Multimeter

[kevenh]

A Fluke multimeter would be a bit of an overkill.
Handy for someone with several uses for it.
Just for the motorhome the simpler ones mentioned are great for us.

 

[Bobby-gg]

Also, my latest model has a strong magnet on the strap. Really useful for:

1) hanging from whatever metal object your working on so your hands can be freed for holding the probes.

2) Latching onto all the small parts of your socket set and emptying boxes of screws all over the floor.

Our latest batch of flukes at work have came with the magnetic strap that is very handy as you say

Unfortunately, it will stick itself to every metallic tool in my drawer, so when I get it out to use half of my drawer comes with it, and out on plant I've even managed to stick it metal work like girders and panels as I've walked past, leaving my meter hanging!

 

[Boris7]

Fluke 117 is great but the T90 may give you all you need

Fluke T90 Voltage and Continuity Tester

Buy Fluke T90 Voltage and Continuity Probe Tester and all your other Test Equipment from Edwardes Brothers. 24 Hour UK Next day Delivery

www.edwardes.co.uk

 

[TheBig1]

Meters used to be part of my trade tools, and I have a selection. I keep a uni-t clamp meter in my van and a basic no name multimeter in my tool bag. The cheap one is my go to meter when working on vans though, as from experience they are perfectly adequate for the job, and not much of a loss if it gets wet etc

 

[Boris7]

Meters used to be part of my trade tools, and I have a selection. I keep a uni-t clamp meter in my van and a basic no name multimeter in my tool bag. The cheap one is my go to meter when working on vans though, as from experience they are perfectly adequate for the job, and not much of a loss if it gets wet etc

He’s right but, the question was..

Can anyone suggest a good quality multimeter to add to my tool kit.
Many thanks

so For a Tool kit not the van I’d go Fluke T90 for general use as a home tester

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[JockandRita]

Another vote for the Uni-t meter. Very easy to check current, using the clamp feature.
Amazon product ASIN B07CNGJXFJ

Ditto, on the recommendation of Lenny HB.

It was an essential piece of kit for testing DC amps before, and after fitting a Battery to Battery charger.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[autorouter]

I replaced a basic voltmeter with one of these as I wanted to measure amps without disconnecting cables, very happy with it but be careful to get one that is AC/DC as a lot are AC only.

I'm sure the UT-204A is a good meter. The clamp means it's very much easier to measure Amps than a standard multimeter. But I'd still recommend the UT-210E for a general meter.

The lowest Amps range on the UT-204A is 40A, but on the UT-210E it's 2A. Much better for tracing those small currents draining the battery in a week. The 100A maximum Amps is not much of a limitation. How many people need to measure more than 100 Amps?

However, any clamp meter is preferable to a standard multimeter. With a standard meter you end up measuring volts and trying to work out what the amps is. For charging batteries, checking if the pump works, etc. A clamp meter makes all those measurements easier because it measures the amps directly.

 

[Rob Turner]

But the cost of calibration is 10 times the cost of a basic multimeter and the accuracy of the cheap ones are so good these days.

All my test equipment is calibrated at work so doesn’t cost me anything to be fair, but yes, I imagine it’d cost a bit to be fair.

 

[Rob Turner]

Our latest batch of flukes at work have came with the magnetic strap that is very handy as you say

Unfortunately, it will stick itself to every metallic tool in my drawer, so when I get it out to use half of my drawer comes with it, and out on plant I've even managed to stick it metal work like girders and panels as I've walked past, leaving my meter hanging!

I’ve just had a new 376 and that has the magnet which is very handy to be fair.

 

[Lenny HB]

All my test equipment is calibrated at work so doesn’t cost me anything to be fair, but yes, I imagine it’d cost a bit to be fair.

Haven't look for years but it used to be about £100.

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[Rob Turner]

Haven't look for years but it used to be about £100.

 

[Chipster]

Haven't look for years but it used to be about £100.

I have to have mine calibrated to UKAS and DVM is about £70 scope about £120.

 

[CutThroatJake]

Another vote for the Uni-t meter. Very easy to check current, using the clamp feature.
Amazon product ASIN B07CNGJXFJ

So following the advice of far more experienced funsters in these matters than me (many thanks to you all) I have ordered the UT210E from Amazon for the bargain price of £29.99...

 

[Sundowners]

I replaced a basic voltmeter with one of these as I wanted to measure amps without disconnecting cables, very happy with it but be careful to get one that is AC/DC as a lot are AC only.

UNI-T UT204A Digital Clamp Meter

Measures both AC/DC current to 600A 28mm jaw opening Also measures voltage, resistance, capacitance, temperature and more

www.tester.co.uk

Another happy user of this one---- very good value for money

 

[the1andonly]

Another vote for the uni clamp meter but i would also have a cheap multimeter as well
I have 6 multi meters (not including the clamp meter) i treat them like 5mm allen keys or 10mm spanners if you want one you want it now.
I have 2 with out continuity buzzers but they were £5 the pair from maplins.
I have also found that certain meters can give erroneous readings if the 9v battery is low. I was away with my bongo and the damned thing wouldnt start after refueling, out with the dmm 17V so rip off the solar power cable a bit sharpish gingerly put hand on battery, how hot is it (ok). Eventualy piss about a bit change some 50A fuses and it starts. (fuSES 0k).
Eventualy when home have a proper look and another dvm says 12.6v, so i take 4 dmms to work for callibration . Responce " all ok once i put new batteries in",
Bongo: i stripped battery terminal block and earth connector off and there was my friend hidden corrossion so nice new block and no more starting problems.
Ps the errant meter wasnt a cheap one, still in cal 25 years old.

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