Need another meter

[Jsf721]

I have a Klien Meter that I am not leaving at work full time. So I need another for home.

Most of the stuff I do consists of

Checking continuity on line cords
Voltage in batteries everything from small batteries to HD deep cycle scrubber batteries
Checking voltage in sockets
Also amp draw.

I’ve never owned the clamp type is that helpful ?

Auto ranging would also be nice.

What do you guys suggest. I would like to get agator clips in addition to probes as well.

 

[BillK]

Unless you want to throw money away, for 99% of the stuff we do the cheapest thing you can find at WalMart will do everything you need. I have a very complete electronics test bench at home but at my business I have a cheap meter like I mentioned and it does everthing I need to do as far as troubleshooting things in a machine shop. It has not let me down yet.

 

[Jsf721]

Thanks Can you link one ?

Unless you want to throw money away, for 99% of the stuff we do the cheapest thing you can find at WalMart will do everything you need. I have a very complete electronics test bench at home but at my business I have a cheap meter like I mentioned and it does everthing I need to do as far as troubleshooting things in a machine shop. It has not let me down yet.

 

[BillK]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Portable...e-Electronic-Meter-Tester-Voltmeter/109033970

This one is very similar to the one I have at work. Not sure which ones they are selling now days but i would just go to Wal Mart or Home Depot and buy one.

 

[bczygan]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Portable...e-Electronic-Meter-Tester-Voltmeter/109033970

This one is very similar to the one I have at work. Not sure which ones they are selling now days but i would just go to Wal Mart or Home Depot and buy one.

This is the one you linked:

This is the free with purchase one at Harbor Freight:

Bill

 

[ez-duzit]

Although I own a nice one by Beckman Instruments, the one I always take into the field is a small, lightweight, cheap one I bought decades ago from Radio Shack.

 

[nsula_country]

My only recommendation is one that is FUSED... The HF meter is NOT FUSED...

Watch some arc flash videos, then it's obvious.

CT

 

[Bretny]

The HF ones are junk, i would rather a magnetic cup for free than that thing.

I got a klien amp clamp style from HD. I believe it was less than $70. It was my first amp clamp and i find it quite usefull. I got the basic kit with out all the 120v adapters.
It can also be handy for useing the clamp part just to hang the meter while your useing the voltage feature.

 

[slow]

used fluke off ebay. I've picked them up for $28 shipped in the past.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I have a Klien Meter that I am not leaving at work full time. So I need another for home.

Most of the stuff I do consists of

Checking continuity on line cords
Voltage in batteries everything from small batteries to HD deep cycle scrubber batteries
Checking voltage in sockets
Also amp draw.

I’ve never owned the clamp type is that helpful ?

Auto ranging would also be nice.

What do you guys suggest. I would like to get agator clips in addition to probes as well.

Whats the max voltage you will be testing?

If 480v, i would stay far away from a HF, Walmart, chicom or any other cheap *** meter. Your life DEPENDS on having a quality, properly rated meter with protection...

Unless you want to throw money away, for 99% of the stuff we do the cheapest thing you can find at WalMart will do everything you need. I have a very complete electronics test bench at home but at my business I have a cheap meter like I mentioned and it does everthing I need to do as far as troubleshooting things in a machine shop. It has not let me down yet.

Not good to offer a cheap *** meter solution when you dont know the voltages he will be measuring. Unless you want to throw your life away...

 

[Bert_]

Unless you want to throw money away, for 99% of the stuff we do the cheapest thing you can find at WalMart will do everything you need. I have a very complete electronics test bench at home but at my business I have a cheap meter like I mentioned and it does everthing I need to do as far as troubleshooting things in a machine shop. It has not let me down yet.

For homeowner type stuff I would tend to agree. I have a cheap one at home from years ago that still works fine. Who knows about accuracy but the things people would check around the house aren't critical.

If you want a better meter I would go straight to fluke. I would consider the used option mentioned above if that is more in your price range. The Kleins and Ideals aren't that great.

 

[nanofrog]

I'd suggest taking a look at a Uni-T UT139C (you can find it cheaper on eBay sellers in China).

It will do what you want, has decent input protections, and won't break the bank. If you need to measure current past what it's rated for, use an external clamp.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Much of my testing needs just "yes" or "no" answers. 1% accuracy vs. 30% accuracy is more for curiosity sake. The results that need numbers just need repeatable results. (As in, is L1 voltage the same as L2?) I am much more concerned with housing or padding. It is a near certainty that I will knock the thing off and find concrete below. Cheap is nice because accidental HF exposure will kill it instantly.

I own Fluke but have used weird names from China via Ebay. Very acceptable quality for $40 ish . If you truly need advanced features, the same vendors offer those too.

I vote "just buy one that looks good". Fluke is the Snap On equivalent if you like designer labels.

 

[bmwrd0]

Fluke T5-600. You can get one used on eBay for 60ish.

 

[nadogail]

There are very many low priced options that will meet your stated requirements.

I have a few of the Harbor Freight meters, they meet a lot of my needs and at the price (free) I have given a few to students as gifts.

I am partial to my Wiggys and Amprobes

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Fluke T5-600. You can get one used on eBay for 60ish.

I've got a bunch of Flukes, a couple of 83s, a 1587 with a i1010 current clamp, but the one I use most of the time, now that I'm retired is a T5-1000. Just as handy as an old Wiggy.

 

[homebuilt burner]

Gardner bender not expensive so get 2 then you can forget one on the water heater and still have one in the toolbox.


That’s how I do it. Maybe I should get a third, I’m not sure one is in the toolbox.

 

[MikeF2316]

I have a Fluke 233 as my good meter, and 3 of the HF style, Princess Auto's version goes on sale for $5. I've used the cheapies for automotive and home 120/240 volt AC. They're surprisingly accurate.

I think good leads are more important. It doesn't matter how good your meter is if the leads have high resistance. Good leads spend less time tangled up too.

 

[MikeF2316]

I was given a Blue Point meter to fix today. It just had a blown fuse, and the battery was low. Here is a comparison of the Blue Point, one of my Princess Auto ones and my Fluke 233, all reading the same voltage.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Whats the max voltage you will be testing?

If 480v, i would stay far away from a HF, Walmart, chicom or any other cheap *** meter. Your life DEPENDS on having a quality, properly rated meter with protection...

Not good to offer a cheap *** meter solution when you dont know the voltages he will be measuring. Unless you want to throw your life away...

He said it's for home use, so chances are he's not going to see any 480vac...