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Post by rhyds on Mar 17, 2019 22:21:20 GMT 1
Earler on I thought I'd killed my cheapie Radio Shack multimeter but fortunately it turned out to be just a blown fuse (and they handily provided a spare inside the casing). However it did get me thinking along the lines of upgrading from this very basic bit of kit to something a bit nicer.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a home mechanic/semi pro multimeter?
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Post by givusaclue on Mar 17, 2019 22:57:03 GMT 1
Lots of professionals get by on a cheap cargo meter for about £15+vat if you look around
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Post by valhalla on Mar 18, 2019 0:14:32 GMT 1
The thing is - even the expensive multimeters have fuses. They're usually even more expensive to replace, as I have found out to my cost on both of my Flukes. So there's little point upgrading on that feature only.
I agree with Steve here - stick with a good, basic meter for day-to-day work. If it goes wrong, it isn't the end of the world.... 
I have seen too many articles of recent where they talk-up some features on the mid-range meters, but to be frank, how often do you need capacitance measurements, or duty-cycles, or other advanced features? Yes, you need them sometimes, but if you are like me, you will spend 95% of the time measuring the main three things on a car; DC voltage / DC current / resistance. A basic meter with a nice rubber casing around it, and some robust leads, will do those three things quite well.
The only luxury feature that I would spend a tiny bit more money for, is a MIN/MAX hold function for the display. This allows you to fit the meter across something (like a battery) and turn the key remotely, and still be able to see what you need to see (a MIN voltage, for example, on a battery during a cold-crank). This can save a lot of guesswork and time, especially if you work on your own a lot (like me - I have no friends.....)
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Post by rhyds on Mar 18, 2019 0:30:45 GMT 1
I understand that the fuse is there to save the meter (and I was shocked that a spare was included), it just got me thinking about possibly upgrading.
TBH this little one has done me fine for many years, the main annoyances are a lack of a cover, lack of a stand and no backlight. Other than that its measured volts/amps/ohms fine whenever I've done it. I'm still not quite sure how I managed to fuse it, though having it across the battery of my brother's car in volts mode while I tried to start it with a flat battery might have done something.
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Post by givusaclue on Mar 18, 2019 0:37:16 GMT 1
Mostly they pop when people exceed the amps rating when measuring aforementioned amps draw.
cycling a diesel ignition is a common one if the glowplugs kick in
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remmington
Apprentice
Owns Spark Eroder
Posts: 4,984
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Post by remmington on Mar 18, 2019 0:48:10 GMT 1
The thing is - even the expensive multimeters have fuses. They're usually even more expensive to replace, as I have found out to my cost on both of my Flukes. So there's little point upgrading on that feature only. I agree with Steve here - stick with a good, basic meter for day-to-day work. If it goes wrong, it isn't the end of the world.... I have seen too many articles of recent where they talk-up some features on the mid-range meters, but to be frank, how often do you need capacitance measurements, or duty-cycles, or other advanced features? Yes, you need them sometimes, but if you are like me, you will spend 95% of the time measuring the main three things on a car; DC voltage / DC current / resistance. A basic meter with a nice rubber casing around it, and some robust leads, will do those three things quite well. The only luxury feature that I would spend a tiny bit more money for, is a MIN/MAX hold function for the display. This allows you to fit the meter across something (like a battery) and turn the key remotely, and still be able to see what you need to see (a MIN voltage, for example, on a battery during a cold-crank). This can save a lot of guesswork and time, especially if you work on your own a lot (like me - I have no friends.....)
My multimeter of choice is the now discontinued Chauvin Arnoux 5220 (or rebadged in red Facom 711). The features - I need are: Min/Max - Backlight - Two levels of impedance 10Mohms and 270Kohms - HZ Frequency - FR Capacitance - DC voltage - AC voltage - DC current - resistance - autoranging and the ability to override autoranging. The features - I never use are: Duty cycle and AC current. I like the Facom 711 because it takes 2AA batteries and is slim in size - comes with a bump case that actually has holders to store the probes - built in stand and hanging hook. BUT - this is big but as well....  My Russian fitter has a UNI-T UT136B which costs £12 off ebay - I often pick it up and use it - with no problem at all. It does everything I want from a meter - with the exception of no backlight or impedance settings.
I doubt if anybody and this includes me - needs the accuracy of a full RMS high count meter working on cars - when you also own an oscilloscope. Another thing I would like to add - I am an auto electrician - I am using a meter most days - I can't ever recall a multimeter ever failing - I have only ever blown internal fuses. I own several meters - most are on workshop repair benches - but it is only really my Facom one I actually take to a car. A little known tip (semi useless info): Internal battery condition/voltage. The battery voltage on most digital multimeters is indicated approximately in the diode function on an open circuit. I conclude a multimeter is quite a reliable thing really...  |
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Post by rhyds on Mar 18, 2019 10:15:21 GMT 1
Mostly they pop when people exceed the amps rating when measuring aforementioned amps draw. cycling a diesel ignition is a common one if the glowplugs kick in This was in volts mode to measure alternator output. Not sure what I did to kill the fuse but fortunately it failed before the meter did and it only took minutes to change it once I'd decided to open the casing up. For now I'll order some replacement fuses and keep my eye out for a deal. |
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Post by givusaclue on Mar 18, 2019 19:06:01 GMT 1
the auto elec at my place drilled 2 small holes, soldered a pair of wires to the board/connector, fitted a blade fuse holder externally on one of his meters, we've got loads of them instead of searching for a glass fuse!
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Post by studabear on Mar 18, 2019 19:08:02 GMT 1
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Post by studabear on Mar 18, 2019 19:09:24 GMT 1
the auto elec at my place drilled 2 small holes, soldered a pair of wires to the board/connector, fitted a blade fuse holder externally on one of his meters, we've got loads of them instead of searching for a glass fuse! I might look into a similar modification for one of mine. |
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remmington
Apprentice
Owns Spark Eroder
Posts: 4,984
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Post by remmington on Mar 18, 2019 19:35:48 GMT 1
the auto elec at my place drilled 2 small holes, soldered a pair of wires to the board/connector, fitted a blade fuse holder externally on one of his meters, we've got loads of them instead of searching for a glass fuse! I got a whole tray of HBC fuses here. I am slowly working my way thru them....  |
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Post by rhyds on Mar 18, 2019 20:35:23 GMT 1
I've ordered 5 500ma 250v ceramic fuses for £2.35 to keep me going for now!
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Post by chippie on Mar 18, 2019 21:07:36 GMT 1
Fused test leads.....
Thats what we used when I was on the tools....saves you blowing up a meter and having to faff about opening the meter up....
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Post by wheelnut on Mar 18, 2019 21:16:49 GMT 1
I've killed a few multimeters over the years but I still have one that has stood up to the abuse (incompedence?). It has a cheap yellow-coloured plastic body, no back lighting or anything fancy. I bought it many years ago in Lidle (or was it Aldi?) for less than €10. Do I get the prize for biggest multimeter cheapskate?
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Post by Joepublic on Mar 18, 2019 21:19:41 GMT 1
I've killed a few multimeters over the years but I still have one that has stood up to the abuse (incompedence?). It has a cheap yellow-coloured plastic body, no back lighting or anything fancy. I bought it many years ago in Lidle (or was it Aldi?) for less than €10. Do I get the prize for biggest multimeter cheapskate? No, but we could share It? |
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