Quote:
Originally Posted by sailah
Agree with everyone else. I only use Fluke meters but its a buy once cry once purchase. I use them at my company all the time so justified decision.
Ive found a really handy tool to have is a 20' piece of 14AWG wire with crimped on alligator clips. Then i can trace wire leads almost anywhere on the boat. One end of alligator clip goes on one end and the other clips to meter lead. Then i can probe around and get readings. Basically a lead extender. My fluke allows me to zero out the resistance in the 20' wire so i can measure things as if it werent there. Takes up no space and also serves as emergency wire if you need it.
Cheap multimeters never seem to work out for me, that goes for all cheap tools. A boat is the last place i want junk tools that I rely on. Your mileage may vary.
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I like your long lead extender with alligator clips. Most pre-made extension clips are only 2-3 ft long.
I will disagree about using a Fluke or other bench test electronic
equipment for 95% of all
DIY boat work.
I also used a 4-1/2 digit high end Fluke for my business (I'm now retired) designing and building strain gage instrumentation. A Rolls Royce for business use is often justified.
I was suggesting inexpensive DVMs (not cheap) as these are more than adequate for
wiring work. I also recommended that the DVM (and all other tools) be 100% dedicated to the boat, and not travel back and forth to home, to work, or for other projects like working on cars.
There's another thread active today about forgetting things at home, in your car, on the
dock. The stories included wives and friends being left behind.
There's nothing worse on a boat in having an emergency and finding out you left your traveling toolbox at home.
I also sail saltwater.
Corrosion is always an issue. I have no qualms about running out and
buying a $25-55 DVM if my one has died. I can say that even my $25 DVMs have lasted for decades, with little degradation in quality.
As for zeroing, most $25 DVMs have this, and all $55 DVMs have this, plus clamp on ammeters, etc.
Because of my business, I did have to equip 5 different mobile pieces of
equipment with full sets of tools. The brute strength 1/2 inch socket sets were always the best. Other tools were appropriate for field checks and minor
repairs. Most heavy duty high end equipment stayed in the shop. The mandatory
rule was that each piece of equipment had its own, dedicated set of tools and nothing was moved back and forth. IMO, my boat needs its own set of tools.
Every solution doesn't have to be a Rolls Royce. Especially when the OP was talking about replacing bell wire and mis-wiring a ciggie socket, and using a incandescent bulb as his
wiring check. You wouldn't buy a carbon frame bike to teach someone to ride a bicycle, would you? A Corvette for a new driver?
I do stay away from total carp though - and over the yeas have learned to recognize carppy tools and such.