Multimeter suggestions

[BG4533]

Howdy everyone. I need to get my own multimeter and I thought I would come here for suggestions. The multimeter will be used for household stuff and computer stuff. The people in general hardware and other places only seem to recommend Fluke (which I cant afford) and that is part of the reason I came here. Does it really matter if it is a cheap multimeter? I bought a $6 one once and it started smoking, so I understand that that is a bit too cheap. Any suggestions on a brand and what advantages the more expensive ones have? Any good online places to buy one?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Heisenberg]

You really can't go wrong with Fluke, but they are kind of pricey. I'd suggest spending at least $40 if you want to get any kind of halfway decent one.

 

[BG4533]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
You really can't go wrong with Fluke, but they are kind of pricey. I'd suggest spending at least $40 if you want to get any kind of halfway decent one.

Yeah, I was thinking $50 at the absolute most, but of course cheaper is better.

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Try eBay or FS/FT and get yourself a used Fluke.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage
Try eBay or FS/FT and get yourself a used Fluke.

 

[Analog]

It all depends on what you're doing. I have a Fluke 87, but I need to measure duty cycle, frequency, capacitance and min/maxes. The cheapos are just fine for automotive and 120V uses. If you're needing to measure AC current, or high resistance DC measurements, then a better MM would be in order. I'm curious as to what you were doing to smoke a MM....

 

[Linflas]

I have Flukes but here is an off the wall suggestion for you: Look around and see if you can find a used working Simpson 260 analog multimeter. Those things are the tanks of the meter world and would probably do real well for day to day household stuff.

 

[RU482]

I got this one from Omega. Nice little laser temp sensor works great for detecting hot components. I love this meter

 

[BG4533]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero
I'm curious as to what you were doing to smoke a MM....

All I did was set it to DC and plug it into the 5V or 12V line on my computers PS and it got really hot and smelled really bad and smoked a little.

Thanks for the suggestions. Anymore?

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage
Try eBay or FS/FT and get yourself a used Fluke.

I don't know that I'd trust a used multimeter....

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Look for used Fluke 8060A's, they tend to go for cheap because they're not auto ranging and are an older style. But thier accuracy is awesome and they're a 4.5 digit meter. I got mine for $20 (retail: $460) while my dad got a model 83 for $50 (retail $120150) from the same guy.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

BG: sounds like you set it to amps. That'll smoke most meters unless they're fused, at which point you blow the fuse.

 

[notfred]

Out of curiousity, what use will this meter have inside a PC? I can't think of any practical application for it...

 

[Demon-Xanth]

notfred: sounds like he was checking the voltage levels.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: notfred
Out of curiousity, what use will this meter have inside a PC? I can't think of any practical application for it...

For the occasional times when you would like to check the PS output.

 

[RossGr]

Originally posted by: BG4533
Howdy everyone. I need to get my own multimeter and I thought I would come here for suggestions. The multimeter will be used for household stuff and computer stuff. The people in general hardware and other places only seem to recommend Fluke (which I cant afford) and that is part of the reason I came here. Does it really matter if it is a cheap multimeter? I bought a $6 one once and it started smoking, so I understand that that is a bit too cheap. Any suggestions on a brand and what advantages the more expensive ones have? Any good online places to buy one?

Thanks,
Brian

The only way you can "smoke" a meter is by misusing it, that is not the meters fault.

I used a cheap analog Radio Shack meter for 25yrs, recently while laying on my back with my head under the dashboard I rolled over it and smashed the lead connection terminals.

I went to Radio Shack and got a $50 digial with serial output. Way more meter then I need but what the heck, its fun.

If, as your experiance with your original meter indicates, you are not real familiar with the operation stay away from old analogs, like the Simpson 260, yes it is a tank but if your revrerse voltage it or miss use the current scales you CAN blow it up. The older meters require a higher level of knowledge to use. Modern digitals are pretty bullet proof, get one of those. All that you really need are the basic, voltage, and resistance functions.

It is rare that you will ever need the current function,but it is always there. If you do not understand how a current meter functions do not use it! That is how you burn up meters. It is essentially a short circiut and must be connected in series with the circiut being measured. Any other connection can result in destructive currents.