I need a good electrical multi meter, any suggestions?

[DeadlyFoez]

Ok, I need to go and purchase an electrical multi meter for all the different things I do. What are the best brand and places to go for them. I've seem the ones at home depot and the Craftsmen at Sears. Just wanting to know, whatr should I look for in a meter and which brand is reliable enough to last a long time.I only want to have to buy it once.

Thanx all.

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

ten years ago i would say "FLUKE" or "BECKMAN" r the ONLY way to go if quality was on ur mind. but these days the cheap meters (too many brands to mention) will approach if not match the performance of the pricey meters.

if this is for home/hobby use dont spend more than 20-40 bucks you can get one at home depot "greenlee", I thinks lowes sells "gardner bender" either location will have a muti-meter offering(s) in that price range.
if you take care of it,don't drop it too often, don't let the batteries corrode in it, dont store it in the heat etc.. it should last you a long time. that advice is almost universal TOO!!! LOL
good luck
BUZZ!

 

[DeadlyFoez]

So what kind of feature should i look for. i've seen 18 and 22 function models. I've seen some that where about $60.

I was thinking about the Craftsmen just because of the warrenty, but I dont want to buy a piece of junk. I want it accurate and able to do everythign I may ever need of it, without later on needing to get a different one because the one I got doesn't have enough functions for what I'm doing.

Thanx

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

the sears tool warranty (lifetime) probably does not apply to a multi-meter regardless of it being labeled "craftsman" u should ask the store clerk about it!.
are you in the electrical trade/related field????
most measurements people make are VOLTAGE, RESISTANCE and to a lesser extent CURRENT(AMPS)
most good technicians use a purpose meter for amperage testing a "clamp" meter
and their muti-meters for voltage and resistance.
keep in mind troubleshooting is a VERY "style" oriented procedure it the tech's "style" of troubleshooting that dictates his/her choice of equipment and how to use it.
you r getting hung up in shit/features a meter has that may be way beyond your skill level/knowledge of theory(ies) to even fucken use/interpret results of the reading(s).
just get one that is reasonable and has a clamp/ammeter in its design. and does voltage and resistance. thats all you gonna need brutha!!!!
i am assuming u r not in the "trade" cuzz ur askin this question on a grow site instead of your work place.

 

[DeadlyFoez]

No, I'm not in the trade...as of yet. When I get into things then I get into hardcore. If I came up with the skills, I'd be building things all the time. But for now, I guess I only need something simple thats a decent meter.

If it was you going and buying this meter for yourself, what would you get?

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

a meter priced between 20 and 50 bucks, has an inductive "clamp" (for A/C amps), does voltage and resistance. "auto ranging" would be good for you (NOT me though).
a stoarge case would be nice too.
at sears / home depot / lowes you'll find the one that's right for you!!!
good luck.
BUZZ!

 

[DeadlyFoez]

Whats this autoranging, why good for me and not you. I'm sure because you have more knowledge, but wouldn't it make it easier for everyone??

Is this what you mean by clamp type??http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...earchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+3004&pos=n04


Now, I'm gonna goto Home Depot in a little bit, on this page, which would you recomend most for me and why, this is page 1 of 3 but feel free to check out the other 3 pages and tell me what u find there.http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...earchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+3004&pos=n04


Sorry to ask so much of you, I just find it realy important that I spend my money wisely. I need to beable to do ac and dc testing. Eventually I'm going to be building things on pcb boards. It is a goal to become very electrically inclinded so I can built things when I want.

Thanx

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

ok autoranging : the "sample range" of the unit u r measuring be it voltage,resistance,or current is set automatically according to what the meter "sees" or reads. this is good for NON-trades people whom might set an adjustable range meter incorrectly and not get a good test/reading. (its more idiot proof, no offense!)
i prefer the adjustable range equipment though ive used both.

the "gardner bender" model GCM-221 would be good for you,($50)
the "Ideal" model 61-702 is twice as much but has the lifetime warr. u desire.($100)
both are "auto-ranging" and meet the criteria i gave you.
BUZZ!

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

please be careful bro with a meter u may not fully understand how to use.
the energy(ies) you are trying to measure can really hurt kill ya in literally a heartbeats time!!! wiring is NOT a hobby!!!
read and understand FULLY, the intructions for the peice u buy!!!!
if the shit looks like "GREEK" to you when u read it/grasp the context it is a sign for u to be ultracautious about your own safety and to seek some guidance,supervision is better if you have an electrician friend whom is willing to spend some time with you and your new "toy"!!!! (highly recommended!!)
BUZZ!

 

[DeadlyFoez]

Thank. I apreciate it in a big way. I will follow all ur cautions. I would be more concerned for burning up my unit then I would be for getting hurt. I know what I can and cannot touch. So at least I will be safe.

I'll read all directions and play with things as I go.

Thanks again.

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

get the ideal i just looked them over again its worth the extra "jacK" IMO
has better "ranges" too.
its the best "ALL AROUND" METER
once u learn theory(ies) then go get an adjustable MM and youl use this one for more home electrical and the other (ADJ. MM) for your DC pc board stuff cuzz the range selector has more "finite" choices.
BUZZ!

 

[DeadlyFoez]

so will the Ideal one be good for DC. I dont understand the whole mm thing.

 

[DeadlyFoez]

I just bought that Ideal one you suggested, but I bought it at the store and it was $135. Ouch. Oh well, I'm sure it will last me a long time. Now I'm just figuring out how to use it. I understand how to test volts on an outlet or battery, but I dont understand how to do Ohms.

The instructions were very basic. It doesn't seem like this can accurity do as much as smaller meters, but what the hell do I know.

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

I just bought that Ideal one you suggested, but I bought it at the store and it was $135. Ouch. Oh well, I'm sure it will last me a long time. Now I'm just figuring out how to use it. I understand how to test volts on an outlet or battery, but I dont understand how to do Ohms.

The instructions were very basic. It doesn't seem like this can accurity do as much as smaller meters, but what the hell do I know.

well bro u took the plunge and bought the nice one!!!
it will do what you willm need and be good for trouble shooting a whole gambit of stuff.
the clamp feature is great to test your appliances for current.

ohms are a unit of resistance in D/C circuits and impedance in a/c circuits.

ohms law : E= "v" voltage or "pressure"
I = amps or current
R= resistance

E= I x R I=E/R R=E/I


wattage is a unit of POWER POWER or watts = I x E

if u can master this formula and its variations as listed above u will be along way towards knowing how to use this meter.
BUZZ!

 

[DeadlyFoez]

Ok, well my main use for this thing right now is for building LED arrays using DC. So I know for some reason I need to test my ohms of each string, but for what I dont know.

Unfortunately I dont know any electricians or more important any electrical engineers personally, only the people online.

Though I have found a lot of good info on ohms law and stuff like that, and different things for led array calculators.

I'm trying to incorporate pulse width modulation and power control.

How can I use this meter to test things besides batteries and outlets? Like, lets say I have an electrical motor, how can I figure out how much power its using or testing electronics (I have a computer surround system and something blew sub/power unit). Pretty much, what kinds of things can I do with this? Do you know any good links for info.

Could I use this on something like a computer motherboard to troubleshoot or whould I need something more sensitive and more functions??

Thanx a lot man, you're a great help.

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

when u wanna look at things like "modulated signals" an oscilloscope is your tool of choice becuase it is like voltage meter (vertical axis) and time is your (horizontal axis)
o-scopes let you see the "wave form" for all sorts of troubleshooting!!

LED arrays HUH???? i bet u r tryin to make make LED growlights huh?? GOOD LUCK!!!!

BUZZ!

 

[DeadlyFoez]

Yeah, I'm try making led grow lights, I know it's a little before its time, but I know I can do it effectively. I've done lots of research on leds from back in the days of OG. But everything that everyone has tried growing with did not include enough wavelengths which led to not so great results.

I'ma look up on prices of o-scopes and see if it's worth it for me.

Thanx

 

[Duncan Rider]

I'm always lookin for a good bargin... if you have a Harbor Freight store around, they have a cool little digital multimeter for like 4 bucks! Can't say how long it will last, but I've had mine for a couple of years now. Oh yea, and its digital!






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