Maplin Digital Caliper

I bought one of these N48AA calipers from Maplin in July 2005. The battery didn't last very long, nor did the 'free' spare. So I bought a new one and fitted that assuming that the supplied batteries were poor quality. But no, the new one died quickly too. In despair, not wanting to have to buy a new battery every month or so, I measured the current drain. With the supply ON it was about 14.5 microamps and with it OFF the figure was 14.0 microamps. So the POWER OFF swicth is nothing of the sort. The nominal capacity of the battery is about 100-150mAh so with the drain at the level it is, the battery life will be 1 - 2 months only. Armed with these figures I contacted Maplin and was advised that the unit was obviously faulty and that I should return it for replacement. This I did in May this year. I have no cause to use the caliper since then - until last weekend. The battery was found to be flat, or at least below operating voltage. I am currently in dispute with Maplin about the fitness for purpose and description in their advertising. More anon.

I'm not sure what current drain is reasonable, but it's not surprising it doesn't drop much : that's how all these calipers maintain zero when switched off. They only switch off the display, leaving all the measurement stuff working. A caliper without an 'absolute' mode should be able to use much less power when off.

-adrian

Some interesting debate.

In comparison with the Maplin device, my Mitituyo caliper is still using the original battery after 5 years regular use. This includes sometimes leaving the device on (accidentally ) for several hours at a time.

FWIW in the newsletter I got from Maplin this morning their calipers are now down to =A39.99.......

Mike

Some interesting debate.

In comparison with the Maplin device, my Mitituyo caliper is still using the original battery after 5 years regular use. This includes sometimes leaving the device on (accidentally ) for several hours at a time.

FWIW in the newsletter I got from Maplin this morning their calipers are now down to £9.99.......

Mike

My old Maplin one *doesn't* maintain zero, and batteries last a year or two.

I've got several of these el-cheapo Chinese calipers from different sources and a similar height gauge. All of them eat batteries. Like Mike's, my expensive Mitiuiyo is still using the same battery it had when new about 3 years ago.

I think you just have to grin and bear it and keep a supply of batteries on hand - thery are not too expensive if bought in 10s.

I have often wondered whether the other guy's £1.10 batteries might be better and last longer, if I had gotten around to needing more batteries already.

ps I have a Hilka caliper whose batteries last about a year, and an Aldi/Lidl one which lasts about 2 months tops. And another Aldi/Lidl one which lasts about six months or more, go figure.

Snap... I'm using the Mitutoyo 500-191 caliper which was bought

replying to Clive, Dermot wrote: I have one with the same problem. When a known healthy battery is installed, the unit is unstable, flickers, and when Zero'd, the digits flicker. Also, when a healthy battery is installed, measurements are unstable flickering digits etc. If I change from metric to imperial and visa versa, the measurement is unstable. It's a very disappointing purchase as it's really non functional for the job it was intended "Precision Measurement" ! I've never taken it back because I keep hoping it will work but that was a dream !! I no longer have a receipt but if Maplin did the right thing they'd contact me after reading this and I'd be very appreciative for a healthy working caliper.

What battery are you using, an alkaline or silver oxide, what is its number. Alkaline don't last as long and have a lower potential so if one is being used maybe it's a voltage issue.