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Multimeter recommendation

Delmer

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2013
Messages
8,865
Location
WI
How long did your last one last and what killed it? if you run them over every few weeks, a $5 meter from harbor freight will tell you most of what a $500 fluke etc. will tell you. I don't have a fluke, but the 'nicer than HF' brand I have has gotten wet and dried out more times than I can remember, so a way better investment than any HF. But HF are more fun to run over.
 
Joined
Mar 30, 2022
Messages
16
Location
Fullerton, California
How long did your last one last and what killed it? if you run them over every few weeks, a $5 meter from harbor freight will tell you most of what a $500 fluke etc. will tell you. I don't have a fluke, but the 'nicer than HF' brand I have has gotten wet and dried out more times than I can remember, so a way better investment than any HF. But HF are more fun to run over.
I had a 50-60 Klein that worked well for me for a few years. I was testing resistance on a solenoid and the reading just seemed off. I used my buddies Bluepoint and it confirmed the solenoid was bad. That's why I'm considering an upgrade now.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2009
Messages
510
Location
S. Wisconsin
If it is within your budget and needs, a 233 Fluke is a very versatile meter. The nice part is the remote display, just hook up the leads to whatever you are testing unclip the display and take it in the cab or whatever. You can monitor the test point from as far away as 33 Ft.
 

1693TA

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
2,687
Location
Farmington IL
Occupation
FAA Radar Engineer, (Retired)
Quality test leads make a world of difference and less frustration along the way. I've ordered mine from Zoro.com. Pasternack.com has been used for many patch, and RF energy usage type cables also.

Kind of $$$, but if you make a living with test equipment.....



 

Camshawn

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Messages
585
Location
Langley BC
Occupation
retired
If you are only using a meter for equipment (24 v dc) or around the house, pick on that has a cat III rating or higher from a reputable certification organization. The rating is for the energy that the meter is supposed to be able to handle while not exploding in your hands. I have used Fluke (87, 189, process meter) for the past 25 yrs as in the old days, they were the leader in the standards though they may be manufactured off shore now. Klein, Exteck, Greenlee are all good names as well.
the features you need will determine which meter you should get.
 

Birken Vogt

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
5,305
Location
Grass Valley, Ca
I have used Klein and Greenlee and not impressed They are cheap. They are not meter brands, they are hand tool brands (pliers, hole saws, etc) and they do not make meters, they put their name on Chinese junk. Extech is a meter brand but strike me as cheaper in quality than Fluke by a long shot.

I'm not one for buying big brands but nothing I have used compares to my simple and good Fluke gear.
 

Camshawn

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Messages
585
Location
Langley BC
Occupation
retired
Exteck is/was part of the same group as the Flir infrared cameras. Of the 35 electricians I worked with, most had Fluke meters though the old guys had/ used Simson analog meters. There were a few Greenlee meters, mainly used along with a Fluke when trying to read multiple points. Cam
 

mg2361

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2016
Messages
5,057
Location
Pennsylvania
Occupation
Equipment Mechanic
I use a Fluke 115 most of the time. Much less expensive than the 87's or 88's. If I need to perform duty cycle or frequency readings, then I have an old Craftsman Professional that has been real good to me. Plus the Craftman one is water resistant. So it is the one I use outside if it is raining.

Screenshot 2023-04-07 at 5.15.28 AM.pngScreenshot 2023-04-07 at 5.15.08 AM.png
 

Birken Vogt

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
5,305
Location
Grass Valley, Ca
The Fluke 115 does frequency extremely well. That is why I have it in the generator business. The others mentioned will all give very bogus and/or low resolution readings when trying to read generator frequency but the Fluke is always spot on. I haven't found much use for duty cycle but I suppose it comes from not having that function, if I had it I would probably use it.
 
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