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Digital Multimeter

Yahoo Message Number: 4393
I am in need of a decent digital multimeter with a "clamp on" jaws for AC current measurement capability. Some time ago, I remember seeing a couple of recommendations on one of the forums for a meter in the $50 range, but my search has come up empty.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks ~

Re: Digital Multimeter

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 4394
I mentioned that I used the http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg8/R-100140383/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 Sperry HDM 4100A in my RV for projects. It has max 10A current measurement.
Beware of some of the cheaper models have very low ranges. So depends on what you want to do. About 35$
Also beware of some of the "Contractor" Models because they do not compare well either. (For Example 1 Amps vs 10 amps current measurement)
I used to use a Sperry 350A, but it is now at home because it can only handle up to 0.2A!
Does that help? Let me know what you find and decide to use.
Kevin
Oh, for the Sperry - the connections to the meter are just banana clip, so you can rig any reasonable connectors easily. And depending on the voltage - you may very well want something a bit more sturdy than comes with the unit ;-)

center
From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of xcsdx
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 2:04 PM
To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [KodiakChassisClassC] Digital Multimeter


I am in need of a decent digital multimeter with a "clamp on" jaws for AC current measurement capability. Some time ago, I remember seeing a couple of recommendations on one of the forums for a meter in the $50 range, but my search has come up empty.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks ~

Re: Digital Multimeter

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 4402
Thanks Kevin ~ The meter looks good but I need one that measures AC current without putting it in line with the circuit. I don't see any open jaw or clamp on device with this meter. Does it have that capability and I'm just missing something??

However, based on your Home Depot tip, I did find this one that I can get for $49.00
http://www.tequipment.net/Ideal61-096.asp

Thanks ~

Craig

Re: Digital Multimeter

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 4403
My everyday is a Fluke. But for this application I have a off brand meter. For RV and home work it works very well. There are many models that can be bought off EBAY for less then $50 with shipping. Digital amp meter
Best
Ron Hall

Re: Digital Multimeter

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 4406
True, true. I cannot speak personally to the AC case - but for the Sperry & DC measurements all the current measurements require you to be in a series with the element under test. Also in the case of the Sperry, you cannot switch ranges until the power is OFF. That can be a pain.
Clips - Clamps - I think I just had a misunderstanding. I thought you were looking for clamp on leads. I missed the whole thing about a clamp for the meter! Sorry - brain fade. I was thinking more on the line of http://www.amazon.com/Ideal-61-096-Automatic-Split-Tester/dp/B000LEG8EC and you were on a whole different subject.
I realize I am speaking to the master, but just in case - are you really looking for something like the Kill-A-Watt? Limited to 125V and 15A, and requires the device to be plugged into it. Available from Ham Radio Outlet...
Kevin
P.S. Those are huge ranges on the Ideal.
P.P.S - I found the Ideal on Amazon for 72$ so 49$ looks like a really good deal. There was one review at 5 stars with the only complaint... that it did not have a case. Also seems to work with banana style test leads as well.
P.P.P.S. Don't hurt yourself!
K

center
From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of xcsdx
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 12:17 AM
To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: Digital Multimeter

Thanks Kevin ~ The meter looks good but I need one that measures AC current without putting it in line with the circuit. I don't see any open jaw or clamp on device with this meter. Does it have that capability and I'm just missing something??

However, based on your Home Depot tip, I did find this one that I can get for $49.00
http://www.tequipme nt.net/Ideal61- 096.asp

Thanks ~

Craig

--- In , " Kevin \(Real\) McCoy"  wrote:
Quote
I mentioned that I used the
https://www.supercrvgroup.com/
href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg8/R-100140383/h_d2/ProductDisplay?l">http://www.homedepo t.com/h_d1/ N-5yc1vZ1xg8/ R-100140383/ h_d2/ProductDisp lay?l

Quote
angId=-1
href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg8/R-100140383/h_d2/ProductDisplay?">http://www.homedepo t.com/h_d1/ N-5yc1vZ1xg8/ R-100140383/ h_d2/ProductDisp lay?

Quote
langId=-1&storeId= 10051&catalogId= 10053>
&storeId=10051& catalogId= 10053

Quote
Sperry HDM 4100A in my RV for projects. It has max 10A current
measurement.
Quote
Beware of some of the cheaper models have very low ranges. So depends
on what you want to do. About 35$

Also beware of some of the "Contractor" Models because they do  not compare well either. (For Example 1 Amps vs 10 amps current measurement)

I used to use a Sperry 350A, but it is now at home because it can only
handle up to 0.2A!

Does that help? Let me know what you find and decide to use.

Kevin

Oh, for the Sperry - the connections to the meter are just banana clip,
so you can rig any reasonable connectors easily. And depending on the
voltage - you may very well want something a bit more sturdy than comes  with the unit ;-)

_____

From:
[mailto:]
On Behalf Of xcsdx

Quote
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 2:04 PM
To:
Subject: [KodiakChassisClass C] Digital Multimeter


I am in need of a decent digital multimeter with a "clamp on"
jaws for AC

Quote
current measurement capability. Some time ago, I remember seeing a couple  of recommendations on one of the forums for a meter in the $50 range, but my
search has come up empty.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks ~

Re: Digital Multimeter

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 4407
Ron, you are the man! That is great pricing. At Grainger a clamp on like that is like hundreds of dollars!

center
From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of ronjhallsr
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 3:50 AM
To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: Digital Multimeter


My everyday is a Fluke. But for this application I have a off brand meter. For RV and home work it works very well. There are many models that can be bought off EBAY for less then $50 with shipping. Digital amp meter
Best
Ron Hall
--- In KodiakChassisClassC @yahoogroups. com , "xcsdx"  wrote:
Quote
Thanks Kevin ~ The meter looks
good but I need one that measures AC current without putting it in line with the circuit. I don't see any open jaw or clamp on device with this meter. Does it have that capability and I'm just missing something??
Quote
However, based on your Home Depot tip, I did find this one that I can get
for $49.00

Quote
http://www.tequipme nt.net/Ideal61- 096.asp

Thanks ~

Craig

--- In Kodiak ChassisClassC @yahoogroups. com, "
w:st="on">Kevin \(Real\) McCoy" kevinmccoy@ wrote:
Quote
I mentioned that I used the
http://www.homedepo t.com/h_d1/ N-5yc1vZ1xg8/ R-100140383/ h_d2/ProductDisp lay?l
angId=-1
langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053>
&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Quote
Sperry HDM 4100A in my RV for projects. It has max 10A current
measurement.
Quote
Beware of some of the cheaper models have very low ranges. So depends
on what you want to do. About 35$

Also beware of some of the "Contractor" Models because they
do not

Quote
compare well either. (For Example 1 Amps vs 10 amps current
measurement)
Quote
I used to use a S perry 350A, but it is now at home because it can  only handle up to 0.2A!

Does that help? Let me know what you find and decide to use.

Kevin

Oh, for the Sperry - the connections to the meter are just banana
clip,

Quote
so you can rig any reasonable connectors easily. And depending on the
voltage - you may very well want something a bit more sturdy than
comes with

Quote
the unit ;-)

_____

From: KodiakChassisClassC @yahoogroups. com
[mailto: KodiakChass isClassC@ yahoogroups. com ]
On Behalf Of xcsdx

Quote
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 2:04 PM
To: KodiakChassisClassC @yahoogroups. com
Subject: [KodiakChassisClass C] Digital Multimeter

& gt;

I am in need of a decent digital multimeter with a "clamp
on" jaws for AC

Quote
current measurement capability. Some time ago, I remember seeing a
couple of

Quote
recommendations on one of the forums for a meter in the $50 range, but  my search has come up empty.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks ~

Re: Digital Multimeter

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 4416
Kevin, the Ideal 61-096 would be "ideal" for RV use except for one glaring flaw, I discovered it doesn't measure DC Amps. Since I have the Trimeteric 2025 battery monitor (that measures current) already installed, I will probably go with the Ideal anyway, but it would be nice to have everything in one package.

Ron, the Fluke is diffinately the best, but I didn't want to commit that much money. Thanks for the eBay link. That and Amazon are always the first places I look, but I have come up short in my search for the Holy Grail of meters.....one that provides AC/DC voltage, "clamp on" or "open jaw" AC current, DC current, continuity, w/ a backlit LCD for UNDER $70.

Here's a link to what I am looking for, but at a cost of $100. This site does offer a nice selection.
http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/MS2138Rf.htm

My quest continues. :-)

Thanks everyone, Craig