Multimeter

[Dilwyn roberts]

Hi I am not a sparkly thinking of buying a multimeter I don’t want to spend a lot so what would you guys recommend or even buy a second hand one I have a new fluke continuity tester. Do you guys have anything suitable for me I just want your opinion cheers folks 

 

[ProDave]

Definitely Fluke.  I have a Fluke 93, donkeys years old and dependable, I am not even sure it is a current model.

I do have a cheap one as well, and as soon as it;s battery starts getting low, it's readings become a work of fiction.  If the Fluke has enough battery power to light the display, it will give a correct reading.

 

[Bruspark]

If you think you're going to drop and / or overload it to start with have look at the RS-Pro range of mid price but passable ones.  None are all that bad and their specifications are set out clearly and honestly, but the cheap ones are not as accurate (even when new)  as some jobs will require
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/test-measurement/multimeters-accessories/multimeters/?pn=3&applied-dimensions=4291471876,4294410759,4294352986

When the time comes that you know you're doing and want one that will be solid for life, see if Santa will get you a Fluke 87V.  (£500+) 

IMHO , a sub £70 (cheap, inaccurate) multi-meter is the worst help you can possibly get when doing serious fault finding but is fine for "is this battery flat?" type use.

 

[Sharpend]

I’ll second the Fluke 87v. Beautiful piece of kit. 

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Hi I am not a sparkly thinking of buying a multimeter I don’t want to spend a lot so what would you guys recommend or even buy a second hand one I have a new fluke continuity tester. Do you guys have anything suitable for me I just want your opinion cheers folks 

As with many things, what is good for one persons application may be overkill or substandard for another persons application..

{bit like asking what is a good car to buy?

A family of 5 wanting to tow a caravan and tour Europe is a big difference to a 60year old widow needing transport to go the the shops and occasionally visit family 7 miles away!}

So you need to consider what it is you want to do with it?   What are you expecting to be able to test.. to what level or accuracy?

If you just want something for testing if a fuse has blown, or if some batteries are discharged or for a bit of hobby electronics, or a bit of auto-electrics etc..

then a basic cheaper end of the price range model for less than £30 could be more than adequate..

Have a search for multi-meters at Halfords / Screwfix / Toolstation websites.. etc..

They all have some reasonable hobby / DIY meters..

(Before Maplin's went bump they also had a decent range of good value test meters).

But if you are looking to get into a bit more serious electrical work where reliability, accuracy and safety become higher priorities..

then you will need to be looking at spending a bit more..

As many of the cheaper meters are NOT reliable devices for verifying if AC mains voltages are present on a circuit.

So you probably need to search specialist sites for test meters such as isswww.co.uk, a previous forum sponsor.. https://isswww.co.uk  or other similar types of suppliers..

What is it you are looking to do?

Guinness       

 

[Dilwyn roberts]

If you think you're going to drop and / or overload it to start with have look at the RS-Pro range of mid price but passable ones.  None are all that bad and their specifications are set out clearly and honestly, but the cheap ones are not as accurate (even when new)  as some jobs will require
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/test-measu

Definitely Fluke.  I have a Fluke 93, donkeys years old and dependable, I am not even sure it is a current model.

I do have a cheap one as well, and as soon as it;s battery starts getting low, it's readings become a work of fiction.  If the Fluke has enough battery power to light the display, it will give a correct reading.

rement/multimeters-accessories/multimeters/?pn=3&applied-dimensions=4291471876,4294410759,4294352986y

When the time comes that you know you're doing and want one that will be solid for life, see if Santa will get you a Fluke 87V.  (£500+) 

IMHO , a sub £70 (cheap, inaccurate) multi-meter is the worst help you can possibly get when doing serious fault finding but is fine for "is this battery flat?" type use.

 

[Dilwyn roberts]

Thanks guys for our advice basically for hobby electrics I am always messing with things. As my wife calls it my son battery runs flat on his van so I can check alternator etc I can’t sit in the house like a couch potato getting close to 69 been involved with building trade all my life .i keep going  so guys what do you think of fluke make they are one of the top makes you have fluke 101 117 and so on just a basic one do you think guys once again thanks guys ....

 

[Sharpend]

The fluke 11x series are probably ok for what you need