New Multi Meter required

[Fdhadi]

Time to buy a new Multi Meter.

Don’t need an all singing and dancing one just something reasonably priced, simple to use and to keep in the Motorhome.
Any suggestions please?

Frank

 

[David and Sally]

Screwfix or Toolstation would be my first stop.

 

[oldiesontour]

I have a clamp on type not only does amps ohms etc as a normal meter but clamp bit useful for current,about £15 ebay

 

[bigtwin]

This one is pretty good and measures DC current on the clamp (not all do):

Unit-T 210D/E

Ian

 

[scotjimland]

When employed I used a Fluke. they are an industrial standard, but they are rather pricey, but they do a very reasonably basic model for under £30 that will do all you need. It's what I now use

But it does not have a clamp.. I use a separate clamp meter

Fluke F15b 4000 Counts Multimeter Portable Digital Multimeter Handheld Voltmeter Ammeter Voltage Meter Universal Meter Measuring Ac/dc Voltage Resist on OnBuy

FeaturesMultifunctional Tool: used to test DC/AC voltage, DC/AC current, resistance, capacitance, continuity, and diode.Auto Power-off: if there is...

www.onbuy.com

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[Fdhadi]

Ordered that one Jim. Same or similar on Amazon is £100 more.

 

[ChrisL]

If you ever wish to test how much current is flowing around a circuit (how many amps are being drawn from your battery or how many amps are going into it) you will need a clamp meter the Uni-t UT210D is an excellent meter at reasonable cost.

UNI-T UT210D/UT201E Digital Clamp Meter True RMS Voltage Resistance Capacitance Multimeter Temperature Measure Auto Range Electrical (UT210D) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BJPH1WB5?tag=mhf04-21

 

[bigtwin]

Ordered that one Jim. Same or similar on Amazon is £100 more.

Difficult to measure dc current with that one. One with a clamp capability is soo much more useful.

Ian

 

[scotjimland]

Difficult to measure dc current with that one. One with a clamp capability is soo much more useful.

Ian

I already pointed that out ..

But it does not have a clamp.. I use a separate clamp meter

Multimeter Vs Clamp Meter - Which One is More Accurate?

Multimeters and clamp meters are used extensively for electrical operations & maintenance. We will look at the significant differences between both.

goswitchgear.com

 

[LesW]

I like the needle point leads that come with my multimeters, being able to check current/voltage in difficult to access places.

Do the clamp meters have something similar?

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[Bernie P]

Look out for the Lidl Parkside one. Seriously good value for money.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I like the needle point leads that come with my multimeters, being able to check current/voltage in difficult to access places.

Do the clamp meters have something similar?

Yes they come with 2 leads exactly the same
I've got the Uni-t one mentioned above, great compact meter with all the ranges you need

 

[bigtwin]

I already pointed that out ..

Multimeter Vs Clamp Meter - Which One is More Accurate?

Multimeters and clamp meters are used extensively for electrical operations & maintenance. We will look at the significant differences between both.

goswitchgear.com

No criticism intended of your post Jim, just amplifying the drawback of that particular type of meter.

Ian

 

[Boldly]

What's the difference between the d and e models apart from the price? Can't seem to find different specs.

 

[ChrisL]

What's the difference between the d and e models apart from the price? Can't seem to find different specs.

The main difference is the E can only measure up to 100 amps the D can measure up to 200 amps. I have the D.

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[Boldly]

The main difference is the E can only measure up to 100 amps the D can measure up to 200 amps. I have the D.

Can't think of anything I would need more than 100 amps for. Do they both do DC amps?

 

[ChrisL]

Can't think of anything I would need more than 100 amps for. Do they both do DC amps?

Yes, the spec is below.

Specifications:​

Model: UT210E

AC Current (A):2A/20A/100A ±(2.5%+5)

DC Current (A):2A/20A/100A ±(2%+3)

AC Voltage (V):2V/20V200V/600V ±(1.0%+3)

DC Voltage (V):200mV/2V/20V200V/600V ±(0.7%+3)

Resistance (Ω):200Ω/2KΩ/20KΩ/200KΩ/2MΩ/20MΩ ±(1.0%+2)

Capacitance (F):2nF/20nF/200nF/2μF/20μF/200μF/2mF/20mF ±(4%+5)

 

[bigtwin]

Can't think of anything I would need more than 100 amps for. Do they both do DC amps?

Inverter currents can easily exceed 100A.

Ian

 

[Fdhadi]

Just an update.

Purchased the multi meter yesterday in Jim’s (scotjimland) original post/ link.
Today for an unknown reason I have had a refund to my account for the multi meter I purchased.

So, I’ll look for another one.

When away last week in the Motorhome, the fridge was bleeping when on the 12v and engine running.
So I need a new multimeter (my years old one has packed in) to do some checks.
I’m only looking for something easy to understand and use.

So, I’ll ask again for some recommendations.

Frank

 

[bigtwin]

Just an update.

Purchased the multi meter yesterday in Jim’s (scotjimland) original post/ link.
Today for an unknown reason I have had a refund to my account for the multi meter I purchased.

So, I’ll look for another one.

When away last week in the Motorhome, the fridge was bleeping when on the 12v and engine running.
So I need a new multimeter (my years old one has packed in) to do some checks.
I’m only looking for something easy to understand and use.

So, I’ll ask again for some recommendations.

Frank

You will see that a number of folks recommended the UNI-T.

Ian

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[Revolvor]

See ChrisL 's Post #7 in this thread. An easy to use and versatile multi meter, with the ability to easily measure current, which is often applicable in fault finding MH problems.

 

[ChrisL]

If you just want something to test volts and continuity and you're not to worried about accuracy, any cheap meter will do, if you want something a bit better quality buy the UT210.

 

[Lenny HB]

Another vote for the UNI-T210E I find it invaluable, you can buy much cheaper clamp meters but they are not much good at reading low currents.

 

[Richard n Ann]

It even comes with a case, the leads are standard 4mm banana plugs so you can make up one with a Croc clip on it.

 

[the1andonly]

Another vote for the UNI-T210E and i also use a crock clip. But i also carry a simple volt/continuty meter in a easy to get at kitchen draw.

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[Pukka]

At work we have a mix of fluke and amazon commercial. I personally have a fluke and uni-t clamp. For what you are going to test on a motorhome or at home go with uni-t clamp meter

UNI-T UT210D/UT201E Digital Clamp Meter True RMS Voltage Resistance Capacitance Multimeter Temperature Measure Auto Range Electrical (ABS) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00O1Q2HOQ?tag=mhf04-21

 

[Lenny HB]

I also find a small anolog meter useful have one in the van toolbox as well as the digital.

 

[scotjimland]

Purchased the multi meter yesterday in Jim’s (scotjimland) original post/ link.
Today for an unknown reason I have had a refund to my account for the multi meter I purchased.

I had a look, it says temporarily out of stock..

but you have had other good suggestions with the clamp meter

 

[RedFrame]

If you ever wish to test how much current is flowing around a circuit (how many amps are being drawn from your battery or how many amps are going into it) you will need a clamp meter the Uni-t UT210D is an excellent meter at reasonable cost.

UNI-T UT210D/UT201E Digital Clamp Meter True RMS Voltage Resistance Capacitance Multimeter Temperature Measure Auto Range Electrical (UT210D) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BJPH1WB5?tag=mhf04-21

Another vote for this unit, bought one a couple of years ago on recommendation from MHF, brilliant bit of kit.

Cheers
Red

 

[Brianmor]

Another vote for the Uni-t, not as accurate as my long standing Fluke tong tester, but that doesn't measure DC amps

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