A question about digital Volt-Ohm meters

[FIRE UP]

Gents,
I've got a question about digital volt-ohm meters. This is actually quite simple but, in looking at some on Amazon, I had the same question to some of the people that have already purchased one or two that I've been looking at. The question is about the "HOLD" feature, that comes on many of them. And, they could not grasp what I was asking about.

When you look at the specs of many of them, many say they have the "HOLD" feature that captures and holds data on the screen. Well, that's exactly what I'm looking for. But, my question is about WHEN the HOLD button is pushed to save the data on the screen.

I have an older model Fluke 23 that I recently acquired and, it has the hold feature. The way it works is, you push the "hold" button BEFORE you take a reading. It will then acquire the reading of what you're measuring and, hold it. This is especially handy when you cannot look at the screen while checking whatever you're checking.


But, I've bought and, RETURNED two new meters, that had/have the HOLD feature. But, when I tried pushing the button for hold, it captured what was already on the screen and, I hadn't even probed where I wanted to. Both of them would not capture a reading, if the HOLD button had already been pushed.

Now, both meters WOULD capture a reading, and if I had four hands, I could use one hand each, for holding each of the probes and touching the points to be tested. Then a third hand for holding the meter 'cause neither meter had the "kick stand" on the back side and or, was hanging due to no flat surface to set it on and, a fourth hand, to push the HOLD button, to capture the reading.

Do any of you see and understand what I'm asking? Push the HOLD button first, to capture the NEXT READING or, take the reading and, while the probes are on the touch points, THEN push the HOLD BUTTON, WITH A THIRD OR FOURTH HAND!!!!

So, those of you that have meters and use them extensively, does yours work like my Fluke 23 works or, does it work the other way? Now, this is not a big deal here folks. It's just something that is a neat feature that allows the viewing of the reading, AFTER you've probed your points and, can then pick up the meter to look it. Thanks.
Scott

 

[uart]

But, I've bought and, RETURNED two new meters, that had/have the HOLD feature. But, when I tried pushing the button for hold, it captured what was already on the screen and, I hadn't even probed where I wanted to. Both of them would not capture a reading, if the HOLD button had already been pushed

Hi Scott. The feature that you are looking for is called "peak hold".

I've got two meters with a hold feature, one is a peak hold and the other is just a regular hold. As you point out, the regular (non peak) hold feature has pretty limited usefulness unless you have three hands (yes if I had just one more hand I could both hold the meter and press the hold button with the same hand). Anyway, debating whether you need three hands or four hands to use it is something of a moot point as we have neither.

 

[FigureItOut]

The hold function on all my meters works in the less useful way you described. To get the result you're after, try using the min/max function, that may work in certain situations, not in others.
I have a meter that I use when I need a remote reading that has Bluetooth, it'll display whatever is on the screen on my phone screen, that might also be useful to you.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[jallyn]

the hold function on all my meters works in the less useful way you described. To get the result you're after, try using the min/max function, that may work in certain situations, not in others.
I have a meter that i use when i need a remote reading that has bluetooth, it'll display whatever is on the screen on my phone screen, that might also be useful to you.

Sent from my samsung-sgh-i337z using tapatalk

+1 .

 

[cgrutt]

No help but I still use my old Fluke (I think it is a Model 77 if that sounds right) and hold works the same way as described by the OP.

 

[Citation]

The feature the OP is describing is "touch hold". For the most part it's a Fluke feature. A few others have it or have it in a convoluted way. Personally I love that feature and find it's one of the biggest reasons to want a Fluke over say a perfectly good Bryman ODMed meter. I find the "hold" feature on most meters to be all but worthless. Just as the OP said, you need 4 hands to use it.

Note that not all the Fluke meters have it. The 11X series and the "for China" meters like the 10X meters have a more traditional screen freeze "hold" function. In the current Flukes you have to step up to the 17x or better meters to get the feature.

If you want to get the feature for relatively little money then look at getting a used Fluke 23/70 series meter or the 8025/25/27 brick dung house meters. The early 23/70 series meters (the really boxy meters with just one button) were actually rather annoying to use since you had to hold the button down while turning the meter on. The later ones such as the 73-III just had you push the button down for 2 seconds. The tapered 73-4 meter (looks like a 170 meter) had a dedicated button.

The 8025A/25 and the 8025B/27 were Fluke's first really rugged meters. Seriously overbuilt. They can be had on ebay for $50 or so. They are stupidly durable, have a decent feature set and very good accuracy. The only real negative is the display on the older ones have low contrast. The newer ones have excellent LCDs.

Older Fluke 23/70 series

Newer 23/70 (170 series looks very similar)

8025/25/27 Brick dung house

I think Agilent/Keysight and at least one older BK Precision meter have that feature. Not sure about others.

 

[Citation]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post ebay ads. If not, admins please remove and accept my apologies.

Fluke 25 for under $30.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-25-In...528170?hash=item281399a4ea:g:30AAAOSwwpdW3ymD

Note: No connection to the seller. Seller might be a lying A-hole so please use all caution!

 

[bcradio]

Excellent response Citation. That is what the OP wants (except now it's called AutoHold on the new meters). Here's how it works:

The AutoHOLD mode captures the present reading on
the display. When a new, stable reading is detected, the
Meter beeps and displays the new reading. To enter or
exit AutoHOLD mode, press the AutoHOLD button.

EDIT: You don't want to use min/max mode unless you actually are trying to capture the min or max.

 

[wil]

Slightly off thread....the only "negative" thing about those Fluke 25/27 tanks is the
"OOOPS" feature setting....works VERY well when I have an "ooops, I forgot to turn the dial to OFF"(NO auto OFF function!). Valuable when you want to monitor a voltage several hours later, without having to touch the meter. Great 9V battery eaters when you want to use up those old ones! I think the newer Flukes removed this "OOPS" setting, though.

I agree, they are rugged meters. They survive falls well, since the leads pull out on the
way down, slowing the G forces just before the meter bounces off the floor (Another feature!)

 

[Citation]

Fortunately the 27's are easy on the batteries... 1000 hours from a 9V. Of course if you don't use the meter for a few weeks....

Incidentally, the older 73III and the like are even better, 2000 hours and they do have a power save mode.

 

[FIRE UP]

Wow!
I knew I placed this question in the right place. I'm really thankful that there's all you folks that know what I'm speaking of. The one picture of the Fluke 23 that one of you displayed is very, very close to the 23 I just purchased. Get this. I was walking around the huge "Big 3" swap meet, held annually every Feb at Qualcom Stadium in San Diego and, it was the end of the last day of it and we were tired.
I was looking at a ton of junk (imagine that, JUNK at a swap meet) and, I happened to notice a yellow box, inside a semi clear plastic bag. I picked it up and, I could see that it was a volt ohm meter. I opened the bag up and, it was a Fluke 23 that is COMPLETELY FLAWLESS.

Not a scratch on it. The viewing LCD face doesn't even show any signs at all, the meter's been used. That goes for the total looks. I turned it on and, NOTHING. It had the leads with it but, it didn't work. I asked how much from the seller and, he replied: " $5.00 " . I said, well, I'd like to buy it but, it doesn't work, how about " $2.00 ". He came back with: How about a compromise of $3.00?

I said, OK, I'll do it. I then took the meter back to our place and, opened up and, saw that it needed a 9V battery. I just happened to have on near by. I installed it and, vuuuuaaaaaaallllllaaaaa, IT WORKED!! It seems to have all the functions working great, INCLUDING THE HOLD FUNCTION!

The only problem with that meter is, the digits are faint. They are all there. There is no missing segments of any of the LCD numbers etc. They're just hard to see in certain light. But, I'll take that. I showed it to a buddy that was with us and told him what we paid for it and he just about dropped his jaw. He knows meters, and especially Flukes. He said I got one he....of a deal.

But, I also have a Klein meter too. It's the MM500 Auto Range. It's a great little hand held meter that appears to be quite tough. It too has the Hold feature that I like. That is, push Hold, then take a reading and, after the probes are on the battery terminals, (if you're testing 12VDC stuff) it will then display and hold, what presents on the LCD screen. I liked that little meter so much, I just ordered another one off ebay and, it will arrive shortly.

But, since I've got used to the quality of a Fluke, I'm on the hunt for another Fluke 23 or maybe a 77. Yes, the operation of "Push the button while turning the dial" is a bit cumbersome but, I'll tolerate that since that meter works so good.

But, anyways, I surely appreciate all those who've responded to this thread. It appears, as usual, some really helpful folks on this site. That's great.
Scott

 

[Citation]

The dim LCD is a common and easy to fix problem with older Fluke meters.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fluke+lcd+dim

 

[FIRE UP]

The dim LCD is a common and easy to fix problem with older Fluke meters.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fluke+lcd+dim

Well Sir,
I surely appreciate the link here. However, the "fix" apparently works for the 77 + 87 series but, not the 23 series. I've installed new elastomeric components and, thoroughly cleaned the contact strips on all component surfaces and, it's still completely faded. Doing all that didn't even phase the digital display. The meter may need a new LCD display but, since it's such and older meter, obtaining a new LCD display for that one is pretty much impossible. So, I think I've subsided to the fact that, it's going to be a faded display.
Scott

 

[BMack37]

Well Sir,
I surely appreciate the link here. However, the "fix" apparently works for the 77 + 87 series but, not the 23 series. I've installed new elastomeric components and, thoroughly cleaned the contact strips on all component surfaces and, it's still completely faded. Doing all that didn't even phase the digital display. The meter may need a new LCD display but, since it's such and older meter, obtaining a new LCD display for that one is pretty much impossible. So, I think I've subsided to the fact that, it's going to be a faded display.
Scott

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-23-Se...868866?hash=item2eebc234c2:g:qocAAOSwc3ZUoDI7

 

[FIRE UP]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-23-Se...868866?hash=item2eebc234c2:g:qocAAOSwc3ZUoDI7

Hey BMack37,
Yes Sir, I contacted them when I first purchased this meter and, I was skeptical about a fix being that easy for me. Normally I don't get things done that quick and that easy. It's always hard for me. That company, actually shipped out a set elastomeric components that they too were skeptical whether or not would cure my meters screen.

So, I got them and, installed them. NO difference what so ever. So, I'm still using it with a faded screen. Maybe some day I'll find another meter, a Fluke 23 that has a good screen but, the rest of the meter is bad. Thanks for the link.
Scott

 

[BMack37]

Hey BMack37,
Yes Sir, I contacted them when I first purchased this meter and, I was skeptical about a fix being that easy for me. Normally I don't get things done that quick and that easy. It's always hard for me. That company, actually shipped out a set elastomeric components that they too were skeptical whether or not would cure my meters screen.

So, I got them and, installed them. NO difference what so ever. So, I'm still using it with a faded screen. Maybe some day I'll find another meter, a Fluke 23 that has a good screen but, the rest of the meter is bad. Thanks for the link.
Scott

That *****, sorry