Multi meter needed

[T56 Impala]

Being a complete IDIOT when it comes to electronics, I have never had the need for a multi meter. I do now though. All I need is something to test the charging system on my BMW. Nothing fancy, with a bunch of settings I will never use or even try to understand.

What is a good, quality, basic multi meter? Any good USA made ones?

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Fluke meter, I think the new 88 are overseas.. maybe wrong

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

try sears they might have a fluke on clearance...

 

[T56 Impala]

Will do, thank you very much for the heads up.

 

[T56 Impala]

I guess I forgot to mention I'm a Cheap *******! Those Fluke meters are way out of my price range!

 

[Zrexxer]

Any good USA made ones?

I guess I forgot to mention I'm a Cheap *******!

Quote #1 and Quote #2 just don't go together

Seriously, Fluke is where it's at for a quality, US made meter.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

then go with craftsman meter, or like said check your local sears clearance section.
Last time I saw a fluke 115 for 75 bucks...

 

[wineslob]

I guess I forgot to mention I'm a Cheap *******! Those Fluke meters are way out of my price range!

Rat Shack has sleazy ones............

 

[cronic]

I have a simpson 260 posted in classified section for sale.......

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I have a simpson 260 posted in classified section for sale.......

that analog? ha, use digital for he is doing,

 

[T56 Impala]

SO I got this crazy idea....

I have a Volt meter, an old gauge, just laying here. I think I run it to the battery and see what it reads just sitting, and then see what it reads while running. Think I'll be able to tell if the battery or Alt is bad this way?

 

[ATTappman]

Fluke's web site has a big "Made in USA" sticker at the bottom of the 88V page. But neither the meter itself (nor the manual, despite what I mistakenly claimed a while back) says anything about where it's made.

If you don't want to pay the long green for a Fluke, Electronic Specialties or the $30 range Craftsman meters are good values. You could also consider a Power Probe 3, which is not a multimeter but good for diagnosing starting and charging systems, or a Midtronics battery tester, which will test the battery as well as tell you the voltage supplied by the alternator.

 

[Gary S]

Order yourself a couple of these cheap Harbor Freight meters. Then start saving your money for a better one too. You can't have too many meters. Who would try to get by with just one screwdriver? Why try to get by with just one meter. You need one in each toolbox.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90899
I got a couple of the cheap Harbor Freight ones, and compared readings to my Fluke. They read within .01 volts on 12 volt stuff, and within .1 volts on 120v AC. You don't need more accuracy than that.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Check out the lower level Wavetek DMM's, great price to performance. Wavetek used to be Beckman, I still use my Beckman HD110 that I've had for 29 years, its even fallen of the roof of a building 25' to the pavement and still works, although one corner is slightly mushroomed.

TheGrooveking

 

[ATTappman]

I got a couple of the cheap Harbor Freight ones, and compared readings to my Fluke. They read within .01 volts on 12 volt stuff, and within .1 volts on 120v AC. You don't need more accuracy than that.

I had the same experience comparing my $30 Craftsman with a Fluke 88V, as long as I used alligator clips.

For a one-time diagnosis of a charging system, know-how is more valuable than a pricey multimeter.

 

[diogenes]

I have a Volt meter, an old gauge, just laying here. I think I run it to the battery and see what it reads just sitting, and then see what it reads while running. Think I'll be able to tell if the battery or Alt is bad this way?

As long as the gauge is working, yes. One post to ground and one to positive. Just make sure you put the right ones to the right posts, or you will let out the magic smoke and it won't work anymore.

Really, just run over to a HF and pick up a $10 multi. like this: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98025

Just turn the dial to 20 VDC for 20 volts DC and it will show you the voltage.

 

[Davefr]

For high quality/precision work go with Fluke. For basic continuity and rough voltage measurements the $1.99 HF DMM meters really aren't THAT bad.

I have several Flukes safely stored in their protective cases but have the HF DMM on the bench for everyday use for simple measurements.

 

[OldToolMan]

is your BMW a m/c or car the voltage at the battery wont tell if it is your alt. or regulator this cold weather will tell you when your battery is done!!! Larry

 

[chemando]

Fluke's web site has a big "Made in USA" sticker at the bottom of the 88V page. But neither the meter itself (nor the manual, despite what I mistakenly claimed a while back) says anything about where it's made.

Yes, the 88V is made in USA. I believe the only Fluke DMM's made outside USA are the 113/114/115/116/117 series. If you go to the Flukes website you can tell which meters are made in USA because they have a lifetime warranty.

Another brand to check out is Amprobe. Amprobe is owned by Fluke but the meters are made in China. The 37XR-A and other meters from this series are good.

 

[Kurt4440]

Being a complete IDIOT when it comes to electronics, I have never had the need for a multi meter. I do now though. All I need is something to test the charging system on my BMW. Nothing fancy, with a bunch of settings I will never use or even try to understand.

What is a good, quality, basic multi meter? Any good USA made ones?

I guess I forgot to mention I'm a Cheap *******! Those Fluke meters are way out of my price range!

I'm conflicted here, however, Sears had some on clearance a few weeks ago, or the local auto parts store might be able to help.

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

I have a $400 Fluke, 2 $40-$60 Craftsman's and a $3.00 Harbor Freight all give good basic readings! I think HF has one on sale right now for 1.99!!

 

[Shadowdog500]

Fluke!!! They last forever, are built like tanks, and never seem to go out of calibration. My brother in law worked in the equipment calibration lab at Bendix in Teterboro NJ for 10 years and said he never saw a Fluke meter out of calibration.

Chris

 

[Kevin7909]

There is absolutely no reason to purchase a fluke meter for your application. As a matter of fact you can usually go to a local Autozone/Oreilly and borrow a multimeter. If you plan to purchase a multimeter then get the least expensive unit that offers the autoranging feature. This is extremely useful and will usually save your meter when you do something stupid.

Kevin

 

[Davefr]

This is extremely useful and will usually save your meter when you do something stupid.

Kevin

Yes, for the price of a fuse for a Fluke DMM, you can buy several complete HF meters. (Don't ask me why I know this)

 

[Kevin7909]

Yes, for the price of a fuse for a Fluke DMM, you can buy several complete HF meters. (Don't ask me why I know this)

Nothing like experience, eh Dave?

 

[T56 Impala]

Just to chime back in on a few things:

I am not very good with electrical. Sure I know the basic "+" to "+" and "-" to "-" and don't put the wrong one one the wrong side. I used to (back in the late 80's and very early 90's) install high end car audio systems. I never was much for figuring out the technical meter stuff. Its all very confusing for my little brain.

I am more than willing to spent $100 on a meter, the $400+ price tags on the Fluke units kinda shocked me though. It would be a waist for me to buy one. The cheap HF one is out too. My father had one of them. The key word is HAD. Not that I don't buy from HF on occasion, just not for this application.

Larry, would you please go into more detail with your statement? I do not understand. Mine is an '05 745Li.

I am not comfortable taking my $95,000 car to Autodrone to have them do any kind of test on it. TOO many electronics on this car with too much of a chance to make one little mistake that will cost me thousands of dollars. Heck, the alt its self is nearly $1000 as it stands.

I hope it isn't the alt, as they are tied into the water jacket on the 4.4s and a real PITA to get to. I don't have a lift, and getting them from the underside is the only way. I usually just projects like this as an excuse to buy tools. GOOD tools! However, I simply can't justify spending big money on a meter.

 

[Davefr]

Nothing like experience, eh Dave?

Yes, accidently measuring voltage on the amp setting tends to blow these expensive Fluke fuses.

 

[Kevin7909]

I am not comfortable taking my $95,000 car to Autodrone to have them do any kind of test on it.

If this is directed at me, I was not suggesting that anyone but you touch your car. You can borrow just about any tool they sell for 24 hours (maybe 48 hours these days) and return it when you are done. If you need help to check the voltage and so forth then send me a private message and I will call you or something of the sort. There was a time when I would help out some of the guys on bimmerforums when they had electrical issues.

I am the K in JKLabs (linked this so that you can be relatively sure that I can in fact use a multimeter )...
http://www.caraudiomag.com/features/0612_cae_1995_nissan_silvia/index.html

Kevin

 

[jteck75]

Bought one of the Milwaukee DMM's about a month ago,it's a darn good value for the money.($125 +/-)

 

[Kevin7909]

Yes, accidently measuring voltage on the amp setting tends to blow these expensive Fluke fuses.

Very true. One thing that I really like about my agilent is that if a lead is plugged into the current measurement receptacle and the meter is set to anything other than current, the meter will beep continuously and a message will be shown on the LCD display. Saved my fuse a couple of times .

 

[american lockpicker]

Yes, the 88V is made in USA. I believe the only Fluke DMM's made outside USA are the 113/114/115/116/117 series. If you go to the Flukes website you can tell which meters are made in USA because they have a lifetime warranty.

Another brand to check out is Amprobe. Amprobe is owned by Fluke but the meters are made in China. The 37XR-A and other meters from this series are good.

Quoted for future reference.

 

[the spyder]

Just to chime back in on a few things:

I am not very good with electrical. Sure I know the basic "+" to "+" and "-" to "-" and don't put the wrong one one the wrong side. I used to (back in the late 80's and very early 90's) install high end car audio systems. I never was much for figuring out the technical meter stuff. Its all very confusing for my little brain.

I am more than willing to spent $100 on a meter, the $400+ price tags on the Fluke units kinda shocked me though. It would be a waist for me to buy one. The cheap HF one is out too. My father had one of them. The key word is HAD. Not that I don't buy from HF on occasion, just not for this application.

Larry, would you please go into more detail with your statement? I do not understand. Mine is an '05 745Li.

I am not comfortable taking my $95,000 car to Autodrone to have them do any kind of test on it. TOO many electronics on this car with too much of a chance to make one little mistake that will cost me thousands of dollars. Heck, the alt its self is nearly $1000 as it stands.

I hope it isn't the alt, as they are tied into the water jacket on the 4.4s and a real PITA to get to. I don't have a lift, and getting them from the underside is the only way. I usually just projects like this as an excuse to buy tools. GOOD tools! However, I simply can't justify spending big money on a meter.

I have worked on $100,000 race cars. Everything I ever needed to do on them was easily handled by my Fluke and Craftsman meters. Make sure you get a True RMS meter, you can find a cheap fluke on ebay for $60. Or you can get a $40 craftsman. The only difference is going to be features.

With a 745 I understand why you want a DMM, my friend is a BMW mechanic and I swear those cars are cursed from the factory. (7 series)

 

[quneur]

Buy a DMM with atleast 10M ohms or you may inadvertantly blow the meter. Cheaper meters usually only go up to 2M ohms. Any household/automobile (Craftsman, Innova, etc) meter should work as they tend towards higher resistance.

 

[Evmaniac]

Yes, accidently measuring voltage on the amp setting tends to blow these expensive Fluke fuses.

As much as I like the Flukes, I've made the mistake of leaving them on the continuity or resistance checker, and then gone in for a voltage check.
****!

 

[xroad]

I got a couple of the cheap Harbor Freight ones, and compared readings to my Fluke. They read within .01 volts on 12 volt stuff, and within .1 volts on 120v AC. You don't need more accuracy than that.

I agree. I am an electrical engineer. I do mostly digital designs and some analog for the last 25 years. When I order meters for the techs, I usually get cheap meters. They are very accurate for general use. They tend to get "loss". They tend to get dropped or damaged.

Yes expensive meters are a bit more accurate. We are not Mr. Spock here, just regular mechanics (wannabe in my case). We don't need to read the battery voltage to the microvolt range!

The reason for the cheap meter having a good accuracy is that meters usually use a "multimeter integrated circuit (IC)". Although not all meters use the same IC but the accuracy from a typical multimeter IC are pretty good. Cost savings from manufacture would not come from getting a cheaper IC chip. Usually from a smaller display, lower quality rotary switch, cheaper case, cheaper or shorter probe, etc.

 

[2002maniac]

I just use the 2.99 HF meter (and keep a spare one handy for when it gets fried)

 

[slacktide]

I have a Fluke 73 which goes for about $180, has served me well for at least 15 years now. Rugged tool with good product support... But this Craftsman model for $32 has additional features which my Fluke lacks, like temperature measurement, capacitor tester, and duty cycle meter. It is easy to use (auto ranging, large display) and will will work fine for what you say you'll be using it for. It's probably not as durable as the Fluke nor as accurate to the microvolt, but perfect is the enemy of good-enough.

http://sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03482344000P

I also have several of the $2.99 HF meters (but I only paid $1.99 with a coupon, HA!) and keep them stashed in my boat and vehicle toolkits. Fine for basic troubleshooting. (i.e. Is this circuit getting 12 volts, 7 volts, or no volts?) A little more effort to use, but it it gets dunked in bilge water I won't have to cry.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90899