Which multimeter?

[drabe7]

In the fall I will be attending college for diesel technology. For this program I need mutltimeter that will test duty cycle. This limits what I can get. Ive been looking at the OTC 3980 700 series. I dont wanna break the bank so Fluke is out of the question. Any one got any other suggestions.

OTC http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/OTC0/3980/N1001.oap?ck=Search_N1001_-1_-1&pt=N1001

 

[Vyse]

I have a Snap-On, but I probably would've been better off to buy the OTC or another Extech. I had a Craftsman Professional that was a re-badged Extech. I loved it, but I had no min/max hold. Cornwell looks like they have re-badged Extech meters now, so I would give them a serious look.

 

[JJThrasher]

I use a PDI meter for automotive work. Idk if it'll do what you need, but it does a lot.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Fedwrench]

Actually PDI just came out with a new style Automotive DMM.

http://www.aeswave.com/DM-930-Automotive-Digital-Multimeter-p9159.html

PDI offers a student discount plan so, you might want to see if your school is a part of that plan. Although Fluke is beloved by many, there are other options. Electronic Specialties (ESI) also has a few worth consideration.

 

[smalltruck]

If fluke is out then look at Electronics specialties or Extech. Cornwell is rebadged ESI and they are a good meter. Mac is Extech

 

[firebox40dash5]

Got an older version of that OTC at work. About the only thing I can think of to ***** about is the backlight only stays on a few seconds at a time... so I think that's doing pretty good.

Check Amazon's prices on it as well, pretty sure they sell that model.

 

[zkling]

What is your budget? Accuracy requirements? Other features besides duty cycle, like cap?

 

[Lotek]

Find a used Fluke, mine is over 25 years old and going strong, kid in the shop bought a used one a couple of months ago for something like a hundred bucks, changed the fuses and leads, and he was good to go.

 

[drabe7]

What is your budget? Accuracy requirements? Other features besides duty cycle, like cap?

I'd like to keep it around $150. Not afriad to spend a few bucks for a quality tool. The only thing they really require is it run duty cycle

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Look at ESI, especially the 597. Great meter you can get for about $130 on the internet if you look around.

Also, TPI (Test products International) has made some of the Snap On meters . The TPI 183a is a great meter and rebadged and sold by snap on.

Make sure that the meter you get has backlight also.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Actually PDI just came out with a new style Automotive DMM.

http://www.aeswave.com/DM-930-Automotive-Digital-Multimeter-p9159.html

PDI offers a student discount plan so, you might want to see if your school is a part of that plan. Although Fluke is beloved by many, there are other options. Electronic Specialties (ESI) also has a few worth consideration.

That is just a rebadged ESI meter.
Quite a few companies put their name on ESI meters; they are very good for the $s...

 

[Danglerb]

Unless you drop your instruments a lot, I like my Craftsman 82369 for around $60 with a DC clamp that is real handy on cars.

 

[smogtech]

I picked up a used macEm710 of ebay for about $80. will do pretty much everything you need. duty cycle and min/max

 

[torqueman2002]

Used Fluke 87 on eBay for 125.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-87-mu...923?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43bcc99f2b

GM's dealer required tool

Min/Max @ 0.001 sec sample rate. Needed to capture transient drop-out/spikes. Cheapest alternative to a Digital Storage Oscilloscope.

User manual here, 3rd listing, page 29 for duty cycle.
http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/support/manuals/default.htm?ProductID=56135

 

[diesel research]

Unless you drop your instruments a lot, I like my Craftsman 82369 for around $60 with a DC clamp that is real handy on cars.

its diesel, you WILL drop it off tires, frame rails, and other odd shaped objects.

 

[crewchief888]

its diesel, you WILL drop it off tires, frame rails, and other odd shaped objects.

sure enough will.

every pawn shop in the area here has used flukes, in your price range
even more on Ebay.


all the heavy eq OEM's (dealerships) that i've worked on, always used fluke meters in training & school.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You don't need to spend anywhere near that kind of money ! Get a Craftsman 82141, less than $20 online. It is in a rubber case so it might last a little longer from being dropped.

Spend your money on some good leads/adapters. Pomona (owned by Fluke) makes the best, but they are not cheap. Actually you will probably spend more on leads and adapters than on the meter.

In the future you will probably buy a clamp on ammeter.

 

[crewchief888]

In the fall I will be attending college for diesel technology.

why not wait till school starts and see what they use or recommend?

 

[zkling]

Just buy a used 87, any series and just be done with it. You plan on making your living this way, it is worth good tools. You can easily find a nice 87 on ebay between $100-$200 depending on series and accessories. Much better than that OTC or the like. A fluke meter is a lifetime investment tool.

A lot of the cheaper meter don't have duty cycle, like that craftsman linked above. If someone only has $50 to spend, yea a craftsman/extech is great for the price, but you are a budding professional. Additionally the 87 is very accurate and well known.