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carkenord@juno.com
electronics forum beginner
Joined: 06 Apr 2006
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:36 pm Post subject:
economy multimeter?
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I'm looking for an economy handheld multimeter with digi readout.
The basic measuring capabilities (resistance/AC/DC voltage and
current) with a couple of exceptions.
I would like "autoranging" and the ability to measure up to 20 Amps.
Lab accuracy and precision NOT necessary.
Is it possible to get the above in a unit that has a brand name most of
us would recognize, and for under $50?
I've seen a couple that met all the above requirements except for the
20A part..........
Lee Carkenord |
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Ian Stirling
electronics forum Guru
Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 410
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| Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:32 pm Post subject:
Re: economy multimeter?
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carkenord@juno.com <carkenord@juno.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
I'm looking for an economy handheld multimeter with digi readout.
The basic measuring capabilities (resistance/AC/DC voltage and
current) with a couple of exceptions.
I would like "autoranging" and the ability to measure up to 20 Amps.
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Most very cheap multimeters with a 10A range will read 20A quite
happily, if you only test it for a second. |
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GregS
electronics forum Guru
Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:41 pm Post subject:
Re: economy multimeter?
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In article <1144326996.580759.233960@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com>, "carkenord@juno.com" <carkenord@juno.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
I'm looking for an economy handheld multimeter with digi readout.
The basic measuring capabilities (resistance/AC/DC voltage and
current) with a couple of exceptions.
I would like "autoranging" and the ability to measure up to 20 Amps.
Lab accuracy and precision NOT necessary.
Is it possible to get the above in a unit that has a brand name most of
us would recognize, and for under $50?
I've seen a couple that met all the above requirements except for the
20A part..........
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20A AC or both DC/AC.
There are also some inexpensive clamp types.
I usually just start looking to see whats on sale. Radio Shack,
Harbor Freight, MCM, Jameco, etc.
greg |
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carkenord@juno.com
electronics forum beginner
Joined: 06 Apr 2006
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:48 pm Post subject:
Re: economy multimeter?
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| Quote: |
20A AC or both DC/AC.
greg
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Preferably 20 amps for both AC and DC........but I guess I could live
with just 20 amp DC capability.
Lee Carkenord |
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GregS
electronics forum Guru
Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 355
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| Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:54 pm Post subject:
Re: economy multimeter?
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In article <1144331303.990323.160550@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, "carkenord@juno.com" <carkenord@juno.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
20A AC or both DC/AC.
greg
Preferably 20 amps for both AC and DC........but I guess I could live
with just 20 amp DC capability.
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A while back I took part in an interview/discussion group thing where
a manufacture pays to have this done anonomously, so they can get a feel
for what people like or need. This was about multimeters. I cannot name
the company because they will kill me. There were about
a dozen persons taking part of the discussion. I just thought it was interesting
listening to what other fellow electrical people thought about current and future meters.
Many had their own ideas on what they wanted for different reasons. Its
kinda a personal thing.
greg |
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carkenord@juno.com
electronics forum beginner
Joined: 06 Apr 2006
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:22 pm Post subject:
Re: economy multimeter? Possibly found?
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Well, after a lot of online searching, the most interesting DMM I have
found, within my desired parameters, is a Sears Craftsman.
It's Sears item # 03482400000 model 82400.
Specs say it has autorange and 20 amp ac/dc current. Now I need to see
what kind of batteries it uses. It also comes with a "thermocouple",
which I don't need.
I wonder who makes this particular DMM? Probably nobody that I've ever
heard of, but I am somewhat comforted by the fact that Sears has a
reasonable history of customer service, and this DMM is warranted for 1
year.
The price is $30.
Lee Carkenord |
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Joel Kolstad
electronics forum Guru
Joined: 03 May 2005
Posts: 695
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:52 pm Post subject:
Re: economy multimeter? Possibly found?
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<carkenord@juno.com> wrote in message
news:1144419745.995450.219060@t31g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | It's Sears item # 03482400000 model 82400.
Specs say it has autorange and 20 amp ac/dc current. Now I need to see
what kind of batteries it uses. It also comes with a "thermocouple",
which I don't need.
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I'm willing to bet something under 0.1% of the people who buy that particular
meter ever use the more exotic functions such as the transistor hfe checker.
:-)
Did you find the "real" product specs anywhere (accuracy, ranges, etc.)? I'm
not seeing them on Sears' web page.
In any case, for the price I'd say it looks like a good deal. |
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carkenord@juno.com
electronics forum beginner
Joined: 06 Apr 2006
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:03 pm Post subject:
Re: economy multimeter? Possibly found?
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| Quote: | I'm willing to bet something under 0.1% of the people who buy that particular
meter ever use the more exotic functions such as the transistor hfe checker.
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I can't speak for everyone, but myself........I will NOT use the more
esoteric functions. DMM's continue to "do more".......just like cell
phones continue to "do more".........so are we gonna see a DMM that
also functions as a cell phone? (I don't have a cell phone.)
| Quote: | Did you find the "real" product specs anywhere (accuracy, ranges, etc.)? I'm
not seeing them on Sears' web page.
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I didn't see detailed specs on website either. But a nearby Sears
store says they have 11 of these meters on the shelf, so I'm going over
there to do a "touchy-feely"...... I'm curious if the 20 amp DC
capability is "continuous" or just "momentary"? I also hope it doesn't
use some $$$$-type rare battery!
Lee C. |
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Nico Coesel
electronics forum Guru Wannabe
Joined: 30 Apr 2005
Posts: 192
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:40 pm Post subject:
Re: economy multimeter? Possibly found?
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"carkenord@juno.com" <carkenord@juno.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Well, after a lot of online searching, the most interesting DMM I have
found, within my desired parameters, is a Sears Craftsman.
It's Sears item # 03482400000 model 82400.
Specs say it has autorange and 20 amp ac/dc current. Now I need to see
what kind of batteries it uses. It also comes with a "thermocouple",
which I don't need.
I wonder who makes this particular DMM? Probably nobody that I've ever
heard of, but I am somewhat comforted by the fact that Sears has a
reasonable history of customer service, and this DMM is warranted for 1
year.
The price is $30.
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I bought an HP 3466 4.5 digit multimeter from Ebay for that amount of
money (including shipping). Cheap 4.5 digit multimeters are hard to
find. To me the HP3466 has 2 major advantages:
first: it is mains powered which means no more hassle with batteries.
second: It has an LED read-out which means the reading can be seen in
the dark or when viewing the meter from an angle.
--
Reply to nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
Bedrijven en winkels vindt U op www.adresboekje.nl |
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carkenord@juno.com
electronics forum beginner
Joined: 06 Apr 2006
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 7:59 pm Post subject:
Re: economy multimeter? Possibly found?
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| Quote: | I didn't see detailed specs on website either. But a nearby Sears
store says they have 11 of these meters on the shelf, so I'm going over
there to do a "touchy-feely"...... I'm curious if the 20 amp DC
capability is "continuous" or just "momentary"? I also hope it doesn't
use some $$$$-type rare battery!
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I went to the Sears store.....and after looking this DMM over, decided
to buy it. Its Sears Model 82400. Due to a
disagreement/misunderstanding, regarding the "holster"......Sears sold
it to me for $29.99 minus 10%. Call it $27.
Time and usage will tell whether or not it's good, but I can't expect
too much for that price. It's made in China. The manual says DCV
accuracy is " +/- .5% reading + 2 digits." Also says "3 3/4 digit
LCD 4000 count." The 20 amp ac/dc current measurement is 15 second
limit......not continuous. It is powered by 2 each AA batteries......a
big plus for me.
It's encased in a thick, resilient rubber-like jacket. Nice.
Readeout is large contrasty numerals. It is "auto-ranging." It has a
26 page manual that looks well written, with clear pertinent diagrams
and drawings. It looks like the manual was initially written in
English......not some sorry translation. That's a plus, for sure! The
manual says that the thermocouple is an "option".....but the
thermocouple actually is included. There are several other "bells and
whistles"......diode check, transistor check, freq,
capacitance......stuff I will rarely if ever use.
A few quick checks of various electrical applications as I would
normally do here in my workshop .....seems to function
crisply.....seems "friendly". If I get a few years of reliable service
from this unit, I will be happy. Right now I like it, but that doesn't
mean that it will hold up in the medium or long term......we'll see.
Lee C. |
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