dogdad
Well-known member
Looking for a good all around multimeter,, electrical, AC, home use...any suggestions? $150 limit
Multimeter suggestions
- Thread starter dogdad
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Mr. T
Well-known member
Top of your budget but a Fluke 115 comes to mind for a solid all around DMM.
Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I love my Fluke T5-600
Slowgsr
Well-known member
The greenlee ones are fine too
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
CL or check the pawn shops for a used Fluke 87V. I found a buddy one for $100.00.
For climate control I have found UEI to be a good brand. I like the DM383. It is not auto ranging but that is all right with me. Very durable and a good brand. Make sure that you are getting a meter that will do MICRO amps. That is not "ma" but Ua as a symbol. You can do any flame rectification readings with that range.
I agree. I found one on ebay nearly mint for under $150 IIRC.
scissorman
Well-known member
The problem with this meter is if you need to check Amps it doesn't start reading until 40 Amps (called and talked with a rep from Fluke about this before buying my Fluke 375 amp clamp meter). I work on lots of construction equipment and more specifically lots of battery powered scissor lifts and boom lifts so I routinely need to verify battery charger Amp output.
Trey T
Well-known member
I've had several DMM over the decade but for the stuff you described, I believe HVAC DMM will suit you best.
I use Fieldpiece HS35 and I service automotive 12v, HVAC, and home electrical.
I use Fieldpiece HS35 and I service automotive 12v, HVAC, and home electrical.
Mr. T
Well-known member
Just thought I'd add that for at work (industrial setting) I like the safety factor of my Flukes. At home, I use this guy.
http://m.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-digital-multimeter-98674.html
Got it on sale for a lot less than that and I have no complaints. However, I wouldn't feel comfortable using it on 480v either; 120... Doesn't bother me. Pretty feature packed and accurate. We're I not so cheap I'd have a Fluke at home too.
http://m.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-digital-multimeter-98674.html
Got it on sale for a lot less than that and I have no complaints. However, I wouldn't feel comfortable using it on 480v either; 120... Doesn't bother me. Pretty feature packed and accurate. We're I not so cheap I'd have a Fluke at home too.
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
Thanks for all the suggestions,,,,looked at the FieldPiece HS35... Went to Johnstone Supply to price it. They are a HVACCR wholesaler...they say list is $439... My price would be $240.......but online stores sell it everyday(same package deal) for $180 with free shipping.....really wondering if $439 is true list price on this unit.....
Caddybill
Well-known member
Try these guy's www.testequipmentdepot.com. They have the HS35 listed for $180. I bought my HS36 from them a few months ago for $188.
Dick in Wisconsin
Well-known member
I don't use a multi-meter much, but wanted a good one. I had the Klein CL-1000 recommended to me and found one at Home Depot for a reasonable price. Nice carrying case, decent instructions that fit into the case, separate instructions for each language, alligator clips that screw onto the straight probes.
If you're well versed in using these things, you need to "SELECT" between AC and DC when trying to measure amps or you'll think the device is broken.
I like the CL-1000.
If you're well versed in using these things, you need to "SELECT" between AC and DC when trying to measure amps or you'll think the device is broken.
I like the CL-1000.
rlitman
Well-known member
Not sure if it's something you need, but the CL-2000 offers DC clamp amp readings.
I've gotten high praise of these Klein meters by two techs here now.
Today's new toy at work (since I needed a DC clamp meter for some jobs) is an Amprobe acdc-52nav. I'm quite impressed with it so far.
I've gotten high praise of these Klein meters by two techs here now.
Today's new toy at work (since I needed a DC clamp meter for some jobs) is an Amprobe acdc-52nav. I'm quite impressed with it so far.
James-W
Well-known member
I have used several different meters over the years, and there are a lot of very good ones available for a reasonable price. But I prefer a Fluke meter above anything else.
I got a fieldpiece sc440 a few months ago and have no complaints, it replaced an older ampprobe that was also a pretty decent meter.
Fluke is kinda the benchmark of meters but they charge accordingly, I;ve used fieldpiece and ampprobe meters side by side with flukes and they all did the job the exact same.
Fluke is kinda the benchmark of meters but they charge accordingly, I;ve used fieldpiece and ampprobe meters side by side with flukes and they all did the job the exact same.
You might also want to look for a Brymen BM257 (.pdf). You can get it from eBay (here), or TME.eu (here).
It's also rebranded as a Greenlee DM-510A, which is easier to find in the US (compromise is it costs a bit more).
It's also rebranded as a Greenlee DM-510A, which is easier to find in the US (compromise is it costs a bit more).
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
I deal with johnstone in Omaha quite a bit ,prices vary by how much you buy there and how good your salesman is.
Heres another supplier Ideal with in Omaha you might give them a call to see what he can do for ya.
I just called him,hes all out of field piece stuff but the comparable one that he has in stock to what youre looking at is less than the $180.00 one you found on line.
Dey distributing 402-592-7944,ask for kevin and tell him that jim told you to call him about it.
iron block
Well-known member
If you are looking for something off the beaten path, and if you are into vintage test gear, check out military surplus multimeters from the Vietnam war era.
Rugged as can be. These things are built to mil spec; watertight casing and all. And they are electrically bulletproof -- you can't fry them no matter how hard you try.
I've got the AN/PSM-37 (also known as the ME-418) on my garage workbench and love it. Another possibility is its predecessor, the ME-297/U.
Each one shows up in online auctions from time to time; usually around $50 - $100. I found mine at a local electronics flea market for less. Here is a pic of the AN/PSM-37:
Rugged as can be. These things are built to mil spec; watertight casing and all. And they are electrically bulletproof -- you can't fry them no matter how hard you try.
I've got the AN/PSM-37 (also known as the ME-418) on my garage workbench and love it. Another possibility is its predecessor, the ME-297/U.
Each one shows up in online auctions from time to time; usually around $50 - $100. I found mine at a local electronics flea market for less. Here is a pic of the AN/PSM-37:
Trey T
Well-known member
Look into Milwaukee 2235-20 and the functions are very similar to my HS35, just w/o the temperature probe. $100otd w/ 5yr warranty and market at professional residential and C/I electricians, it's hard to beat. Fluke 116 (similar to the milwaukee and HS35) is 3 times the price and only 2yr warranty.
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LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
No votes for the classic Simpson?
Tommy
Tommy