Looking for a good DC multimeter

[Bartleby]

I chose the Fluke 83V over the Fluke 88. It's basically the same meter except the 83V defaults to AC current when measuring amps.

The Fluke 83V is cheaper. I bought a used 83V meter for under $100.

 

[Mr_B]

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.

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

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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the ut204A goes up to 600A dc ideal for starter and high output charge testing . ut210e good for very low amp testing, no min/max but still useful dc test tools for how little they can cost.

for a cheap meter I use a holdpeak 770hd with plug in 600 amp clamp

They all useful secondary or main meters for very little outlay

ut210e is about 30 bucks currently via ebay
ut204A about same (they accept offers or get real cheap with eBay coupon code added too)

 

[Brownsfan]

I spoke of the power probe kit earlier in this thread. Here is a link to it on tool topia. I use this kit in my service van for road work. The case makes it really convenient in a mobile service environment. For the price I have not found anything else that is a better value. It comes with a magnetic strap and some probe attachments. https://www.tooltopia.com/power-pro...m_medium=retargeting&utm_campaign=lowerfunnel

 

[FigureItOut]

I spoke of the power probe kit earlier in this thread. Here is a link to it on tool topia. I use this kit in my service van for road work. The case makes it really convenient in a mobile service environment. For the price I have not found anything else that is a better value. It comes with a magnetic strap and some probe attachments. https://www.tooltopia.com/power-pro...m_medium=retargeting&utm_campaign=lowerfunnel

I've been looking for a meter for my mobile ignition interlock contractors. That Power Probe DMM looks perfect. I've been getting them Kleins, but that looks like a much better option.

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[Showkey]

Power probe in the wrong hands on automotive work can be a disaster.

Past work in automotive training ........we “banned” power probes. Novice or journeyman mechanics ( made no difference) were consistently blowing up modules by putting power on wires that were CAN, signal wires or sensor leads. We would “bug” cars and test the troubleshooting skills. Well, power probes tested our skills on figuring out what got damaged during the skill test.

 

[Brownsfan]

Power probe in the wrong hands on automotive work can be a disaster.

Past work in automotive training ........we “banned” power probes. Novice or journeyman mechanics ( made no difference) were consistently blowing up modules by putting power on wires that were CAN, signal wires or sensor leads. We would “bug” cars and test the troubleshooting skills. Well, power probes tested our skills on figuring out what got damaged during the skill test.

I can see this. Our company banned standard test lights. I do telematics installs on heavy equipment and apparently some guys damaged ECUs using them. They have their place but I guess not in what we do. Doesn't matter because I don't have one. It comes down to the person using any type of diagnostic tool. Do they know what they are doing and know how to read a diagram. I actually don't use 5he PP3 in my daily job. I use on the weekends when doing work in my side business. Doing remote starts etc.

 

[Brownsfan]

I've been looking for a meter for my mobile ignition interlock contractors. That Power Probe DMM looks perfect. I've been getting them Kleins, but that looks like a much better option.

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I use it daily and all day. It's very rugged and the screen is pretty easy to read. The kit I linked is the best deal I have found for these 2 tools. Plus its smaller than my Klein meter.

 

[Ainsley]

I use this cheapie https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017WRH7O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 when I need DC Clamp

 

[mdog892001]

You guys are really helpful but I bought a Snap-on probably a rebrand something or other but it was a good price for a first automobile meter.


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[FigureItOut]

You guys are really helpful but I bought a Snap-on probably a rebrand something or other but it was a good price for a first automobile meter.


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Yeah, we're gonna need a little more than that. We thrive on the minutiae of your tool buying decisions, ha ha. Which meter? Where'd you get it? Cost? Pics?

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[mfewtrail]

Anyone tried this dc amp clamp yet?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N014USE/?tag=atomicindus08-20


That's by far the cheapest dc clamp meter I've ever come across @ $27.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Anyone tried this dc amp clamp yet?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N014USE/?tag=atomicindus08-20


That's by far the cheapest dc clamp meter I've ever come across @ $27.

That isn't a DC clamp.

 

[Citation]

That isn't a DC clamp.

It shows AC and DC on the clamp readings.

 

[Mr_B]

^
Yes it measures dc current. possibly not as good as better uni-t models that pretty much same price range .

 

[Citation]

^
Yes it measures dc current. possibly not as good as better uni-t models that pretty much same price range .

But if the OP needs more than 100A the Uni-T is out. I'm not sure if either have far enough response time to catch the peak starter current draw.

 

[Mr_B]

uni-t do a 600A version (204A) as well as the 100A high resolution 210E model.
They work pretty good, I been using them for quick tests and secondary meters for couple years in daily auto repair and find them pretty useful, not perfect but very capable .

 

[Rabid Badger]

It shows AC and DC on the clamp readings.

Indeed it does. That's what I get for posting before breakfast.

 

[LB-1911]

You guys are really helpful but I bought a Snap-on probably a rebrand something or other but it was a good price for a first automobile meter.

I believe that the Snap on eedm575d is manufactured by TPI, test products international.

 

[mdog892001]

That’s what I got


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[Mr_B]

tpi branded clamp meter is around 100bucks.
only snapon meter I really like and use is vantage pro, they superb for auto work, I use a 60 and 600A peaktech clamps .

 

[Brownsfan]

I'm pretty sure all snap on meters are made by TPI. I own a TPI 440 scope meter. Its really nice for the money.

 

[n8n]

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

you should be using a clamp meter for those currents really

 

[sreeb]

I use this cheapie https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017WRH7O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 when I need DC Clamp

I have one of these and don't really like it. I would prefer the ut210e.

 

[sreeb]

That isn't a DC clamp.

Amazon listing and answered question says it is.

 

[Bobioz1]

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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Which Owon meter do you have?

 

[FigureItOut]

Which Owon meter do you have?

I have the B35. I don't see it available anymore on Amazon, but the B35+ is about $55. It will log data without being connected to bluetooth, my B35 won't.

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[Mr_B]

B35T+ is on ebay around 48 bucks, BT function with logging is useful . nice secondary meter with remote viewing .

 

[Bobioz1]

I have the B35. I don't see it available anymore on Amazon, but the B35+ is about $55. It will log data without being connected to bluetooth, my B35 won't.

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Thanks.

 

[Bobioz1]

B35T+ is on ebay around 48 bucks, BT function with logging is useful . nice secondary meter with remote viewing .

Thanks. Yes, for logging.