Community Forums

eddndee · 02-06-2021, 10:44 PM

Japan makes quality instruments as does many other countries including the US.

Dav L · 02-14-2021, 07:26 AM

Surprised I haven't seen a multimeter with an extension wire built into it. On a spring loaded cord reel...that would come in handy.

Volts, continuity, beep, and then amps in that order of use.

MSHappyCampers · 02-15-2021, 05:09 PM

I have several of the el-cheapo multimeters that Harbor Freight used to give away, laying around the shop for when I'm too lazy to go to the truck and get my Fluke!

Well, I just discovered that the ones I have will NOT measure 240VAC! They only go to 200VAC! Oh well, I got what I paid for!

RayFab · 02-10-2022, 08:32 AM

Based on comments, I just bought a Fluke T5-600. Not the most expensive or with the most features but my electrical skills are pretty limited.

TXiceman · 02-10-2022, 09:27 AM

Better than 90% or the RVers only need a basic volt Ohm meter for their basic trouble shooting. A small clamp on AC amp meter is very useful. You get a fancy Fluke style meter, and it will be very confusing for the casual user which is most of the RV troubleshooting.

The biggest thing is to learn the basics of 12 VDC and 120 VAC power and using the meter to test things.

I have AC and a DC test probes that give a beep and a flashing light when held against a wire or terminal that is hot with power. Very easy to use when trying to chase down a problem.

The main thing is to keep it simple for the folks that are new to this type work.

Ken

**hamm2018** · 02-10-2022, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayFab

Based on comments, I just bought a Fluke T5-600. Not the most expensive or with the most features but my electrical skills are pretty limited.

Here is a good addition to your tools:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IDEAL-Dual-...ght/1003125198

and a good clamp-on AMP Meter:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-400A...ter/5001927077
or
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwire-D...ter/1000880680

But you can try to find a clamp-on meter that can be used for both AC/DC circuits.

My meters are probably 40+ years old, but still work great.

PDR John · 02-10-2022, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2zon

I find frequency really handy with non-inveter gensets.

My RV meter as this. If you are going to carry a meter, might as well make sure you can use it for every electrical item on the RV.

I used mine to help tune in a cheap aftermarket carb on my Onan 4000.

THenne1713 · 02-11-2022, 09:18 PM

Wow, "electrical skills limited..." and Fluke T5-600= $155 at WM, I would have recommended <$10 at HF; and buy a few on sale at $3.99/ $4.99 coupon, smoke one and grab another when you forgot to look and had a dial set wrong? and I am fully trained/ educated, and forgot most of mine in my old age, LOL . I have a few good ones, but leave the cheap ones in RV & truck in case of theft/ damage. My $0.02

Isaac-1 · 02-11-2022, 11:31 PM

The T5-600 has a lot going for it, ruggedness, easy to handle, Fluke reputation for quality, so chances are it will remain in calibration spec range for many years. Compare this to the sub $5 Harbor freight meters, where is seems like no two ever read exactly the same, and at random they can you completely wacky on their readings.

joshjack · 02-12-2022, 05:47 AM

I’m just gonna put this one out there. Ticks all the boxes and cheap enough not to sweat any loss. I haven’t gotten mine out of the box yet so I can’t endorse it yet, but I’m paper it looks good: Limited-time deal: AmazonCommercial 600A AC/DC Clamp Meter, True RMS, NCV, Flashlight, 6000 Count https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07VX41M...ing=UTF8&psc=1

AnotherMike · 02-12-2022, 06:21 AM

Since the OP has already purchased a Fluke (an EXCELLENT meter)...

One 'gotcha' - my Fluke uses a hard-to-get fuse. Yours might also.

My toolkit has a Fluke 73 meter only because when I was caught up in an unfortunate downsizing the boss gave me the tool kit I had been issued along with my last paycheck and a bonus check.

That was 20 years ago and that Fluke is still my go-to portable meter.

However... the Fluke 73 uses two fuses, one is common, one is expensive and hard to find. I keep three extras of each. The fuses (and an pocket screwdriver to open the shell of the meter) are in a small zip-lock baggie and don't take up any space in the meter's zipper case.

Better to have spare fuses and not need than need and have to go to an industrial supplier like Grainger or McMaster-Carr for a fuse.

Mike

Isaac-1 · 02-12-2022, 09:36 AM

JoshJack that does look like it ticks all the important items on the checklist for a reasonable price.

THenne1713 · 02-12-2022, 12:10 PM

re: True RMS. I am well trained/ experienced in electronics, but never really used UPS or INVERTER in BATTERY MODE until last year, replacing a UPS Battery and actually reading voltage and experimenting w/ AC vs Battery mode losses. After a power loss and battery alarm/ OLD battery replacement w/ new, I bought a 2nd UPS (slightly smaller) thinking that the low voltage readings I was getting meant Inverter was failing? With new battery fully charged (24-hour), no load, I was reading voltage drop from 120vac plugged in to 95-vac range in battery mode. The smaller unit would drop to 85-vac range with no load. Thinking I was overlooking something, or new unit defective, exchanged several emails w/ MFR, who advised I "needed an expensive RMS capable meter" to read the 120vac in battery mode. So, then I decided practical use, maybe NOT regulating when NO LOAD, so plugged up small 120v-0.5a fan, and tested with/ without being plugged in. Voltage still fell off same amount, and more practically, fan speed/ sound dropped off 30-40%. I later watched a YouTube where an RV owner compared MICROWAVE noise/ sounds and Measured power Output in INVERTER MODE, (name brand 3kw RV Inverter) and experienced similar results to mine, except microwave NOISE/ noise volume (hum) went UP w/ lower voltage, and measure heat output/ cooking time went down. NOT MY preferred power source. NOW I have also had experience w/ 4-kw INVERTER GENERATOR, and was fully impressed, but suspect technology difference somewhere, just like the newer Battery-operated BRUSHLESS MOTOR POWER TOOLS? (Those my old school training says should NOT work, LOL?)

Isaac-1 · 02-12-2022, 12:58 PM

Yes, it sounds like you are comparing a modified sine wave inverter (which will read off on voltage on cheaper meters) with a pure sine wave inverter (or inverter generator in this case). In order to get correct voltage readings on a modified sine wave inverter you need a TrueRMS meter, such as most better Fluke brand meters