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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

multimeter brand?

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Pat C

09-26-2003 07:34:17




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I need to buy a multimeter that is good for 6 volt systems. Something that shows DC 10 a range. Anyone have a good brand/model to recommend?




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RJ-AZ

09-26-2003 16:15:16




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 Re: multimeter brand? in reply to Pat C, 09-26-2003 07:34:17  
Fluke and Simpson are the proffessionals choice but a good SEARS Craftsman mid-price range will do you just as well for occasional use. Radio Shack has some fair meters also.



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Joe Evans

09-26-2003 13:10:35




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 Re: multimeter brand? in reply to Pat C, 09-26-2003 07:34:17  
Simpson 260!



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MarkB

09-26-2003 18:39:59




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 Re: Re: multimeter brand? in reply to Joe Evans, 09-26-2003 13:10:35  
Hey Joe,

Yep, I've got one, too. I've had it twenty years, and it was probably ten years old when I acquired it. But I think maybe he's looking for a digital multimeter!



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Darren in TN

09-26-2003 12:53:37




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 Re: multimeter brand? in reply to Pat C, 09-26-2003 07:34:17  

Pat, I use a couple of meters in the shop for electronics repair and occasionally on the truck and tractor, too. If you're on a budget, $10 or $20 will buy you a better analog meter than the equivalent $30 or $40 DMM (digital multimeter.) Fluke makes some really nice DMMs, but for general use and kicking around the farm I mostly use a $6 analog Extech meter from Harbor Freight. In the shop (where a DMM is needed for work on electronics) I use a more expensive Extech meter that incorporates all the usual DMM features plus a 40kHz oscilloscope, signal generator, and frequency counter. This has proven immensely useful for us, but if you're just checking the resistance across a coil or the voltage across a battery, the $6 meter will work fine. Now, if money is no issue, go buy yourself a Fluke Scopemeter (get the model with car diagnostics built-in) and send me one while you're at it.

Hope this helps,
Darren

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Bob M

09-26-2003 11:49:05




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 Re: multimeter brand? in reply to Pat C, 09-26-2003 07:34:17  
Fluke DMM! I've used (and abused) my Fluke 77 for 14 years. It just keeps working. A little spendy at $180 but worth every penny. The newer Fluke 111 is smaller but has the same functionality as the 77. At $130 it's probably what I'd buy today. But if you are plan use your meter only occasionally and not bang it around too much, a $50 Radio Shack DMM will work fine for you.

I also have an ancient Simpson VOM. It's delicate (one fall from a tractor fender will kill it), and I don't dare get it wet. However when there's a lot of noise in a DC circuit - e.g. failing generator charging systems - the digital meters can have problems giving an accurate reading. The analog Simpson meter however is immune to this problem.

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evielboweviel

09-26-2003 11:42:22




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 Re: multimeter brand? in reply to Pat C, 09-26-2003 07:34:17  
FLUKE is the best
if money is part of the equation then Radio Shack or Sears, watch the sales and get a digital



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Red Dave

09-26-2003 11:35:05




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 Re: multimeter brand? in reply to Pat C, 09-26-2003 07:34:17  
I love my Fluke, but the price is too high for home/hobby work. Radio Shack has some nice ones for $30-$50 that are more than good enough for most home applications.
If you are working on old 6-volt tractors, I think an old-style analog VOM would be less frustrating for someone who is not familiar with modern meters. Modern digital meters have very high input impedances that tend to "see" a lot of electrical noise that brush-type generators put out. Sometimes it can be misleading, where the analogs don't react to that static & noise, giving a truer, less confusing, reading.

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Mac

09-26-2003 10:49:32




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 Re: multimeter brand? in reply to Pat C, 09-26-2003 07:34:17  
Simpson still makes them. I am an old codger and I have a non digital readout tester I had for 40 years. Still works good and at that time was about 3 bills. Uses 2 AAA and 2 "c" batts. Am I behind times or aint I????



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Mark

09-26-2003 10:27:47




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 Re: multimeter brand? in reply to Pat C, 09-26-2003 07:34:17  
FLuke is the best hands down. No questions asked. But you probably won't want too, and don't need to spend that much (200-300 or more)

There are lots of other brands you can get for about 100 bucks. Those will work fine for using it as little as i'm sure you will. go to www.newark.com or www.mouser.com lots of good choices there.



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