DC current clamp for automotive

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Any recommendations for a decent current clamp? I have a fluke 179 & another meter id like to use it with, but a stand alone clamp is fine as well. I'd like it for residential electrical & 12v stuff

 

[DHCrocks]

For the price of just the current clamp you're better off getting a clamp meter. Its a lot more versatile to have a separate meter so you can read current and voltages at the same time. I got the Fluke 325 it will do AC/DC current its $270 now and a Fluke i410 clamp cost $240 so for just a few dollars more its a better value. make sure you check if the clamp will do DC as most are only AC.

 

[Mr_B]

I would get 2 clamps, low and high amp (have a look at aeswave)and also a ut210e as they as cheap as 25-30 bucks and handy little secondary clamp meter for auto work.

You will find in auto work many times you be sticking clamp where you wouldn't want or physically be able stick a clamp-meter or be able operate and read it ....

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I would get 2 clamps, low and high amp (have a look at aeswave)and also a ut210e as they as cheap as 25-30 bucks and handy little secondary clamp meter for auto work.

You will find in auto work many times you be sticking clamp where you wouldn't want or physically be able stick a clamp-meter or be able operate and read it ....

Which is why clamp meters ****. Great for testing house current I guess? Maybe alternator load? IDK what the other uses could be on a car, they don't fit anywhere, and would need giant fuse/relay loops to measure a circuit.

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

Scales match up with snap on tools for low amps 20/40, pico reverses the scales, so 60amps on the probe means the pico needs set to the 20amp setting to scale correctly. Or just make a custom probe.

https://www.aeswave.com/2000A-200A-Current-Clamp-p9185.html

Awesome scale ranges, would need a BNC/banana adapter to work on the meter.

https://www.aeswave.com/Current-Clamp-600A-AC-DC-with-BNC-p9421.html

Okay scale range, for much less. You miss the peak inrush for a relative compression test, but it works fine for the meat of the waveform. I prefer my Pico 200/2000 clamp, but for the price, this is probably the winner.



The 20/60 and 600 clamps are available from a few sources. I got one 20/60 on amazon for about $90. If you're not using a labscope, presets matching the probe, like the 200/2000 for the pico diagnostics tests, isn't of much value.

 

[ItsNemo]

I've got the Fluke 325 as well, works well on DC but as mentioned it's a bit awkward getting it in where you need and being able to view the screen. Handy as it's my only clamp meter but if I were going strict automotive I'd probably find a separate clamp that plugs into a regular meter.

 

[Bogie1632]

For an Amp Clamp the Klein CL380 is pretty good. Does AC/DC and been happy with it so far for everything I've needed it to do. At $85 delivered to my door it was a good addition to my DMM and PP4 in the garage and have been using it during a home remodel/rewire helping an electrician so that's been a fun learning experience.


"Klein Tools CL380 is an automatically ranging true root mean squared (TRMS) digital clamp meter that measures AC/DC current via the clamp, AC/DC voltage, DC microamps, resistance, continuity, frequency, capacitance, and diodes via test leads, and temperature via a thermocouple probe. It includes a non-contact voltage tester integrated into the clamp, and features a high visibility, reverse contrast LCD display that optimizes viewability both in dark or bright ambient lighting."...(from Klien)

V/R
Bogie

 

[RossOlsen]

I bought and like this one for my tool bag.
Fire ac and dc amps.
This one has the thermo couple I use once in a while.
There is a similar model that records min and max.
I know, not a Klein or Fluke but it doesn't take a lot of room in the bag either

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[theoldwizard1]

I would get 2 clamps, low and high amp (have a look at aeswave) and also a ut210e as they as cheap as 25-30 bucks and handy little secondary clamp meter for auto work.

By far the best "bang for the buck" !

If a DIYer could only afford on DMM, the UT210E is the one to get !

 

[Mr_B]

yes the ut210e if make effort mod the firmware is very usable basic meter and current clamp.
It small enough be quite usable in lot of situations and handy second or third meter in some test setups ...

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

yes the ut210e if make effort mod the firmware is very usable basic meter and current clamp.
It small enough be quite usable in lot of situations and handy second or third meter in some test setups ...

Now you have me interested. You can mod the firmware of the unit?

 

[anndel]

I have a Fluke AC/DC current clamp to use with my 87V and the Uni-T UT210E. I grab the 210E first and in several cases spot checked with the Fluke and both yielded the same DC current readings.

 

[u2slow]

Which is why clamp meters ****. Great for testing house current I guess? Maybe alternator load? IDK what the other uses could be on a car, they don't fit anywhere, and would need giant fuse/relay loops to measure a circuit.

I really appreciate a DC clamp for diesels. Specifically battery draw, starter, and glow-plug troubleshooting. I have a $200 Extech that goes to 400A. Had it 10-11 years and works fine.

 

[Mr_B]

Now you have me interested. You can mod the firmware of the unit?

increase the count, change menu order and have dc first. backlight always on via setting button, auto time off can be changed as can beep sounds.

cost me less than 5 bucks for chip clip to hook it to laptop to edit the firmware .

it very usable, i got 2 in use in daily auto shop as they disposable cheap and so simple for basic checks .

it not a replacement for decent pair of clamps but it can do a lot and do it well for very little money

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I really appreciate a DC clamp for diesels. Specifically battery draw, starter, and glow-plug troubleshooting. I have a $200 Extech that goes to 400A. Had it 10-11 years and works fine.

I love a good current waveform as much as the next guy - amp clamps are a hugely valuable diagnostic tool.

What I haven't found use for is the current clamps grafted onto volt meters.

 

[Wrench97]

I have a Fluke 325 that is very useful in a lot of situations but there are places it just does not fit and I use the AES Wave low range clamp> https://www.aeswave.com/Current-Probe-Low-range-with-Banana-Plugs-p9501.html useful on DMM and Scopes.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'm interested in the Uni-T, but am curious. Would it be better if i WERE to go with the DMM clamps, to get a low and high current, or get one like this which does 0-40 and 0-400? http://www.esitest.com/697.html

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'm interested in the Uni-T, but am curious. Would it be better if i WERE to go with the DMM clamps, to get a low and high current, or get one like this which does 0-40 and 0-400? http://www.esitest.com/697.html

IMHO, get a AC/DC "low" current model first. You really only need the high current model if you are going to be looking a cranking amps/relative compression and then you need a 'scope to realistically compare the "humps".

 

[Buster21]

Seems like I always grab my Uni-t UT-210E first for quick measurements like alternator output or current drain. If I need to dig into things a little deeper or more precise I have a Hantek CC-65 or a really old Fluke I410 I can plug into my DMM

 

[richfinn]

This is my collection, mostly I use the Yellow UEi for battery and charging system tests or with fuse loops for quick roadside testing of fuel pumps and glow plugs on Diesels

 

[richfinn]

I made this negative "breakout" extention cable for better access on European vehicles where they tend to bury batteries in stupid locations

 

[richfinn]

This Facom DVOM has settings for current clamps, so it reads directly in Amps rather than Volts (not a massive issue to convert I know), but good when your working at night in the British winter weather and your tired wet and cold and your patience is wearing thin

 

[richfinn]

This is my new set of fuse loops, I had a set I made myself so a bit of a upgrade/present to myself

 

[Mr_B]

Facom not a bad meter, ideal to pair with current clamps and under 50 GBP on eBay .

I still on home made fuse loops and some relay break outs lol, kind of sentimental value of construction effort and work fine .

 

[joel63]

This is my collection, mostly I use the Yellow UEi for battery and charging system tests or with fuse loops for quick roadside testing of fuel pumps and glow plugs on Diesels

What's the model number of the UEI meter?

 

[richfinn]

What's the model number of the UEI meter?

https://www.ueitest.com/es/node/45

UEi DL49, but its 15 years old, so probably hard to find a new one nowadays

You might want a later version with a backlight and min/max

 

[richfinn]

Facom not a bad meter, ideal to pair with current clamps and under 50 GBP on eBay .

I still on home made fuse loops and some relay break outs lol, kind of sentimental value of construction effort and work fine .

Yep I paid around £50 for it as a back-up meter, I liked the amp clamp function and have other meters if I need to connect in series

 

[bwringer]

A DC amp clamp meter is a little hard to find, but it's incredibly useful for vehicle work.

Mine is a Craftsman brand I nabbed a while back for $60 on sale.

This seems to be about the same for $110:
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-cm/p-A028382415

No idea who actually makes it, or if it's even still available, but it works great and has been indispensable for car and motorcycle troubleshooting. It's small enough to get into some pretty tight spaces, but I wish the display had larger mode indications; it's really hard to see where I have things set sometimes.

 

[joel63]

https://www.ueitest.com/es/node/45

UEi DL49, but its 15 years old, so probably hard to find a new one nowadays

You might want a later version with a backlight and min/max

Thanks.

I like the UEI products.

Thanks.

 

[richfinn]

Thanks.

I like the UEI products.

Thanks.

Its been very reliable, used it every shift for 15 years in some pretty bad English weather!!!!

 

[richfinn]

Also made by UEi (maybe 25 years old) it does have an upgraded li-on battery and works well with the clamps for relative compression/ignition coil and injector ramping tests