multimeter?

[michigandon]

Can anyone here recommend a decent, inexpnsive multimeter? Wifey hinted at one for an Xmas gift, and since she IS doing most of the electrical work on my(our?) repower project I definitely want here to be happy with her gift.

(It was our agreement at the start of the project, I would do most of the muscle work, she would do most of the technical/electric work. I would rather swap out TEN engines and transmissions than troubleshoot electrical problems on asmuch as one single vehicle! )



TIA!



Don

 

[dresslered]

For troubleshooting vehicles, you can get along with just about any multi-meter. However, you can never go wrong with a fluke. I've seen guys back over these with the rear tire and cause no damage.

 

[klenger]

Define inexpensive. A Fluke at ~ $130 is a very good meter. There are quite a few models to choose from. If you are looking in the $50 price range, Sears and Home Depot have several. You could look at Radio Shack also. If the only thing you are going to use it for is to measure voltage and continuity, then any cheap one will do. If you want to measure current, freq, etc. , then you need to spend a bit more. I have a Fluke in my tool box at home, and a cheap pocket meter that I keep in the camper.

 

[KBennett]

Go Fluke...

If you can afford it, get one of the low end Fluke Auto Ranging meters. The Auto Ranging meters are nice because you can set them for AC or DC and they will automatically scale the display to the voltage that comes in. I use a Fluke 75 at the office but I have a Sears meter at home.



Here is a link for an inexpensive Auto Ranging meter from Sears:

SEARS METER



Sears carries Fluke and their own line. I would go to the store and check them out first. The one I have is not Auto-Ranging but has served me well for 8 years.

 

[bmoeller]

Have one similar this one from Sears. Mine also has the connectors for a temp probe. Works great. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=03482002000&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL

 

[Steve M]

I use a Fluke 87 true RMS meter. I don't know what the home use Fluke would run. They are expensive. Mine was over $300 at Grainger. You should be able to get a good meter for under $100. Just don't settle for a $9. 95 el-cheepo. They'll hurt you or worse. Good leads and a ground clip are necessary. If you get a decent volt/ohm meter, you'll find alot of uses for it over the years with the house and vehicles. Keep a good check on the insulation. 30 volts can kill you. The little A/C sniffers are handy too. They're OSHA approved, easy to verify and safe to use.

 

[C. Harlan]

One more vote for a Fluke.

Can't go wrong.



-Chris-

 

[DMcClellan]

Fluke, I use several, 87, 787, 33, I get my meters off ebay, do a search for Fluke, there are always some new ones for sale.

 

[michigandon]

Originally posted by DMcClellan

Fluke, I use several, 87, 787, 33, I get my meters off ebay, do a search for Fluke, there are always some new ones for sale.

Hey DMcClellan (or anyone else for that matter), what's your opinion about this one:



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2579191129&category=25412



I was originally thinking less than $100, but If I can score a Fluke for around this range...



I figured they'd be more than TWICE that much! :--)



Don

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Fluke

When we where given our tool list for college, the Fluke 73 III was recommended, and at 134 dollars it is still a good price for the quality. Our Electronics instructor swears by 'em.







Steve

 

[Dane]

I've got a 20 year old Fluke that still works great. Whatever you get make sure the ohms can scale down to 2 ohms.

 

[Briar Hopper]

From a licensed master electrician, my advice is... ... Fluke... . any model. They survive the worst, and come back for more.

However, Greenlee Textron has some very nice testers... .

www.greenlee.com "inexpensive" ??? You can find some $9. 95 - $29. 95 types at Sears and and RadioCrack but if you have customers( or friends!) depending on your work, why take the chance? I can remember THREE occasions I've had to make a late-night run to my primary workplace, to retrieve my Fluke, when the el-cheapo in my home toolbox failed to work.....

Multimeters, and most tools, are kinda like diesel performance, cheapskates always get the short end of the stick!

 

[apkole]

From an ex-vending/bill changer/jukebox technician - FLUKE - definitely. My Fluke 77 is still the best trouble shooting tool I have (besides my thinker).



Andy

 

[Will24]

All depends what functionality you want out of it...



I bought my Fluke 87 III on eBay new in box for $160+ shipping, that's top of the line!





-Will

 

[RustyJC]

Gosh, I'm beginning to think my almost 40 year old Simpson 260 must be obsolete!



Rusty

 

[klenger]

I always wondered how old Homer Simpson was. Now I know.

 

[Rotty]

any fluke!!!!

EE speaking here. You can never go wrong with good equipment.

 

[jwoelfle]

I'll throw in another vote for a Fluke. I've got a 77 that I used all day, every day for 11 years in the aircraft electronics biz. I've been out of that biz for 6 years now and my trusty old 77 is still in my toolbox that I take everywhere I go. It's been rained on, dropped, rolled around in a truck toolbox, and generally abused all it's life and it still works. Just don't think you can go wrong buying a Fluke.