Attn: Users of Solarmeter 6.2

[IguanaKing]

What does your meter say next to "Range:"? Just curious...because mine says 0 to 199.9uW/cm^2, although the www.solarmeter.com web-site claim is 0 to 1999uW/cm^2. Yes...I received my new meter today, but I'm not quite sure I can trust its readings yet. I'll try mine again tomorrow at noon and see if I get above 199.9, which, even if I do, it still raises the question...is this thing calibrated properly or is it a full factor of ten off in its measurements?

[prism_wolf]

I'm going to say yours is a typo. Mine reads 0-1999.

[IguanaKing]

Thanks V. ;D I am managing to get 4 digits to come up every now and then right after I first puch the button. It is a fun little gadget to use. I found out last night that more UVB is emitted by a standard TV on a black screen than what is emitted from a 100W light bulb.

[MAR]

So the decimal comes and goes and no one else has a decimal point on their meters?

As you read this remember I don't have one of these meters

Every 7 segment display has an 8th segment which is a decimal point. So you really could display .1.9.9.9 and depending on how the circuitry is done the segments are on "not" gates so if the data is low, or zero volts applied, it displays. You may have a solder point not connecting at all times (or most of the time) so the decimal displays.

Is there a number to contact for the company on Monday?

[IguanaKing]

Roger that, Mark. I'm going to take a reading around noon today, when the expected UVB will be well above 199.9uW/cm^2...then I'll know for sure. Erroneous data plates aren't acceptable in my line of work, but this one might just have an error on it.

[IguanaKing]

Well...I took a reading at 14:00 today and I got 244, so it definitely goes above 199.9. It looks like its a typo on the data plate, just like V said. I'll be letting Solarmeter know about the error though, just to avoid future confusion.

[MAR]

So this decimal error is on the printed plate on the case NOT in the actual LED 7 segment display read out? As I read it the decimal was in the digital read out not in print on the case.

[Marie]

Mine has 199.9 also.

[IguanaKing]

fognight said:

So this decimal error is on the printed plate on the case NOT in the actual LED 7 segment display read out? As I read it the decimal was in the digital read out not in print on the case.

Yup, the error is on the data plate. Heh...I was explaining the problem assuming 6.2 users would comment, but your input is always relevant and welcome, Mark. ;D

Thanks for your input as well, Marie. This error is one of the reasons I had been on the fence for so long about buying a new UVB meter. Everybody selling the same model seemed to have their decimal points in different places.

[Marie]

I would have mentioned it sooner but mine is outside in the garage with the kids so didn't look until today. This time next week hopefullly we will all be in Cleveland in a nice big place with them inside with me where they should be.

[IguanaKing]

Good luck on your new dwellings. Although, I must say, I don't think you'll be nearly as aesthetically pleased when comparing Cleveland to National City. The weather is going to be a lot rougher too. ;D

[Marie]

But not worth the price I am afraid. National City's nickname is Nasty City due to gangs and a dinky 1 bedroom condo still goes for 189K in that neighborhood. I live in a place now that I can fit a twin bed, a desk, and a table in if I don't have it where I can close the bathroom door. I rent a garage in the complex for the kids. Their enclosure is graffitteed. I grew up in National City and spent 32 out 42 years here but house is lost and all family is gone except my green one from here so it is time to start a new chapter in my life. With their health as it is I need to have them inside for me to watch and me home during the day.