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looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 3:06 pm
by Smeeagain
I'm looking for a recommendation please for a multimeter for testing both car and domestic electrics. I appreciate they can be quite basic but the prices online range from £2 to almost £200 so there must be some logic behind pricing/quality

Cheers

Smee

Re: looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 4:19 pm
by X5Sport
I have the previous version of this one from Maplin.  This new version is about £25 cheaper at around £50.

Higher cost units usually means increased ratings or accuracy, but this series are fine for the majority of car and household electrics.

The best are probably made by Fluke, but you can add a lot to the costs above for the privilege!  My lab standard, calibrated official one was something over £1,000 when new ten years ago......and no I didn't get to keep it!

Richard

Re: looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:29 pm
by Smeeagain

Re: looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 6:00 pm
by X5Sport
Why would you want %Rh, Lux, Noise and Relative Temp?  Not a huge amount of use on a car.  The voltage/current ranges are OK although it is not auto ranging (a useful tool) and some of the accuracy limits are what you'd expect at £20.

Richard

Re: looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 6:11 pm
by Smeeagain
I did say for domestic use too and i do have a use for RH%. noise and temp are handy too in other things

Anyway to the point in hand - entirely suitable for say a car battery drain test and if a household lamp bulb holder is receiving current or not?

Point taken though on auto ranging I will look further - Im just not in the market for fifty quid or more for such an item
R

Re: looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:51 pm
by Chrisw4266
Get a basic one and learn how to use it properly is the best advice. I'd also recommend a inductive amp clamp saves disconnecting the battery when checking for a drain.

Re: looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:03 pm
by kjb1
Fluke here.  Perks of the old job [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone

Re: looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:52 pm
by sleepyfolk
I'd check the accuracy and calibration if you're thinking of going hunting for milliamperes here and there, some crap off fleabay may not be accurate enough for tracing small current draws. If you get a half decent Fluke it will last forever but I accept may be a bit pricey for occasional use.

Re: looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 7:29 am
by Dave1987
Maybe you can have this as me:$45

MST-2800B Intelligent Automotive Digital Multimeter

http://www.obdii365.com/wholesale/mst-2 ... meter.html

Re: looking for recommendation please for a multimeter

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 1:51 pm
by Smeeagain
thanks but I did say on the original post it was for domestic household as well as automotive and this one seems to be automotive specific - and the shipping is way too expensive !

Smee