Multimeter

  • Thread starter Thread starter razorbeams
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razorbeams

razorbeams

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Hello everyone,

I was hoping someone could recommend me a good multimeter that will perform all critical functions for the best price.
Thanks
 
I got one at WalMart many years ago that I've used for all-freaking-sorts of stuff from car-audio crap to tracing leads on circuit boards to... you name it. It's yellow and says "Electro-tek" on it, and I distinctly remember it costing 10 dollars. There have a been few times when there's been other meters around and I've noted that the other ones get readings closer to whatever the value is supposed to be - two examples I can think of were the voice-coil on a speaker where a nicer meter read something like 4.4 ohms, and mine read something like 4.8, and it was supposed to be a 4 ohm speaker, and a car battery where the snap-on rig thingy read 14.4 volts, and mine read something like 14.2 or so.. but if you don't need pinpoint accuracy, you can't beat 10 bucks.
 
It needs to be able to read 500v DC. I'm doing some mods on my Fender Deville 212 and making some guitar leads.
 
I can't seem to find a spec-sheet or anything on this WalMart cheapo (probably a rebranded-generic kind of thing) I have, but maybe this will be useful - taken with my phone so it's kinda blurry, but it seems to indicate it can handle up to 600v DC.

Hope that helps :)
 

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I've had a few and the last one I got was ultra cheap on sale (I think it was $10). It's a Sears Craftsman model 82141. A friend of mine bought a $35 Sears Craftsman one and we both agreed that my $10 one is better.

I would highly recommend it. A feature it has, and I don't see on TyphoidHippo's, is "audible continuity". That means it will make a buzzer type sound when a connection is made, and that's very useful when you are testing cables. Otherwise you have to watch the meter when you test for continuity and that's often a pia.

The only main thing that that tester doesn't do, and most of them don't, is measure amps. But that tester is fine for testing your house electrical, your car battery, house batteries, mic cables... all kinds of stuff.

I found a small zipper bag, like a mic case, that fits my meter and I keep it in that. This last few years I've been getting small bags for all my tools and it's nice when you go to use them and they aren't all crapped out.
 
Mine is a radio shack model $10. has all the bells and whistles including the buzzer type sound that comes in real handy.



:cool:
 
Also great idea dinty with all the small tools in little pouches it made a world of dif in my tool case.



:cool:
 
Get a Fluke and it will be the last meter you'll ever need.

Something in the 1xx series say the 113 or 115 should be all you'll need unless you're designing and engineering projects.

I have an 8000A on the bench and an 187 for a handheld. Best meters money can buy.
 
dintymoore said:
The only main thing that that tester doesn't do, and most of them don't, is measure amps.
Click to expand...
go back and look again... it's limited to like 10amps :rolleyes:

btw most of the craftsmen stuff used to be made by fluke... today?? not sure... i've got a fluke 77 setting mere feet away... always handy...
 
dementedchord said:
go back and look again... it's limited to like 10amps
Click to expand...

Yep, I just looked at that and it is, but that's never been an issue with any of the needs in my studio, stuff like measuring speaker Ω's, testing cables, testing ac voltage etc... it's a cheap ass unit for sure but an bargain for the $10 I paid for it. Superior to a Fluke when you accidently back your car over it! :)

dementedchord said:
btw most of the craftsmen stuff used to be made by fluke... today?? not sure...
Click to expand...

Craftsman stuff, don't get me started... I have their sockets from the 60's and the chrome is something else. You just don't see that anymore. Same as old Ludwig stands, the chrome... I think it was called "pride in workmanship".

When I opened up my $10 multimeter there was a fortune cookie message inside it. :(
 
dinty.... I think I have the same socket set from the same era. you gotta love good old made in the USA. right?



:cool:
 
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