Multimeter

[T_red7882]

Since i am about to begin the journey of amp building, it has come to my attention that i need to purchase a multimeter. Can anyone recommend one or where to purchase one?

[surfoverb]

Home Depot, Radio Shack, Sears.

[jh45gun]

I just have a couple of those CHEAP chinese digital multimeters that Harbor Freight sells under the Cen Tech brand but for under a ten dollar bill it has AC/DC voltage, Resistance, DC amperage, Batery and Diode test and a transistor checker plus a one year warranty so how can ya go wrong.

[65flh5326]

I have never liked cheap tools, especially electronic ones.
I have alot of meters, the one that has always been my favorite is the Simpson 260.
These can be had on ebay often for less than $50. I would suggest a series 3 or later model.
The analog meter is much better for testing many items as the flickering display on digitals makes it hard to see trends such as testing a pot.
Besides, the massive bakelite case fits right in for the tele lover.
http://simpson260.com/

[RomanS]

I use a cheapo no-name, too - just make sure it can handle at least 600 V - plate voltages will usually be in the 400+ volts range, and you want a bit of safety margin!

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by 65flh5326

I have never liked cheap tools, especially electronic ones.
I have alot of meters, the one that has always been my favorite is the Simpson 260.
These can be had on ebay often for less than $50. I would suggest a series 3 or later model.
The analog meter is much better for testing many items as the flickering display on digitals makes it hard to see trends such as testing a pot.
Besides, the massive bakelite case fits right in for the tele lover.
http://simpson260.com/

Oh crap! I HAVE to have one of those!

[jh45gun]

The voltage on these go to 750 AC and a 1000 DC. I tell you what I see no difference in these cheap ones and the more expensive one I had bought years ago. I paid 75 bucks for that one back then and that is when 75 bucks was worth a lot more than it is now. That meter had a cap checker which I never used anyway and a continuity check that sounded a tone of course this one does not have either but it measures the resistance and the voltage just as well so that is all that matters to me. Never again would I pay for an expensive meter when these cheap ones work as well for the common ordinary jobs. Maybe a few less bells and whistles but I do not need that anyway. I prefer the fast read of a digital meter over the needle type and yea I have used good ones. Back when I took an electronics course back in the early 70's the school had the best test equipment available including meters and they were needle as the digital ones were just starting to come out and be popular and the school had not bought any yet but their needle ones were top shelf. When I tried a digital I found that is what I prefered. I wish I would have kept up on the electronics but I let it go so now it is a re-learning thing for me.

[Axis29]

I had a Fluke for close to fifteen years, and the display finally went south on me last year. My wife bought me an Ideal from Home Depot. It works well, funny thing is, one of the things I've used most over the years is that audible continuity check. I'm glad my new Ideal has one. But, I'd never tell the wife if it didn't have it!!!! The Ideal is a nice unit. Not that I'll ever really push the limits of it, but it works for everything I've used it for so far. including biasing my DRRI.

A nice thing about the Ideal, is that it uses banana plugs. I had a couple of different sets of leads for my Fluke (one set has alligator clips, which is really, really handy when you want to check dangerous levels of electrons flowing live!!!!)... might be something to consider?

I had bought a cheap Radio Shak one that woulda probably been fine for just about anything (but I doubt it coulda handled amp voltages).

I know this probably didn't help one tiny bit, but I like seeing my name in print.... :)

[Dan German]

Originally Posted by Axis29

I had a Fluke for close to fifteen years

I always thought it was funny that a test instrument company was called Fluke. Obviously they didn't clear that with a marketing consultant.

Inexpensive multi-meters work fine for the average Joe. My only regret is that a digital display is not always best (as has been noted). If you can find one that tries to look "rugged" by having a protective rubber case, buy that. If you are anything like me, it will get dropped. Even if it didn't cost much, it will only get dropped right before you need to use it.

[Dacious]

Best and most accurate one I have is an AVO ex Royal Australian Air Force 1960's analogue meter that does 750 VAC/DC but is hardest to read. I have a variety of cheapies I usually take when not critical.

One with cap checker is good to have. I've found quite a few new caps that don't measure to spec.

[jh45gun]

Originally Posted by Dan German

I always thought it was funny that a test instrument company was called Fluke. Obviously they didn't clear that with a marketing consultant.

Inexpensive multi-meters work fine for the average Joe. My only regret is that a digital display is not always best (as has been noted). If you can find one that tries to look "rugged" by having a protective rubber case, buy that. If you are anything like me, it will get dropped. Even if it didn't cost much, it will only get dropped right before you need to use it.

Thats why when I bought the one I bought an extra to have on hand they were on sale for 4.99 so why not. Oh an other nice feature is the display has a button you can hit to light up a back up light on the display. You know a lot of folks now would think that these cheap digital meters are no good because they are so cheap but considering what they do only a few years ago they would have been a lot more expensive.