Good Mulimeter Resource

[Chuck(G)]

One of the questions that is coming up with increasing frequency is how to measure voltages with a multimeter. For the absolute beginner, here's a nice page about multimeters courtesy of Jameco:

http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/techtip/Multimeter.html

 

[Doug G]

Darn, I didn't see a picture of my Simpson 160 on that page

 

[Chuck(G)]

...nor my 260, nor my RCA VTVM...

Can't have everything, I guess. On the other hand, you couldn't buy a half-decent multimeter back then for the equivalent of today's half-sawbuck Chinese ones.

My favorite meter is one I got as a freebie for ordering more than $50 of parts from a supplier. Big-letter display, backlight, RLC and temperature measurement. And, for what it is, pretty accurate.

 

[Doug G]

On the other hand, you couldn't buy a half-decent multimeter back then for the equivalent of today's half-sawbuck Chinese ones.

That's for sure. It seems to me that back in the 70's the list price for the 160 I have was a few hundred bucks.

 

[Stone]

On the other hand, you couldn't buy a half-decent multimeter back then for the equivalent of today's half-sawbuck Chinese ones.

I've been through several of those (half-sawbuck Chinese) and I'll never buy another. They're really CRAP!!! One only lasted for a couple of years and another didn't even make one year. Besides, they weren't digital. I got a nice, digital, Sperry around six or seven years ago for $20 - $25 and have no complaints.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Betcha that Sperry didn't make it. Here's an inexpensive one that I have (I also have an older Fluke, but I like this one better:

 

[lucasdaytona]

I'm currently using an automotive multimeter , insanely precise, and also help me with cars. Very useful.

 

[Unknown_K]

I purchased a Fluke 29 series 2 multimeter 15 years ago and besides needing a few new 9v batteries it still works like new.