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I will be buying a multi meter, but was wondering if I can get away with one from Radio Shack for 20 bucks? Why are some so damn expensive?
Multimeter? Is a cheap radio shack one okay?
- Thread starter Spike Spiegel
- Start date
Drewmantrivia
Crazed MVS Addict
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I have a few of these. http://http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92020
Works fine. A quick look on ebay has something like this cheap. http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-Volt-Meter-DC-AC-Current-OHMS-Multi-tester-NEW_W0QQitemZ190236190464QQihZ009QQcategoryZ66991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Should be all that you need.
Works fine. A quick look on ebay has something like this cheap. http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-Volt-Meter-DC-AC-Current-OHMS-Multi-tester-NEW_W0QQitemZ190236190464QQihZ009QQcategoryZ66991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Should be all that you need.
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- Nov 29, 2005
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Make sure you get a DIGITAL meter. Preferably one with continuity beep function.
Capacitance functions are a bonus.
Transistor gain testing is neat, but rarely used.
Frequency counter - I've never used that feature.
3 1/2 digits or more on the display.
And, while you're at it - look to see what fuses it takes and buy extra while you are in the store. You'll forget and try to measure voltage with the resistance or continuity settings and blow the fuses a few times.
RJ
Capacitance functions are a bonus.
Transistor gain testing is neat, but rarely used.
Frequency counter - I've never used that feature.
3 1/2 digits or more on the display.
And, while you're at it - look to see what fuses it takes and buy extra while you are in the store. You'll forget and try to measure voltage with the resistance or continuity settings and blow the fuses a few times.
RJ
I couldn't seem to find a decent priced one that has a fuse on it for taking high current readings.
I ended up getting a Velleman. It has an input for reading up to like 20A max for 15sec, but it's unfused and that one cost me about 40-50 bucks. The regular current reading port has like a .2A fuse. I figure it'd be rare I'd be wanting to take readings at super high currents. I was originally going to try and take current readings off my 6-slot, but I've never gotten around to it.
So far the most used function is the continuity tester, followed by voltage testing.
I did have one of them cheapo multimeters, but I never got a chance to use it. The battery leaked inside there, and even after I cleaned it out, it didn't want to turn on.
I ended up getting a Velleman. It has an input for reading up to like 20A max for 15sec, but it's unfused and that one cost me about 40-50 bucks. The regular current reading port has like a .2A fuse. I figure it'd be rare I'd be wanting to take readings at super high currents. I was originally going to try and take current readings off my 6-slot, but I've never gotten around to it.
So far the most used function is the continuity tester, followed by voltage testing.
I did have one of them cheapo multimeters, but I never got a chance to use it. The battery leaked inside there, and even after I cleaned it out, it didn't want to turn on.
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- Oct 30, 2003
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Auto-ranging is nice...
Teh only time I was using frequency was when I was hacking a DC vga box...
Teh only time I was using frequency was when I was hacking a DC vga box...