Looking for a good DC multimeter

[mdog892001]

I dabble in the area of automotive electric and am in need of a good DC volt and amp meter, I would prefer digital but am open to analog. Cheap is best but don’t mind paying bucks if it will last me a lifetime. Any good suggestions?


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[bob from indiana]

Fluke is top dog but costly. Klein makes some nice ones check Home Depot.

 

[toplessHO]

now that OSHA has clamped down on "hot work" you can find good older Flukes for $100-150. The Cat rating doesnt play into it for DC so whats obsolete for one is golden for another

 

[brownbagg]

fluke, simpson. there really no other

 

[FigureItOut]

The Fluke 115 is a good entry level Fluke. They're not US made I don't believe, but very robust and have the features an average user would want. I use mine as my everyday knock-around. If you're wanting a clamp meter for larger current DC measurements, the UNI-T offerings are unbeatable for the price.

For parasitic draw testing, I love my Owon with Bluetooth. I can leave it hooked up measuring current overnight while connected to my tablet, and it'll show me a graph of current measurements over time. The bluetooth function is also very useful to activate a component at one end of the vehicle, while taking measurements at the other end.

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[OHMS LAW]

Fluke 88 with the diag kit

 

[LB-1911]

I dabble in the area of automotive electric and am in need of a good DC volt and amp meter, I would prefer digital but am open to analog. Cheap is best but don’t mind paying bucks if it will last me a lifetime. Any good suggestions?


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Cut from a thread from "15"

Fluke is the preferred DMM for most techs and automotive OEMs but, there are other excellent DMMs out there.
This new Powerprobe unit is gaining popularity at work but, it may seem expensive compare to your $12 Wal Mart model but, it isn't for a quality unit.
http://www.tooltopia.com/power-probe-ppdmm.aspx

Also consider DMMs from PDI, ESI, Lang, and Extech.

Good luck in your budget quest,

Power Probe (PPRPPDMM)
CAT-IV 600V Automotive Digital Multimeter

 

[Wamsutta]

You can't really appreciate a Fluke until it's in your hand. On the web they look like any other multimeter.

 

[OHMS LAW]

In school we used the Fluke 88 but I bought the snap on using the discount. Has held up great in the 5 years I’ve had it. Used it in automotive applications and now In heavy truck and equipment.

 

[bonneyman]

fluke, simpson. there really no other

Simpson! If you can use analog they made fine instruments.

 

[tym]

I'd also vote for Fluke. I've been using a 110 (no current range) regularly for 19 years and it still works perfectly.

 

[sreeb]

UNI-T UT210E

This one is pretty unique in that it has a DC clamp meter with 1ma resolution.

~$45

 

[Tonyuk]

My fluke was bought 2nd hand off a tech who was sick of working on cars, only had about 8 months of use.

Honestly for the basic stuff look at spending 20-30 max i would say, that'll get you a very decent and well equipped metre. There's no need to go and buy a fluke if you just do a bit now and then as a hobby.

 

[dogdog]

Cut from a thread from "15"




Power Probe (PPRPPDMM)
CAT-IV 600V Automotive Digital Multimeter

I would agree, if you are going to work on any of the modern cars, at least look at the functions similar to that PowerProbe Multimeter, frequency/duty cycles are very important in newer sensors, as much as Amp/Volt...... Not sure if I see a lot of capacitors in Cars, unless you dig into the electronics... It's how you use the meter that counts... most modern meters have enough accuracy unless you are in a lab or something that needs super precision...

***That guy in the video give me that funny feeling of the typical snake oil sales man , even though he might be a stand up guy...

 

[flushcut]

My wife bought me a Fluke 88 for my birthday last month. She is a keeper.

 

[Citation]

Fluke is great (number 1) but I don't think they are worth it for most people at full price. Brymen based meters are generally my go to suggestion. Here's a previous post of mine that covers what I would have typed otherwise.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6091174&postcount=30
Short version is go for a Matco 257 or Greenlee 820a. Both are rebadged Brymen meters.

 

[mdog892001]

All the ones I see only measure up to 10 DCA. I need at least up to 200 DCA for starters and fuel pumps that draw 15-25 DCA


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[Citation]

All the ones I see only measure up to 10 DCA. I need at least up to 200 DCA for starters and fuel pumps that draw 15-25 DCA


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Ok, you are looking for an amp clamp. Check out the Uni-T 210E. You can also get amp clamps that plug into traditional multimeters.

 

[Mr_B]

For DC light use you really don't need spend much.
just be sure ranges cover what needed and got max and min .
uni-t do clamps for DC up to 600A , the ut204A and ut210e useful for potential low cost, I have both for under 50 bucks the pair .
Holdpeak 770hd another low cost usable meter with addon dc capable clamp up to 600A .
Holdpeak very easy use and nice clear display and useful functions for car testing and fuses easy replaced via battery bay cover, the uni-t 210e good for fine resolution clamp work .

 

[mdog892001]

Think I got it narrowed down to two
Snap on eedm575d
Craftsman pro Series 82369 both on eBay are a fair price idk their quality or longevity but snaps and craps got to be good right


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[Stooge]

For work, (laboratory), Most of our test stuff is all fluke, so I usually have some flavor of theirs nearby, currently its a simple 115 on my desk. I also have an old but trustworthy Tektronix DMM912 that I keep around the shop, and an Extech, (I forget the model) in the car just in case.

 

[mdog892001]

I can’t find a Extech used those are pricey


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[Stooge]

Fortunately, and one of the perks of the jobs is I dont know the prices Calibration lab as part of a service group and we pull meters and scopes from the field after 4 or 5yrs to retire them from use and they get tossed, so sometimes there's something worth grabbing, we just cant use them here at work. Nothing worthwhile in the scrap bin now though

 

[LB-1911]

Think I got it narrowed down to two
Snap on eedm575d
Craftsman pro Series 82369 both on eBay are a fair price idk their quality or longevity but snaps and craps got to be good right

I can’t find a Extech used those are pricey

The CMan your looking @ might be an Extech -

Extech MA220: 400A AC/DC Clamp Meter

82369 - 400A AC/DC Clamp Meter


Hopefully the info above will assist you.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I have two Flukes but when I'm working on a car I use my UT210e the most. The ability to find mA-level parasitic drains without breaking a circuit is amazingly useful. It tops out at 100A though, so you'd need a bigger clamp for checking starters.

 

[Citation]

Neither Cman nor Snap on (nor Extech) OEM their meters. Sears has used many different vendors. Some good, some not. Just something to keep in mind when searching.

 

[n8n]

fluke, simpson. there really no other

Eh, Triplett, but your point is valid. Also some Keysight/Agilent stuff is good but even more expensive.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Neither Cman nor Snap on (nor Extech) OEM their meters. Sears has used many different vendors. Some good, some not. Just something to keep in mind when searching.

Craftsman and Extech meters are made by CEM. You can buy the same meters without branding for a lot cheaper at http://www.ruby-electronics.com

In addition to being cheaper, the meters Ruby sells are often newer revisions than the Extech and Craftsman meters that are on the market.

 

[Mr_B]

Think I got it narrowed down to two
Snap on eedm575d
Craftsman pro Series 82369 both on eBay are a fair price idk their quality or longevity but snaps and craps got to be good right


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Wouldn't bother with that snapon meter, be beter picking up a used vantage/vantage pro over that .
From my experience you better off with meter that takes addon amp clamps as many instances all in 1 meter don't fit, risks damage or simply unable read display once mounted . The smaller all in one meters like ut210e are pretty usable.
3 I use most is vantage pro, 770hd and ut210 . vantage pro super useful meter and basic scope perfect for dc diag work .

 

[Citation]

Craftsman and Extech meters are made by CEM. You can buy the same meters without branding for a lot cheaper at http://www.ruby-electronics.com

In addition to being cheaper, the meters Ruby sells are often newer revisions than the Extech and Craftsman meters that are on the market.

I did know that CEM was the current vendor (they also make the Southwire stuff). They have used other vendors as well. The CEM meter I played with (again a Southwire) was decent feeling but a step down from the top players.

 

[clubairth]

Man that UNI-T UT210E is a great find! Looks like the clamp size is larger too?
I went with a GTC-CM100 which is over double the price.
at $119.Oops it's gone up to $144. The clamp hole is big enough to go around all the big battery cables so far.

https://www.amazon.com/CM100-Amps-Current-Clamp-Meter/dp/B001TCWL1E#productDetails

It's hard to find that 1ma DC rating and I find that is the number one automotive use. I am always chasing current draw and can't tear everything apart to insert the meter.

I have a Fluke 87V which I highly recommend. Especially if you only get one meter to do everything, house,car,computer. As you know it's expensive but consider getting a refurbed one on Ebay. But honestly Flukes are pro grade and overkill for us home guys.

A PowerProbe was mentioned up thread, I have one of those and for real hard to do stuff it's the best. Love the powering up remotely capability plus polarity inversion with a switch and the built in circuit breaker for chasing shorts is wonderful. Extra long leads to go from the battery to anywhere on the car is handy.

Since we are talking about automotive stuff I also have a GTC-FF300 fault finder. They have a newer model out which probably does some extra features?
But this is expensive at $175 and fast to operate with the wand.
https://www.amazon.com/FF310-Short-Circuit-Finder-Tracer/dp/B000XVZ8F8

This tool allows tracing shorts/opens in wire bundles that are hidden in the body. Impossible to do without spending days cutting open wire harnesses and damaging stuff.

But of all the meters the GTC CM100 is used the most. Wish I had seen that other one first.

Everyone seems to really like the UNI-T UT210E too.
.
.
.

 

[Mr_B]

To be honest most functions of a powerprobe can be done with some long cable, croc clips, inline fuse and a switch for a few bucks, For DC testing you really don't need pro rated meter and money better spent on a use vantage over top brand meter for pure auto work .
UT210E is useful little clamp meter and does parasitic draw quite well and can be found well under 30bucks quite easily which throw away money for autoshop use .
bigger display meter with plug in clamp is a must and much better main use tool

 

[Brownsfan]

Cut from a thread from "15"




Power Probe (PPRPPDMM)
CAT-IV 600V Automotive Digital Multimeter

I have this one I use it in my service van. I bought it in a kit with a pp3. It's not very expensive but it's a great meter for the cost. I paid 150 for this meter with a power probe 3 with some leads. I'm pretty sure I got it from tooltopia. I highly recommend it

 

[byoungblood]

If your budget is over $100, a Fluke 115 is good new, or find a used 175/177/179.

If you can spring another $50-75, look for a 87V. Probably will be the last meter you'll buy unless you get into electronics or find yourself needing to make simultaneous voltage and/or current readings.

I've had my share of cheap meters and inevitably you'll do something to one of them that will kill them because usually what most cheap meters lack is good input protection. For example, leaving the meter in a resistance range and connecting the meter to a powered circuit that is more than a few volts. A good meter will clamp or shunt the voltage and protect the meter from damage.

 

[p..]

For automotive and marine troubleshooting and aftermarket equipment installation I keep a Uni-T 210E and a Fluke 101 handy. Both of them together come in under $100 on Amazon right now. I sometimes find it handy to use the amp clamp from the Uni-T and still have a voltmeter (voltage drop testing) or ohm meter from a second meter to use at the same time.

Fluke 101 on Amazon

Uni-T 210E on Amazon

 

[bwringer]

UNI-T UT210E

This one is pretty unique in that it has a DC clamp meter with 1ma resolution.

~$45

All the ones I see only measure up to 10 DCA. I need at least up to 200 DCA for starters and fuel pumps that draw 15-25 DCA

Yep, a DC amp clamp is a rare bird but is extremely useful for vehicle work. No idea why they're so damn hard to find.

This is the Craftsman one I have. Other than the teensy mode icons in the display (gotta find my friggin' glasses and get a light...), it's been great.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/shc-3482369

No idea who the real manufacturer is or whether it's available elsewhere in different colors.


That Uni-T only goes up to 100 amps DC; not quite enough for some uses like diagnosing starters.

This Extech reads up to 400 amps DC.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IB4N3YG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FigureItOut]

Something worth mentioning about the UNI-T that I and several others have recommended, is that it does not have a min/max feature. That's the one shortcoming that gets in my way fairly often.

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[Citation]

If you pair the Uni-T with an ebay Fluke 27 you will have good meter coverage.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-27-M...=item590f7ba2f7:g:9DEAAOSwuMZbfZo8:rk:34:pf:0

That's a good deal for a late model of the 27. I have an early gray version. Basically the same thing but the early models have harder to read LCDs. Anyway, these have min/max, touch hold and can serve as a jackstand if you need one...

 

[californiaHank]

Those new clamp-on meters, that measure DC currents down to low milliamps, seem like game changers for finding parasitic draws on cars. I've always had to disconnect the battery and do series current measurements with my Fluke - a major pain with modern cars that don't take well to having their batteries unhooked. Gotta get one.

PS: Don't confuse the new automotive-oriented clamp meters with the old-school clamp ons that electricians buy. Those are seldom any use for measuring flows below a couple of hundred milliamps. My old clamp-on is good enough for measuring starter draws and charging currents, but isn't any good for low current stuff.

 

[AreYaSerious]

Fluke they're worth the money