Digital multimeter sale at Sears... June 09, 2003, 03:17:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23110Model #82139 for $19.99This 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
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #1 – June 09, 2003, 04:27:27 pm 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."SteveThat 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
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #2 – June 10, 2003, 01:47:51 am Yahoo Message Number: 23146QuoteThat 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
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #3 – June 10, 2003, 02:41:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 23147Steve,Thanks for the report, I've been thinking about picking one up. And the temperature probe aspect is a plus.ThanksJC
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #4 – June 10, 2003, 10:44:11 am Yahoo Message Number: 23157Quote Thanks for the report, I've been thinking about picking one up.QuoteAnd the temperature probe aspect is a plus.ThanksJC 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
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #5 – June 10, 2003, 11:52:10 am Yahoo Message Number: 23161QuoteJC, 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
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #6 – June 10, 2003, 01:42:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23167Thought 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-08516-55They have a gadzillion other probes of every conceivable configuration.http://www.coleparmer.comSteve
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #7 – June 10, 2003, 02:22:00 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23170Oh, 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 – June 10, 2003, 03:03:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23173QuoteOh, 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
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #9 – June 10, 2003, 05:26:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23184Steve 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
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #10 – June 10, 2003, 05:38:24 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23185QuoteI 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). QuoteI 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
Re: Digital multimeter sale at Sears... Reply #11 – June 10, 2003, 06:40:47 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23189I 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 – June 10, 2003, 06:47:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23190QuoteI 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.comand enter the item #Steve