17 replies to this topic

[Moose Dog]

<p>Looking for recommendations for a multimeter ... a simple one that lasts!</p>
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<p>This is also a simple question but I've learned to know EXACTLY what I want before I go into a hardware or auto store - they'll foist off anything...</p>
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<p>Thanks everyone</p>

 

(Edit) No idea how those magic symbols showed up in my post

Edited by Moose Dog, 19 August 2018 - 01:36 PM.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Mornin’ Moose Dog

Magic symbols are because of a bug. I think it’s caused by hitting the back arrow in your browser, then posting. Editing is possibly part of the issue. Anyway, it’s not your fault.

Any inexpensive digital multimeter will do the job for you. Almost all will give you AC/DC voltage, amperage and resistance (ohms/continuity). Voltage and continuity are used most often. Get one that automatically senses scale so you don’t have to select voltage range. One with slip on alligator clips for the leads make things easier when probing in a tight area. A case helps for storage.

They are typically inexpensive, but real good/great models (like Fluke) can be pricy.

WS

[JaSAn]

Looking for recommendations for a multimeter ... a simple one that lasts!

 

I have a four of them:

   Three Harbour Freight 'free' multimeters.  These are used most often as they are laying around handy.

   A Mastercraft clamp-on ammeter/multimeter, < $40 from Amazon.  This one goes with me on trips.

 

All four have been benchmarked against a Fluke.  The Mastercraft is good to two decimal places, good enough for what I do; the clamp on ammeter can be very useful.  The HF multimeters can drift a little but are good enough for most troubleshooting.

 

jim

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

My inexpensive HF units are still working fine. Interestingly enough, I’ve found that I use them more around the house so I keep one in the truck and one in my garage toolbox.

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Pretty much any meter will let you measure ac and dc voltage, and check continuity.  The regular meters will usually limit you to no more than 10 amps of current, and you need to interrupt the circuit and put the meter in line to get even that.  The clamp on type will let you measure much higher current just by clamping around a wire, but, alas, the cheaper versions only seem to measure ac current.  If you want to measure dc current from your alternator or solar panels to your house batteries. you're going to have to spend some money for one of the more professional ones.

[smlobx]

I just bought these recently.

https://www.amazon.c...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have others that I keep in my shop but these go with me in my truck. On the rare occasion we camp with power I like to check the receptacle before we plug in.

Edited by smlobx, 19 August 2018 - 05:16 PM.

[Beach]

Get a free digital meter from Harbor Frt, just clip the free coupon. Out of my 2 analog and 1 other digital meters, it is the most accurate reading voltage when checked against my Fluke meter. I had an extra one and clipped the probes off, installed ring lungs and installed permanently to read the house battery.

[craig333]

Saw a fluke pop up on ebay reasonably priced and I grabbed that. Had too many failures on the HF meters.

[ardvark]

I have used nothing but Fluke meters professionally. A clamp meter that will read DC amperage save so much time, I doubt anyone who ever had one would use anything else. Pricey yes, but they last a lifetime. And as a side note, I found the less expensive clamp meters can be off a great deal when reading amperage, so much so that I felt they were not worth the money.

 

My two cents.

[Moose Dog]

Thanks everyone!  Good info as usual here 

 

Definitely would like those alligator clips.