Use for free HF meters

[Coach James]

I've been using the HF ###25 meters with my physics students for several years for DC circuit labs. The exact same meter, except in black, from our state contract vendors cost $35. I can't waste the taxpayers money that way so I use the HF meters. Results match pretty well with our analog volt and amp meters.

Coach

 

[cuengineer]

I have 8-10 that I keep in various tool bags, tool boxes or in the junk drawer in the house so I have one convenient for use. I use them frequently ranging from checking for blown fuses, to checking that I have proper voltage in a circuit, checking switches, etc. They do fine for this and I don't have to pull out my fancy multimeter that weighs a LOT more. The only one that has ever failed was one where the wire pulled out of the end connector, i.e., the wire broke. This may have been my fault by accidentally pulling on it too hard since they are small wires. Well worth the money -- FREE. But they have been worth much by helping trouble shoot various electrical gremlins. Plus they are convenient and easy to read and use. Highly recommended to have around.

 

[uart]

Imagine if instead of the multimeters that they (HF) were giving away free 4" shifters (adjustable wrenches). Now imagine that someone busted up their knuckles and mashed up the bolts while trying to tension the head in their truck with one of these 4" shifters and a 2 foot pipe/cheater. So what, is everyone going to blame these free shifters? Or they going top blame the idiot wielding it?

You know the answer, and I don't see why it's any different for these multimeters. They have their uses and they have their place, and used within their limitations they work fine. I wouldn't recommend them around high voltages, purely because the leads are so flimsy, but I can assure you that you can still blow yourself up around high voltage, no matter what quality equipment you have, if you don't know what you're doing.

I do a lot of electrical work and have various good quality meters and oscilloscopes, but I also have one of those little "830" meters, and it's usable if you know what you're doing. Mine is mostly just kept in the car for "emergencies", but occasionally it will be the only meter I have on hand and I'll have to use it on something "serious".

There are good reasons however why a serious tech wouldn't use one of these as their "go to" meter. As I said these are usable, but they generally require a bit more work (or "sanity tests") on the part of the user in order to ensure reliable results. Sanity tests involve things like testing a known voltage (to make sure meter is giving reliable results) prior to measuring an unknown. Another good sanity test is to compare results across two or more ranges, to make sure they're consistent. For example a 1k resistor may measure 993 ohms on the 2k range, and 0.99k on the 20k range, which would demonstrate good consistency.

Sometimes with these cheap meters you may need to wiggle the plugs, or switch the rotary dial back and forth across ranges a few times, to make sure everything is making good contact before those "sanity tests" are passed. All of the very cheap meters that I've ever used have required more of these type of consistency checks in order to ensure reliable results compared to quality instruments. So they're generally more effort to use, but if you know what you're doing then they are usable.

 

[creativecars]

I used these meters to teach my daughter how to test AA batteries at 7. Then used the info for her science fair project.

BTW the red alkaline "Thunderbolt" batteries from Harbor Freight lasted just as long as Duracell and Eveready, at half the price…

 

[Danglerb]

+1 on the sanity test, leads are poor, so anything that measured 0v would have me testing the meter works on a known voltage.

Bottom line for me, I plan to pick up a few more free meters.

 

[kiatech]

Couldn't pay me to use one. I dare someone to go put one of these across few 480v phases.

 

[Harrison2]

picked one up the other day free with coupon, stashed it at my gfs for when her friend comes over that has a faulty electric car window. everyone's a winner

 

[Outlawmws]

Couldn't pay me to use one. I dare someone to go put one of these across few 480v phases.

Didn't read much of the thread, did you?

 

[uart]

Couldn't pay me to use one. I dare someone to go put one of these across few 480v phases.

They certainly wouldn't be my first choice for use on 480V ac. I've used mine on 250V ac without any problems though. Even on 250V I'm a lot more cautious than I'd be with a quality meter, as much due to the flimsy leads as any other reason. For example I'd be more careful to hold only the hard plastic part of the probe, and careful with the pressure on the probes and strain on the cable etc. Like I said before, they're usable if you know what you're doing, but generally more effort and caution required compared with a quality instrument.

Anyway, just because you wouldn't want to use it on 480 VAC doesn't make it unsuitable for any purpose. You wouldn't use a 4" adjustable wrench to tension a head, but it doesn't mean it has no use at all.

+1 on the sanity test, leads are poor, so anything that measured 0v would have me testing the meter works on a known voltage.

Yeah, these things are in there element when used for low to medium level voltage measurements. That's where I find them the most reliable.

Resistance measurements are where I find them the least reliable, though still usable if you're careful. Cheap meters are often quite sensitive to exactly how well the little contacts in the rotary dial make connection. If you haven't used the meter for a while you can easily switch it over to ohms and get a dodgy reading. Do a sanity test with short cct leads, and then check consistency across ranges and you'll soon know if you're getting good results. I sometimes need to spin the rotary dial back and forth a few times before I get reliable resistance readings.

For the people who say that these things are no good for resistance I just checked mine with two fixed resistors, 4.7 ohms and 100k.

The 4.7 ohm resistor measured 6.9 ohms, and with the leads short cct it measured 2.3 ohms. The result of 6.9 - 2.3 = 4.6 ohms is within spec for the resistor, though I admit that low resistance values are problematic for a cheap meter like this (accurate measurement of low resistance values requires specialist instruments anyway).

The 100k resistor measured 99.8k on the 200k range and 100k on the 2000k range. So really good consistency there. For interest I also measure the resistance with my fingers touching the leads and got about 70k, so perhaps some classic noob mistakes like this (fingers on leads for high R values and not subtracting the short cct resistance for low R) are the reason that some people say they don't work for resistance.

 

[upndown]

I too grabbed bunches of them, use it often thru out the week from checking the receptacle to low voltage connections etc. It fits nicely in my tool pouch, last week I got careless and knocked it off my step ladder..bounced a few times then hit the floor. No biggie had a spare in the truck. Picked it up and to my surprise it worked just fine!

Now unless they change openers to 480v, I should be fine..Thanks HF

 

[djb2]

Couldn't pay me to use one. I dare someone to go put one of these across few 480v phases.

I've done that, on a transformer feeding an irrigation pump.
I was very cautious.

I would much rather have had one of my CAT-III rated meters. But this was what I had with me.

The meter worked fine, and confirmed that one phase was wonky.

I would guess that over 99% of multimeter users never have a need to measure even 240V.

 

[R.Anderson]

Couldn't pay me to use one. I dare someone to go put one of these across few 480v phases.

How much would you pay me?



Alot of hate and a lot of love for these meters here.

For free hell ya I check the meter and calibrate if needed before I use them. Like several people here said they work well for reading several voltages at once 3 meters free or 3 meters for 90 bucks on up. Just use common sense when using them.

 

[gte718p]

Did you know that a snap on wrench will cause a battery to explode?


Lay that sucker across the terminals and see what happens.

As with any tool, use it improperly and your most likely not going to like the results.

I did electric vehicle work in college. Actually I still do, but not professionally. I dropped a craftsman raised panel into a battery box and it crossed two terminals. Ended up running 300v dc and probably 1000 amps through it. Craftsman wrench ceased to exist in a bright green flash. (It vaporized some copper wire while it was at it). Turns out craftsman will not warranty a wrench when the the center section is vaporized. Something about abuse.

I'll make sure to tell people that they need to don an explosive ordinance disposal suit before probing their dead motorcycle battery with a HF meter.

Good gravy, they're already scared half shitless of anything with wires...

Actually when we verify 4160v power panels are dead it looks like you are dressed up to defuse a bomb. It is a heavy rubber suit, helmet, wrap around face shield, and a huge plastic rod with the leads on the end. High power systems are no joke.

All electricity should be treated with respect, but not feared.

 

[sloppy]

I cant believe anyone is arguing about the value of a free meter that you can store in a car, a bug out kit, a road tool box.

They work fine for a quick simple test and its allot better then a test light..

If your working on higher voltages with it something was gonna kill you sooner then later anyway..

 

[Danglerb]

Original point of the thread, is that for almost nothing you can put together a nice test bench measuring input current and voltage on a typical low power circuit, voltages and currents within the circuit, and output voltage and current. For a lot of experimental work this is real handy.

Leads that come with the meters can be total junk, but decent ones are $3 or $4 shipped on ebay. All the good ones seem to look about the same, these are CAT III 1000v and claimed 20A, so we know they are good. (not, but decent I think).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Pair-1000...Test-HYSG-Lead-Wire-Probe-102cm-/310807471899

 

[R.Anderson]

I did electric vehicle work in college. Actually I still do, but not professionally. I dropped a craftsman raised panel into a battery box and it crossed two terminals. Ended up running 300v dc and probably 1000 amps through it. Craftsman wrench ceased to exist in a bright green flash. (It vaporized some copper wire while it was at it). Turns out craftsman will not warranty a wrench when the the center section is vaporized. Something about abuse.



Actually when we verify 4160v power panels are dead it looks like you are dressed up to defuse a bomb. It is a heavy rubber suit, helmet, wrap around face shield, and a huge plastic rod with the leads on the end. High power systems are no joke.

All electricity should be treated with respect, but not feared.

You use HF meters then Right?

Do you rack in/out the breaker as well or does another crew?

 

[southalabama]

Used the free HF multi-meter with good results.

Yesterday half the power was out in the house. Checked all the breakers I the house and found one leg not working. I also learned about backflow. When I turned on the dryer the power was restored. Well you can't run the dryer all day. Power came out and ended up changing the meter. One of those electronic meters. They thought the meter was bad, replaced it. Power working

Tonight went to grab a coke in fridge and light was dim. Wifey said stove not working good.

Grab hf meter. Check got 120 on one leg 60 on another. By time power company gets here I've got 120 and 110. The checked with a greenlee meter. Got same reading. The checked all joints to transformer.

They found a place it was rubbing on a tree.

I was so happy to have figured out what was happening with power. Dad has an older fluke and is retired Att. He usually does all my electrical work but I was so happy to be able to use a meter.

Now that I've actually used the meter I'll be looking for a better meter. I will also add a few more hf meters to my various tool boxes.

This is the second time in a month the meter has diagnosed the problem. The other was a bad solenoid on the mower. Dad came over without bringing tools. He asked if I had a meter. I broke out the hf one. He was surprised it worked so well.

 

[wildbill23c]

I have a couple of them. Seems like every time I stop over at a friend's house he's always working on something that requires a multi-meter which I seem to never have in the truck until now. I'm not keeping my good meter in the truck, but I'll keep one of these el-cheapo its close enough meters in the truck. I won't feel bad at all if it quits working, or someone steals it. They do work, but sometimes aren't as accurate as the higher end brand name ones are, but better than nothing. If someone needs to borrow a multi-meter these are the ones I loan out, they sure as hell aren't getting my old multi-meter that my great-grandfather bought. I'm sure its probably not that expensive more sentimental value than anything, however its been 30 years and its still working.

PS: I just won a Micronta 22-198U Multi-Meter off ebay for $5, which is the next model up from the one my great-grandfather bought.

 

[monomach]

Couldn't pay me to use one. I dare someone to go put one of these across few 480v phases.

I dare you to go try to kill a charging elephant with a bolt action .22.

Right tool for the right job, fella.

 

[bob from indiana]

I keep one in my tool box at work. When one of our engineers that do not own a meter come out wanting to borrow one guess which one they get.

I will help them out but my nice fluke stays with me. Need a Freq counter or Cap tester? Amazon sells them every day.

 

[gungatim]

I have a dozen of these, and I literally use them all the time. I keep them handy in vehicles, in my desk at work (you'd be surprised how many people need a quick check of something at lunch time), all around the shop, etc. I also give them away to people. They work surprisingly well. Maybe they are not the most accurate, but for checking shorts, voltage, etc. they are super handy.

 

[diggerrick]

I bought a pack of alligator clips for 99 cents and some banana plugs, and made replacement leads. I still use the originals if I need the needle probes though.

 

[ddawg16]

I dare you to go try to kill a charging elephant with a bolt action .22.



Right tool for the right job, fella.

I dare you to kill that charging elephant with a Sig 9mm

It's not so much about the right tool for the right job, but rather the right sized tool for the application.

Your analogy is about par to suggesting that you can remove a head bolt with you SO 1/4" set.

It's real obvious from some of the posts that some people have some serous unqualified/unfounded biases.


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[87FoRunner]

Checking continuity on nasty garbage truck parts.

 

[crerus75]

It's real obvious from some of the posts that some people have some serous unqualified/unfounded biases.

It's just GJ. Every time someone mentions HF, we get a spate of people telling us how HF ***** and only a mental defective would ever use one of their tools. Every time someone mentions Snap On, someone else comes on saying that SO is overpriced and that the dealers driving the trucks are hucksters, have terrible service, etc.

I really don't care much either way. On the one hand, people are entitled to their opinions, and to voice them in public. On the other hand, the amount of vitriol in some of the posts makes me think that some people just enjoy--really ENJOY-- being upset at something.

BTW, to desperately try to keep this on topic, here is a website that independently tested a bunch of inexpensive and some higher-end multimeters. Not the HF one (that I saw), but an interesting data point nonetheless.
Multimeter Review

 

[pedrodagr8]

I agree that these meters have their places. For example, using them to test continuity on disconnected parts, using them to test voltages in automotive environments, etc. Use them on any sort of power equipment, GTFO. You are a ****** fool if you do that. Any mention of these meters should bring that up, 'less someone thinks they ARE suitable for that use. Keeping that in mind, these HF meters are just '830 meters with a different name. You can tell because you see them everywhere. They have similar internals (there are ones worse than the HF ones believe it or not). The biggest drawback is their readout is battery voltage sensitive. As the battery wears down, the voltage readout can drift significantly (up to 20%).

There are dramatically better meters at the $20 price point that I would choose instead of one of these. The UT136 series comes to mind. VERY VERY solid meters for the price. That being said, when they are free they are very temping disposable meters. Like I said, they have their place, just that place is very limited.

 

[Steinmetz]

They're certainly not fancy or pretty, but they're functional and accurate, so you would have fired a guy for using a tool that worked. Good job. Now pay him for that wrongful termination.

There's nothing wrong with having two or three of these in a box. I prefer to have a better one and these as backups, but I've seen a couple of guys get by with just these until they were in a position to buy something better.

Agree. Even the unemployment insurance assessment should give him pause. I suspect this guy has never employed (or even supervised) anyone in his life.

 

[Engine]

So far, the general consensus is that the meters are best used in any application, except the ones where safety, reliability, durability, and accuracy are important. I must lack imagination since I can't think of any uses where at least one of those would be necessary.

 

[Outlawmws]

So far, the general consensus is that the meters are best used in any application, except the ones where safety, reliability, durability, and accuracy are important. I must lack imagination since I can't think of any uses where at least one of those would be necessary.

Seriously? When was the last time any of those were a factor for the average homeowner, or even mechanic working on a vehicle?

We are talking 12vdc. safety is not an issue

Accuracy? Within what; three decimal places? or +_ 1 volt?
Reliability? it works, so its reliable,
Durability? Same as reliability.

What was your point?

 

[Loscaldazar]

Seriously? When was the last time any of those were a factor for the average homeowner, or even mechanic working on a vehicle?

We are talking 12vdc. safety is not an issue

Accuracy? Within what; three decimal places? or +_ 1 volt?
Reliability? it works, so its reliable,
Durability? Same as reliability.

What was your point?

+1

The free meters can tell me if the car battery is dead or not, whether the alternator is charging the battery or not, and great for testing continuity. Also works to test smaller replaceable batteries for gadgets and toys. Don't need a $100 Fluke to test AA batteries.

I don't need much else and certainly don't have any motivation to get a nicer one until I need it. I got several of them for free fully expecting them to die within a week or two, and it has been over a year. For the price of free, it has helped me through several diagnosis: failed alternator on sister's VW, several dead batteries on various cars, sound system installs in my car and several friends, and also helping wire other random electrical items into cars, not to mention quickly checking replaceable batteries for other things too.

It would be a different story if I was working on high voltage equipment (probably wouldn't even trust them on 120 volts), or in another application where extreme accuracy and precision is required. For 12 volts on a car, you're cracked if you think you need to spend a lot on a multimeter.

 

[908Jim]

I wouldn't use this as a primary meter but I frequently use mine for checking batteries and 12v stuff in "does it have power or not?" Situations. The continuity feature, in my experience, is useless but low DC voltage works well.

I'd never buy one, nor would I decline a free one.

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