Need Voltmeter

[muskaman67]

Once again, as you may know i just got a job at toyota as a entry level tech. (i feel like i always repeat myself about getting a job at toyota), anyways, i need to pick up a volt meter for my job. Just something to test out batteries and alternators and such. Which one do you think i should pick up? Thanks.

 

[Fedwrench]

The best would probably be a fluke 87 or 88 for automotive use. However, they are real expensive. As an entry level tech at a Toyota (but Toyotas never break), I would recommend this one. I use one daily without any problems and it's fused to 20 amps in case you make a mistake learning how to use it.
http://www.tooltopia.com/electronic-specialties-597.aspx

 

[Joe H]

I have a Fluke 87 and it is what I would recommend. A bit expensive for what you would use it for at first but you'll start using it more and more as you go along and you probably won't need to upgrade for a very long time unless you start doing some advanced work on hybrid cars in which case you will need a high voltage meter.

 

[muskaman67]

The best would probably be a fluke 87 or 88 for automotive use. However, they are real expensive. As an entry level tech at a Toyota (but Toyotas never break), I would recommend this one. I use one daily without any problems and it's fused to 20 amps in case you make a mistake learning how to use it.
http://www.tooltopia.com/electronic-specialties-597.aspx

haha toyotas DO break eventually. Just not the new ones.

 

[AutoTech]

haha toyotas DO break eventually. Just not the new ones.

I recommend the same one Fedwrench does. I'm very happy with mine. Electronic Specialties makes very good meters.

 

[scottg1952]

There isn't any other real name in meters besides Fluke.
Well, Wiggy if you do industrial, but otherwise Fluke is it.

That said, you can go to Horror Freight and get a 4 dollar special to get you by, for a long time. Until you drop it good. hee hehehehehe
yours Scott

 

[wellstig1]

This one will work just fine for most purposes.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03482345000P?keyword=multimeter


Once you want the best for automotive work go with with this.

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

I have both, I keep the little one at home now since I got the fluke. If your on a super tight budget you can always go with this one which is my back-up meter.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90899

 

[tw33k2514]

I would approach it in this order.

1. Look on ebay for a Fluke 87/88
2. buy something from Electronic Specialties (they make great meters)


I personally got my Fluke 88 on ebay for $90. So I think it is worth your time to at least look.

 

[nate379]

Take a trip to Sears and a multimeter in the $20-30 range will do everything you need. I have the same one in the link that was posted and it serves me well.

I have a spendy Fluke meter as well and I very rarely use it. At least with the CMan if I loose it or break it I'm out $20 and not $200-300/.

 

[Danglerb]

This one at HF for $37 is "remarkably" similar to the meter at tooltopia, but I've only seen the cheaper and not as good version in the stores, so special order maybe.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95670

Make sure whatever you get, that you also get a full set of quality leads, clips, and back probes.

 

[caper]

I have a Fluke,an OTC,recently sold a Mac and still usually end up grabbing my $40 Micronta from radio shack over all of them.It has the best leads of all of them.It's never let me down and has more options than the others.

 

[JWink]

I bought a 30 dollar one from lowes I think the brand is Ideal. It has served me well for about a year and a half now with no problems.

 

[Mickey O]

You might consider Innova and Craftsman, I know Innova has a multi-meter that is more geared toward automotive techs, it has a car battery load test, I believe Craftsman has something similar. Both are fairly low cost.

 

[rodm1]

I have a Fluke 87 and it is what I would recommend. A bit expensive for what you would use it for at first but you'll start using it more and more as you go along and you probably won't need to upgrade for a very long time unless you start doing some advanced work on hybrid cars in which case you will need a high voltage meter.

Fluke is made in china if that matters. Not the same quality as before.

 

[ATTappman]

Fluke is made in china if that matters. Not the same quality as before.

Fluke's web page for the 88V has a "Made in the USA" emblem at the bottom.

 

[scotte]

i have a mac em710 i'm pretty happy with

if i had to do it over again i would have bought a harbor freight $30 meter and a used snapon mt2400 vantage.

 

[petty4243]

I have a blue point mt586a (duplicate to the one i use everyday) just the multimeter and basic leads 65 bucks shipped if interested... nothing wrong with it...other than the beeper stopped working on resistance checks(gauge still work perfectly... wire just came off beeper should be an easy fix)

 

[muskaman67]

thanks everyone.

 

[fletch33]

I have an older Fluke 77 III, with box and sealed manuals, actually really nice condition, hardly use it so I am willing to part with it, if you are interested. Let me know