Multimeters April 04, 2021, 05:56:54 pm Found this thread from four years ago and was wondering if anyone has recent recommendations for a digital multimeter. Don’t need anything fancy, since I wouldn’t know how to use it anyway. Just need basic functions, reliability, and accuracy.Multimeter Recommendation
Re: Multimeters Reply #1 – April 04, 2021, 06:11:01 pm I got one From Radio Shack (when they existed), Think it was about $20.Does everything I'm capable of understanding electrically. 1 Likes
Re: Multimeters Reply #2 – April 04, 2021, 06:40:03 pm Greg, Unless you have too much money, and don't know where to spend it, or some kind of special need, get the cheapest multimeter you can find. They are all good these days, even the freebies from harbor freight are pretty darn accurate. I've had the whole range, from Fluke to Harbor Freight, and for the kind of things that most of us use it for, they are accurate to within a tenth of a volt. and/or amp. I would look for one that can at least measure some current, most can deal with 10 amps, but other than that, unless you have too much money, based on your stated need, forget about the high end stuff. 1 Likes
Re: Multimeters Reply #3 – April 04, 2021, 07:00:30 pm "Just need basic functions, reliability, and accuracy."I go along with the comments of others, don't overspend!One accessory I suggest you have is a pair of alligator clips which are designed to be slipped over the probes. Can't remember how many times those have saved my bacon! 2 Likes
Re: Multimeters Reply #4 – April 04, 2021, 07:09:21 pm I assure you, funds are limited so inexpensive is good. Agreed, alligator clips would be handy!
Re: Multimeters Reply #5 – April 04, 2021, 07:14:00 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - April 04, 2021, 07:00:30 pm"Just need basic functions, reliability, and accuracy."I go along with the comments of others, don't overspend!One accessory I suggest you have is a pair of alligator clips which are designed to be slipped over the probes. Can't remember how many times those have saved my bacon! Two probes, a test object, and a meter are hard to juggle with only 2 hands. I suppose if you have very dexterous toes you could do it, but you shouldn't be doing electrical stuff barefooted. Harbor Freight free-with-purchase model works for most things - and is disposable after an 'oopsie' joel 1 Likes
Re: Multimeters Reply #6 – April 04, 2021, 07:54:27 pm Quote from: Jota - April 04, 2021, 06:11:01 pmI got one From Radio Shack (when they existed), Think it was about $20.Does everything I'm capable of understanding electrically.Believe it or not, we still have a RadioShack here in Tehachapi:Yelp...
Re: Multimeters Reply #7 – April 04, 2021, 08:06:49 pm You might look at this Klein kit....Klein Tools Electrical Test Kit 69149 - - Amazon.com 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Multimeters Reply #8 – April 04, 2021, 09:18:08 pm I’m a retired electrical engineer and have used the same Fluke multimeter for the last three decades. I agree, get the cheapest meter you can find. They will provide all the accuracy you will need for any RV or home application you will encounter.Minimum requirements:AC voltageDC voltageResistance Continuity indicator with a buzzer (Not absolutely needed but more convenient than reading a short or open using resistance function. 1 Likes
Re: Multimeters Reply #9 – April 04, 2021, 09:24:54 pm As a not so retired Electronics technician, I'm a firm believer in auto ranging, as a far as any multimeter is concerned. If it doesn't have autoranging, it better be free (as in disposible). So I'll recommend an upgrade to: Klein Tools Digital Multimeter, Auto-Ranging, 600V MM400 - - Amazon.com RonB 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Multimeters Reply #10 – April 04, 2021, 10:10:02 pm Thanks, Ron. I just looked up manual ranging vs. auto ranging and decided that I need a new multimeter. 🥴
Re: Multimeters Reply #11 – April 05, 2021, 01:19:49 am I'm with Ron: I won't consider anything that doesn't have autoranging. I have better things to do than click my way around a dial with a couple dozen settings, looking for the right one. Besides, those tiny labels are hard for these old eyes to read.Radio Shack used to sell a sweet little meter in a clamshell case that had exactly three settings: volts, ohms, and milliamps. A function button let you select AC or DC volts, or when in ohms mode, a continuity beeper. It's described on my website's "Using a multimeter" page. That's my ideal: as simple as possible.Unfortunately, that one is no longer available (although I still have a couple), but I have the autoranging Klein meter that Ron recommended, and it's a good one all around. I also have and like a Blue Sea autoranging clamp meter. Again, there's a minimum of settings. Sure, you can buy a clamp meter for a fraction of the price, or get a cheapie for free from Harbor Freight. But I believe good tools are worth what they cost. Cheap tools generally make my work harder. I got no time for that. 3 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Multimeters Reply #12 – April 05, 2021, 03:11:24 am Quote from: Andy Baird - April 05, 2021, 01:19:49 amI'm with Ron: I won't consider anything that doesn't have autoranging. I have better things to do than click my way around a dial with a couple dozen settings, looking for the right one. Besides, those tiny labels are hard for these old eyes to read.Sure, you can buy a clamp meter for a fraction of the price, or get a cheapie for free from Harbor Freight. But I believe good tools are worth what they cost. Cheap tools generally make my work harder. I got no time for that.For the serious RV DIYer, a clamp meter is a good investment. Being able to quickly measure amps, especially when higher than 10-amps, is very valuable when working on or troubleshooting solar, battery charging, and other high power usage circuits.Good tools are well worth it if you use them frequently and live long enough. My Jeep tool kit includes a 40-year old Fluke multimeter, one I used daily at work for years. It has taken some serious falls, the armored case, similar to the Klein, has done its job, the Fluke lives on.Larry
Re: Multimeters Reply #13 – April 05, 2021, 09:07:41 am Thanks all, just purchased the Klein autoranging meter from Amazon. Can’t wait to learn how to use it!
Re: Multimeters Reply #14 – April 05, 2021, 09:24:54 am Hah! Larry just went to bed and Greg is already up! Almost 24 hour posting on our west coast. Note with auto-ranging you should be able to defeat it. Sometimes what you are measuring can be so erratic the meter will be switching back and forth so fast you can't get any reading. Locking in one range allows you to find out exactly what is going on. Usually just pushing some button will lock it in, but if there is no option, it can be frustrating...Steve
Re: Multimeters Reply #15 – April 05, 2021, 01:24:52 pm Hi Steve; Maybe I just hang around better meters but I've never seen an autoranging one the won't stay on one particular range. Sometimes if you are looking at a voltage, and then want to see what it changes to when you flip a switch; you want it stay on the higher range, or lower. Mostly useful for Ohms, checking for a good low resistance, etc. Have fun with your new meter Greg. Be careful when you are checking AC volts not to cross the bare probes, or touch the probe bare parts while measuring. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Multimeters Reply #16 – April 05, 2021, 03:17:04 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - April 05, 2021, 01:19:49 amI'm with Ron: I won't consider anything that doesn't have autoranging. I have better things to do than click my way around a dial with a couple dozen settings, looking for the right one. Besides, those tiny labels are hard for these old eyes to read.Radio Shack used to sell a sweet little meter in a clamshell case that had exactly three settings: volts, ohms, and milliamps. A function button let you select AC or DC volts, or when in ohms mode, a continuity beeper. It's described on my website's "Using a multimeter" page. That's my ideal: as simple as possible.Unfortunately, that one is no longer available (although I still have a couple), but I have the autoranging Klein meter that Ron recommended, and it's a good one all around. I also have and like a Blue Sea autoranging clamp meter. Again, there's a minimum of settings. Sure, you can buy a clamp meter for a fraction of the price, or get a cheapie for free from Harbor Freight. But I believe good tools are worth what they cost. Cheap tools generally make my work harder. I got no time for that.Andy, thanks for sharing your using a multimeter page. I printed it out for future reference. Good understandable info for us rookies! 3 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
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