Automotive Amp Clamp Recommendations

[BrandoJames]

It actually costs me money watching my favorite YouTube mechanics. They'll whip out a cool tool, while I sit on the couch thinking: "I need that".

Here's Ivan of Pine Hollow Auto working his black magic. That Craftsman Professional Amp Clamp he's using--hard to find these days. Below is a pretty good overall diagnostic video for "Battery-Alternator-Draw Tests".

e-Bay has a Craftsman Pro series Amp clamp still in packaging for $189. That's pretty close to what Ivan's using in that video. I'm also looking at a Klein Amp Clamp via Home Depot for about half that price.

 

[kelpaso1]

I use this, works fine.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01FNMCA6Q/?tag=atomicindus04-20

 

[theoldwizard1]

Amp-clamps come in two different "ranges". Under 100A (commonly under 60A) and over 100A. For automotive work you would most frequently use the "under".

Personal recommendation UNI-T UT210E Mini Digital Clamp Meter Handheld RMS AC/DC Resistance Capacitance Tester

You will not be able to do cranking current or dynamic cylinder balance (need a 'scope for that anyway). Not a Klein or a Fluke so definitely DIY/homeowner. HUGE step up from the $5 HF multimeter. Well worth the $50 !

 

[Mr_B]

I use a uni-t 210E for quick work daily in my shop.
Ideal for basics and that cheap it a throw way (around 30bucks on eBay/Aliexpress).
Ideally want mod the bios chip for menu/function changes to improve user experience (easy done with a 8 buck chip flash clip and free software)
The old craftsman was quite a usable meter .
You can buy amp clamps to plug in your multimeter and use the voltage scale for amp values, these tend be more useful in auto work as the fit in tighter spots & can put them in awkward places and retain meter in sensible safe viewing location plus you can use them on your scope when you buy one

 

[englishsam]

I have a fluke 325 as a stand alone unit. And it does a nice job generally and is all the DMM that most home mechanics could ever need.

I wouldn't trust it for the very low current readings or to be horrifically accurate. But if you are not paying thousands I wouldn't put a lot of faith in any clamp. But if can tell you roughly how much current is flowing.

It's limited to 400A which sounds like a lot - and it's fine for most home mechanic stuff.

Comes in a nice case and even has a temp probe included. Which could come in handy. Min/Max is a nice feature as is the delta function so you can just look at potential drops.

The standard leads are poor imo. But they are fine to get you started. I wouldn't personally replace them with the same ones - but fluke charge kings ransom for replacement leads so you can get high quality ones from other companies for a reasonable sum.

 

[DFB]

For your needs just get Uni T 210E

 

[Buster21]

Another vote for the Uni T 210E

 

[u2slow]

I use this little Extech... It was half the price 10 years ago.
https://www.fondriest.com/extech-30a-true-rms-ac-dc-mini-clamp-meter-2.htm

Amp-clamps come in two different "ranges". Under 100A (commonly under 60A) and over 100A. For automotive work you would most frequently use the "under".

As I'm most often working with diesels - the higher range is really helpful for diagnosing the starting system. (multiple batteries, starter draw, pre-heat load, etc.)

 

[theoldwizard1]

I use a uni-t 210E for quick work daily in my shop.
Ideal for basics and that cheap it a throw way (around 30bucks on eBay/Aliexpress).

If you need EXTREME accuracy/repeatability you will likely have to "break" the circuit, install a 1% (or better) precision resistor and measure the voltage drop across that.

You can buy amp clamps to plug in your multimeter and use the voltage scale for amp values, these tend be more useful in auto work as the fit in tighter spots & can put them in awkward places and retain meter in sensible safe viewing location plus you can use them on your scope when you buy one

Recommendations ?

 

[pioneer1]

You can buy amp clamps to plug in your multimeter and use the voltage scale for amp values, these tend be more useful in auto work as the fit in tighter spots & can put them in awkward places and retain meter in sensible safe viewing location plus you can use them on your scope when you buy one

I would be interested in this also..

 

[Fedwrench]

aeswave.com offers amp clamps for scope/DVM use.

https://www.aeswave.com/Current-Probe-Low-range-with-Banana-Plugs-p9501.html

https://www.aeswave.com/DC-AC-Current-Probe-400-Amp-p9020.html

 

[DFB]

You can find accessory clamp for DMM on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X3GDVWM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mr_B]

I would be interested in this also..

aes wave are good, handtek clamps okay for budget ...
another option for diy low budget is holdpeak meter and amp clamps but for budget money you won't beat uni-t 210E and 204A for auto work where pinpoint accuracy or fast response rate not truly needed .
aes high and low clamps plus a 2 channel pico and a used surface pro can do some serious diag in auto scenario and not cost much for what it will actually do and ease of learning .
you can waste couple hundred bucks on junk and many hours of time due to poor readings you get so be wise with choices .

 

[BrandoJames]

Must admit I've never heard of brand UNI-T before I posted this thread. Included links to the Klein and Craftsman. Can't really justify the Craftsman price; but I already own a Klein multimeter which I like. Will probably come down to either UNI-T vs Klein.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-400-Amp-Auto-Ranging-AC-DC-Digital-Clamp-Meter-CL380/308554222

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-IN-PACKAGE-CRAFTSMAN-PRO-SERIES-1000A-AC-DC-TRUE-RMS-CLAMP-METER-19745/174226929349?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225086%26meid%3Ddca519b8faca452faac1becee36cc942%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D113991012458%26itm%3D174226929349%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A39c3926f-8264-11ea-b17a-74dbd1804293%7Cparentrq%3A9382d2481710acc6e18faadfffdbbcce%7Ciid%3A1

 

[BrandoJames]

I use this little Extech... It was half the price 10 years ago

Whoa, $400 bucks now. But that fact that you're still using it 10 years later shows some quality.

 

[DFB]

Must admit I've never heard of brand UNI-T before I posted this thread.

Brando here's a link to UNI-T and all their product lines mutiple DMM's with differnet features and prices.

https://www.uni-trend.com/html/product/


I've have quite a few UNI products some I bought long before they even brought the new mini 210E to market. I have an older 202 clamp meter for general electrical work, (has no DC amp setting) a couple of their budget DMM's I use for my general garage work DC voltage etc. both have backlights which is nice in the dark places and both have rubber protective cases over their plastic cases. One has Temperature settings, Also economical and very accurate non contact thermometer. I have one non AC voltage tester that is a UNI T and one of my my fav's is the non contact tachometer

When you look at certain other brand names you often see the similarities

 

[mautotech]

I use a Fluke 80i-110 for tight quarters 10/100 amp measurements, a Fluke 80i-1010s for 0-1000 amp and a Pico TA167 for 200/2000 amp. They all work well and keep calibration. The 80i-110 is my favorite but is a little pricey.

 

[BrandoJames]

Brando here's a link to UNI-T and all their product lines mutiple DMM's with differnet features and prices.
https://www.uni-trend.com/html/product/

Thanks for that link. I always have to fight an idiotic impulse to buy whatever tool my favorite YouTube mechanic uses, whether it's Eric O or Ivan. I just watched another Pine Hollow video where Ivan's Craftsman Professional amp clamp was giving erratic readings on a parasitic draw test. It seemed to have trouble measuring very low amperage.

Ivan then pulled out a Fluke amp clamp to measure amps, while using the Craftsman amp clamp to measure battery voltage.

 

[zmotorsports]

For low current I use the aeswave low probe that Fedwrench posted the link to. It works great.

For high current I have a standalone Fluke ampclamp.

I've been pleased with both in their respective uses.

 

[WWheeler]

[...] Here's Ivan of Pine Hollow Auto working his black magic. That Craftsman Professional Amp Clamp he's using--hard to find these days. Below is a pretty good overall diagnostic video for "Battery-Alternator-Draw Tests". [...]

FWIW, this seemed like worth reviving this old thread which I'd just stumbled upon while shopping for a new amp clamp for the same reasons, I noticed Ivan was using an AstroAI amp clamp in some of his newer vids. For example...

So when looking at that AstroAI CM4K0R 4000 Count Digital Clamp Meter Multimeter on Amazon, here's the current (see what I did there) top review...

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics
5.0 out of 5 stars
Professional Quality and Accuracy at a bargain price
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2021
Style: 4000 Counts AC/DC Current
Verified Purchase
I am a professional mobile automotive diagnostician. I use this meter daily, mostly on the DC amps setting to measure battery charging current and system performance. This clamp is much more stable than my old Craftsman Professional clamp. Big screen with backlight is sweet too. Plus it has a built-in LED flashlight for working under the dash...AMAZING VALUE!! Get one!!

 

[AJHD]

Although I would like to buy an AESWave current clamp, I also have the Uni-T UT210E meter. I've had some Uni-T meters in the past. They make decent budget tools.

You don't need sub 1% precision for the things you will use these on when it comes to automotive diagnostics. Or at least that's my opinion.

 

[Mc817]

I have an extech ex623. It's great for me, because it has an IR thermometer built in, plus dual type k temp probes. Does 400A ac/dc. I prefer fluke meters, but this thing is like my Swiss army knife of troubleshooting