the past few years..never could warm up to the digitals...

riflemen · December 3, 2014, 04:47 PM

I had a pair of hornady digitals go bad, I have the frankford now, they were $15 so if they last 2 years I would be happy I guess, I have a pair of brown and sharps with my machining equipment, but didnt want to spend another $300 so I bought the cheapies for the reloading bench, I know if I take my "good " pair down to the reloading bench I will be running back and forth moving them aorund and its not worth it...

sawdustdad · December 4, 2014, 08:54 AM

I'm still using my 40 year old Craftsman vernier calipers. Remember those?? They never need to be rebooted. Wait, let me get my slide rule over here...OK. I'm ready. don't need no stinkin' batteries...

Don P · December 4, 2014, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Mitutoyos

You get what you pay for. These are probably one of the best on the market. Frankfort's, Harbor Freight are cheap inexpensive digitals. I own both digital and dial calipers. Best thing about dial calipers is no battery to go dead. Mitutoyos can be found on Amazon for around $150

mehavey · December 4, 2014, 09:59 AM

I have several old verniers (now comparatively a PITA, but what the heck...)

I also have an old Do-All digital from the early `80s which has been used/abused/BAT
compartment held on by tape -- and it still works fine (flashes screwy w/ the BAT starts dieing/-
but accurate even up to that point]

I have a semi-high dollar Starret digital which is great [has the 'wake' feature UncleNick speaks
of but doesn't seem to drain the battery]

And I have a Frankfort Arsenal which stays in the gunbox and goes everywhere/does
everything and gets subjected to freezing temps continually. THAT battery likes to rapidly die
off over a year of so [constant low temps and wake feature not real compatible?] but
in that case the screen contrast gradually dies off/not screwy. I just carry a couple extra [LR44?]
batteries in the gunbox. Given that, `works fine.

December 2, 2014, 02:23 PM	#1
Cowboy_mo Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,039	Digital Caliper Problem. Anyone ever? Okay, I have a Frankford Arsenal Digital Caliper. It has worked well for the 2 years I have had it. Yesterday I was going to load some new rifle rounds. I opened my caliper box and the instrument was going crazy flashing from one measurement to another. I pushed the on/off button to try and turn it off and nothing happened. So, I took the battery out thinking this would create a reboot situation similar to turning off a computer. When I put the battery back in, the same thing happened. Simple solution, buy a new caliper which I did. But my inquiring mind is still wondering what could have gone wrong while the instrument was safely stored in it's case? Anyone have any ideas?

December 2, 2014, 02:40 PM	#2
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Battery is dead, mine does the same, I justbreplace battery and its fine. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

December 2, 2014, 02:44 PM	#3
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	My ideas?-- Have a little redundancy in your system, for instance a pair of dial or even veneer calipers to use when the new fangled letrical types go toast on ya. Of course I'm kinda primitive in my equipment, and have yet to own even a digital scale. , which may be the subject of my next thread. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

December 2, 2014, 03:44 PM	#6
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	Now if I could just replace this old slide rule with one of those lettronical cypherin thingys that I see the kids using these days. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

December 2, 2014, 04:22 PM	#7
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Frequently low batteries will blink, flash or do something "OFF" to let you know there is a problem. Try a new battery first as others have suggested. Some calipers only auto OFF if they are reading "00.0" so do a zero as you put them away if there is no ON/OFF switch as such. FWIW I keep a fresh spare battery in the case so if there's a problem I'm prepared. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

December 2, 2014, 03:25 PM	#4
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	I have nothing against digital calipers.I have been told some of the Mitutoyos hold up well to coolant. The FrankfordArsenals,etc are certainly inexpensive. For myself,just my preferences,I like the good old Browne and Sharpe/Tesa type mechanical dial calipers. And,on my reloading bench I have a nice old 6 in vernier.I don't have to worry about a dead battery or a powder granule in the rack.I do have to take a few extra seconds to squint in order to see which lines are lined up,but,part of the fun!

December 2, 2014, 03:31 PM	#5
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	I agree that it was a bad battery...

December 2, 2014, 04:45 PM	#8
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	All my measuring tools are old school. Back in my machine shop days I saw more screwed up parts from guys using digital mics and calipers. Nothing beats a good tool that holds "O.000" after it is dropped. Do that with a electronic device and you have to recalibrate, if it survived the fall. __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

December 2, 2014, 05:48 PM	#9
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	Mine did the same thing recently. New battery failed to cure the problem. I am getting a dial caliper for Christmas. It doesn't go wonky in the cold, and will never need batteries.

December 2, 2014, 06:05 PM	#10
Cowboy_mo Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,039	Thanks guys. I will have to locate a new battery and give it a try. If that fixes it, I will have one for backup. JD: if that old slide rule ever breaks, let me know. Pretty sure I have mine from college in the basement. It hasn't been used since 1975

December 2, 2014, 06:23 PM	#11
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	A lot of times, leaving the battery out overnight lets a lot of the circuits discharge completely. Put the battery back in the next morning. But cross your fingers, first.

December 2, 2014, 08:10 PM	#12
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I've noticed the same thing with mine. Batteries discharge when off in mine. I keep 2-3 extra and haven't had anymore problems.

December 2, 2014, 10:31 PM	#13
jcwit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2007 Location: Upper Indiana Posts: 609	Check out E-Bay for the batteries, much, much cheaper. I usually get a couple of cards of 10 each, the lazer we use for a kitty toy takes the same batteries. Also a couple of my pen flashlights take the same batteries. __________________ U.S. Army Veteran NRA Certified Range Officer

December 3, 2014, 04:06 AM	#14
phudd Member Join Date: November 16, 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25	The Frankford Arsenal are cheap Chinese junk. They eat batteries and don't hold zero well. I have Mitutoyos with year(s) old batteries. They are very dependable and worth the money. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0joaQpLzVjs

December 3, 2014, 06:47 AM	#15
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I never had that happen with mine that I bought at Harbor Freight. But I do have a dial caliper for backup.

December 3, 2014, 11:04 AM	#16
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	I have several sets of digital calipers fro 4" to 12", a good Mitotoyu digital micrometer, and a digital height gauge on my surface plate. Every one of their displays blink when the battery gets low. What I think most people don't realize is that the on/off button on these devices is a software on/off. It's not a mechanical power switch that fully disconnects the battery, or you would feel it click. What it does is greatly reduce the power drain by putting the electronics into standby mode, but still awake enough to sense when you push the on/off button again to bring the unit back on line. This is also the reason you can turn one of these devices off with the jaws open, and when you turn it back on it still shows the same measurement. It draws enough power to remember where it is. Bottom line, the off switch does not shut it down completely. You have to remove the battery when you store one of these devices if you want to maximize battery life. Just bear in mind that batteries all have a small amount of reverse leakage current so they eventually run themselves down even if they aren't being used. That's why they have a shelf life. If you go purchasing batteries in quantity, be sure you will use them up before they can lose too much stored energy that way. I try to buy a quantity that I will use up by about the time half the shelf life is gone. Near the end of published shelf life they already are not lasting as long. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 3, 2014, 11:48 AM	#18
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	So one day my chick calls me up from the Goodwill store, and says, "I think there's sumpthin down here you might be interested in." I headed down there after work, and here's what I got for twenty bucks. The calipers are Mitutoyo, and the dial indicator Chinese, but not too bad. Calipers alone would cost -- up around a hundred I think. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than smart. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

December 3, 2014, 12:38 PM	#19
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	If you've been getting away with referring to women as "chicks" these days, I think the lucky part is a given. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 3, 2014, 03:31 PM	#21
Hunter2678 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 235	I guess Im lucky if you can call it that.,...Ive been using my late grandfathers Brown & Sharpe 6" dial caliper for the past few years..never could warm up to the digitals...

December 3, 2014, 04:47 PM	#22
riflemen Junior member Join Date: November 18, 2014 Posts: 259	I had a pair of hornady digitals go bad, I have the frankford now, they were $15 so if they last 2 years I would be happy I guess, I have a pair of brown and sharps with my machining equipment, but didnt want to spend another $300 so I bought the cheapies for the reloading bench, I know if I take my "good " pair down to the reloading bench I will be running back and forth moving them aorund and its not worth it...

December 4, 2014, 08:54 AM	#23
sawdustdad Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 484	I'm still using my 40 year old Craftsman vernier calipers. Remember those?? They never need to be rebooted. Wait, let me get my slide rule over here...OK. I'm ready. don't need no stinkin' batteries...

December 4, 2014, 09:59 AM	#25
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	I have several old verniers (now comparatively a PITA, but what the heck...) I also have an old Do-All digital from the early `80s which has been used/abused/BAT compartment held on by tape -- and it still works fine (flashes screwy w/ the BAT starts dieing/- but accurate even up to that point] I have a semi-high dollar Starret digital which is great [has the 'wake' feature UncleNick speaks of but doesn't seem to drain the battery] And I have a Frankfort Arsenal which stays in the gunbox and goes everywhere/does everything and gets subjected to freezing temps continually. THAT battery likes to rapidly die off over a year of so [constant low temps and wake feature not real compatible?] but in that case the screen contrast gradually dies off/not screwy. I just carry a couple extra [LR44?] batteries in the gunbox. Given that, `works fine. Last edited by mehavey; December 4, 2014 at 05:45 PM.