Multimeter

[300jk]

Need new multimeter. My old analog is very inaccurate
lately. Have been looking at digital and analog. The
analog was fine for what I do and simple. This is what I
had. Suggestions ?

 

[JD Dave]

The old analog meters degrade and become less accurate along with being very sensitive to their battery voltage.
I have two Fluke digital multimeters which I trust and the batteries last a long time.
Buy a high quality tool once and it lasts a lifetime.

 

[NDIHC]

I had a Fluke and really liked it. Then it got forgotten on the dash of a pickup during a ND summer. Most people don't realize that it gets very hot here in the summer. 100 degrees F. plus. That accident left the LCD readout partially blank and the partially black. So I bought a new Snap on. Hated it. Not user friendly and just big and clumsy. I traded it in on a new Cornwell. Built and operates a lot like the Fluke. Works well and I like it.

 

[Tech 7]

Actually have a meter identical to that one

 

[300jk]

I liked it. Just seems all over the place lately. Have had it for probably 15 years when it was given to me used.

 

[RobCons]

I have the same one also. Newer ones are Fluke brand.

 

[Tony in SD]

id recommend a Fluke. New one if you can afford it If not then get used one. there are a bunch on ebay.

 

[circus]

unless you need documentation for working on submarines or something any $4 multimeter works fine. My better meter has more functions but use the cheap one when it'll do. Why risk frying the expensive one?

 

[Butch(OH)]

I agree, for the work done by most of us
there is no need for a high end Fluke or
Simpson meter. In prior employment I had a
Simpson 260 but lost it to a thief. Now I
get by just fine with a $20 Harbor Freight
digital.

 

[sotxbill]

When... the horrible freight digital voltage meters are on sale... like last week they were $3.99 ea... I go in and buy 5 or 10 at a time. And when the 9 volt battery fails is a year or two, I usually pitch them as its cheaper to grab a new one. Same as when I break a lead... you cant buy a set of meter leads for $3.99. I do have a better meter for measuring dc current, frequency, and capacitance, but the $3.99 cheapies are in each tractor, each tool box, and in all the barns.

 

[Jaden]

The biggest weakness of Analog meters is if they get dropped too hard. The meter movement can jump out of the bearings. Digital meters range from $5 to hundreds. The cheaper ones react slower, have fewer functions, and less accuracy. Accuracy may not be that crucial for most jobs. Fluke meters have a feature called Auto ranging, so you don't have to select Voltage or Resistance measurement ranges.

 

[Steve@Advance]

I would use this opportunity to upgrade to something more reliable and accurate.

Check at Harbor Freight, big box stores. There are mid priced digital multimeters, much better than the cheap analogs, but not the high priced pro models.

Look for Kleine, Sperry, Gardner Bender. $30-$60 will get a very good meter. Watch the lead size, good heavy leads are a big plus. The tiny ones can break internally and give false dangerous readings!

 

[tech4]

You can find a variety of digital meters at Amazon from $10 to over $200. You can find some analog meters at Home Depot and Lowes from $17 up. The problem I have with the cheap meters and particularly the Harbor Freight model is the cheap intermittent switch for changing ranges. I have several that were free at one time and each has the same problem over time.
A nice pocket meter is the Fluke 101 that costs $39-$45 depending on where you buy it. It is auto ranging and also has a Hz scale That is useful when checking the frequency of generators.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

If you want to measure alternator output you want something better than the cheaper HF digital.
You want a higher sampling rate.
The ohmmeters are the least accurate.
Most of the time all I want to know is;
Do I have 120vac or 240vac.

Do I have 12v?
Is a switch open or close?
Is a fuse blown
All except alternator output everything else can be measured with a HF meter or HF clones
The analogy meter on HF carbon load tester can measure alternator voltage.

So what do you want to measure?
.

 

[PJH]

I have two Harbor Freight digital meters. I ''think'' they were free. I keep one in the house for the wife to use [she's a Ham operator], and one in the shop for me to use. I also have a high dollar Fluke meter that I drag out when I'm working on something expensive. In my mind, the high dollar Fluke meter is necessary for possibly higher cost repairs. In reality, the free meters are adequate for an old man who has forgotten nearly all that he ever knew about electronics. I can't believe that I ever passed the Extra Class Ham Radio exam. I couldn't do it again. I was a whole lot smarter 34 years ago. Thank goodness you don't have to re-take the test to keep the license.

 

[Randyscottsboro]

Buy the best one you can afford, you won't regret the decision. Simpson used to be the standard meter of choice, but now Fluke seems to be the go to meter. I have several cheap ones for general duty but always go to my Fluke for an accurate reading. Also you can send Fluke meters in for calibration and repairs.

 

[MarkB_MI]

A Fluke meter is a lifetime investment. Most folks don't need a $300+ meter, though.

HD carries a <a href=https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-True-RMS-Auto-Ranging-Digital-Multimeter-MM700/206517339>Klein TRMS multimeter</a> for a hundred bucks that will do everything a $400 Fluke will do.

Even the free HF multimeters will outperform your old Radio Shack meter.

 

[RM-MN]

That multimeter shown by the OP has a rotary switch. The contacts can get a little corrosion over time and that will affect the accuracy. Rotating the switch fully around a few times may clean the corrosion and restore accuracy. While I love my digital multimeters in most situations the analog one I have comes out for certain measurements.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Even the free HF multimeters will outperform your old Radio Shack meter.
I have many free HF multimeters. There is no zeroing the ohms scale. If I recall the alternator voltage has a lot of ripple, ACV riding on top of the DCV,.

The HF sampling rate is too slow to measure Alternator volts.

However the DVC and amp ranges on HF meters are very accurate.

I use my Midtrontics BTI300 to measure alternator volts.

When it comes to measuring ballast resistors I use Ohm's law.
No ohmmeter can tell you the actual resistance of a ballast because the resistance changes with temperature and the ballast gets very hot causing the resistance to increase.
I measure the volts across the resistor and the amps. Then use E/I to calculate ohms.

I'll never be without a BTI300.

I also have 3 amprobes too.

I was reading some new meters use clamp-on jaws to measure AC and DC amps. That would be nice.

 

[John T]

Mornin 300, good question. As an EE and electrical hobbyist of 60 years I have more meters than I can remember lol Including but NOT limited to old Analogs like my Simpson 260, RCA WV38A, Triplett, others I forget, plus Digitals like Harbor Freight, Sears, Fluke and others I cant recall.

Heres a digital I just purchased as recommended by Mike Sokol an EE and RV electric expert.

Its a Southwire 21550T and is AN ALL IN ONE including: AC Volts,,,,DC Volts,,,AC Clamp on Amps,,,,,DC Clamp on Amps,,,,,,,Resistance,,,,,,Capacitance,,,,,,,Frequency,,,,,,,,NON CONTACT VOLTAGE TESTER,,,,,,,,Diode Checker,,,,,,,,,,Temperature

What I like about this meter IS THE ALL IN ONE FEATURE which is hard to find and easier than carrying 2 or 3 meters around. I have a few AC clamp ons but not DC

Before anyone has a calf or sets their hair on fire lol YES I KNOW THERE ARE MORE ACCURATE MORE EXPENSIVE METERS OUT THERE (I have a Fluke) if they need that quality ??? At the price you can bet the quality and accuracy is likely NOT that of an expensive Fluke but if it fits YOUR budget and YOUR needs you may take a look.......If you need more quality or accuracy, this is NOT for you but there arent many out there THAT HAVE SO MANY FEATURES IN A SINGLE UNIT

YOUR budget YOUR needs YOUR choice this is ONLY ONE out there but can do sooooooo many things

https://www.ebay.com/itm/393942812188

Best wishes

John T
Southwire All In One Digital Meter