Multimeters

[Moose-LandTran]

Howdy Folks,

Having (temporarily) run out of other tools to buy, i've decided it's time to buy a multimeter. Having survived without one, it's time i got that basic piece of diagnostic equipment.

I was planning to just buy one once, not buy one and upgrade later, but i found a Fluke 15B tonight for cheap, so bought it for the meantime. Might not be the best for my needs, but i've bought it now.

Now, for something more advanced, i was considering buying a Snap-on EEDM596DK, or a Fluke. I'm guessing a Fluke 88V/A? The Downside of the Snap-on is that it's made in Korea, i imagine the Fluke would be made around the same area too. But quality and capability is more important.

Snap-on:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1367&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Fluke:
http://www.fluke.co.uk/comx/show_product.aspx?locale=uken&pid=125


I was hoping you guys could help, i've read that the Fluke 88 is the "benchmark" and a top choice, but i'd like your input, as i know nothing about multimeters. Very limited experience with them. I did search, but got a message saying no result found.

Any accessories you guys would reccomend to go along with the meters?

Also, can anyone reccomend a good book/guide on how to use a multimeter? Like how you use it to test components and such. I'm clueless about this..

Thanks guys,
-Moose.

 

[krusty the clown]

i had the same dilema last year when my old DMM went out. i REALLY wanted the fluke but ended up with the EEDM596DK when the dealer threw in the amp probe. it came with software and a cable to graph reading on a laptop. as far as accesories you'll want high and low amprobes and a set of fuse buddies.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

i had the same dilema last year when my old DMM went out. i REALLY wanted the fluke but ended up with the EEDM596DK when the dealer threw in the amp probe. it came with software and a cable to graph reading on a laptop. as far as accesories you'll want high and low amprobes and a set of fuse buddies.

How do you like the EEDM596DK? I'm very tempted by it, and know that being Snap-on it'll be a quality tool. That and the Fluke are around the same price, so there isn't much in it as far as money is concerned.

 

[tonydanzah]

fluke289>snapon

or every once in a while you can find a UEI on ebay cheap, they have a build in digital oscope

 

[wellstig1]

I have the 88V and love it. Almost every car/truck oem recommends its use with electrical diagnostics. Mine has never let me down and comes with just about everything you need other than an amp probe which you can always get down the line. This place has the best price and is where i got mine from.

http://www.etooldirect.com/manufact...it-automotive-meter-combo-kit-multimeter.html

 

[krusty the clown]

How do you like the EEDM596DK? I'm very tempted by it, and know that being Snap-on it'll be a quality tool. That and the Fluke are around the same price, so there isn't much in it as far as money is concerned.

i like it, the ability to graph on the laptop was a selling point for me. the fluke is a good meter and maybe a little better quality but the snap on does everything the fluke does and more.

 

[kwhitelaw]

definitely get these. worth every penny

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFNAIU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Moose-LandTran]

fluke>snapon

or everyone in a while you can find a EUI on ebay cheap, they have a build it digital oscope

What do you think makes the Fluke better than the Snap-on? I am leaning towards the Fluke more, based on what i've heard and the fact that after loking around it is a bit cheaper.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is an EUI?

I have the 88V and love it. Almost every car/truck oem recommends its use with electrical diagnostics. Mine has never let me down and comes with just about everything you need other than an amp probe which you can always get down the line. This place has the best price and is where i got mine from.

http://www.etooldirect.com/manufact...it-automotive-meter-combo-kit-multimeter.html

Thank you for the link, I think whichever i buy i'll get from the US and have it sent here (the UK) so it works out cheaper. I'd buy an Amp probe with it at the same time, i'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have. I'm starting from scratch here.

 

[wellstig1]

The fluke kit comes with that, but the sure grip series which are nicer

 

[Moose-LandTran]

i like it, the ability to graph on the laptop was a selling point for me. the fluke is a good meter and maybe a little better quality but the snap on does everything the fluke does and more.

I don't know what that means, but i like the sound of it. I take it the quality of the Snap-on doesn't leve much to be desired? It's the top of the range, and it's not a Blue-Point, so presumably it's a very nice unit. I'd pay the extra for extra capability. I only want to spend this much on a multimeter once, so if the Snap-on is better than the Fluke all-round that would be the one to go for.

definitely get these. worth every penny

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFNAIU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Do you know if they're compatable with all multimeters? The plugs all appear the same, but i'd hate to spend $100 and find i can't use them. Thanks.

 

[krusty the clown]

they should work with all meters. the banana jacks are all the same.

 

[tonydanzah]

I miss spelled it, its UEI http://www.ueiautomotive.com/product-adl7103.html its a digital labscope. not sure of that model. The model I used before Had 4 or 6 input jacks so you could graph multiple sensors at the same time. Like a suspected bad fuel injector to another one. Or a suspected bad abs sensor to another. as far as fluke over snapon, I like the fit and feel of the fluke electronics and have used them in areas that other meters would give inconsistent reading or were not fast enough. I also think comparing comparable models the fluke are a little more precise.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I miss spelled it, its UEI http://www.ueiautomotive.com/product-adl7103.html its a digital labscope. not sure of that model. The model I used before Had 4 or 6 input jacks so you could graph multiple sensors at the same time. Like a suspected bad fuel injector to another one. Or a suspected bad abs sensor to another. as far as fluke over snapon, I like the fit and feel of the fluke electronics and have used them in areas that other meters would give inconsistent reading or were not fast enough. I also think comparing comparable models the fluke are a little more precise.

Oh, i see what you mean. All this electronic stuff, like duty cycle, i don't understand so well yet. Learning by doing, no formal training. The Flukes do look/feel/seem nice. I've had very little exposure to them, but the ones i have seen were nice unit. In a couple days i'll have my 15B so i can get a better idea of overall quality and such.

When you talk about other meters not being fast enough, is there a spec on "speed" to compare meters?

 

[tonydanzah]

I think there is, maybe response time, but im 100%

 

[ATTappman]

The manual for the Fluke 88V says it's made in the USA. The manual is pretty good at teaching you how to use a multimeter.

This book does a decent job describing how to use a multimeter to diagnose automotive problems. And it's not that expensive.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

The manual for the Fluke 88V says it's made in the USA. The manual is pretty good at teaching you how to use a multimeter.

This book does a decent job describing how to use a multimeter to diagnose automotive problems. And it's not that expensive.

I had a quick look online at the 15B manual, it had a decent bit of info on it that would be useful. When i get it i'll have a good read through, no doubt i'll learn a lot more than i know from the manual alone.

I would prefer a multimeter built in the western world, but will sacrifice that for the better meter if need be.

Thank you for the book reccomendation, i will order that one.

 

[tonydanzah]

I just looked at my fluke 289 but could find nowhere without opening it up that says origin of build

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I just looked at my fluke 289 but could find nowhere without opening it up that says origin of build

Mine is being shipped direct from China.

Krusty, what accessories woud you add to the Snap-on meter that it doesn't come with? I'm looking at the catalogue with what it includes, but i don't know what's what. I like the look of the Fluke amp clamp, so if it's all interchangeable and the Snap-on doesn't come with one.

 

[caper]

I've currently got a Fluke 77,an OTC,a Micronta and recently sold a Mac.They all pretty well do what's needed automotive wise.It's more to do with the operator than the meter.Of them all I grab the $50 Micronta that I bought at radio shack first most times.It's never let me down in the last 6 yrs I've used it.

 

[krusty the clown]

Mine is being shipped direct from China.

Krusty, what accessories woud you add to the Snap-on meter that it doesn't come with? I'm looking at the catalogue with what it includes, but i don't know what's what. I like the look of the Fluke amp clamp, so if it's all interchangeable and the Snap-on doesn't come with one.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1368&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1368&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://www.esitest.com/307-308.html

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Thanks!

The fuse amperage adapters i can afford. The Amp clamps.... might have to wait a while..

As is, i don't have the money for another meter yet, but i'm going to be prepared for when i do!

 

[Mickey O]

I just looked at my fluke 289 but could find nowhere without opening it up that says origin of build

I was just looking at the Fluke meters at Sears (they're 30% off) and all the ones I saw were made in China, very sad, the leads were made in the USA but they looked like old stock.

Why would I pay that kind of money for a Fluke from China when I can pick up a similar Amprobe meter from China on craig's list for $30 - $35.

I still have my Fluke DMM that I bought 25 years ago and it works just dandy, guess I'll be using that or buying a different brand if I get a new one.

 

[doug.j]

Here's an option to get clamp on DC current measurements.
http://www.testequipmentandmore.com/Extech_DC400.html

I have many Fluke meters but still find this one very handy. It has 10mA resolution on the low scale which is pretty good. It only does DC current measurements and it is not a Fluke grade instrument but for the price it has been a good value to me.

 

[pearl_dude]

Is that test lead kit CAT III rated?

 

[scottmlew]

The types of probes kwhitelaw posted are all great for automotive work (and even general applications). But I'd go with Fluke probes...I find the overall quality and certainly the durability to be far superior...although of course the price is higher.

I've never used (or even seen in person) an SO meter, but I'd really recommend the Fluke...it truly is an industry benchmark.

 

[Jononon]

FWIW - Fluke is the OEM for Snap-on meters. Take a close look at the displays of an 88V and an EEDM525D.

 

[krusty the clown]

FWIW - Fluke is the OEM for Snap-on meters. Take a close look at the displays of an 88V and an EEDM525D.

the dealer i bought mine from implied that but stopped short of saying that.

 

[c39er]

The manual for the Fluke 88V says it's made in the USA. The manual is pretty good at teaching you how to use a multimeter.

This book does a decent job describing how to use a multimeter to diagnose automotive problems. And it's not that expensive.

I've got all the automotive literature and training instructions for my Fluke 88. Gotta love that!
Bob

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I split the difference. I love the Fluke 88 that I bought from my Snap-on dealer...

 

[06jds377]

I use a Fluke 115 at work, fine piece of equipment!

 

[tonydanzah]

makes sense, figured the snap on meters were made by fluke or raytek. I knew they didn't make their own though

 

[BrokeEF]

FWIW - Fluke is the OEM for Snap-on meters. Take a close look at the displays of an 88V and an EEDM525D.

Unless something has changed recently I can guarantee that they are not the same. Snap-On meters are made by a company who's name I cant remember, but it isn't Fluke.

Sean

 

[oldtools]

Fuke website has a lot of free articles on how to use DMM like voltage drop test and components test. There is an interesting article on the difference between a high and low quality DMM. I would pick the fluke over the SO SO.

http://us.fluke.com/usen/support/ap...T(FlukeProducts)&parent=APP_FPM(FlukeProducts)

 

[oldtools]

makes sense, figured the snap on meters were made by fluke or raytek. I knew they didn't make their own though

Isn't Raytek owned by Fluke?

 

[Flash21]

Never used a Snap-On meter, but I have used many different models of Fluke and they all were great.

I work in aerospace and our engineering labs are full of Fluke meters...not a single Snap-On that I have seen.

 

[Stick]

If I had to do it all over again here is what I'd do: Buy a powerprobe 3, and an old style mt2400 vantage.

I use the powerprobe pretty much daily, and it'll do all of the quick checks you would usually use a meter for, along with being a test light, and a power/ground supply for testing components.

The old style vantage units can be purchased for pennies on the dollar compared to what they used to sell for off the trucks (I just picked up a second mt2400 for $110 with a set of leads). They are a graphing multimeter, and you can use it to check waveforms of components like cam/crank sensors, MAF sensors, and a ton more. It will also walk you through the component test, and give an explanation of how the component works. The last software version of the 2400 was v7.0, but v6.0 or 5.0 will take you up to model year '03 and '02 if I recall correctly.

Once you get better at electrical diagnosis you can step up to a Vantage Pro or a picoscope to get a true labscope. Once you start using a labscope or graphing meter, you'll never want to go back to an old style meter for diagnosics.

Just today I used my vantage pro on a no start to find a bad fuel pump relay, check current draw for the pump, and verify the integrity of the pump (making sure it was just a bad relay, and not the pump going bad and taking out the relay), all in about ten minutes. With a low amp probe, you can even see the current draw of the commutators in the pump motor to find bad windings. Pretty cool stuff.

Honestly, I've got a fluke 179 that has seen tons of use over the last ten years, but since I bought my first vantage, the poor yellow meter hardly ever sees the light of day. The day to day stuff is usually covered by my powerprobe, and anything beyond that I grab the vantage or vantage pro depending on what I'm doing.

 

[Jononon]

Unless something has changed recently I can guarantee that they are not the same. Snap-On meters are made by a company who's name I cant remember, but it isn't Fluke.

Sean

I'll happily sit corrected if I'm wrong, but, while the two brands' products are not identical, Snap-on have a long standing relationship with Fluke, originally selling their meters as a Snap-on supported product and if, in the UK, you order a new part for an EEDM525D it comes from the same postcode as Fluke

Blue Point meters are made by someone else (and, IMHO, are overpriced)

Isn't Raytek owned by Fluke?

Yes.
---
FWIW, in ten years of using Fluke meters in two fairly abusive environments (the first of which involved first year engineering students, the world's least mechanically sympathetic individuals ), the only one I ever saw broken was run over by an Airbus. For me that's a strong enough argument for the Fluke 88V but I'd want first to be confident it was the right tool for the job. A lot of people use Picoscopes for many of the jobs a multimeter was traditionally used for. For example, analysing injectors is a crappy job with a multimeter, but easy with a 'scope.

 

[rodm1]

I think UEI and HP/agilent are the only ones with there full line of meters US made. Fluke and Fieldpiece mite have some US meters yet but there are plenty china models.


Quote from Fieldpiece web sight:
"Fieldpiece designs their instruments and accessories in the US and has them made in the US and other countries."

 

[Joe69]

I bought a new Matco DMM to replace my aging C-man unit. The C-man served me well, but lacked some functions I was needing. The Matco one was horrible, it was unreliable and would give different readings when I would make the same test twice. My Matco dealer (he's great) gave me a full refund, and I bought a Fluke 88. I love it!

Joe

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm not sure about european cars but, over here I use flexprobe adapters almost daily to prevent damaging wires and connectors. This company
makes the Ford kit. Waekon also makes a good kit.
http://www.nu-di.com/springs.htm

Silvertronic also makes some of the best test leads, probes, and piercing leads I have found and I think they're from your neighborhood.
http://www.silvertronic.com/catalogue/catalogue.asp

Whatever brand of DVOM you end up with, being able to get the most out of it and understand the displayed readings are most important. I would explore this site for auto related training.
www.aeswave.com

Lastly, although Fluke has name recognition don't overlook the meters from Electronic Specialities. They offer quite a bit for your money, are durable, and accurate.
http://www.esitest.com/