Multimeter dead, need a new one

[PCustoms]

Went to trace some wires this morning and swap a breaker, given some of the "creative" wiring in this house I always double check it's not live before touching anything that could be.

Meter is dead, ok I heard the auto off beeping at me last week when I used it so in probably killed the batteries. Nope two new AAA and still nothing, it's a Chinese paperweight at this point. It was a Craftsman mid range unit I bought back in college 10 yrs ago.

Need a recommendation on a replacement. Mostly homeowner and limited automotive, but occasionally get into controls wiring and troubleshooting at home (at work I borrow one of the technicians meters if I'm on the floor with them).

Sort of want a nice fluke but also didon't plan on buying a meter right now with a major home renovation going on so don't want to break the bank.

Also would like something today, only option would be home depot. Tomorrow the electrical supply house (stocks fluke) is open, and amazon prime would have it here Tuesday.

Guess installing my fan is on hold again....

 

[shawhite]

Buy once cry once. Go for the fluke you will not regret it.

 

[waltinbatonrouge]

go buy an inexpensive test light today, fix your fan, then during the week visit local pawn shop and make a deal...picked up an older fluke 77III for $35 6 months ago here in BR..good used DMM's are all over the pawn shops.

 

[shawhite]

Also might want to check the fuse on your current meter if equipped

 

[PelicanPines]

I have a Fieldpiece and like it... but googled best multimeter for home use and this popped up... https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-FLUKE-87-V-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B00T3LZLFG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471787155&sr=8-1&keywords=fluke+87 ... a tad expensive for home use.

Check out this one ... it's the newer version of what i have... https://www.amazon.com/Fieldpiece-HS33-Expandable-Ranging-Multimeter/dp/B000UTTOFS/ref=pd_sim_469_39?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7ZXJZVKGXQ1SRV4MBE3X

 

[MrGiggles]

I bought one of these after seeing a review on Youtube.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FHQ3V8O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can pair it with your phone and view the display remotely. A nice feature, say you hook it up to a starter and need to hit the key to check for voltage, or hook it to an outlet in another room and need to flip the breaker, you can still see what the meter is reading.

 

[nev]

Fluke all the way, I have 2 and a voltage tester by them. Pick up a pen tester stick too good for quick indication

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I like my Test Products Model 194 II, i've used it for a ton of things and it has more options than i'll ever use (but will learn how to use). Snap on rebrands the lower units TPI makes. I've used fluke, dollar store specials, snap on, etc. I like the TPI.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I use a Fluke T5-600 at home mostly because I use a T5-1000 at work and like the form factor. The Fluke 117 is the other one I would recommend.

ETA: The 17B is available on eBay, its made for the Chinese market and is supposed to have a lot of bang for the buck.

 

[LB-1911]

Went to trace some wires this morning and swap a breaker, given some of the "creative" wiring in this house I always double check it's not live before touching anything that could be.

Meter is dead, ok I heard the auto off beeping at me last week when I used it so in probably killed the batteries.

Nope two new AAA and still nothing, it's a Chinese paperweight at this point. It was a Craftsman mid range unit I bought back in college 10 yrs ago.

Need a recommendation on a replacement. Mostly homeowner and limited automotive, but occasionally get into controls wiring and troubleshooting at home (at work I borrow one of the technicians meters if I'm on the floor with them).

Sort of want a nice fluke but also didn't plan on buying a meter right now with a major home renovation going on so don't want to break the bank.


Also would like something today, only option would be home depot. Tomorrow the electrical supply house (stocks fluke) is open, and amazon prime would have it here Tuesday.

Guess installing my fan is on hold again....

Also might want to check the fuse on your current meter if equipped

^
You may or may not find the manual for it @
http://metersupport.com/products/

Of course there is the issue of checking the fuse and then sourcing a replacement.


One Home Depot option Today might be -

Klein Tools Model 69149 Internet #204367271 Store SKU #1000019170
Electrical Test Kit

 

[byoungblood]

I finally ponied up and got myself a used Fluke 175 after using a few Radio Shack ones for years. Think I paid around $150 for it off of eBay.

 

[PCustoms]

Put on my electrical rated boots, stood on a plastic stool and used 1 hand to pull the old circuit (still no clue what it fed) and wire the new fan/light into a new 15A breaker. wire nutted to old because I'm paranoid the previous owner may have it backfed somehow, I am really looking forward to untangling a bit more of his mess and then taking the plunge into the new panel.

Tried to check the fuse on the old meter, cant even get the damn thing out (well maybe with tweezers). No reason to think its bad, but the display has been dim the last few times I've used it so I think dead meter.

Time for a new one.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have had great luck with my Klein meter. The MM6000 USA made true rms meter has come down in price a lot. Less than $150 most places. I have the MM2000 that was sold at Home Depot for $99. I use it daily for about 3 years at this point without issue. It was intended to get me by until I bought another fluke. Never did I liked so much.

 

[TheMadMech]

I'm firmly in the ‘If I'm trusting my life to it it'll damn well be a Fluke’ camp. I agree with shawhite, buy once, cry once and know you are safe.

Fluke 323 True-RMS Clamp Meter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQKIEXY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

On sale it seems, ~$120 is a great price for it.

 

[anndel]

Fluke 87-V, had mine for 10 years and no problems. It replaced a Beckman HD110 I had for 20 years.

 

[md21722]

To test for voltage a cheap test light is all that's needed. 120 VAC isn't going to knock you off a ladder or kill you anyway. Good multimeters are nice though.

 

[General Geoff]

I've been using an Innova 3320 meter for a decade without issue, just recently killed mine by being an idiot and leaving the lead plugged into the unfused 10A-max current port and then went to check car battery voltage...

Anyway, my planned replacement is an Innova 3340. Goes for between $65 and $90 depending on where you get it.

 

[ddawg16]

For $5 you can get the HF multimeter....b!tch works. I have a couple around the house. Works fine for testing batteries and seeing if an outlet has voltage.

Would I pick it over my Fluke 175? No. Would I use my own money to buy a Fluke? No. Not when one is given to me.

If I had my own business, would I use the HF? Most likely not.

But around the house? Works fine.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a fluke Series 23 Series II meter, after I got it, I never looked back

 

[cheechi]

I've been using an Innova 3320 meter for a decade without issue

This is the meter I keep in my garage. I also have two Fluke 27/FM, a Klein 200 I think. There is o reason for me to own 4 meters. I don't use one as often as once a month; that Innova is the one that is always in the right place at the right time, and it has been a great little meter.

I do also keep one of those free HF meters around as a test light type thing. Before I connect up a meter to something questionable I try to fry the HF meter.

You want my advice though, don't decide what brand, but what model Fluke. Sure you can get another meter and do a good job with one but if you are wanting a Fluke you will eventually buy one anyway so skip buying another in between. 87 or 88 is what I'd go for if I needed a new one.

 

[Brownsfan]

I've been using an Innova 3320 meter for a decade without issue, just recently killed mine by being an idiot and leaving the lead plugged into the unfused 10A-max current port and then went to check car battery voltage...

Anyway, my planned replacement is an Innova 3340. Goes for between $65 and $90 depending on where you get it.

I have this meter too and bought it in a pinch when I was far from the shop and forgot my meter. Now I carry for one reason. The continuity beeper is the LOUDEST ever. Working in noisy environments I need a loud beep when testing continuity. Try it. I guarantee it is louder than any you have ever used.

 

[bmwrd0]

If you are serious about working on your home (and you seem to be) go down to Sears and pick up a Fluke T5-600. Perfect for basic electrical use, we used them in comericial AC work when we weren't doing controls. The most you have at home is step downs and soloniods, so it is perfect. You don't need True RMS, you might need to take an amp reading though. Works perfect.

 

[slow]

I have a couple cheap ones and a fluke but for things like this I use my trusty wiggy. I always test on a live outlet first.

 

[justme-]

No doubt Fluke is the best and has been undisputed for a long time but not everyone can afford or justify one. Skip the HF $5 special...the three I have used don't agree with each other never mind better meters. Innovation are reasonable in cost and quality as are several others.
I have 2 different Ammprobe units at work. I have clamp style and a 510. Ammprobe is owned by fluke, fwiw.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Just went thru this exact thing, at 55 y/o I had wanted a good multimeter pretty much all my life without ever buying one, took a leap of faith and picked up a used Fluke 87v off of ebay for $200, it will be the last multimeter I ever have to buy. YMMV

Also, my brother in law owns a construction company, he bought two brand new fluke 87v's off of ebay for $300 shipped each from reputable sellers who had sold the same units repetitively with 100% feedback so deals can be found.

And for a cheaper alternative; the EEV blog creator Davey Jones sells a Brymen BM235 for a lil over a hundred shipped from Australia.http://www.eevblog.com/product/bm235-multimeter/

 

[asxy_80]

I got klein mm400 from HD for $48 it has all the functions that i will probably ever need.

 

[becker_atc]

I have a 117 for work along with a fluke clamp meter and a 87 and other special meters. The 117 does most all of my day to day stuff only thing it does not do that I use slot is temperature. The 87 has temp probe. I believe the 178 or 179 has temp. It's handy. Like when working on AC. Actually cleaned the probe real good once and took the kiddos temp when she was sick.

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