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Topic: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Yahoo Message Number: 23110
Model #82139 for $19.99

This has been widely liked among members of a Mercedes forum I participate in, and I'm planning to pick one up myself. It measures temperature (don't know if thermocouple is included), duty-cycle, frequency, capacitance, and has data hold and relative measurement features, as well as all the standard stuff. I'll trade it for the one I carry now in the LD - it will always be close to the cars when needed for that when we're home.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23116
"Model #82139 for $19.99.
It measures temperature (don't know if thermocouple is included), duty-cycle,  frequency, capacitance, and has data hold and relative measurement features, as well as all the standard stuff."

Steve

That is an amazing price. Please let us know what you think of it after playing with it for a while. I really dislike leaving an expensive Fluke(that does not do all the stuff the Sears model does) in the MH so I can trouble-shot something simple, like a bad light.
Measuring frequency is something almost every RVer can use, especially those who use generators.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23146
Quote
That is an amazing price. Please let us know what you think of it after playing with it for a while. I really dislike leaving an expensive Fluke(that does not do all the stuff the Sears model
Prelim report. Picked up after work, and checked out the functions.
About 2/3 the size of a handheld Fluke, removable bounce shield. Made in China, but quality seems pretty good. About 2 updates/sec - similar to Fluke but much faster than the Radio Shack model it replaces. Besides what I mentioned before, auto-ranging, range-hold, auto-off, basic DC accuracy 1%, 1.5% Ohms, 1.5% AC, other ranges somewhat more. Does not include the type-K thermocouple, but that is a common type. Big advantage of temp feature is range from -4 to +1400 F, and also a Centigrade scale. definitely worth investing in a probe. This allows temp probing engine and drivetrain components for diagnosing problems, monitoring oven temps, etc. Accuracy 3% +3 digits. Frequency accuracy at 60 Hz is 1.5% +5 digits. This might be marginal for fine-tuning generator speed, but better than nothing.
 The sale is only for a week, and I think this is likely a great tool for anyone to learn to use at basic level to help track down motorhome problems - and sophisticated enough to provide an expert with almost any measurement they could want. I.e., this is much more meter than a beginner needs, but at $20 you can't even find a crummy basic one. I think all the retail Sears have them at this price, and online.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23147
Steve,

Thanks for the report, I've been thinking about picking one up.
And the temperature probe aspect is a plus.

Thanks

JC
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23157
Quote
     Thanks for the report, I've been thinking about picking one
up.

Quote
And the temperature probe aspect is a plus.

Thanks

JC
JC, if the temp function is important to you, first verify they have the probe available. It does not come with and might cost as much as the meter. On the plus side, the interface is not proprietary, so a generic type-K thermocouple probe will fit. I will investigate where to get one if Sears doesn't come through.
 Also I forgot to note that his meter does not have the 'analog' bar- graph on the display, a nice feature of Fluke meters.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23161
Quote
JC, if the temp function is important to you, first verify they have the probe available. It does not come with and might cost as much as the meter. On the plus side, the interface is not proprietary, so a generic type-K thermocouple probe will fit. I will investigate where to get one if Sears doesn't come through.
A brief check turns up a probe for $30 at Sears good to 500 F. This is probably useful for most tasks except probing exhaust manifolds, and I believe it is immersible. Might be safe for food, too.
 A more basic 'probe' - seems to be mainly teflon-encased thermocouple wire with an exposed welded tip - is available for $12 from the Fry's online store. Not immersible, and I would keep it away from food.
Still, it will respond quickly, and can be snaked just about anyplace where it won't exceed 500 F.
 http://www.outpost.com/product/14/1440478/

Both these include the proper connector for the meter.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23167
Thought I was done with probes, but I found a couple more at Cole- Parmer, a lab supply house:
 -For $22, a rugged, basic probe good for beyond the full range of the meter A-08439-62. Immersible, should be food-safe.

-For $37, a more attractive probe with coiled cord, similar looking but undoubtably higher quality than the Sears model, and good also beyond the meter's range. Immersible, food-safe. BH-08516-55

They have a gadzillion other probes of every conceivable configuration.

http://www.coleparmer.com

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23170
Oh, Lordy, Mz Scarlett, I don't know nothin' about no Digital Multimeters! What are they? What do they do? Do I need one?

Anne
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23173
Quote
Oh, Lordy, Mz Scarlett, I don't know nothin' about no Digital Multimeters! What are they? What do they do? Do I need one?
Hi Anne!
 A multimeter is an electrical meter that can measure several different things.  A basic multimeter can usually measure voltage (either DC or AC), electrical current (milliamps and amps), electrical resistance (ohms).  More advanced features include things like frequency, temperature, capacitance, and so on.  The newer units tend to have digital displays and will automatically use the best scale for display (auto-ranging).  These can be very handy around the house or RV if you are a DIYer for improvement or maintenance.  The DC voltage measurements can be used to check battery charge and troubleshoot problems in the 12V system.  The resistance function can help look for open or short circuits in wiring.  The current measurements can help determine things like the "standby" current draw from the devices that can't be turned off.

Hope this helps, Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23184
Steve
 I went by Sears on the way home and looked at the multimeter. It's a good size for the MH but I noticed something in the specification sheet. It has a maximum operating altitude of 7000 ft (2000 meters).
I know how you like the mountains so is this a problem for you? You sure can't beat the price for the amount of features it has. Add a set of alligator clips for the probes and you are set.

Why would a multimeter be affected by altitude?

Sears also had a temperature probe for $13 but it's a cheap little thing, nothing more than a thermistor on the end of piece of braided wire. I would be afraid to use for fear of breaking it. You found much better probes on the Internet.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23185
Quote
I went by Sears on the way home and looked at the multimeter. It's a good size for the MH but I noticed something in the specification sheet. It has a maximum operating altitude of 7000 ft (2000
meters).
 
Quote
I know how you like the mountains so is this a problem for you? You sure can't beat the price for the amount of features it has.
Add a set of alligator clips for the probes and you are set.

Why would a multimeter be affected by altitude?
I wondered too, and I suspect it falls into one of several 'legal' arenas. One possibility is that it has not been tested at high altitude, and so they simply exclude that condition. Another may be they don't want to warranty its use in aircraft. Hopefully it's NOT that some pressurized part inside will fail, but if so - it's only $20.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23189
I just got back from visiting our local Sears.  They had none in stock and said that this item was on clearance and could not be ordered.  Therefore, I would suggest that anyone who wants one could call or visit their local Sears and not dilly dally.

Good luck Patty ( of Ken, Patty and Little Stephanie in San Diego)
 
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears...
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23190
Quote
I just got back from visiting our local Sears.  They had none in stock and said that this item was on clearance and could not be ordered.  Therefore, I would suggest that anyone who wants one could call or visit their local Sears and not dilly dally.
You can order it online. Go to:

http://www.sears.com

and enter the item #

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit