Best Affordable VOM Meter w/ Amp Function?
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Senior User
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Best Affordable VOM Meter w/ Amp Function?
Hi,
I have a nice old Triplett Vom meter but....
It has no amp function.
I want to test for amp draw on my battery.
What is a good affordable VOM Meter with the amp function???
I have a nice old Triplett Vom meter but....
It has no amp function.
I want to test for amp draw on my battery.
What is a good affordable VOM Meter with the amp function???
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Almost any better name brand DMM would suffice for testing parasitic draw--even one of the cheapies from Lowe's, Home Depot etc would work for this. The only real "challenge" would be having the right clips or probes on the leads that'll fit the battery cable terminal.
Since most of those draws are way less than 10 amps you're in no real danger of blowing the internal fuse---something I've done a few times which makes those being on-board a great idea.
HTH
Since most of those draws are way less than 10 amps you're in no real danger of blowing the internal fuse---something I've done a few times which makes those being on-board a great idea.
HTH
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Senior User
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Hi,
Thanks, I just picked up a Fluke 77-4 Meter....
Got it "lightly" used on E-bay for $90!
Picked up a Fluke carry case for it on Amazon and I should be good to go.
Love my old analog (needle) Triplett, but time moves on!
Thanks, I just picked up a Fluke 77-4 Meter....
Got it "lightly" used on E-bay for $90!
Picked up a Fluke carry case for it on Amazon and I should be good to go.
Love my old analog (needle) Triplett, but time moves on!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I bought the automotive set of Fluke test leads
. They're great and are handled/stored so much better than the few cheaper DMM's I have. Love's me some Fluke stuff but OMG talk about sticker shock!
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From: Virginia
I haven't checked lately but the clamp on meters that can read DC amperage used to be very expensive. The A/C ones are cheap.
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That's an interesting idea----would be ideal if it works. I'm thinking though the parasitic current has to go through the meter because it is or should be less than one amp, perhaps that current can't be reliably read by the clamp?
Yeah but the advantage of the solid state stuff is its tough---without the analog meter movement they can take a bit of a beating and a few drops without breaking.
I bought the automotive set of Fluke test leads. They're great and are handled/stored so much better than the few cheaper DMM's I have. Love's me some Fluke stuff but OMG talk about sticker shock!
Yeah but the advantage of the solid state stuff is its tough---without the analog meter movement they can take a bit of a beating and a few drops without breaking.
I bought the automotive set of Fluke test leads
. They're great and are handled/stored so much better than the few cheaper DMM's I have. Love's me some Fluke stuff but OMG talk about sticker shock! Hi,
The Fluke 77-4 goes on Amazon new for about $280!
Got mine for $90 and hear sometimes they are on there even lower?
I feel good about mine and even bought an "official" Fluke C35 case!
Never owned a Fluke before but have used them at work for years! (Marine Engineer)
They just keep on rolling.
Was hopuing to find a "need of repair" Fluke at work, but never have seen that?
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Fleet Owner
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
That Fluke has the most commonly needed features you'll need for automotive use---good price BTW! 
If I needed a DMM daily it would be nothing but Fluke, damn the price---reliability and quality the more important aspects.
Another thought---Milwaukee Tools has a very nice set of compatible LARGE alligator clips for grabbing battery posts and terminals. They'll clamp onto a one inch fitting without any problem.
If I needed a DMM daily it would be nothing but Fluke, damn the price---reliability and quality the more important aspects.
Another thought---Milwaukee Tools has a very nice set of compatible LARGE alligator clips for grabbing battery posts and terminals. They'll clamp onto a one inch fitting without any problem.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
This works great. Carbon pile too. Still accurate as hell. Needed a way to measure at least 30 amps (generator testing). I have a Triplett VOM, but there are times when old school stuff is useful, especially when working on old school stuff.
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Hi,
Thanks JWA, good info!
I was trying to find a Fluke that would work for me but not kill the bank account!
Tedster, I love my "old" Triplett.
This was a DOA I found at work in the electronic shop and the Eltronics Tech didn't want to send it in>?
I did and got it repoaired by Triplett for $35!
Even bought a OEM case for it!
Neat little meter!
Thanks JWA, good info!
I was trying to find a Fluke that would work for me but not kill the bank account!
Tedster, I love my "old" Triplett.
This was a DOA I found at work in the electronic shop and the Eltronics Tech didn't want to send it in>?
I did and got it repoaired by Triplett for $35!
Even bought a OEM case for it!
Neat little meter!
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