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01-15-2021, 07:46 AM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Elk Grove CA
Posts: 1,618
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My go-to meter most of the time is a Radio Shack multimeter that has an AC/DC clamp-on amp probe, which I've found to be very useful. I think every RVer should have a multimeter with such a probe. It eliminates the need to disconnect wires to measure amperage. Several models are available on Amazon in the $40 range.
I have a Fluke 117 but haven't used it too much and it will stay home. Part of my motivation in buying one is I'm also a Ham Radio operator.
For the most part, our RV measurements don't require the accuracy of a Fluke. We forget that we sent men to the moon using slide rules and analog meters.
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BobC
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
Workhorse Chassis
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01-15-2021, 02:09 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,954
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarylandIUEC
The Fluke I use at work is awesome. It's a megger. We use it for a variety of elevator controller tests but it costs close to $1k and the company has to provide it per the collective bargaining agreement.
https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/.../fluke-1587-fc
Way overkill for basic rv tests. Any meter that's capable of testing ac and dc voltage will work for the road. A plug in style GFI tester is a nice tool to have also.
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The 1587 is a nice meter, but as you said expensive, I guess I will have to make do with my 87V with i410 AC/DC clamp for multimeter stuff and my 1507 for insulation testing.
Though generally I just carry my 117 in the motorhome, good meter, a lot lighter and less bulky than the 87V, the thumb wheel selector and built in proximity AC detector is nice too.
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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01-15-2021, 02:22 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2,392
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I've been using one of these for four years now with good success:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Two things I like on it that some meters don't have - temp probe and hz measurement. On an RV, those two things come in very handy.
At the price of the Fluke, this one can be replaced quite a few times over.
__________________
Richard
1994 Excella 25-ft (Gertie)
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser
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01-15-2021, 02:29 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xmcdog
Have used Flukes for years. The refrigeration industry requires a good meter for the electronics. Usually carry two including a clampon ammeter. The clamp on died after many years and I replaced it with a Klein. I thought in retirement I wouldn't need another Fluke. Well the Klein lasted three weeks when I noticed I was getting a 78 v ghost reading. The Fluke read 0 volts.
I'm back to a Fluke.
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yep I use a series 16, its built for the HVAC industry, I have had mine for over 20 years now. Does everything I need it to do, even bounce it off the floor every now-n-then
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01-15-2021, 03:46 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 611
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2 FLUKE 16's here ! Had them for many a year .
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01-15-2021, 03:46 PM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1,150
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I use Fluke 77's for standard multimeter functions. I have some cheap stuff for simple go/no-go readings, but I bought my first Fluke (new) over 30 years ago and it still does the job in any of my "real world" environments.
My other 77's came from Craigslist and pawn shops. I think I've gotten three more that way, with a combined cost of less than one new unit. They're good stuff. I've never had one go bad if it tested good during the sale. So to beat the price, buying used is an option.
Now the test leads are another jar of worms. I've gone through many sets of those.
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Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
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TARDIS Project 2001 Mountain Aire DP40' 330CAT
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01-18-2021, 05:06 AM
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#35
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,796
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My Fluke 77 lasted 30 hard years before the LCD display was not longer readable. I used the meter a lot more than just the RV and it served me well. Had low cost meters in addition to the Fluke that have long since failed in some way while the 77 kept going. Replaced it with a model 106 last summer as the back up, Simpson 260, needs to stay on the bookcase shelf as something special to be admired.
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2006 Hurricane 31D built on a 2006 Ford F53
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01-18-2021, 06:00 AM
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#36
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Community Moderator
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 11,291
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I couldn't be without my multimeter. I also have a clampmeter. Both are Ideal Brand which is similar to fluke in price and quality.
__________________
2004 Beaver Monterey Laguna IV
Cummins ISC 350HP Allison 3000 6 speed
2020 Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0t 9 speed AWD
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01-18-2021, 10:47 AM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 918
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I've had this for about 40 years and even brought it with me when I moved to the US. Dick Smith was basically the "Radio Shack" of Australia and New Zealand. It's pretty much all I ever needed as a electronic and ham radio hobbyist. I don't know what exactly was "Designed for Australia" about it. As far as I know, elections move the same way there.
It still works but I recently decided it was time to upgrade and got one of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._title_o07_s00 It's certainly no Fluke but it's crazy how much functionality it has for the price.
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01-18-2021, 12:52 PM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,954
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetbriar
My Fluke 77 lasted 30 hard years before the LCD display was not longer readable. I used the meter a lot more than just the RV and it served me well. Had low cost meters in addition to the Fluke that have long since failed in some way while the 77 kept going. Replaced it with a model 106 last summer as the back up, Simpson 260, needs to stay on the bookcase shelf as something special to be admired.
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There are replacement LCD screens available for the Fluke 77
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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01-18-2021, 03:14 PM
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#39
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Hot Springs, VA
Posts: 1,997
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tetranz
I don't know what exactly was "Designed for Australia" about it. As far as I know, elections move the same way there.
It still works but I recently decided it was time to upgrade and got one of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._title_o07_s00 It's certainly no Fluke but it's crazy how much functionality it has for the price.
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Well Australia is "down under" so voltage would flow backwards wouldn't it?
__________________
RoadEyePie - 2019 VLRV Beacon 39 GBB
2018 GMC 3500 HD Sierra Denali Durmax Diesel DRW CC LB 4x4
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01-19-2021, 05:29 AM
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#40
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Elk Grove CA
Posts: 1,618
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetbriar
Simpson 260, needs to stay on the bookcase shelf as something special to be admired.
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There's something special about the Simpson. Sometimes there's no substitute for an analog meter with a needle. I bought mine used at a garage sale and, like your's, it stays on the shelf 99.9% of the time. It was the meter of my dreams as a kid interested in electronics.
__________________
BobC
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
Workhorse Chassis
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01-19-2021, 09:00 AM
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#41
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,796
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCam
There's something special about the Simpson. Sometimes there's no substitute for an analog meter with a needle. I bought mine used at a garage sale and, like your's, it stays on the shelf 99.9% of the time. It was the meter of my dreams as a kid interested in electronics.
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Only thing I had in my early days of working a 3D and fire control radars in the Navy. We could only dream about getting out hands on a small digital meter that the NAVSEA tech reps would show up with. To my last duty day in 2004 the Simpson was always the best for zeroing synchros and balancing antenna drive and tach feedback circuits.
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2006 Hurricane 31D built on a 2006 Ford F53
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01-19-2021, 09:08 AM
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#42
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFXG
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Just retired after 36 years with the Air Force maintaining F-4, 5, B52, and B1 Avionic test stands....... this brought back memories.
Thanks!
__________________
1996 Tioga Class C
2007 Monaco Diplomat 40 PDQ
TOAD 2012 Cadillac SRX 4
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