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Good Multi-Meter recommendation

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FatBoy

Joined: 21 Oct 2012
Posts: 19
Location: Nashville, TN

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:16 am Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Hi folks,



Looking for a good multi-meter for my project.  Any recommendations?



Thanks very much  --

Andy Hawes

Fatboy Flightworks

www.fatboyflightworks.com

andy717(at)comcast.net

rlborger(at)mac.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:43 am Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Andy,



There are dozens of inexpensive, robust, good multimeters available from places like Radio Shack, Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.  Find one that has the functions you need, feels reasonably well built and buy it.



Blue skies & tailwinds,

Bob Borger

Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop.

Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP

3705 Lynchburg Dr.

Corinth, TX  76208-5331

Cel: 817-992-1117

rlborger(at)mac.com



On Sep 10, 2013, at 10:15 AM, Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net> wrote:






Hi folks,



Looking for a good multi-meter for my project.  Any recommendations?



Thanks very much  --

Andy Hawes

Fatboy Flightworks

www.fatboyflightworks.com

andy717(at)comcast.net

FatBoy

Joined: 21 Oct 2012
Posts: 19
Location: Nashville, TN

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:56 am Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Thanks Bob  --



On Sep 10, 2013, at 10:42 AM, Robert Borger wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Andy,

 

 There are dozens of inexpensive, robust, good multimeters available from places like Radio Shack, Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.  Find one that has the functions you need, feels reasonably well built and buy it.

 

 Blue skies & tailwinds,

 Bob Borger

 Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop.

 Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP

 3705 Lynchburg Dr.

 Corinth, TX  76208-5331

 Cel: 817-992-1117

 rlborger(at)mac.com

 

 On Sep 10, 2013, at 10:15 AM, Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net> wrote:

 

 

 

 Hi folks,

 

 Looking for a good multi-meter for my project.  Any recommendations?

 

 Thanks very much  --

 

 

 Andy Hawes

 Fatboy Flightworks

 www.fatboyflightworks.com

 andy717(at)comcast.net

egilroy(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:33 am Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

The best one I ever bought was a Fluke and I got it used on Craigslist for $40.



There are some great used deals out there if you want something more high end.

Watch out for Fluke displays on older units, but you can replace them cheaply from eBay repair kits.

 

On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 11:55 AM, Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

 [quote]--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)>

  

 Thanks Bob  --

 

 On Sep 10, 2013, at 10:42 AM, Robert Borger wrote:

 

 > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Robert Borger <rlborger(at)mac.com (rlborger(at)mac.com)>

 >

 > Andy,

 >

 > There are dozens of inexpensive, robust, good multimeters available from places like Radio Shack, Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.  Find one that has the functions you need, feels reasonably well built and buy it.

  >

 > Blue skies & tailwinds,

 > Bob Borger

 > Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop.

 > Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP

 > 3705 Lynchburg Dr.

 > Corinth, TX  76208-5331

 > Cel: [url=tel:817-992-1117]817-992-1117[/url]

 > rlborger(at)mac.com (rlborger(at)mac.com)

 >

 > On Sep 10, 2013, at 10:15 AM, Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

 >

 > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)>

 >

 > Hi folks,

 >

 > Looking for a good multi-meter for my project.  Any recommendations?

 >

 > Thanks very much  --

 >

 >

 > Andy Hawes

 > Fatboy Flightworks

 > www.fatboyflightworks.com

 > andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)

 >

 >

 >

 >

 

 

 

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 ===========

 http://forums.matronics.com

 ===========

 le, List Admin.

 ="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 ===========

 

 

 

 [b]

sarg314(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:37 am Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

I used a low-end Fluke meter. It cost me about $70 (well, 10 years ago).Â  Works very well, though the display acquired some defects after a while.Â  I was in the electronics business for many years and we used a lot of Fluke stuff.Â  The meters are very accurate and have nice high input impedance.

I remember that when I soldered a lug on the end of my #2 battery cable I used it to try to measure the resistance while the cable was still pretty hot.Â  I was mystified when it showed a few ohms.Â  But as the cable cooled, the displayed resistance decreased, ultimately to 0. It was showing me the thermocouple effect in the junction between the copper and the solder!Â  That junction was a (very wimpy) source of EMF which was throwing off the resistance measurement, but that is remarkable sensitivity in a $70 meter.

On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 8:55 AM, Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)>

Thanks Bob Â --

 On Sep 10, 2013, at 10:42 AM, Robert Borger wrote:

 > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Robert Borger <rlborger(at)mac.com (rlborger(at)mac.com)>

 >

 > Andy,

 >

 > There are dozens of inexpensive, robust, good multimeters available from places like Radio Shack, Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. Â Find one that has the functions you need, feels reasonably well built and buy it.

  >

 > Blue skies & tailwinds,

 > Bob Borger

 > Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop.

 > Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP

 > 3705 Lynchburg Dr.

 > Corinth, TX Â 76208-5331

 > Cel: [url=tel:817-992-1117]817-992-1117[/url]

 > rlborger(at)mac.com (rlborger(at)mac.com)

 >

 > On Sep 10, 2013, at 10:15 AM, Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

 >

 > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)>

 >

 > Hi folks,

 >

 > Looking for a good multi-meter for my project. Â Any recommendations?

 >

 > Thanks very much Â --

 >

 >

 > Andy Hawes

 > Fatboy Flightworks

 > www.fatboyflightworks.com

 > andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)

 >

 >

 >

 >

-- 

Tom Sargent 

  [quote][b]

Eric M. Jones

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 565
Location: Massachusetts

Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Fluke. 



"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."    ---Ben Franklin



I have a couple special meters for odd purposes, but I usually give away off-brand multimeters and keep the Flukes. Don't buy cheap stuff. Don't buy anything from Radio Shack.

_________________
Eric M. Jones
www.PerihelionDesign.com
113 Brentwood Drive
Southbridge, MA 01550
(508) 764-2072
emjones(at)charter.net

Fred Klein

Joined: 26 Mar 2012
Posts: 503

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:14 am Post subject: Re: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Eric...I like your B Franklin quote...what say you about the unit sold by B & C?



Fred

FatBoy

Joined: 21 Oct 2012
Posts: 19
Location: Nashville, TN

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:35 am Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

I went ahead and bid on a Fluke 179 on eBay  --  probably overkill for what I need but having the mA option might be nice for the smaller amp wiring I do (stick switches to relays).  Also has a temperature probe for some hi-tech barbecuing.



Worried though that the 179 is really "mint condition" as advertised, but I'll take the shot at saving $200 --



Thanks for the advice everyone  --



Andy



On Sep 12, 2013, at 9:14 AM, Fred Klein wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Eric...I like your B Franklin quote...what say you about the unit sold by B & C?

 

 Fred

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=408492#408492

Eric M. Jones

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 565
Location: Massachusetts

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:54 am Post subject: Re: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

 	  Quote: 	
		  Eric...I like your B Franklin quote...what say you about the unit sold by B & C? Fred 	




B&C is trying to make a living and they are really nice people. 



If you really want a cheap meter, search "multimeter" at Deal Extreme. 1/3 the price and free fast shipping to your door. I buy lots of things from them. For LEDs, they can't be beat. For great LED flashlights, spend a few bucks with DX.com and be astonished. Some DX stuff is junk and some is amazing. Learn to take the good with the bad....it ain't worth sending DX.com stuff back.



But for multimeters, I buy Flukes. My Fluke 87-V matches every digit of my Calibrators Inc. DVC 8500 Voltage Calibrator ($4500 new, 99999 millivolts. Ohhhh how my nerd heart leapt. But I bought it surplus for only $150!).

_________________
Eric M. Jones
www.PerihelionDesign.com
113 Brentwood Drive
Southbridge, MA 01550
(508) 764-2072
emjones(at)charter.net

Fred Klein

Joined: 26 Mar 2012
Posts: 503

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:08 am Post subject: Re: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Fascinating Eric...as in so many things in life, one can scratch a surface and find entire worlds...



Knowing absolutely nothing about multi-meters, I thought your previous reference to "Fluke" was to an occasion when, just by a fluke, you came upon something unexpected and truly wonderful...I had no idea of the breadth of quality in multi-meters...



Fred

schu(at)schu.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:51 am Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

On 9/10/2013 7:15 AM, Andy Hawes wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Hi folks,

 

 Looking for a good multi-meter for my project.  Any recommendations?

 

 Thanks very much  --


	


Fluke is best, but there are other options that are plenty good enough

for this application:



http://www.tequipment.net/ExtechEX205T.html

http://www.tequipment.net/ExtechEX230.asp

http://www.tequipment.net/BK2705B.html

http://www.tequipment.net/AmprobeAM-570.html



I have one of these, and it's every bit fluke:



http://www.tequipment.net/DranetzDMMDranTechXTRA.html



You may consider a clamp on meter that will measure current as well,

that's always useful when working through electrical issues:



http://www.tequipment.net/ExtechMA640.asp

http://www.tequipment.net/ExtechEX613.asp

http://www.tequipment.net/ExtechEX830.asp

http://www.tequipment.net/AmprobeACDC-52NAV.asp

http://www.tequipment.net/BK325.html



If it was me and I could only have one meter and couldn't swing a fluke

then I would probably go with the EX830 as it's reasonably accurate and

has the features I use 99% of the time.



Btw, tequipment is great!!!



schu

bed(at)mindspring.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 8:37 am Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Fluke is the way to go and is what I use. 

 IMPORTANT!!!  I keep a couple of Harbor Freight $3.99 ones around just to

loan out. I learned this the hard way about 20 years ago.

Barry



--

Eric M. Jones

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 565
Location: Massachusetts

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Before Bob flails me for suggesting more meter than you really need for most projects--I suggest:



1) Learning how to use a meter is more important than having a super-accurate  meter.

2) No, not everyone needs a Fluke 87-V. I only needed it for one special project where accuracy was critical. I usually use my cheapo Fluke 77. 

3) Meters, even cheap ones, are better than ever.



Off Topic: When you think you understand electronics, see Google: " You Tube

 M I T Walter Lewin Complete Breakdown of Intuition Part 1 " 



If you are really brave see Part 2.

_________________
Eric M. Jones
www.PerihelionDesign.com
113 Brentwood Drive
Southbridge, MA 01550
(508) 764-2072
emjones(at)charter.net

henador_titzoff(at)yahoo.
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:12 pm Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Barry I agree with you on this one.  I bought a Fluke 77 way back in the early 1980s, when I was a fledgling engineer at Boeing Aerospace.  The sales rep offered them to design engineers at the same cost that Boeing paid. It is still going strong and has proven itself many times.

Then I decided to "upgrade" and buy a Fluke 87 V.  Turns out it was an upgrade, but I never got rid of my 77!  I love them both!

I did do one thing that hasn't been discussed here (I think).  I replace the batteries on a regular interval with 9VDC lithium batteries.  I do this in order to prevent an alkaline battery leak.  Yes, I'm taking a chance on having a Dreamliner moment, but so far the vibrations in my toolbox haven't produced a failure.  I also place a vinyl label on the meters' cases that tell me when the batteries were replaced.  Both were replaced on 9/18/2009.  I figure I have another 2-4 years on those batteries.

I'm not going to comment on Harbor Freight, because I think most of their stuff is trash. 



 

Henador Titzoff





        From: Barry Davis <bed(at)mindspring.com>

 To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com 

 Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 12:36 PM

 Subject: RE: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

  

 

--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "Barry Davis" <bed(at)mindspring.com (bed(at)mindspring.com)>



Fluke is the way to go and is what I use. 

 IMPORTANT!!!  I keep a couple of Harbor Freight $3.99 ones around just to

loan out. I learned this the hard way about 20 years ago.

Barry



--

joemotis(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 5:00 pm Post subject: Good Multi-Meter recommendation

Well after careful consideration, the EICO Model 540 Readi tester Did anyone build thisback in about 1964

I still have mine!



Any Fluke you can afford though you will never regret buying a good meter.

 



[img]cid:ii_14114d1e3b871ad4[/img]



On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 9:32 AM, Ed Gilroy <egilroy(at)gmail.com (egilroy(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  The best one I ever bought was a Fluke and I got it used on Craigslist for $40.



There are some great used deals out there if you want something more high end.

 



Watch out for Fluke displays on older units, but you can replace them cheaply from eBay repair kits.

 

On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 11:55 AM, Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

  

 	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)>

   

 Thanks Bob  --

 

 On Sep 10, 2013, at 10:42 AM, Robert Borger wrote:

 

 > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Robert Borger <rlborger(at)mac.com (rlborger(at)mac.com)>

 >

 > Andy,

 >

 > There are dozens of inexpensive, robust, good multimeters available from places like Radio Shack, Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.  Find one that has the functions you need, feels reasonably well built and buy it.

   >

 > Blue skies & tailwinds,

 > Bob Borger

 > Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop.

 > Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP

 > 3705 Lynchburg Dr.

 > Corinth, TX  76208-5331

 > Cel: [url=tel:817-992-1117]817-992-1117[/url]

 > rlborger(at)mac.com (rlborger(at)mac.com)

 >

 > On Sep 10, 2013, at 10:15 AM, Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)> wrote:

 >

 > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Andy Hawes <andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)>

 >

 > Hi folks,

 >

 > Looking for a good multi-meter for my project.  Any recommendations?

 >

 > Thanks very much  --

 >

 >

 > Andy Hawes

 > Fatboy Flightworks

 > www.fatboyflightworks.com

 > andy717(at)comcast.net (andy717(at)comcast.net)

 >

 >

 >

 >

 

 

 



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 ===========

 http://forums.matronics.com

 ===========

 le, List Admin.

 ="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

 ===========

 

 

 

 	


   	  Quote: 	
		  



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