Miitutoyo caliper error

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

I have a old Mitutoyo DIGIMATIC calliper which must be 25 years old, it packed up quite a few years ago, so finding it again in the shed is it repairable.

When installing the battery a very dim E comes up, and that's about it, I must state that the E is just about recognizable.

If its no good then a single parallel can be salvaged, but chopping the calliper up seems criminal as its so smooth to use.

Bob.

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

If you go on the Mitutoyo website, they sell spares, but you need to register before getting the full information. I bought part of the electronics of a digital mike from them about 7 years ago, with great success. Check the voltage of the battery, it should be 1.5V.

[VicParticipant @vic]

As it’s very dim are you sure it’s an E? Mine comes up with B when the battery is low.

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

Its a new battery and still hard to make out the E.

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Not impossible for a new battery to be a dud ! try it in another tool or a different battery first, also are the contacts clean with no corrosion ? Stating the obvious but !!!!

[Brian GParticipant @briang]

According to this Practical Machinist Link "E" could mean the scale needs cleaning, but like the others, if it is faint I would first suspect the battery.

Brian

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

I will try another battery later to day if I have one, but I did notice the terminal the negative — looks like its been arcing on the terminal.

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

I have paper instructions here.. .."E" does indeed mean the scale needs cleaning – the instruction say to clean the scale, and if the "E" error message still remains, it is necessary to then remove and re-install the battery.

If still no go, I would try disassembly and cleaning the inside "track reading" area of the head unit before I consigned it to the scrap bin..

Hope this helps

D

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by BOB BLACKSHAW on 22/09/2019 08:48:33:

I will try another battery later to day if I have one, but I did notice the terminal the negative — looks like its been arcing on the terminal.

.

Bob,

May I just ask exactly what batteries you use ?

I may be reading too much into your statement [in which case, please forgive me], but it sounds like you might have 'stock' …

MichaelG.

.

Edit: I've just searched  back on this forum … Almost six years ago, I wrote:

I use Energizer 357/303 Silver Oxide in my Mitutoyo caliper.

… Long shelf life, and excellent performance. [*]

Using cheap Alkaline cells in good equipment is a false economy.

.

Ref. https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=88252

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 22/09/2019 09:19:19

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

The battery is a AG13, the sort I've got are a multipack button cell, I've used them on my height gauge an seem to work ok.

They are not the best quality.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Thanks, Bob

My edit crossed with your reply … but I think we may be onto something:

Have a look at the Voltage Duscharge curves on this page, that I've literally just found on the web:

**LINK** http://www.lr44batteryequivalent.org/

MichaelG.

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

Thanks for the link Michael, well worth getting a silver oxide battery and try it.

I will let you know on this post.

Thanks all, Bob.

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

I put the new silver oxide battery in today but its still showing a very faint E symbol, so it looks like its finished as a calliper.

Bob..

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Sorry to hear that, Bob

MichaelG.

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

Bob, I have a Mitutoyo Digimatic which is well over 30 years old and it still works but I do have to nurse it along. My problem is battery related also, I have to keep cleaning the contacts or the display dims even with a new battery fitted. Also the central contact which is angled upwards has lost its spring so I have a thin washer between the battery and battery cover to maintain contact.

Have you thought of giving the Mitutoyo service dept a call, I have been meaning to but havnt got around to it yet. They may have a standard charge for repair/service of their products, but it may also be a case of replacement parts plus an hourly rate and other charges which costs more than the calliper is worth.

I will have to look into it as I would like to keep it going, its till very nice to use and head and shoulders above the cheapo versions.

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Just for reference, here is a link to their website, which states " Direct end user contact is encouraged on spares/repairs to enable prompt, cost effective service and communication. A dedicated customer support telephone team is always on hand for assistance, you can call them on 01264 353123. "

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

Tried allsorts of batteries with no success, but this works a treat, tried and tested.

Bob

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Nice big display too, Bob

… Every cloud has a silver lining

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by BOB BLACKSHAW on 05/11/2019 17:59:38:

Tried allsorts of batteries with no success, but this works a treat, tried and tested.

Bob

Aldi body?

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I somehow disbelieve the negative terminal has been arcing. 1.5 volts doesn’t do that trick too well. Corrosion is, by far, more likely. That could mean a high contact resistance, so much less voltage across the electronics than required.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

It just shows how the Mitutoyo has been copied, if that top part fits. The main difference between the cheapo's and the Mit, is the superb fit and smoothness of the mechanical parts, well worth the transplant.

 My Mitutoyo 6" is 29 years old and beats all of my cheapos hands down.

Edited By old mart on 06/11/2019 20:47:50

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Years ago at a car boot I bought a faulty Mitutoyo caliper for a couple of quid and found the battery contact was not a very good contact with the battery.

Sorted that out and its still going after 25 years.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Presumably, you have tried cleaning the scale on the frame, possibly even removing then read head and ensuring that the area over the scale is clean?

Howard

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Ive got a few of their calipers and Mic's but they do sometimes go wrong. Ive got a fairly new digimatic which has never worked correctly…should have sent it back but never got round to it. Will strip it and service it one day….might fix things.

[Author]

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