Multimeter Preference

[S33k3r]

If you were testing current draw or high, life-threatening voltages (110VAC house power included) and needed utmost accuracy, then I'll add my vote for a FLUKE to the list.

The plan was to get a general purpose one, but I may end up having to go with a cheap one <sigh>. Thanks.

 

[Rocket Man]

The plan was to get a general purpose one, but I may end up having to go with a cheap one <sigh>. Thanks.

I guess it all depends on what you want. If you’re looking for a good tool, one that will do whatever you want in the future and will last a lifetime, buy the Fluke. If you just want something cheap then you don’t need to ask us, just buy any cheap dvm and you’ll be fine. I thought you were looking for recommendations for a quality tool, my bad. I guess I read more into the question than was there.

 

[iamdub]

The plan was to get a general purpose one, but I may end up having to go with a cheap one <sigh>. Thanks.

The way I see it, if you had enough situations in your life that required a DVOM, you'd already have one (maybe even a really nice one) and wouldn't be asking such questions on a car forum. If testing such a simple circuit as lighting up a 12VDC bulb is what brought you to considering getting a DVOM, then you'll be perfectly fine with a ~$20 one from a big box store, Amazon, etc. They're pretty much all the same with testing AC volts, DC volts, impedance ("Ohms"), continuity, and amperage (usually up to 10 amps- plenty for tracing parasitic draws on a car).

 

[S33k3r]

The way I see it, if you had enough situations in your life that required a DVOM, you'd already have one (maybe even a really nice one) and wouldn't be asking such questions on a car forum. If testing such a simple circuit as lighting up a 12VDC bulb is what brought you to considering getting a DVOM, then you'll be perfectly fine with a ~$20 one from a big box store, Amazon, etc. They're pretty much all the same with testing AC volts, DC volts, impedance ("Ohms"), continuity, and amperage (usually up to 10 amps- plenty for tracing parasitic draws on a car).

I am old, I suppose. I learned to build and test circuits when I was 10, from my dad. But it's been a while since I could do anything on my own, so I am not used to something as "simple" as a multimeter being so expensive. The last one was sacrificed to an oven to which I *thought* I had cut the power, but for which the multimeter served its purpose. And the <sigh> about having to go cheap is that we have poured a good deal of money into a truck for my daughter. It was a "deal" I failed to properly check out, and has been constantly biting me in the ass since mid February.

Thanks.

 

[Fless]

Wow! Looks just like my first multimeter, which I got used from someone, back in the 60's. It was great for working on electronic assemblies, particularly the very sensitive Ohm resistance scale, as before semi-conductor technology was introduced, precise resistance measurements were much more critical in maintaining oscillator circuits, as well as other circuits.

Still have the Simpson?

 

[Fless]

For cab roof marker lights, you could use any dirt cheap DVOM or even test light. If you were testing current draw or high, life-threatening voltages (110VAC house power included) and needed utmost accuracy, then I'll add my vote for a FLUKE to the list. I have Cen-Tech DVOMs all around the house since I got them free with other purchases at Harbor Freight and they're perfectly fine for testing batteries or for continuity. I have a few $20-$40 ones from the big box stores and Radio Shack around the garage and shop that serve my needs just fine. For any automotive use, especially cab lights, a $20 DVOM would be plenty over-equipped for your needs.

Totally agree with this philosophy. I have several inexpensive ones and keep one in each vehicle, in the garage, the basement. Anything to keep from having to walk those steps to find one at home, or wonder what's going on while on the road.

 

[bill1013]

This is the multimeter I use. It's really old school, but it works really well. I bought the original 25 years ago from Radio Shack. The battery exploded/leaked and ruined it, so I bought another one on Amazon Prime. It cost a little bit more than the original ($25) but it works like a charm, easy to understand symbols and it's compact. Aloha!

Bill 1013

 

[96-2D-Hoe]

I used to use one every day, but rarely use my meter now. I bought it used and it was still expensive.

Something like this would do what you need it to and more. I would find the temp probe useful as I don't have one.

https://www.amazon.com/Meterk-Multimeter-Capacitance-Resistance-Temperature/dp/B073Y162BZ?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_4



And then If you accidentally drop it in a bucket of something it's not a big deal

 

[iamdub]

I am old, I suppose. I learned to build and test circuits when I was 10, from my dad. But it's been a while since I could do anything on my own, so I am not used to something as "simple" as a multimeter being so expensive. The last one was sacrificed to an oven to which I *thought* I had cut the power, but for which the multimeter served its purpose. And the <sigh> about having to go cheap is that we have poured a good deal of money into a truck for my daughter. It was a "deal" I failed to properly check out, and has been constantly biting me in the ass since mid February.

Thanks.

I didn't mean anything derogatory. Was just stating and concluding from the simple facts. Definitely, in this case, going cheap is not being cheap. It's being sensible. Buying a $100 FLUKE to test a light circuit is like buying a lathe to sharpen a pencil.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Still have the Simpson?

Unfortunately, no. It was a victim of releasing lesser-used items, when making of one of my geographical moves.

 

[Rocket Man]

I am old, I suppose. I learned to build and test circuits when I was 10, from my dad. But it's been a while since I could do anything on my own, so I am not used to something as "simple" as a multimeter being so expensive. The last one was sacrificed to an oven to which I *thought* I had cut the power, but for which the multimeter served its purpose. And the <sigh> about having to go cheap is that we have poured a good deal of money into a truck for my daughter. It was a "deal" I failed to properly check out, and has been constantly biting me in the ass since mid February.

Thanks.

No problem and it’s understood. If you would have added “ inexpensive” to your first post it would have saved a lot of discussion. Like I stated after learning this fact, pretty much any $20 DVM nowadays will do what you want and more. It might not last your lifetime like a Fluke but oh well, if money is tight just get what works. What I do when buying relatively inexpensive items is look deep into the online reviews because it seems all the positive ones are at the forefront but it’s the ones that say stuff like “ worked great for a month and then quit” are what turns me away. I tend to buy quality when possible because my philosophy is buy it once and forget it. Too many times I’ve bought the $20 item, it breaks in a year so I buy another $20 item and it breaks again so at that point I’ve wasted $40 and then the decision to keep throwing my money at junk or swallow my loss and finally buy the good one kills me because I hate to admit I made the wrong decision to start with again and now I have to pay. But i do buy cheap tools at times, it just depends on what it is and the likelihood of it failing. It can be a struggle making the initial decision.

 

[wjburken]

I tend to buy quality when possible because my philosophy is buy it once and forget it.

I agree 100%.

I taught my wife this lesson when we were first married and bought a house. We needed a step ladder and I wanted to get a $80 Werner fiberglass step ladder but she was adamant that we get the $40 Davidson wood step ladder from Walmart. 1 year later, the wood ladder was shot and I bought the $80 Werner. I pointed out to her that had we just bought the Werner in the first place we would have saved $40. I still have that ladder 20 years later and she mentions that lesson every once in a while when we are discussing going cheap or going with quality.

 

[S33k3r]

No problem and it’s understood. If you would have added “ inexpensive” to your first post it would have saved a lot of discussion. Like I stated after learning this fact, pretty much any $20 DVM nowadays will do what you want and more. It might not last your lifetime like a Fluke but oh well, if money is tight just get what works. What I do when buying relatively inexpensive items is look deep into the online reviews because it seems all the positive ones are at the forefront but it’s the ones that say stuff like “ worked great for a month and then quit” are what turns me away. I tend to buy quality when possible because my philosophy is buy it once and forget it. Too many times I’ve bought the $20 item, it breaks in a year so I buy another $20 item and it breaks again so at that point I’ve wasted $40 and then the decision to keep throwing my money at junk or swallow my loss and finally buy the good one kills me because I hate to admit I made the wrong decision to start with again and now I have to pay. But i do buy cheap tools at times, it just depends on what it is and the likelihood of it failing. It can be a struggle making the initial decision.

I am sorry, I was completely ignorant of multimeters. The last time I bought one, I walked into a Radio Shack to do it... That said, I do appreciate everyone's clarifications, and the time you took to help me.

 

[Mudsport96]

For cab roof marker lights, you could use any dirt cheap DVOM or even test light. If you were testing current draw or high, life-threatening voltages (110VAC house power included) and needed utmost accuracy, then I'll add my vote for a FLUKE to the list. I have Cen-Tech DVOMs all around the house since I got them free with other purchases at Harbor Freight and they're perfectly fine for testing batteries or for continuity. I have a few $20-$40 ones from the big box stores and Radio Shack around the garage and shop that serve my needs just fine. For any automotive use, especially cab lights, a $20 DVOM would be plenty over-equipped for your needs.

I will third this statement.
For work I use a fluke 376 basically this

For home I have a fluke 114


And for auto stuff that isnt ecm based I use a harbor freight unit so if I drop it or spill a driveway beverage on it I dont care. Hell I used to have one in the truck, blazer for wheeling trips and one in the four wheeler storage compartment.

 

[bill1013]

Simpsons are great meters. My work used to use them extensively, but tossed them when they went digital (Fluke). The only thing I didn't like about the Simpsons was their size. They are pretty big to use when you're in a tight space, which is the majority of the time. But for a workbench they're great! Aloha!

Bill1013

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I agree 100%.

I taught my wife this lesson when we were first married and bought a house. We needed a step ladder and I wanted to get a $80 Werner fiberglass step ladder but she was adamant that we get the $40 Davidson wood step ladder from Walmart. 1 year later, the wood ladder was shot and I bought the $80 Werner. I pointed out to her that had we just bought the Werner in the first place we would have saved $40. I still have that ladder 20 years later and she mentions that lesson every once in a while when we are discussing going cheap or going with quality.

Interesting, that your wife remembers your good lessons from the past an occasionally brings them up. My wife tends to keenly remember my screw-ups over the years, and periodically brings them up.

 

[wjburken]

Interesting, that your wife remembers your good lessons from the past an occasionally brings them up. My wife tends to keenly remember my screw-ups over the years, and periodically brings them up.

Oh, don't get me wrong, there are plenty of "I Told You So's" from her as well. All of which are likely deserved.

 

[Shunto]

Fluke 77 or the 87... Keep in in the rubber casing and and then pass it down to your kids..
In case you folks dont know I heard that you can actually have these Calibrated once every 10 years or so.

 

[Shunto]

Fluke makes great products. Call me old school and laugh all you want, but I use a 35-year-old Simpson 260xlm, owned since new. The analog meter is awesome for checking variable resistors for dead spots, and it's big enough NOT to fit in a typical hand. For digital accuracy I find that a cheap Hazard Fraught one works fine.

About a year ago I mistakenly smoked the Simpson and had to send it in for repair. Turns out the service center was about 30 miles away from where I went to high school in NC Illinois. Anyway, for a flat rate they repaired it, put a new mirrored meter movement in it, and calibrated it.

View attachment 253676

Lord amighty!!
If that aint a "260"!! takes me back!! that "376"
is beautiful... been looking for an Ampclamp like this.... you like it good?

 

[Spoolin]

Just another fluke...