KENNYK1
Member
something for average homeowner, no junk, or pro style, Thanks
voltage meter purchase.
- Thread starter KENNYK1
- Start date
Jim greengo
Well-known member
UEI
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
You want a Digital Multi Meter (DMM). Fluke is over priced for the average home owner. Sis UEI
I like this one from UNI-T UT201e - Amazon $55
Much more functionality than just a volt meter !
I like this one from UNI-T UT201e - Amazon $55
Much more functionality than just a volt meter !You want a Digital Multi Meter (DMM). Fluke is over priced for the average home owner. Sis UEI
I like this one from UNI-T UT201e - Amazon $55
Came here to suggest one of these as well.
Really need to spell out what you are using it for. For 99% of stuff around the house, I have something like this:
It fits in a pocket and the probes don't put holes in your legs. I have a much nicer DMM that spends more time in a drawer.
It fits in a pocket and the probes don't put holes in your legs. I have a much nicer DMM that spends more time in a drawer.
Rusted Nut
Well-known member
I have this Klein I keep in my work truck. Great value.
Klein Tools 600-Volt Digital Multi-Meter, Manual-Ranging MM325 - The Home Depot
Prepare yourself to conquer all your music work projects at ease with the help of this Klein Tools Digital MultiMeter ManualRanging
www.homedepot.com
fsae0607
Well-known member
I YOLO'd it and bought a Fluke 87v Max.
The Klein one above is great for your purpose.
The Klein one above is great for your purpose.
I have the same meter.I have this Klein I keep in my work truck. Great value.
Klein Tools 600-Volt Digital Multi-Meter, Manual-Ranging MM325 - The Home Depot
Prepare yourself to conquer all your music work projects at ease with the help of this Klein Tools Digital MultiMeter ManualRangingwww.homedepot.com
Only gripe is the magnet hanger is $$, but for homeowner use its perfect.
I also scored some crazy deal on an off brand clamp meter that was posted about here a few years ago. Again crappy leads but I only use the clamp meter.
This is also nice depending on how comfortable you are with electrical and if you’re mostly just looking at receptacles at home
Link is not long enough. Need more.
I would spend the extra $10 for the auto-ranging version but I trust Klein to put out a reasonably safe meter.I have this Klein I keep in my work truck. Great value.
Klein Tools 600-Volt Digital Multi-Meter, Manual-Ranging MM325 - The Home Depot
Prepare yourself to conquer all your music work projects at ease with the help of this Klein Tools Digital MultiMeter ManualRangingwww.homedepot.com
Klein Tools 600V AC/DC Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter, Drop Resistant, Temperature Measurement MM400 - The Home Depot
Prepare yourself to conquer all your music work projects at ease with the help of this Klein Tools AutoRanging Digital Multimeter.
www.homedepot.com
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Depending on the job and the budget. Just ergonomics alone, I really like the Fluke T6.
You can probably find it cheaper. Felt like I bought mine for like $80.
In use, you often hold the probes in each hand, then where is the meter. I'd be willing to bet there are cheaper knock offs.
30-30remchester
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2011
- Messages
- 250
The problem with the first models suggested is they are AC only. The Kleins suggested are both AC and DC plus numerous other valuable features. But then they only test DC amperage and no capacitance tester. There really don't have an all-around, one that does everything model that is affordable. However, if you both the Klien, I like auto ranging also, and a meter that could test AC-DC amperage you would have most all you would need.
The first two meters have both AC & DC voltage measuring capability. The Klein units are okay but are honestly overpriced for what they are (just rebranded UEIs).
I'd honestly stick with the Fluke 15B+. Can obtain from a US retailer for around $100 and less if you'll buy a gray market version.
The biggest thing with meters is not really what they do when things are functioning as expected but rather the design in terms of safety when something goes wrong.
The Fluke 107 is also a good option. 600V vs 1000V of the 15B+ but that shouldn't really be a factor. In my opinion, for around the house you want AC/DC voltage and current, resistance, and capacitance. The other features are nice to haves. Look at the options presented and how they compare in those 4 categories and go from there.
FWIW I have a Fluke 87v.
FWIW I have a Fluke 87v.
Buckaroo5
Well-known member
Interested - description says it has a scale of 2 amps and resolution to 1 milliamp. Does that mean it can measure to 1 milliamp? I am looking for a clamp ammeter that can accurately measure to 50 milliamp for automotive parasitic drain testing and not been able to find one reasonably priced. Seems too good to be true.You want a Digital Multi Meter (DMM). Fluke is over priced for the average home owner. Sis UEI
I like this one from UNI-T UT201e - Amazon $55
seber
Well-known member
You won't get tiny current readings with an amp clamp. You will need a meter with milliamp scale for that.
toolenthusiast
Well-known member
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- Jan 21, 2017
- Messages
- 723
I’ve been eyeing that one myself. I first saw it on the Usagi Electric youtube channel. That guy is scary smart and the UT210e seems to be his go-to meter when he’s working on PDP-11s and even weird old vacuum tube computers
richfinn
Well-known member
Yep, it works very good for parasitic drains. Better resolution than all the Fluke 300 series.
Good up to 100A
Just a little tip, you need to select 2 amp scale then push a button to switch from AC to DC, then importantly another to zero the meter just before you hook it around the cable in that orientation for the best results.
If you zero it on the bench and walk to the car it will drift, you want it at zero right next to the cable before you hook it.
For the money it's a great little meter
For a more conventional multimeter I like the older Fluke 112, it's got everything you need in a small high quality package (made in USA) you might find old stock or try eBay they are reliable and cheap enough used.
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richfinn
Well-known member
You will with this UNI-T, I use it daily checking for battery drains down to 10-50mA, (it is susceptible to drift in some situations)
But 9 times out of 10 I don't need to hook up an ammeter in series and the little clamp is accurate enough.
This is the one I recommend for parasitic drain testing. Compared to a Snap-on and a laboratory grade Fluke it's pretty good.
For parasitic draw this is about as close as your going to get without breaking into the circuit.
www.aeswave.com
Anything that does everything rarely does everything well. Dedicated tools for diagnostic purposes.
I keep a couple kaiweets clamp meters for household purposes and basic tests. I have a fluke 87 for when I get more involved into a diag.
Limited-time deal: KAIWEETS Digital Clamp Meter Multimeter with D-Shaped Jaw for AC/DC Current & Voltage, Auto-ranging 4000 Counts Voltage Tester with Flashlight Backlight, Measuring Temperature Continuity Diode NCV https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVXCFMLY?tag=atomicindus08-20
Current Probe, Low range, with Banana Plugs
Low current probe for use with scopes, graphing meters and multimeters.
www.aeswave.com
Anything that does everything rarely does everything well. Dedicated tools for diagnostic purposes.
I keep a couple kaiweets clamp meters for household purposes and basic tests. I have a fluke 87 for when I get more involved into a diag.
Limited-time deal: KAIWEETS Digital Clamp Meter Multimeter with D-Shaped Jaw for AC/DC Current & Voltage, Auto-ranging 4000 Counts Voltage Tester with Flashlight Backlight, Measuring Temperature Continuity Diode NCV https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVXCFMLY?tag=atomicindus08-20
Jim greengo
Well-known member
My uei is ac/dc
richfinn
Well-known member
I've got one of those too (with my Pico scope)For parasitic draw this is about as close as your going to get without breaking into the circuit.
Current Probe, Low range, with Banana Plugs
Low current probe for use with scopes, graphing meters and multimeters.
Anything that does everything rarely does everything well. Dedicated tools for diagnostic purposes.
I keep a couple kaiweets clamp meters for household purposes and basic tests. I have a fluke 87 for when I get more involved into a diag.
Limited-time deal: KAIWEETS Digital Clamp Meter Multimeter with D-Shaped Jaw for AC/DC Current & Voltage, Auto-ranging 4000 Counts Voltage Tester with Flashlight Backlight, Measuring Temperature Continuity Diode NCV https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVXCFMLY?tag=atomicindus08-20
However the hole is too small for parasitic drains around a battery cable (without disconnecting and adding a jumper cable)
The UNI-T is a good tool for quick accurate drain tests and it's $40
30-30remchester
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2011
- Messages
- 250
I stand corrected when referring to UNI-T voltmeter not being DC amperage capable. Had to see a blown-up photo and better reading glasses. But that aside, I have never seen both AC and DC symbols, one stack upon the other. All my meters and meters I have used have separate categories for each.
Buckaroo5
Well-known member
I have checked out that Electronic Specialties meter before and came to the same conclusion that the clamp would not fit around a typical battery cable. I guess the aperture of the clamp needs to be small to get the resolution needed for parasitic draw testing? I have used my Fluke 88 with a Lisle Parasitic Drain #64970 testing harness in the past but you do have to break into the circuit.
Would love an easy clamp meter that was sufficiently sensitive and did not break the bank
Would love an easy clamp meter that was sufficiently sensitive and did not break the bank
I would look at the Extech unit. I picked one up on eBay a few years back at a pretty significant discount.
Extech 380942. There is one on eBay right now for around $175.
nadogail
Well-known member
What an Open Ended Subject, the digital testers that Harbor Freight gave away were pretty good for the price.
Hopefully one will get what they pay for, more features and convenience come at a cost.
Hopefully one will get what they pay for, more features and convenience come at a cost.
the hf Ames brand meters are not bad. Me personally I have the old craftsman’s rebrand of extech EX470 and EX520 does every thing i needed. They don’t have a meter that really covers everything. You’ll have to decide what your needs are and your price range.
Me? Other than the basic resistance volt , capacitances. I like the pwm frequency measurements for sensors, temp is nice. I don’t care too much about clamp meters.
Me? Other than the basic resistance volt , capacitances. I like the pwm frequency measurements for sensors, temp is nice. I don’t care too much about clamp meters.
Buckaroo5
Well-known member
How large is the inside diameter of the clamp when closed? I see Amazon has it for $362 which is low price for a new one. The Ebay one for $175 is open box and the seller has no history so would not do that. I will keep an eye out. Thanks.
Let me see if I can get some measurements on it. When I've used it to measure the current on the negative terminal it fit well.
The other clamp meter I've had good success with is the Amprobe LH41A (this is the one Honda recommends for parasitic draw tests).
Buckaroo5
Well-known member
Thanks - It looks like it has a 3/4 clamp opening but unfortunately, at $600, beyond my price range.
whateg01
Well-known member
Auto range doesn't make it more or less safe.I would spend the extra $10 for the auto-ranging version but I trust Klein to put out a reasonably safe meter.UEI(edit, meant to write UNI-T) meters are all over the place depending on which model and what iteration of said model you're looking at.
Klein Tools 600V AC/DC Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter, Drop Resistant, Temperature Measurement MM400 - The Home Depot
Prepare yourself to conquer all your music work projects at ease with the help of this Klein Tools AutoRanging Digital Multimeter.www.homedepot.com
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Youtuber EEVblog has a recent 'multimeter beginners guide'; he also includes a link to other multimeter reviews.
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richfinn
Well-known member
I did a little experiment for you guys, UNI-T clamp vs a Fluke 112 connected in series
The battery I used was an old very dead one I replaced recently and the OTC test light gave a very dim glow
You can't say fairer than that for 40 quid can you?? and it has NCV detection (It works OK on British 240 v A/C)
The battery I used was an old very dead one I replaced recently and the OTC test light gave a very dim glow
You can't say fairer than that for 40 quid can you?? and it has NCV detection (It works OK on British 240 v A/C)
bwringer
Well-known member
For electrical pokery on vehicles, there is nothing on this earth more useful than a DC amp clamp. Glad to see them finally getting some recognition and respect!
A bit expensive and harder to find, but worth every penny and then some.
A bit expensive and harder to find, but worth every penny and then some.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I have a Fluke 75. I bought it at a secondhand store for $16. I have had it for over 30 years. I did have to buy a "bridge" from Fluke because, my Fluke was cracked. There was no charge.
A few years ago, I bought a new OTC meter with a few functions I needed and the older Fluke does not have. I do not remember any information on the other OTC
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