Can anyone suggest an decent digital multimeter? - Page 2

Xringer · 12-04-16, 09:58 AM

Being a Ham, I always wanted to own a really good Tektronix dual channel oscilloscope..

In 1998, NEC laid off the last of it's MA workers. Since I was the last engineer standing,
I got my pick of the remaining test gear.. One item was a newer model Tektronix o-scope ($30) w/cart..

This new scope was much better than the scopes I used on my new Job at MIT.
Pretty soon, I realized that owning a big-bucks scope had draw-backs. It was a bit too large, heavy and had way more functionality than I would ever need. I could not easily carry it around. What I really needed was a more portable scope. So, I down-sized to a cheaper smaller 100 MHz Tektronix, that I can easily take out outdoors and use just about anywhere..
If I drop it or smoke a channel input, I'm not going to be crying about messing up a scope that originally cost more than brand new Prius V.

jeff5may · 12-05-16, 06:13 AM

I don't believe Fluke makes any models without a lifetime warranty. I remember asking a customer service agent this question in the mid-90's, because one of the techs I was working with tried to measure high voltage off a tv flyback with his. It was literally hit by lightning! The agent said if you never registered it, and the unit is old and expensive, sometimes they charge a small fee to register the unit and the repair or replacement is free. After that, if the same unit needs repair, it is free to repair, forever.

The unit I have been using since I left the electronic service industry is the 12B. After not needing the extra functionality of the greater units, I sold them. If I need to measure current, most of my maintenance buddies have the models with the built-in current clamp.

pinballlooking · 12-05-16, 11:33 AM

Fluke 101 Basic Digital is very small and only has a one year warranty.
Fluke makes much better meters but they can get pricey.
Mine was more than I wanted to pay but I do not regret it.

Extremely Rugged Fluke 101 Digital Multimeter

There my be other good choices out there. For a company that makes top end meters the bottom of the line may not be the best in its class. I really don't know.

Looking at the lower end Fluke meters I like the 115
Fluke 115
It is more money than you want to spend but it has excellent reviews.
Maybe Xmas is coming Santa might put it under the tree.

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/inen/digi....htm?PID=55993

AC_Hacker · 12-05-16, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

I'm looking for a new 'niceish' digital multimeter.

I got one I really like, from Lowes...

It's a small brown auto-ranging one that pretty much fits in my pocket.

It has the fundamental stuff, but I really like that it has a 'hot wiring' sensor on the top, and the meter doesn't even need to be turned on for that to work.

For general wiring, and most household needs, it is just great.

I also have a drawer full of every-frickin'-thing-that-a-meter-could-ever-measure meters, and a beautiful Fluke, and I seldom use them.

The little Lowes one is my fav.

-AC

pinballlooking · 12-05-16, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC_Hacker

I got one I really like, from Lowes...

It's a small brown auto-ranging one that pretty much fits in my pocket.

It has the fundamental stuff, but I really like that it has a 'hot wiring' sensor on the top, and the meter doesn't even need to be turned on for that to work.

For general wiring, and most household needs, it is just great.

I also have a drawer full of every-frickin'-thing-that-a-meter-could-ever-measure meters, and a beautiful Fluke, and I seldom use them.

The little Lowes one is my fav.

-AC

Can you share the model number you have?

NiHaoMike · 12-05-16, 11:17 PM

My favorite is the Mooshimeter, a Bluetooth dual channel multimeter. I got it since it doesn't have a rotary switch to wear out or get dirty (that's a very common problem I have with multimeters - I use them a lot), plus it can operate as a standalone data logger and even works as a (very low frequency) oscilloscope.

Of most interest to us here is that it can measure power to a far greater precision than a Kill-a-Watt. The 30mW an idle phone charger uses is easily captured. They're working on (software) support for an external shunt, which would be great for checking power usage of devices that draw too much current for its internal shunt.

randen · 12-06-16, 08:47 AM

As a young kid of 14 I had obtained a Multimeter ANOLOG from Radio Shack and used it for years. It suffered many battle wounds and bounced off the floor more than one could count.

Yes you can get by with a cheaper tool

I figured I would always be tinkering and needed some better equipment. I ponied up for a Fluke and really glad I did.

If you feel like myself and your going to tinker till your dead you really should get one. Its going to save you money on all the stuff your going to repair.

Ebay has some good prices on Flukes

You won't regret it

Randen

AC_Hacker · 12-10-16, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

Can you share the model number you have?

On the front it says: "Southwire" and also: "10020N"

-AC

WyrTwister · 12-19-16, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinballlooking

I used Fluke meters in the Navy for years and have had very good luck with them. I used a meters a lot in the Navy.

A few years ago I bought Fluke 87 V it has been a great meter and very tuff.
You might check out on of their cheaper models.

I use a Fluke amp / volt tester at work . Seems to be tough . But sounds like you do not need to measure amps . And out of your $ 50 budget .

How tough it needs to be depends on how and how often .

God bless
Wyr

philb · 12-19-16, 09:26 PM

I use the HF meters because they're free with coupon. Of the five I tested, they were accurate to 1/10th volt. I used my certified Fluke DVM to test them!

My first good meter was a Simpson 260. When it finally quit, I bought a Fluke. It has lasted for years without issues. I also tried Extech for throw around field use for 10 people. None of them lasted a year. Fluke 100 series got that job after that. Eight years later, none have broken. Oscilloscopes are just as rugged but seldom see field use where I worked.

Btw, I bought a NIB Fluke 110 at a pawn shop for $36. They had several. You might check there also.

12-04-16, 09:58 AM	#11
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Being a Ham, I always wanted to own a really good Tektronix dual channel oscilloscope.. In 1998, NEC laid off the last of it's MA workers. Since I was the last engineer standing, I got my pick of the remaining test gear.. One item was a newer model Tektronix o-scope ($30) w/cart.. This new scope was much better than the scopes I used on my new Job at MIT. Pretty soon, I realized that owning a big-bucks scope had draw-backs. It was a bit too large, heavy and had way more functionality than I would ever need. I could not easily carry it around. What I really needed was a more portable scope. So, I down-sized to a cheaper smaller 100 MHz Tektronix, that I can easily take out outdoors and use just about anywhere.. If I drop it or smoke a channel input, I'm not going to be crying about messing up a scope that originally cost more than brand new Prius V. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

12-05-16, 11:33 AM	#13
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Fluke 101 Basic Digital is very small and only has a one year warranty. Fluke makes much better meters but they can get pricey. Mine was more than I wanted to pay but I do not regret it. Extremely Rugged Fluke 101 Digital Multimeter There my be other good choices out there. For a company that makes top end meters the bottom of the line may not be the best in its class. I really don't know. Looking at the lower end Fluke meters I like the 115 Fluke 115 It is more money than you want to spend but it has excellent reviews. Maybe Xmas is coming Santa might put it under the tree. http://www.fluke.com/fluke/inen/digi....htm?PID=55993 __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Daox; 01-13-17 at 02:13 PM..

12-05-16, 11:17 PM	#16
NiHaoMike Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,154 Thanks: 14 Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts	My favorite is the Mooshimeter, a Bluetooth dual channel multimeter. I got it since it doesn't have a rotary switch to wear out or get dirty (that's a very common problem I have with multimeters - I use them a lot), plus it can operate as a standalone data logger and even works as a (very low frequency) oscilloscope. Of most interest to us here is that it can measure power to a far greater precision than a Kill-a-Watt. The 30mW an idle phone charger uses is easily captured. They're working on (software) support for an external shunt, which would be great for checking power usage of devices that draw too much current for its internal shunt. __________________ To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her... Last edited by Daox; 01-13-17 at 02:14 PM..

12-05-16, 06:13 AM	#12
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,431 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	I don't believe Fluke makes any models without a lifetime warranty. I remember asking a customer service agent this question in the mid-90's, because one of the techs I was working with tried to measure high voltage off a tv flyback with his. It was literally hit by lightning! The agent said if you never registered it, and the unit is old and expensive, sometimes they charge a small fee to register the unit and the repair or replacement is free. After that, if the same unit needs repair, it is free to repair, forever. The unit I have been using since I left the electronic service industry is the 12B. After not needing the extra functionality of the greater units, I sold them. If I need to measure current, most of my maintenance buddies have the models with the built-in current clamp.

12-06-16, 08:47 AM	#17
randen Uber EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Strathroy Ontario Canada Posts: 657 Thanks: 9 Thanked 191 Times in 129 Posts	As a young kid of 14 I had obtained a Multimeter ANOLOG from Radio Shack and used it for years. It suffered many battle wounds and bounced off the floor more than one could count. Yes you can get by with a cheaper tool I figured I would always be tinkering and needed some better equipment. I ponied up for a Fluke and really glad I did. If you feel like myself and your going to tinker till your dead you really should get one. Its going to save you money on all the stuff your going to repair. Ebay has some good prices on Flukes You won't regret it Randen

12-19-16, 09:26 PM	#20
philb Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 155 Thanks: 58 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	I use the HF meters because they're free with coupon. Of the five I tested, they were accurate to 1/10th volt. I used my certified Fluke DVM to test them! My first good meter was a Simpson 260. When it finally quit, I bought a Fluke. It has lasted for years without issues. I also tried Extech for throw around field use for 10 people. None of them lasted a year. Fluke 100 series got that job after that. Eight years later, none have broken. Oscilloscopes are just as rugged but seldom see field use where I worked. Btw, I bought a NIB Fluke 110 at a pawn shop for $36. They had several. You might check there also.