Multimeter Purchase
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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Multimeter Purchase
Im looking to purchase a multimeter so that I can do better diagnosis on my 86 Bronco's EFI system.
Do you all reccomend a certain brand? Im also wondering about digital vs. analog. And Finally...what about price range?
Thanks everyone,
-Ruke
Do you all reccomend a certain brand? Im also wondering about digital vs. analog. And Finally...what about price range?
Thanks everyone,
-Ruke
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 168
Likes: 1
From: Rochester
My advice is get the best unit you can afford. Personally, I would go with a Fluke. Check out their web site at www.fluke.com. Treat it right and it'll last forever.
Digital is the way to go. Analog meters have their place also, such as checking for a ground or short in a long circuit, but they're DELICATE, and can get really messed up if bounced around too often.
I work on Instrumentation for a living, so I guess you could call this a professional opinion as well....
Good luck!
John in Rochester NY.
Digital is the way to go. Analog meters have their place also, such as checking for a ground or short in a long circuit, but they're DELICATE, and can get really messed up if bounced around too often.
I work on Instrumentation for a living, so I guess you could call this a professional opinion as well....
Good luck!
John in Rochester NY.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,043
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Fluke is a very good brand. Digital vs analog both have their applications. Digital seems to be better for daily grind stuff. A good analog meter is good for comparitive measurements. Seeing the needle swing to the same place eliminates missing a decimal point and misinterpreting the reading.
I'd recommend a good digital meter with volts, amps, resistance as a minimum. Now some come with a frequency counter, capacitance, inductance and some others. I'd plan on spending around $100 on one. A meter is a tool and you do get what you pay for here. Buy a $20 meter and you will probably have problems with accuracy and durabilty. An inaccurate meter is often worse than no meter.
I'd recommend a good digital meter with volts, amps, resistance as a minimum. Now some come with a frequency counter, capacitance, inductance and some others. I'd plan on spending around $100 on one. A meter is a tool and you do get what you pay for here. Buy a $20 meter and you will probably have problems with accuracy and durabilty. An inaccurate meter is often worse than no meter.
Gone but not forgotten.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,521
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I have had Triplett, HP, and Fluke, but for most jobs I use a little cheapo Radio Shack. Most of the time I don't need to know what the voltage is to .0001, I just want to see if it is there. Same with resistance, most of the time I'm only interested in continuity.
Dono
Dono
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 799
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From: State of Misery (Missouri
For a lot of the electronic circuits, you need to either know exactly what settings (for an analog meter) or use a dvom (digital volt ohm meter). Fluke tends to be the standard, though when I started, I used a Radio Shack special. Now I have and use an OTC 3545, and am wanting a labscope/dvom. The better tools you have, the more you can do, the more you can do, the more they expect you TO do, to the point of needing yet another tool. I hate this cycle.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 242
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From: Dodgeville WI
I vote for Fluke, Digatial readout, and make sure it has a buzzer for resistance checking.
Mine has that and is handy as heck for working on stuff.
also a nice feature is the aligator Clips that go on the end of the probes this way you just hook the wires you want to test.
The buzzer is nice for having the meter set to buzz and then being 10 feet away grounding the wire and BUZZZZZZZ. bingo don't have to read the display to know that the wire is grounded or what not.
Mine also has a backlite display for when your working in low light areas to read the display also. Have had the meter since 97 still going strong.
I used to be an electronic tech on a factory production floor would use the meter for over 3 hours every shift it seemed like held up to that pounding for 3 years and now I use it around the house and when wrenching on car's.
I think I have a Fluke 77
good luck sublime out.
Mine has that and is handy as heck for working on stuff.
also a nice feature is the aligator Clips that go on the end of the probes this way you just hook the wires you want to test.
The buzzer is nice for having the meter set to buzz and then being 10 feet away grounding the wire and BUZZZZZZZ. bingo don't have to read the display to know that the wire is grounded or what not.
Mine also has a backlite display for when your working in low light areas to read the display also. Have had the meter since 97 still going strong.
I used to be an electronic tech on a factory production floor would use the meter for over 3 hours every shift it seemed like held up to that pounding for 3 years and now I use it around the house and when wrenching on car's.
I think I have a Fluke 77
good luck sublime out.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: West Chester PA
I would suggest getting one that has a clamp type amp meter. That way you can read current without having to break the circuit. I have a cheapie radio shack meter, and a slightly better sears meter that has the aforementioned clamp for reading current.
Matt
Matt
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: southwest michigan
I paid 100$ for a matco digital multimeter ten years ago that fluke probably would have charged me 60 for but at the time money was a concern and it was worth it to me to donate it to the salesman over a period of time.I have only had to change batteries.It is a good idea to get alligator clips and a good plastic case for it.
Fat 250
Fat 250
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
I had a Fluke straight out of tech school, and it wasn't taken care of very well... got run over once, and all that was damaged was the readout, got that replaced... got left out in the rain, split it to dry it out and it worked for a few more years... it did finally die, but it went through hell before it did...
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 63
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I have owned many different flukes, and wouldn't recommend them unless you need that accuracy. Don't forget you don't get that accuracy unless you have them calibrated every 6 to 12 months or when it is dropped. Heat and humidity affects the accuracy. Inexpensive units from radio scrap or the home centers work good. You need the right kind of meter for you want to measure. I wouldn't give up either my analog or digital meters. Last but not least a good set of lead wires is makes the job comfortable instead of those hard plastic leads with dull tips.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 66
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From: South of KCMO.
bassaway - that was what I was going to recommend too. Keep one in the truck. I have not had to check very precise voltages with it on sensors but it tells me what alternators are doing and continunity checks. I've used more expensive units at work but too tight with my $$ to let loose and get one.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 1
From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
When working A/C repair we used good quality Fluke meters. Never had a problem or complaint.(Aside from the high cost.) I got my own digital multi-meter from Sears about 8 years ago and it's still working great. It does the usual a/c, d/c volt readings, ohms, diode/short checker with audible and visual signal, transistor check, and more. It uses a regular 9vlt battery, and internal fuses. I think I paid $30 something. It's been dropped, splashed, left in the winter temp garage, and boiling heat of summers and still works like a champ. The rubberized outer booty cover was a great idea. 
If you go with analog, and get a quality one, it is recommended to have it calibrated periodically.
If you go with analog, and get a quality one, it is recommended to have it calibrated periodically.