Author Topic: Voltmeter recommendations please (Read 3497 times)

tonyf7 · « **on:** February 18, 2018, 04:19:04 PM »

So I've been using a crappy cheap multimeter I bought off ebay a long time ago for around 15 bucks (shameful, I know). I mainly use it to check for continuity, AC & DC voltage and ohms. It's finally starting to crap out on me after more than 3 years. Looking to spend a little more on something of higher quality.

Any recommendations for what I should get?

tonyf7 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2018, 04:31:36 PM »

Anyone ever use this Fluke meter? Looks pretty basic but might do the trick.

olyteddy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2018, 05:10:55 PM »

I've got one of these Klein's. I repair and refurbish a lot of different appliances and HVAC so the Amp Clamp (AC & DC), Temperature, and Capacitor ranges get a workout.

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/clamp-meters/digital-clamp-meter-acdc-auto-ranging

Around $120.

tonyf7 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2018, 05:15:17 PM »

Quote from: olyteddy on February 18, 2018, 05:10:55 PM

I've got one of these Klein's. I repair and refurbish a lot of different appliances and HVAC so the Amp Clamp (AC & DC), Temperature, and Capacitor ranges get a workout.

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/clamp-meters/digital-clamp-meter-acdc-auto-ranging

Around $120.

That one looks pretty damn handy. I like the amp clam and how compact it seems.

dab147315 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2018, 05:32:55 PM »

Fluke 117

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k9nVg03Wi4

dab147315 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2018, 06:47:22 PM »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFhG7l1YmBI

baldwinappliance · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2018, 11:42:26 PM »

Quote from: olyteddy on February 18, 2018, 05:10:55 PM

I've got one of these Klein's. I repair and refurbish a lot of different appliances and HVAC so the Amp Clamp (AC & DC), Temperature, and Capacitor ranges get a workout.

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/clamp-meters/digital-clamp-meter-acdc-auto-ranging

Around $120.

Ive used that same meter and usually only get a year or so out of it before the dial goes out. Anyone else had similar experiences? But I do use it a ton and love the features for the price. I actually get them for about $75 at our parts store.

dab147315 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2018, 10:47:46 AM »

Quote from: tonyf7 on February 18, 2018, 04:19:04 PM

So I've been using a crappy cheap multimeter I bought off ebay a long time ago for around 15 bucks (shameful, I know). I mainly use it to check for continuity, AC & DC voltage and ohms. It's finally starting to crap out on me after more than 3 years. Looking to spend a little more on something of higher quality.

Any recommendations for what I should get?

What meter did you get?

dewitt8884 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2018, 06:52:34 PM »

i won't buy a meter that costs more than $50. So, I found a perfect one. Southwire clamp meter for $40 at Lowe's. Does everything you need for appliance repair.

dab147315 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2018, 10:00:27 AM »

olyteddy meter and the Fluke 117 meter has a LoZ function that you can use to see if that voltage you are reading can do actual work by putting a load on the circuit.Very good feature in a meter.
More here. LoZ stands for Low Imped- ance (Z). This feature presents a low impedance input to
the circuit under test. This reduces the possibility of
false readings due to ghost voltages and improves accuracy when testing to determine absence or presence of voltage.

jeff5may · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2020, 11:09:43 AM »

I love my Fluke gear. Like most manufacturers who have been around forever, they've relaxed their lifetime warranty a bit, and the newer equipment is not as super durable as the older stuff. For quickie checks, I had a fluke 12 that just worked. Forever. Dropped off rooftops, submerged, frozen, beaten weekly. Works the same every time, all the time.

Recently, one of the battery terminals has begun to lose its spring, so it's been retired to the garage for hobby use. I tried a southwire meter from the box store and I'm mixed up about it. It does the basic readings well, and has a non-contact sensor built-in, and seems to be accurate. Has a self resetting fuse for current measurements.That's about it for the pros. The single thing I hate the most about it is that it's brown. The thing has hidden in plain sight more times than I care to remember, and I haven't owned it for very long! It's now attached to a yellow and red amp clamp for life, and never gets lost.

After using (and losing) the southwire for a month or so, I bought a couple of Fluke 117 meters. One for me and the truck, one for my son and his electric guitar fetish. The 117 is not the best in the line, but I feel spoiled with it compared to the southwire. Just being able to use hooks and needles and alligator probe ends that slip on and stay put makes it worth so much. The max/min and hold functions, the beep you can hear from 10 feet away, and the backlight that stays on until you turn it off are added bonuses.

Pnwdad1981 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 27, 2020, 01:40:06 PM »

We use fieldpiece SC640. This will do everything appliance and general electrician. A little costly but I have a Klein from the depot and the lag for voltage and resistance readings gives me a headache. They work but so slow. And if your working on anything that requires temps the sc640 uses k type probes as well.

vunger1 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2022, 10:12:50 AM »

I second the klein cl-800, i have to have an amp clamp and i prefer the lo-z function on my amp clamp meter. Fluke didnt offer this when I bought my last klein.
I also like the amp clamp/amp function is for both ac/dc amp draws. The dc amp feature is particularly useful on automotive.

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