John Duffy, a dedicated innovator in the field of electronics, has released a detailed video showcasing the design of his open-source multimeter, the HydraMeter. This multimeter serves as a versatile tool for measuring voltage, current, and resistance, and the video offers an in-depth look at the challenges Duffy faced during its development.
The HydraMeter has been in progress for several years, and this latest video builds on a previous coverage from last year. Duffy explains the intricacies of the device’s circuitry, which integrates the voltage, current, and resistance front-ends into an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC). This ADC connects to a microcontroller, which communicates with a detachable display. For those interested in replicating or modifying the design, Duffy has made the KiCad design files available on his GitHub page, along with a detailed write-up on hackaday.io.
Duffy’s user interface design has been described as “opinionated,” suggesting that while it may not appeal to everyone, it reflects his unique vision for the multimeter. In the video, he discusses the rationale behind this interface and mentions plans for a rotary range switch in version 2.0 of the HydraMeter.
The case of the multimeter is 3D printed, and Duffy praises his Bambu printer for its performance. In contrast, he expresses dissatisfaction with the Solid Edge CAD software used to design the case, highlighting some of the challenges he encountered during the process.
Duffy’s video serves as an excellent resource for electronics enthusiasts, providing valuable insights into the design and functionality of the HydraMeter. As he continues to refine the multimeter, many in the maker community eagerly anticipate the upcoming updates and enhancements in future versions.
