test light or multimeter

[indestro]

just wondering if the majority of you prefer the multimeter over the old standby

 

[tw33k2514]

Well, if I could only have one it would be the DVOM. But really I use both.

 

[mech.reclined]

You can never have enough test equipment.You need to use a multi-meter when there is no power on a circut,or how much voltage is actually getting to a component.Some circuts you don't want 12 volts anywhere near,other times you need to place your test light in the circut to act as a load.

Dvoms,Power Probes,12 and 24 volt test lights,fuse-buddys,noid lights,and signal generators-just part of the stuff to hunt down and kill electrical gremlins!

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

You can never have enough test equipment.You need to use a multi-meter when there is no power on a circut,or how much voltage is actually getting to a component.Some circuts you don't want 12 volts anywhere near,other times you need to place your test light in the circut to act as a load.

Dvoms,Power Probes,12 and 24 volt test lights,fuse-buddys,noid lights,and signal generators-just part of the stuff to hunt down and kill electrical gremlins!

Agreed....................

On some circuits using a test light is bad, because the test light will act as load...
The proper way to parasitic drain is to use DVOM on the DC amp scale...
not a test light.....

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I can't see not having both...

 

[JSBriggs]

I use my DVOM set to beep to check continunity. I also prefer using two probes rather than the probe and clamp of a light.

-Jeff

 

[scott37300]

If you can only have one I would pick a multi meter but depending on what your looking to do you really need both. I have a nice fluke I use for measuring voltage and resistance and finding shorts and other things. I also have the "probe" I bought when I was big into car audio. It plugs into your cig lighter or has battery clamps and then the probe part can poke a wire and it will tell you if the wire is positive OR negative. The negative part is really nice when doing remote starters and alarms. I also have an old school test light from mac that has a ground clamp and a sharp probe. These are nice for quick tests but I usually grab the prob because it plugs right into the cig lighter and will tell me if the wire is pos or ground.

 

[Fedwrench]

The wrong test light on the wrong circuit on a modern car can cause a lot of damage. LED test lights are safer. There's not substitute for a quality DVOM and flexprobes.

 

[demonspeed]

Yeah they really do two totally different jobs. thats kind of like asking "which do you prefer...a wrench or a screwdriver?" (maybe not quite that different but you get the idea). Both are useful in certain situations

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Yeah they really do two totally different jobs. thats kind of like asking "which do you prefer...a wrench or a screwdriver?" (maybe not quite that different but you get the idea). Both are useful in certain situations

agreed.....

 

[speed bump]

I don't think I have ever needed a test light and I can't think of any reason why I would choose one over a DVOM.

 

[srmofo]

I don't think I have ever needed a test light and I can't think of any reason why I would choose one over a DVOM.

Simplicities sake. I mean I dont need to really pull out the DVOM and the accompany rats nest of wires to see if a tail light socket is getting power. Hoenstly though I dont pull out the test light much anymore,

 

[garfunkle24]

I'd rather have a multimeter if only one. Yeah, you can use a test light for trailer plugs and stuff, but why not just get used to reaching for the DVOM every time? Once you get used to it, it's second nature and you NEVER have to worry about frying a microcircuit.

Also, for those using their DVOM to check for continuity: You'd be much better off doing a voltage drop test in most cases, unless just figuring out terminals etc.

 

[35mastr]

I like to use both. Have many test lights and about 4 DVOM's