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Jan 25, 2012 22:36:25 GMT
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I have come up against a couple of jobs recently where a multimeter would be useful.
I know they're not expensive but I would appreciate a recommendation based on experience.
Cheers
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Jan 25, 2012 22:38:56 GMT
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Any digital meter will do fine, autoranging is nice but not essential - the important bit is good probes and leads. Throw away the ones that came with the meter and buy some decent ones.
I use a Snap on/Bluepoint ADM something-or-other (I forget). It's good, but I bought fluke leads instead of the cheapo rubbish that came boxed with it. You get this problem x1000 with the ten quid specials - the meter is fine and up to serious use but the leads belong in a christmas cracker.
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To get a standard A40 this low, you'd have to dig a hole to put it in |
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Jan 25, 2012 22:53:15 GMT
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SOC puts it pretty well, for normal automotive use even the cheapest ebay rubbish digital meter is good enough. The supplied probes always last about 3 days, though. A continuity buzzer is nice. I've got a few of these: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIGITAL-MULTIMETER-TESTER-CONTINUITY-BUZZER-19-RANGES-/180664919627?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item2a1077e64bI keep one in the van, one in the toolbox and there's one in my "lab". I find autoranging ends up being more of a confusion than anything - but that's probably because I know what I should be expecting, but in most cases you'll be in the 0-20v range. My mate has (what he claims is £200 worth) of snap on multimeter that just has an on button and decides whether you are trying to measure a resistance or a voltage. It's absolutely terrible, avoid anything like this! |
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Last Edit: Jan 25, 2012 22:54:21 GMT by cobblers
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Jan 25, 2012 23:14:07 GMT
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Jan 25, 2012 23:19:26 GMT
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I use an anlogue one myself at work (I'm a Cisco network engineer) and it's very useful and reliable, esp. for continuity when some fool has grabbed am armful of 5e and hoiked it from a wallbox to move a desk.
As the others have said, get good quality probes and leads.
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Jan 25, 2012 23:45:43 GMT
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MM and ash, I have a bakalite AVO model 8 that belonged to my grandfather (a telecomms engineer) that I use at home. I wouldn't subject it to modern workshop conditions though. I do still use his megger at work occasionally.  |
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To get a standard A40 this low, you'd have to dig a hole to put it in |
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MM and ash, I have a bakalite AVO model 8 that belonged to my grandfather (a telecomms engineer) that I use at home. I wouldn't subject it to modern workshop conditions though. I do still use his megger at work occasionally. Funny you should say that: That's ex-BT office and an amazing bit of kit. I'd rather have one of these over a digital one anyday....they just go on and on. Tough, sturdy, dependable and very accurate. My Dad has one still which I've always had my eye on. Definitely worth what you're asking and if I didn't have a funky little retro meter already, I'd be biting your hand off for it. From this thread: retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=pfsw&thread=119893&page=1The one my Dad has (which I believe is also an AVO 8) was my Grandads when he worked for BT way back before I was born (I think it was called BT back then?) - he had a few and passed one onto my Dad. It's lined up for me but it's got more sentimental value than anything. The one I use at the unit was the one my Dad had as a student studying electronics, so that has some sentimental value too, but not as much as the AVO which I remember my Dad using up until he got his first Fluke about 20 years ago. Memories heh? I know it's a bit of a tangent, but Andy, I keep meaning to take some photos in his little converted single garage. I think you'll like it....  |
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AB car pix
Posted a lot
Car mag' snapper
Posts: 1,337
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Maplin's own make for a fiver, complete with a battery! Job done  |
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1979 Chrysler Horizon 1.3 GL 1980 Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia 1985 Ford Sierra 3dr 1985 Ford Escort Mk3 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 1989 Ford Escort 1.3 Popular 1995 Volvo 960 1996 BMW 525i 1998 BMW 323i 1999 BMW 530d 2003 BMW 530i . www.facebook.com/ABCARPIX |
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Fluke make very good multimeters. Not cheap, but more or less industry standard. Check eBay for a 75 series.
For indication rather than calibration and precise measurements, cheap meters will do.
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I've got Rovers.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Recommend me a multimeterChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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I still have a Fluke 74. Wonderful meter and accurate too.
However on the cars I used a UNI-T meter (read a Fluke fake) with the RPM and Dwell angle function. Whilst it is not the cheapest meter it is also not the priciest. It has served me very well indeed (setting up carbs (rpm), dwell angle (points and testing electric gubbins) in additional to the usual duties of a multimeter (voltage, resistance, continuity buzzer etc.).
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Copey
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,845
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Maplin's own make for a fiver, complete with a battery! Job done cant go wrong with a Maplin one, they are ace!! |
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1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire GLSi with 2.0 Zetec
1985 Ford Capri 3.0 (was a 2.0 Laser originally)
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Jan 26, 2012 19:40:35 GMT
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The continuity buzzer is so handy and it gets used all the time. Maplin's own make for a fiver, complete with a battery! cant go wrong with a Maplin one, they are ace!! Another vote here for a Maplin cheapie ;D I spent about £2 extra and got one with a "Voltage Hold" button (measure and press the button - readout stays on the display until you clear it) which is handy. No got a continuity buzzer but it would be nice no auto-ranging on mine and I like it that way but whatever suits you... Or any of the Aldi / Netto / Lidl places, same price (from £5), quite likely made in the same factory as Maplins  I've got a few around the house, get one with a rubber case if you have a choice - saves any damage if it gets a knock Maplins have a January sale on, but their website is not talking to my browser todat so I can't give you a link  |
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Jan 26, 2012 21:39:16 GMT
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Cheap DMMs should be avoided really. Due to general crapness of design, you can't trust the readings and misplacing a probe will fry them instantly. I've managed to bust a few of the £40 ones over the years. I found myself a nice Fluke 77 in a house clearance type shop a little while back for £26 including the probes and leather bag. Most folk wouldn't have a clue telling a good one from a pants one, so bargains can be had (away from Ebay obviously).
Here's a good guide/rant (all 50+ minutes of it) to choosing a digital multimeter:
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Last Edit: Jan 26, 2012 21:55:17 GMT by Clamity
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hkr91
South East
Posts: 562
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Jan 26, 2012 22:26:48 GMT
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Maplin's own make for a fiver, complete with a battery! Job done Another here! At that price I don't mind dropping it (it came in a blue case with an integrated stand and probe holder). The cables have held up well so far, eventually they'll go but the MM will soldier on to fight another day. I've also got a Sealey (all-in-one-jobbie) which you can link it to the computer and can produce graphs and all sorts of weird and wonderful things - I can honestly say, I've NEVER used it for any of those... thinking about it, I'm not sure I've ever used it more than once and i've had it a good 4/5 years. |
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Jan 26, 2012 22:40:15 GMT
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Here's a good guide/rant (all 50+ minutes of it) to choosing a digital multimeter: I've spent hours listening to this bloke over the years. He's great, but his voice eventually reaches frequencies that even my oscilloscope can't handle. To be fair he probably would disagree with my choice of scope as well as my choice of multimeter. I'd love a decent fluke meter, and if I was measuring anything other than "12v" or "13+v" I'd probably buy one. Cheap curse word meters work fine for most people working on cars, the even 5% inaccuracy is OK on voltage. Current and resistance will barely be used, and even if they are, just a glorified continuity check is good enough. |
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Jan 28, 2012 22:39:31 GMT
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As an auto electrician i have always used fluke meters. I found a lot of the cheap meters don't react quick enough to find some faults...
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sparkyt
Posted a lot
selling stuff
Posts: 1,767
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Jan 28, 2012 22:51:49 GMT
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Well done to the man with the avo 8 they have been around for years and we still use them today because they work so well .. mine is donkeys old
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Jan 28, 2012 23:25:06 GMT
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As an auto electrician I have always used fluke meters. I found a lot of the cheap meters don't react quick enough to find some faults... I have to say it, sorry.. That's what an oscilloscope is for |
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To get a standard A40 this low, you'd have to dig a hole to put it in |
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As an auto electrician I have always used fluke meters. I found a lot of the cheap meters don't react quick enough to find some faults... I have to say it, sorry.. That's what an oscilloscope is forYes i have a Fluke 123 but its also handy to have a multimeter that doesnt take an age to get to the correct resistance ect Why the dig |
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I have an old 30 quid maplins jobby. Reads voltage and resistance and does can take up to 20 amps. The main reason i bought it was for testing glow plugs without popping fuses every five minutes.
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R.S. Autotech. Servicing/Repairs/Diagnostics.
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