Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Technical => I. C. E. & Electrical => Topic started by: Matts-gen2 on October 10, 2007, 10:45:53 AM

Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: Matts-gen2 on October 10, 2007, 10:45:53 AM
What are the min and max ranges that would be needed from a multimeter to test varios items in the car.

Looking to buy a multimeter, but knowing very little about electrics, dont want to buy a multimeter that has too small range, or the oppisite and something that measure astronomical ranges.
Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: nikp on October 10, 2007, 10:51:50 AM
I don\'t know of any decent multimeters that won\'t cover the sort of range you\'ll get in a car!
Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: Brett on October 10, 2007, 10:51:53 AM
Any digital meter on the market should be able to cover all the ranges you will need :yes

No need for anything fancy.
Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: Spartacus on October 10, 2007, 10:58:19 AM
One with a built in buzzer is always handy for "buzzing" out:rolleyes:
Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: nikp on October 10, 2007, 11:01:26 AM
Yep, a buzzer feature is good to check for circuit continuity.
Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: Matts-gen2 on October 10, 2007, 11:16:48 AM
Didnt want to get anything thats not up to the job, or too much.

about £15, thanks.

:Thumbs-up
Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: Mave on October 10, 2007, 09:56:27 PM
Should be able to get something good enough for about £5. As said, continuity buzzer is pretty useful for when you can\'t see what you\'re doing!
Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: Prof on October 11, 2007, 12:04:57 AM
Maplins often have good digital multimeters on sale.  Don\'t bother buying too cheap as they are either innacurate or not very well protected against abuse (plenty of opportunity in the car for that :) )
 
£20 should get a pretty decent one - get one that measures current, volts and resistance - and can go to at leat 20A, continuity buzzers are almost standard now and worth having.
Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: Matts-gen2 on October 11, 2007, 10:28:09 AM
Bought one yesterday for £13.99

pocketsize and everything goes to 40A, 400, all the fours as opposed to the 20A, 200.... etc.

And it has got the buzzer.

:cheers
Title: Ideal Multimeter.
Post by: ashc on October 11, 2007, 11:18:34 AM
bit more expensive (i paid 39.99) but this one does db level and humidity, temperature and light level too. i wanted something to find out how loud the exhaust was!

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=Autorange+Digital+Multimeter+With+TEM%2FRH%2FLUX%2FSOUND+LEVE