Multimeter on sale

[qship96]

Found this basic multimeter on sale at Sears today- couldnt pass it up for $29 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...mv=rr

[Q451990]

Looks nice! The "True RMS" mark on the front was once reserved for higher end meters like Fluke!

Heath

[maxnix]

Nice find!

Probably made with Fluke rejected parts.

[Q45tech]

As one can see from some of resolution vs. accuracy specs but good enough for most Q owners.

Most important is the 20 ampere range for measuring fuel pump draw at fuse panel.

[qship96]

Nice find!

Probably made with Fluke rejected parts.

Nope, it is actually a Extech Instruments 411 model, rebadged as Sears!

[Skibane]

If you want to go stupid cheap, the Cen-Tech DMM that Harbor Freight sells for under 5 bucks is a heck of a deal. I've bought about a dozen of them so far (they go on sale for under $3 just about every other week), and all of 'em have been spot-on for accuracy (as compared to a Fluke 73). At that price, it makes a great backup to a quality meter...

[qship96]

If you want to go stupid cheap, the Cen-Tech DMM that Harbor Freight sells for under 5 bucks is a heck of a deal. I've bought about a dozen of them so far (they go on sale for under $3 just about every other week), and all of 'em have been spot-on for accuracy (as compared to a Fluke 73). At that price, it makes a great backup to a quality meter...

Kind of makes a Fluke look like a complete waste of money for the average do it yourself hobbiest. Maybe the difference is in longterm ruggid build quality for the frequent daily use by professional repair techs?

[qship96]

I was experimenting with my new multimeter today- measured battery voltage at hot idle, all accessories off and got 13.77V at 50 degrees ambient--does that sound optimal for a 222,000 mile old alternator and 6 month old battery? I was expecting 14.1- 14.7V ?

[Skibane]

That's almost 13.8 volts, which is generally considered to be the nominal battery voltage with the engine running.

If it's also capable of maintaining around that same voltage at 1500 RPM with a significant load on the battery (i.e., headlight high beams on), I wouldn't worry much about it.