Looking for recommendations for cheap multimeters, specifically eBay jobbies under 20 bucks. i.e. like the Vici VC97
I already have a decent Fluke and Iso-Tech which are my main meters, but occasionally on builds i could do with another couple to measure voltages and currents on startup. 2-400 volt DC range, and sub 100ma current. Absolute accuracy isn't important, i just want to see whats going on.
Mark
I already have a decent Fluke and Iso-Tech which are my main meters, but occasionally on builds i could do with another couple to measure voltages and currents on startup. 2-400 volt DC range, and sub 100ma current. Absolute accuracy isn't important, i just want to see whats going on.
Mark
The UNI-T UT33A is good and cheap, whit excellent build quality:
Uni-Trend Group Limited
1pc Auto Range UNI-T UT33A LCD Digital Multimeter Handheld AC DC ohm volt meter | eBay
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testge...nd-review/?action=dlattach;attach=15976;image
Uni-Trend Group Limited
1pc Auto Range UNI-T UT33A LCD Digital Multimeter Handheld AC DC ohm volt meter | eBay
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testge...nd-review/?action=dlattach;attach=15976;image
forget about current measurement.
use voltage across a dropping resistor.
Try to get a meter that is equally sensitive on both AC and DC scales.
All my cheap DMM have 199.9mVac on them and I regularly compare to my 50000count bench meter.
My prices (from my very bad memory) were £3(about 2005), £9(2013), £20(about 1980, I could never afford an AVO8 and my two analogue had outlived their limited use/accuracy)
All my DMM are surprisingly consistent.
use voltage across a dropping resistor.
Try to get a meter that is equally sensitive on both AC and DC scales.
All my cheap DMM have 199.9mVac on them and I regularly compare to my 50000count bench meter.
My prices (from my very bad memory) were £3(about 2005), £9(2013), £20(about 1980, I could never afford an AVO8 and my two analogue had outlived their limited use/accuracy)
All my DMM are surprisingly consistent.
I've found the Maplin Precision Gold range to be pretty good for the money.
On those rare occasions when current measurement is needed, I tend to use my AVO8, which has a useful trip mechanism; those fuses in digital meters are very expensive!
On those rare occasions when current measurement is needed, I tend to use my AVO8, which has a useful trip mechanism; those fuses in digital meters are very expensive!
I get these for free (coupon in the mail)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ugwRB0sKc
I like analog current meters as a rule, build em my self from surplus movements
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ugwRB0sKc
I like analog current meters as a rule, build em my self from surplus movements
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The UT33 series is about the only ones I would recommend under $30. Pretty well built, 10Megaohm input impedance, etc. Far from safe but still pretty well built. I would not trust the current range on a cheap meter to be safe at ALL.
At $40 I can whole heartedly recommend the Amprobe AM-510 or the Fluke 101. Both are DAMN safe, with components like HRC fuses, full MOVs/PTCs, etc. to match the safety ratings. The Amprobe is actually made by Uni-T, though no one knows if Amprobe did the design (they don't design much anymore) or Uni-T did the design to Amprobe's specs. The Amprobe AM-510 honestly, is an EXCELLENT first meter for someone. Lots of features, high quality input protection (means safe on all settings) and robust.
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Last I checked, a 70-series Fluke in tested and/or calibrated condition could be had for about $50. Why bother with the cheapies?
Buying a good tool hurts once. A crappy tool hurts every time you use it.
Tom
Buying a good tool hurts once. A crappy tool hurts every time you use it.
Tom
A crappy tool might hurt every time one misuses it.
Used properly and within the tool's limitations, it can give outcomes that are good enough for the job.
Used properly and within the tool's limitations, it can give outcomes that are good enough for the job.
gadget dude on Utoob has some ideas
panel meters >I reckon you could find at least one decent dual meter amongst all the chaff bits for under 10. I'd look for one with a proper big external shunt and calibrate it to your primary DMM . Look on banggood , fasttech, etc
https://youtu.be/bmGu8xkgtSk
I found this one I like the different colors for current and voltage, grap some 4mm or banana jacks & mount it on the bench or by your PS unit. ooh nice shunt
http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-100V-20A-...unt-12v-24v-/271688735164?hash=item3f41e919bc
4 digits with very good update speed! maybe I don't believe the accuracy over temperature? it's slightlybetter than my main DMM 0.1% , although since its only the one range setting?
panel meters >I reckon you could find at least one decent dual meter amongst all the chaff bits for under 10. I'd look for one with a proper big external shunt and calibrate it to your primary DMM . Look on banggood , fasttech, etc
https://youtu.be/bmGu8xkgtSk
I found this one I like the different colors for current and voltage, grap some 4mm or banana jacks & mount it on the bench or by your PS unit. ooh nice shunt
http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-100V-20A-...unt-12v-24v-/271688735164?hash=item3f41e919bc
4 digits with very good update speed! maybe I don't believe the accuracy over temperature? it's slightlybetter than my main DMM 0.1% , although since its only the one range setting?
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Here is one of the old Maplin Precision Gold meters I mentioned.
(No association)
precision gold m105 multimeter | eBay
I've got one just like it, very good meter, they go for very little on ebay.
(No association)
precision gold m105 multimeter | eBay
I've got one just like it, very good meter, they go for very little on ebay.
Cheapest one is a second hand Fluke. Why? Because you can always sell it for what you usually paid 🙂
Have a look at two options. Uni-T UT139C - it has crap input jacks, crap soldering and the PCB looks like it is cut on hand with a jigsaw but is cheap, has acceptable input protection and lots of features. It isn`t very accurate, I love the newly invented representation by rubbish multimeter manufacturers - very precise percentage which stands first in the marketing brochure and then you have +/- 10 digits. Trap for fools.
Another one which I find quite interesting is a brand available mostly in Europe, Voltcraft. It looks like a rebadged Uni-T, most are made by Uni-T and some by Lutron, the PCB and solder quality are far better, has gold plating instead of the cheap nickel on Uni-T meters which will eventually wear out much sooner, and someone added input protection to it, even the entry models have two varistors and a current limiting resistor inside, plus good ceramic fuses. Case material also seems better. They are more expensive than Uni-Ts, however. I think Voltcraft is owned by Conrad Electronics.
End advice, if you want cheap, get a used Fluke 😀
Have a look at two options. Uni-T UT139C - it has crap input jacks, crap soldering and the PCB looks like it is cut on hand with a jigsaw but is cheap, has acceptable input protection and lots of features. It isn`t very accurate, I love the newly invented representation by rubbish multimeter manufacturers - very precise percentage which stands first in the marketing brochure and then you have +/- 10 digits. Trap for fools.
Another one which I find quite interesting is a brand available mostly in Europe, Voltcraft. It looks like a rebadged Uni-T, most are made by Uni-T and some by Lutron, the PCB and solder quality are far better, has gold plating instead of the cheap nickel on Uni-T meters which will eventually wear out much sooner, and someone added input protection to it, even the entry models have two varistors and a current limiting resistor inside, plus good ceramic fuses. Case material also seems better. They are more expensive than Uni-Ts, however. I think Voltcraft is owned by Conrad Electronics.
End advice, if you want cheap, get a used Fluke 😀
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