Buy a Multimeter

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Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 27 Apr 2018, 19:24

Hello.

I want to buy a multimeter.

multimetro.jpg


Ideas, suggestions, brands, prices?
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 27 Apr 2018, 20:07

Budget?

To give you an idea, 1.99 on ebay, to my 450.00 fluke test meter, at the rediculous end.

And of course what you need depends on your requirements, and that depends on your knowledge. A fancy thing like I have goes beyond my casual use and ability. But it also has features that are really useful. For eg it can accurately measure DC motor impedance, where most meters cannot. And its a trend meter, that can graph currents and voltages over time. Really useful to evaluate a charge cycle an a charger to see what it really does. And high frequency peak, high, low, AC/DC or DC/AC readings, frequency, accurate capacitance readings, and a ton of other stuff.

For decent quality meters, uni-t meter are quite good. Esp their clamp DC ammeters.

So budget, and needs?
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 27 Apr 2018, 20:25

Small cheap meter mainly for measuring Amps, which is very useful. And it may be all you need.


youtu.be/r7QjTEE2Sn0
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 27 Apr 2018, 21:11

https://www.ebay.com/itm/UNI-T-UT210E-D ... 0009.m1982

Cheaper still from china etc on some sites.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 27 Apr 2018, 21:20

QUALITY costs. Fluke is probably the best for quality. This is a very basic meter. But it will last a lifetime, and is accurate. https://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-15B-Digi ... SwRLZT13tk
I have one. Its not fancy, doesent have a million "features" but its safe, reliable, accurate, built well. And does everything most people need. And yes the chinese versions are still manufactured by fluke.

Cheap like this for example, lots of features and buttons etc, and you dont know what you are getting and if its safe/accurate. It may be ok, maybe not. Certainly wouldnt trust it on 240V or more to not blow your hand off! You kind of get what you pay for mostly.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AN870-19999-Co ... 0005.m1851
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 27 Apr 2018, 23:48

Is your multimeter (Fluke) the Chinese version or the western version?
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 28 Apr 2018, 00:14

I have had both. And there was no detectable difference. I currently have the chinese one.
Actually my chinese one is one of these, which is likely also more than you need. Its almost exactly the same as the 15, but a few more bells and whistles. https://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-17B-Digi ... SwEK9T13qI

They are basically the same thing, but the 17 also does temperature (not needed by me), and frequency, and so also duty cycle etc. But unless you have a use for those things then they are otherwise the same. I do which is why I ordered the chinese one to replace the 15. Quality wise, identical. Different language writing on the label is about the only difference.

I also have a fluke 289 which is a lot more than anyone needs... :worship Bought much later. Its big and heavy, slower to use, but does everything and then some. So its very useful for some technical jobs only if you know why you need it. I do a lot of hobby RC stuff.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 28 Apr 2018, 00:36

Fluke 289 bought as unused, old stock, in the US for very cheap! About 1/3rd retail.

But the proper retail price is somewhat eye watering! And not affordable for hobby use. :shock: For most normal jobs I use the 17B as its faster simpler and smaller.

Image
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby shirley_hkg » 01 May 2018, 14:37

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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 02 May 2018, 22:46

Thanks shirley_hkg
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 02 May 2018, 22:59

A question Burgerman.

Is your Fluke multimeter "True RMS"?
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 02 May 2018, 23:11

Yes. Most more expensive flukes are. But for your purposes it wont make any difference. That is unless you plan to do other stuff apart from checking batteries etc. So unless you plan working on odd AC waveforms its not important.

http://en-us.fluke.com/training/trainin ... e-rms.html
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 08 May 2018, 23:01

I wanted to buy a Fluke that is True RMS.

Any suggestions?
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 09 May 2018, 11:02

Save up, or buy a different brand. Why do you think you want true rms? I doubt it will be useful to you for most things you are likely to use it for on chairs or household/cars etc.

The cheaper flukes like the 17b+ are well rounded, do most things well, and are safe. And reliable, with solid build quality. There are lots of cheaper meters of other brands that have more features for the money. But are lower build quality.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 11 May 2018, 22:35

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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 11 May 2018, 22:48

Thats what I use for 90 percent of jobs. Good solid basic meter, pretty much all you need.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 11 May 2018, 22:50

I will buy it.

Thats what I use for 90 percent of jobs.


That 10% of jobs what are they?
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 11 May 2018, 22:56

Well if you need to ask, then the sort of jobs that we are talking about are not likely to be anything you will be doing or you would know.

For eg, logging over time, or logging high low spikes during measurement of current/frequency/pulsewidth/duty cycle, and so on. Or reading ac component simultanuously on a dc signal, or the other way around.

And

In combination with this https://www.ebay.com/itm/UNI-T-UT210E-D ... 0009.m1982

For measuring down to mA, without disconnecting cables etc you can do most anything that you will ever want.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 11 May 2018, 22:58

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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 11 May 2018, 23:59

The fluke isnt full of fancy features, or super accurate. Its built to last, safe, and will still be working the same long after the cheaper brands have gone out of calibration or developed faulty connectors or switches etc. Its a trusty tool. It is a cheaper fluke than most are though.

If you want super calibration accuraccy, lots of features theres loads of cheaper meters from other brands. But having been there and done that, I now wouldnt bother! If you really want all that fancy stuff, find a good cheap used 87V or 289 or similar, and send in for calibration and service.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 13 May 2018, 00:53

What batteries does the Fluke 17B carry?

AA?

AA.jpg
AA.jpg (13.95 KiB) Viewed 8784 times
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 13 May 2018, 01:54

Yep. In my case rechargable eneloop.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 13 May 2018, 17:15

OK.

Thanks.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 13 May 2018, 19:38

If you intend using very occasionally, primary lithium are best as they have up to 10 years useful calender life.
If you intend using often, then rechargable eneloop are best. They have less calender shelf life but still good for years stored. And you can re-charge.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 16 May 2018, 23:45

I bought the Fluke 17B multimeter.
In a few days it comes to me from Germany.

I use disposable Panasonic batteries.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 17 May 2018, 12:29

17B or B+ ? B+ has illuminated screen to eat battery. If you use it. And a few minor changes.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 17 May 2018, 16:45

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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 28 May 2018, 17:10

"A picture is worth a thousand words."


fluke_01.jpg



fluke_02.jpg
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby Burgerman » 28 May 2018, 23:17

Did you test? Be sure all works? Measure the wall AC. Frequency, voltage, DC component? etc. Measure the batt voltage as you charge your chair. Watch the current as it goes from 8A and falls to where? Before the green comes on... See what float voltage is. Measure a capacitor, a resistor?

Dont measure Amps by connecting to a batery, wall, etc as there will be a bang! And you will blow a fuse. Those are special, and expensive. Be sure you understand what volts/amps/resistance is. And Ohms law.
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Re: Buy a Multimeter

Postby martin007 » 29 May 2018, 00:24

I'm testing the Fluke.

Measuring battery 1.5 v > 1.55 v OK :thumbup:
Measuring battery 4.5 v (with a lot of use) > 4.19 v :thumbup:
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