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Post by caseyjones on Sept 14, 2009 15:46:23 GMT -5
Looking to buy a Multimeter as it looks like I may need one! What should I be looking for? there seems to be too much choice on the market at loads of different prices,just want to be able to check charge rates, continuity etc...the only electrical test equipment I have at the moment is a bulb with two wires to check for current so any thing above that must be a bonus but don't want it to be too technical for my basic brain  |
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Post by dogbunny on Sept 14, 2009 20:21:04 GMT -5
I suggest that you buy a very cheap multimeter. Sears and Radio shack have ones for about $20.
I would also seriously consider one from Harbor Freight for under $5. They work.
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Post by xsleo on Sept 15, 2009 2:19:32 GMT -5
I have one from Harbor Freight. I had a coupon to get it for $1.99. They had it on sale the day I went. The sale price was $2.99. Regular price is $7.99. Even at $7.99 it's a nice meter.
As with most inexpensive meters, when checking low resistance, Like the stator and rotor. Touch the leads together to get a base reading. Check the ohms, subtract the base reading from the checked reading to get the actual reading.
Like touch the leads and get .5 ohms. Check the stator, get readings of 1.4 ohms. Subtract the .5 from 1.4 gives you .9 which is right for the older model stators.
The leads are not very long. Not a real problem. I like longer leads to make multiple checks without moving the meter around.
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Post by dogbunny on Sept 15, 2009 2:49:23 GMT -5
This video: www.xs650chopper.com/2009/07/xs650-how-to-test-your-rotor/shows exactly what xselo just explained, using a Harbor Freight meter to test a stator, after first getting a base line reading. It is useful to have probe ends with alligator clips on them, or you can make your own jumpers with alligator clips on both ends. |
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Post by xsleo on Mar 13, 2011 17:46:34 GMT -5
Harbour Freight has a coupon out that if you buy $19.95 worth of stuff you get a free meter. Can't beat that. How hard is it to spend $19.95 on tools? Coupon is good till 7/15/11
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Post by lidirtrider on Jul 20, 2011 0:52:27 GMT -5
Harbor Freight opened a retail store nearby. Thats going to be problem for me. I can spend hours looking at and shopping for tools.
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Post by jetmechmarty on Jul 20, 2011 10:16:12 GMT -5
When those meters are $2.99, I put one in every glove box and tank bag, etc. An analog meter is nice to have as well. The digital meter will read zero ohms if only one strand of wire remains. The analog meter puts a bit of a load on the circuit. Harbor Freight might get you one of those for under $10.
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Post by ShakerNorm on Jul 21, 2011 18:55:01 GMT -5
lidirtrider - I've got the same problem here with Princess Auto.......
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Post by speez on Jul 22, 2011 13:30:25 GMT -5
i got 2 alligator clips and crimped them on the ends of my Leeds just enough to remove them and put them on when needed the type that get crimped on work only and a test light is good to have just be careful what you probe with it, electronics don't like test lights, good for fuse and bulb socket testing some times you need a load to see if thing are working
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Post by mistermoe on Jul 22, 2011 16:28:38 GMT -5
I was just in HF today and they had a backlight multimeter (the red one) on sale for $6.99. I already had one of the cheaper yellow ones. Now I have one for my bike tool kit and one in my bench box.
Yeah the only thing to be careful with is the ohmmeter and remembering to take a baseline reading. It took me a time or two to remember that lesson.
Some stuff there is just crap, but most of it is serviceable and all of it is cheeep.
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