Multimeter died - Need a good deal

[LooseChange]

My Radio Shack Multimeter (which I think is GREAT) died.  The Ma test malfunctions.  I'm looking for a good inexpensive replacement.
Got any good deals out there??

Please advise.

[jukelemon]

Define inexpensive  :)

I have used Greenlee ever since I used to do commercial electrical work.  Never a failure-I have owned mine for 15 years now.

[LooseChange]

In expensive: $ 50 - $ 100. Preferably down around $ 50.

[jukelemon]

You can get a Greenlee for that.  I would check them out.

[PRNDL]

Do a Google and Bay search for a fluke 8012a.
It's a high quality bench meter that goes for around $50-60 used.

[LooseChange]

PRNDL,
I never considered a bench model.
If I get the thing used will I have to get it calibrated?
Do you need to calibrate it regularily?

Thanks!

[PRNDL]

I found it on a bay search for "fluke *meter"

It looks like a standard fluke meter in a bench model. I'd assume the calibration is the same as the hand models (unnecessary).

Prices on the bay vary greatly:

$200 calibrated
$100 from a company specializing in used test equipment
$50 from a clearance company
$30 for those missing knobs or not working

A google search shows several listings from companies specializing in used test equipment. They didn't list prices, but may be worth the effort to contact.

Also take a look at the green one at TubesAndMore.com  It's only $50 and looks great.


Specs:

0.5% basic DC accuracy
 capacitance to 20mFD
frequency to 10MHz
10M ohm input resistance

[gainer]

I really like analog meters. There may be more features on some digitals, but an analog meter is IMO the next best thing to a good scope.

[PRNDL]

I'd like to change my recommendation to a Fluke 8600a (or better), which is a bench meter with auto-range (the 8012 doesn't have it).

Bench meters are less desirable than the portables, so the prices are much lower.

[GuitarPilot65]

I've had this one for approximately nine months, and am pleased with it:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=390-545

I also bought alligator clip leads in the same order.

[loogie]

Well, my buddy who is a meter expert says you have three choices in a meter:

1) Fluke
2) Fluke
3) Fluke

He gave me a 12.  There's one on Ebay right now:

110247094201

I love it.  Its perfect for me.  If I forget to switch it back to DCV from resistance and put it across B+ it beeps to warn me.  It may not have every feature you want, but its a great tool.

[LooseChange]

That Fluke 12 is such a simple device!  I like it!
No continuity beeper??

Expensive if buying new!

[jhadhar65]

You guys are killing me... Fluke, schmook.  [smiley=pi_geek.gif]Here's the one you need:



 [smiley=smiley_up.gif]  The Official Multimeter of Rock 'n Roll.   [smiley=pi_hippie.gif]

[Platefire]

I mentioned to my Tech friend about me needing a  new multimeter that I have three dead ones---asking where he got his sears MM. We'll he brought me a multi meter this weekend that he found on special for $3.00 each so he bought about a half dozen. It's called a CEN-TECH. It has ranges to cover my DC(1000V) and AC(750) levels I usually measure on amps. It comes up way short on Ohms resistance at 2,000K. It's 7 function:
1-AC voltage
2-DC Voltage
3-Ohms resistance
4-battery measurement/test
5-Transistor measurement
6-Diode measurement
7-DC Current measurement up to 10 amperes
http://www.tiledepot.us/suntouch-radiant-floor-heating-115/suntouch-heating-accessories-122/cen-tec-7-function-multi-tester-ohm-meter-663.html

I tested it last night on some resistors and seems pretty accurate for such a cheap meter. I had just bought a cheap wal mart meter last week called an Electro-Tek---it has ohm reisistance up to 20M---so I guess I'm covered
with my budget meters to get by on but I will still have my eye out for a good deal on a quality meter. I will carry my $3.00 meter with me in my truck for on the road stuff. Platefire

[Bamadawg]

I can 2nd the Fluke 12 - just received mine today... used from Ebay for $60. Very simple and well-made. Nice big display.

Nate

[labb]

I have a Fluke 11 which I think is the forerunner to the 12. Have had it for years. checks AC, DC (up to 600 volt) diodes, caps. resistance , beeps on continuity check. Only thing it doesn't do that I sometimes wish it did is measure current. I have six industrial electricians that work for me and they all use Flukes some have different models but they all use Flukes.

[Platefire]

Fluke is the main name brand to be had for accurate readings and longevity without a doubt and I will keep watching e-bay for one. Meantime back at the ranch, if your looking for low budget get by one readily available that you can lay your grimmy little fingers on quickly--wal mart sells a "Electro-Tek" that has all the major functions needed and goes up to 20M on resistance measurement for $18.00. It looks cool too and is alarmingly similar to one of the Flukes In attached photo. This could be your second backup "Camping"  meter, Har!  ;DPlatefire

[Greasehorse]

There is a Fluke guide on Ebay in the meter section that lays out all the Flukes and their differences. I would be sure and get something safe at high voltages...the $2 meter might be sorely lacking in this respect as well as the leads might not be good enough for this.

[LooseChange]

Also take a look at the green one at TubesAndMore.com  It's only $50 and looks great.


Specs:

0.5% basic DC accuracy
 capacitance to 20mFD
frequency to 10MHz
10M ohm input resistance

Follow up:  I got the one above.  It is a nice meter with a few features I did not have.  I really like the Maximum level hold feature. Hook this up to the B+ (volts), turn the amp on and get a reading of the peak voltage.  Cool.

The only thing I don't like are the leads. But I switched them with my older unit and all is great.

[PRR]

The Cen-Tech is $3 everywhere. eBay list vendors who will sell you a box of 50.

Modern chip-making has made a basic DMM a commodity item, much like precision wrist-watches and calculators came down to a few bucks 10 or 20 years back.

I just got a very-used Fluke 83. I'm impressed. Also befuddled: the manual is 63 pages and there's stuff in there I do NOT know already. But skimming was useful: the ohms range with the differential mode engaged quickly located a short on a motherboard. New, this is a $300 machine; but eBay lists pre-beaten 83s for $50-$100 and good clean pre-owned ones for $130.

I still like my 20 year old once-$69 Radio Shack. But the Fluke 83 is easier on the old eyes.

Both have "switch troubles". The RS is very hard to get into the Ohms position. The Fluke's Range button needs a serious push. The RS is just cheezy, I've tried and I can't free it up. The Fluke's problem will be much easier to fix: the contact pad has got oily but is very easy to get to for cleaning.

[DummyLoad]

the differential mode engaged quickly located a short on a motherboard.

just curios... shorted tantalum?  ???

[PRNDL]

I really like my Fluke 8600A bench meter.

Most prefer hand units, so bench meters are less expensive.

This place offers a free meter when you order $50, which is about the price of their soldering station.
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307

I highly recommend a temperature controlled iron!

[Twanger]

been using a radio shack one for 2 years, (69$ canadian) works great, the only thing missing is the capacitance test, i bought one at canadian tire for 30$ and it as capacitance, so now i use both, i find it handy to have 2

john

[FUNK]

just today I received my new $8 bench ammeter from RSR electronics via internet, 100 micro-5a range, analog, black, 1/4 page instructions.  works GREAT, a kiss piece of equipment, would recommend it definitly.

[AZJimC]

I surely agree on the Radio Shack stuff, but a while back I bought one there, year or so ago, and it is pretty nice. About 60-70 bucks I think, looks just like a fluke, has transistor tester and all the regular goodies, but what I thought was neat is that it has a serial port, and cable to connect to your PC. Has a small program to read the serial signal, and will record the data in real time and you can then look at what happened while you were away or picking or whatever.

Just a heads up on what is out there.

Regards,
Jim

[tubesornothing]

Yeah those RS meters are cool.  I bought a few to do data logging project as the RS-232 is isolated, and I was measuring big voltage.  If anyone wants the protocol for writing your own software - send me a PM. I can even send some VB if that helps.  If you can believe it, the protocol is based upon the display - not the measured values.  So your custom software has to interpret the little line segments - weird.


ToN

[PRR]

> the protocol is based upon the display - not the measured values.

Everything from volt-in to LED-out is in the one chip. "Measured values" are accessible only as LED drive signals. (I assume they are LCD now... that makes it tougher.)

I don't wanna think how long it has been since I decoded 7-segment to BCD.

[sawdust]

My Fluke 8020B and B&K 2800 both died the same week both were over 20 yrs old. I noticed Loews had an Ideal DMM which I had never heard of. Research shows that Ideal has been in business since 1919 with over 2000 products. I also checked out Fry's and the internet for possible replacements. I found this web site had good info on comparing DMM's; www.testequipmentdepot.com. I ended up buying a NEW 'Ideal 61-322' w/True RMS off of ebay for about half price. It came with a rubberized boot surrounding the meter for shock protection, 2 nice leads, an alligator clip for one lead, and some lead tip protectors. It has all the usual features that a DMM has plus it has a capacitance, frequency, diode/continuity measurement. I started to test my capacitors and found most to be within 10/15 % of value. I did find 2 bad caps; a 75pf measured 200pf and a 270pf was 600pf. I checked some diodes, batteries, AC line voltage. I like this meter and the controls are solid and feel nice when turning. The display also has an analog feature across the top, similar to an analog meter. I also measured a 'one ohm' resitor and it measured .9 to 1.0 ohm (it flickered back and forth). So that seemed very accurate. It certainly is not a Fluke or other higher priced DMM but it seems to be a solid meter. The one I saw at Loews was not a True RMS meter and sold for $60.

[Greasehorse]

just today I received my new $8 bench ammeter from RSR electronics via internet, 100 micro-5a range, analog, black, 1/4 page instructions.  works GREAT, a kiss piece of equipment, would recommend it definitly.

What part number was this...I couldn't find it...

[billcreller]

I bought my last one from Ted Weber. it's a $60 meter.  It works great, and I use it every day.  I have and old Radio Shack type that doesn't read right anymore except for AC volts. I think I'll fasten it to the wall near an outlet ;D

[jjasilli]

Inspired by this thread In just got a Fluke 8000A off eBay.  It's a pretty small portable/bench model with a battery option.  I ran it through some paces and it seems to be fine.  It was only about $32.00. 

Meanwhile an eBay seller gave me a surprise bonus of an old Heathkit Precision Handtester.  It's a real old analog volt-ohm meter in an ancient Bakelite case - about the size of a large stompbox. It reads AC and DC volts to 5000 and DC mA.  I pout in a new C cell battery and it reads ohms too.

[Greasehorse]

Just got a Fluke 179 in a plastic case with leads, long alligator clips, and other accessories for $125 shipped... works like a champ and measures ohms and caps very close to my new 189...