Author Topic: Multimeter  (Read 5931 times)

Offline rollo

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Multimeter
« on: December 18, 2019, 08:20:43 AM »
  Can someone recommend a good meter ? Just need it to bias tubes and general home use. Thanks.


charles
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Offline Folsom

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2019, 12:26:26 PM »

Offline Guy 13

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Multimeter
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2019, 04:31:09 PM »
Hi Rollo and others.
Fluke are very good but pricy, especially if you only want to bias your tubes.
Of course on Amazon.com there are tons of multimeters,
I would go with anything between 30 to 60 USD with the proper scale.
They should be accruate enought for the task.
No special recommendation, however,
look at the comments, if they sold 100, 500 or 1,000 should means that it's not too bad....
I've just bought a Sanwa, but not very popular in North America,
but got a good reputation in Asia, as good as Fluke for less than half the price.
Not sure of this is of any help, but I am trying to help.

Guy 13
« Last Edit: December 18, 2019, 09:22:53 PM by Guy 13 »
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Offline rollo

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2019, 08:40:40 AM »
Maybe give this a try?


  Thanks Folsom. Interesting option.  Guy had a Fluke lent it to a friend never got it back. Some friend. Saw one from Radio Shack fpr $39 however sold out.





charles
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Offline Response Audio

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2019, 09:16:17 AM »
I don't have any specific recommendations as there are a lot of good meters to be found on amazon. My only recommendation is to get one with auto ranging. I've had one from MAC tools I have been using since I got out of the automotive world nearly 20 years ago and still my favorite.
As other have recommended, I would get the best one you can afford. It doesn't hurt to have a quality multimeter around the house.
I always keep a multimeter in my car and camper. Never know when you're going to need one.
For these I just have cheapo pieces from Harbor Freight that they offer for free with any other purchase.
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Offline rollo

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2019, 09:39:50 AM »
   Thanks Bill. Merry Christmas.


charles
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Offline Guy 13

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Multimeter
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2019, 02:50:02 AM »
Fluke makes good one.

This one should be more than good enough for what you need.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-117-Electricians-True-Multimeter/dp/B000O3LUEI/ref=asc_df_B000O3LUEI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309819400004&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9538991353211377569&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003733&hvtargid=pla-434797909169&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60510211606&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309819400004&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9538991353211377569&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003733&hvtargid=pla-434797909169


Hi,
not that my comment - opinion will change anything,
however I must agree with your suggestion (Fluke 117)
even if I would not pay that much for a multitester.
I think it's a good choice at reasonnable price.
I use to own one, a more basic version and it was very good.
You can't go wrong with Fluke.
(Three years warranty, that good.)

Guy 13
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Offline rollo

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2019, 08:58:36 AM »
 Thank you Men. Decided Fluke it is. I'm going get flucked.  :thumb:


charles
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Offline tmazz

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2019, 10:06:04 AM »
Fluke makes good one.

This one should be more than good enough for what you need.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-117-Electricians-True-Multimeter/dp/B000O3LUEI/ref=asc_df_B000O3LUEI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309819400004&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9538991353211377569&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003733&hvtargid=pla-434797909169&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60510211606&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309819400004&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9538991353211377569&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003733&hvtargid=pla-434797909169


Hi,
not that my comment - opinion will change anything,
however I must agree with your suggestion (Fluke 117)
even if I would not pay that much for a multitester.
I think it's a good choice at reasonnable price.
I use to own one, a more basic version and it was very good.
You can't go wrong with Fluke.
(Three years warranty, that good.)

Guy 13

Guy that particular model is expensive because it is a true RMS voltmeter. A standard voltmeter measures the peak voltage of an AC signal and the assumes it is a pure sine wave and applys the correct peak to average conversion factor for a sine wave to display the correct RMS voltage. A true RMS voltmeter does not make that assumption and actually calculates the average voltage of the wave presented to it, which is of course much more complicated than measuring the peak and assuming it is a sine wave.  ut it is the only way to measure the true effective voltage od a non sinusoidal signal.

Fluke makes much less expensive meters if you cal live without the true RMS function (which probably cover 90%+ of the all users) starting at right around $0 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-101-Multimeter-Resistance-Capacitance/dp/B00HE6MIJY/ref=sr_1_18?keywords=fluke+meter&qid=1577641563&sr=8-18

or if you need a meter that will also do current measurements:

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-107-Current-Handheld-Multimeter/dp/B00HEAMMIC/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=fluke+meter&qid=1577642592&sr=8-9

Adding the current measurement capability doubles the price, but it is still less than half of what they get for the true RMS  model.


Remember, it's all about the music........

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Offline Guy 13

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Multimeter
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2019, 04:56:11 PM »
Fluke makes good one.

This one should be more than good enough for what you need.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-117-Electricians-True-Multimeter/dp/B000O3LUEI/ref=asc_df_B000O3LUEI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309819400004&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9538991353211377569&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003733&hvtargid=pla-434797909169&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60510211606&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309819400004&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9538991353211377569&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003733&hvtargid=pla-434797909169


Hi,
not that my comment - opinion will change anything,
however I must agree with your suggestion (Fluke 117)
even if I would not pay that much for a multitester.
I think it's a good choice at reasonnable price.
I use to own one, a more basic version and it was very good.
You can't go wrong with Fluke.
(Three years warranty, that good.)

Guy 13

Guy that particular model is expensive because it is a true RMS voltmeter. A standard voltmeter measures the peak voltage of an AC signal and the assumes it is a pure sine wave and applys the correct peak to average conversion factor for a sine wave to display the correct RMS voltage. A true RMS voltmeter does not make that assumption and actually calculates the average voltage of the wave presented to it, which is of course much more complicated than measuring the peak and assuming it is a sine wave.  ut it is the only way to measure the true effective voltage od a non sinusoidal signal.

Fluke makes much less expensive meters if you cal live without the true RMS function (which probably cover 90%+ of the all users) starting at right around $0 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-101-Multimeter-Resistance-Capacitance/dp/B00HE6MIJY/ref=sr_1_18?keywords=fluke+meter&qid=1577641563&sr=8-18

or if you need a meter that will also do current measurements:

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-107-Current-Handheld-Multimeter/dp/B00HEAMMIC/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=fluke+meter&qid=1577642592&sr=8-9

Adding the current measurement capability doubles the price, but it is still less than half of what they get for the true RMS  model.


Hi tmazz.
I sure don't want to start a third world (read : word) war.
I realize that true RMS meter are always more expensise,
mine is true rms but for only 20 USD more that the regular unit.
Of course it's not a Fluke,
but around here in Asia Sanwa got a good reputation.
I have to mention, even if I don't like to say it, that my Sanwa CD772
is made in China. OUPS I said it....
Fluke got better warranty, is probably repairable in USA
and it's Fluke.
I paid mine 80 USD that a quarter the price of a Fluke, but it's not a Fluke I know...

Guy 13

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Offline tmazz

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2019, 03:38:22 PM »
Guy I can't disagree with anything that you just said.

I just was a post that said he should get a fluke and used that particular model as an example. My only point was that a true RMS meter is a very specialized tool that pretty much no homeowner nor audiophile would ever need. For them a regular mutlimeter would do just fine and I wanted to point out that if he wanted a fluke there were non true RMS models that would do everything he needed for far less money.

As for your Sanwa, it would probably serve any one of us just fine for many years to come. For someone who is a working professional who will use the meter many times a day 5 days a week, the investment in a Fluke would probably be a good idea. But as homeowners and hobbyists we would probably use the meter less times in several years that a pro would in a week, so buying the best bulletproof meter might not pay off in the end.
Remember, it's all about the music........

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Offline steve

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2020, 01:02:51 PM »
I am a little late, but harbour freight has digital multimeters for about $8.00 last I checked. I have 4 and they measure pretty accurate. Just have to be careful with the probes, the wires become disconnected if rough handled.

cheers
steve
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Offline rollo

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2020, 11:15:43 AM »
  Bought a Fluke so Fluked I am.


charles
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Offline Response Audio

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Re: Multimeter
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2020, 11:42:03 AM »
Bout time. What took you so long. This thread is 6 months old :rofl: :rofl:
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