A way To Save Charging Time

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

It's not that bad!!

$270

https://www.fluke-direct.com/product...FQ6paQodt9gA4g

Yep, you're right (but it is about AUD400 )

I looked at the Fluke 375 when I checked the price Amazon price. Didn't realise that that one has Bluetooth connectivity as well.


Edit: One point of difference other than price: The Fluke 325 is "only" 400Amp (the 375 is 600Amp) . The Mastech is 1000Amp. (Don't know how useful that is in practice, I hope that I never come across more than 400 Amps in a 12 Volt DC circuit )

[Kenomac]

Nothing to report today. Bimini is on it's way to Turino for solar install, people at the factory are very nice.

While making repairs to the davit sytem today, I managed to get a full drop of mixed epoxy resin in my eye. Oh the pain and burning.... I always wear safety glasses, but forgot to put them on this time. It took hours to get the goo out and it still burns.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Understood. Does Fluke also make one that measures DC amps?

Anything that you can imagine and some things you wouldn't believe exist measurement / testing wise, Fluke makes.
Fluke is the high end /Pro equipment, and you of course pay for that, but like many things you often get what you pay for, but as with everything there is some extra cost for the name.
A person with a Fluke multimeter will usually have a set of Snap On wrenches too.

[masonc]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Fluke is the high end /Pro equipment, .

Fluke has high end and basic models. This is probably what you need if your budget is tight.
FLUKE 362 True-rms AC DC Clamp Meter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L7KZYSA..._UR1hzbFWPTGX4

[a64pilot]

I find little use for a clamp meter, mine I use on the boat is this one.
I do have a clamp meter too, somewhere. Haven't seen it since we moved, ought to look I guess

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000O...6DF6X0KQKNKTMC

[masonc]

DC Clamp Meters are great for testing solar panels, short them in full sun and measure the Isc.
Very useful to diagnose tripping breakers, you can see if the load exceeds the rating or the breaker is faulty.
Also handy for autopilot work, measure motor current to see if course computer is driving motor or ram is stuck.

[Kenomac]

If I can purchase a brand new Fluke 374 RMS AC/DC for $185 shipping included, is it worth paying the extra money? I know these things usually go for much more.

The only piece of of electronic test equipment I have onboard right now is pictured, which has come in very handy many times, although I really don't know how to use most of it's capabilities. Will it be any easier for me to understand the clamp on type tester?

[masonc]

I have exactly the same meter on the boat. If all you do is check voltage, it's perfect. The features of a meter don't help if you don't know why you would use them.
One accessory you might consider is a set of insulated clips so you leave the meter attached without having to hold the on. Sometimes you need to measure change over time, such as watching a battery charge.
I wouldn't waste money on a more sophisticated meter.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

If I can purchase a brand new Fluke 374 RMS AC/DC for $185 shipping included, is it worth paying the extra money? I know these things usually go for much more.

According to the Fluke website:
This product is discontinued or reclassified

Which is why you may be able to pick one up for less than the original list price. But is doesn't seem to do anything the Mastech does.

The only piece of of electronic test equipment I have onboard right now is pictured, which has come in very handy many times, although I really don't know how to use most of it's capabilities. Will it be any easier for me to understand the clamp on type tester?

RTM? They are fairly simple devices and the manuals are straightforward.

FWIW, many(most?) people don't use (or know how to use) the Resistance and Capacitance functions. Using the probes to measure voltage and the clamp to measure current are the two primary uses.

[Bleemus]

Get the clamp meter and learn to use it. I always enjoy showing people who think their 80 amp alternator is a beast is only putting out 15 amps.

[Bleemus]

And get this book. It will open yours eyes.

Sailboat Electrics Simplified https://www.amazon.com/dp/0070366497..._WCdizbMZHX25N

[Kenomac]

I already have the "Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual" by Nigel Calder. Does your suggested book cover more issues or does it explain things better? Would the two books compliment one another or be redundant?

[a64pilot]

To try to answer whether get a Fluke or not is a very similar argument as to buy a Huffy or not.
The Huffy will take you to the store just like the more expensive bike will, and for a whole lot less money, and if your riding for exercise, then there is no comparison, the Huffy is better.
You can get a good Fluke for $100, you have to decide if it's worth it or not.

[transmitterdan]

The cheap Chinese D.C. clamp meters (e.g. Extech) are easy to screw up. They have no automatic degauss function and have a rudimentary offset feature. They are not robust and often give wrong results with errors as much as 20%.

Fluke make a good DC/AC probe for about $250.00 that works with regular multimeters. I think it is the i410 model.

[senormechanico]

There's an old saying I try to stick with which makes my life much easier:

The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten