Which Fluke multimeter?

[Onemoreproject]

I have owned several cheap multimeters and think if I buy a Fluke it will last longer if not always.
The Fluke 101 is only 49.00 on Amazon. It does not measure current (amps). The next lowest priced model jumps up to 136.00.

Will that take be sufficient for on board electrical or do i need to be able to measure current? i have a battery monitor that tells me how many amps i am pulling from solar or gives battery state.

Thanks,

Onemoreproject

[Paul Elliott]

You won't regret having a DC clamp-on ammeter on board, but for general use you can usually get by with a "Volts and Ohms" meter. If you are troubleshooting power systems the ammeter is a very useful tool.

I like and have numerous Fluke meters (I'm an electronics engineer), but on the boat I also carry a "beater" DC clamp-on ammeter sold by Sears that only costs $60 (http://www.sears.com/craftsman-digit...p-03482369000P). So far it's held up well.

[a64pilot]

Not the one I have, but in the less that $100 category for a Fluke on Amazon, maybe?
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-323-Tru...keywords=fluke

On edit on a closer look, it seems it will NOT measure DC amperage?

[john61ct]

Secondhand but higher quality, eBay's got a better guarantee than some new sellers.

I picked up a Greenlee CMT-80 for $35, happy so far.

This seems the lowest currently, try a lowball offer and keep a search open to check periodically

http://www.ebay.com/itm/232339641424

[Kenomac]

I just two days ago purchased a brand new Fluke 374 clamp on meter on ebay for $185 delivered. Looks like it will do everything on a boat including reading low d/c amps. Hope it works out, it looks easy to understand.

[Onemoreproject]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

You won't regret having a DC clamp-on ammeter on board, but for general use you can usually get by with a "Volts and Ohms" meter. If you are troubleshooting power systems the ammeter is a very useful tool.

I like and have numerous Fluke meters (I'm an electronics engineer), but on the boat I also carry a "beater" DC clamp-on ammeter sold by Sears that only costs $60 (Sears.com). So far it's held up well.

Thanks for the advice, I already have a clamp on amp meter

[smac999]

I just bought the 107. Which does small current. And wasn't much more then the 101.

I already had a fluke clamp and really just wanted the diode mode.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Looks like it will do everything on a boat including reading low d/c amps.

To me that is key, I don't care if it will measure 600 amps or not, it's measuring low amperage I want, currently I have to put my multimeter in line to measure amperage, be nice to have a clamp on that will accurately measure to the amp

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Not the one I have, but in the less that $100 category for a Fluke on Amazon, maybe?
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-323-Tru...keywords=fluke

On edit on a closer look, it seems it will NOT measure DC amperage?

Yes, this one does not measure DC current.

As for measuring low currents with the clamp-meter, If there is enough slack in the wires, you can wrap a few turns through the clamp jaws for a multiplier effect. Ten turns multiplies the measurement x 10.

[mikeo16]

I have the model 325 Fluke but am regretting that it only measures to once decimal place. For DC Volts, there is a big difference between 12.51 and 12.59. It actually rounds, so 12.51 would display as 12.5 and 12.59 would display as 12.6

[john61ct]

http://www.eevblog.com/projects/ucurrent/

Site is a great resource on tools.

Search their forum for an endless review thread on cheap DMMs.

[Privleoplag]

This ain't a fluke but I used it before I went to the boat and 6 months on the boat in the heat and humidity of the Caribbean.. about daily. Really like it. Better than my high end one in the shop at home.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Sailor_Hutch]

My Fluke was purchased in 1987. I've only ever had to change the battery. Good choice.

[CaptTom]

Fluke makes good stuff, but...

DON'T buy this one, or one like it:


It's light, and the case is rounded on the back. It just spins every which way with any stray movement of the leads, which are kind of short. It's totally unstable on any surface, and will always spin to make the display unreadable. You need a third hand to hold the meter to face you.

I'd rather have an old-fashioned "brick" that at least lays flat.

[RickG]

Originally Posted by Privleoplag

This ain't a fluke but I used it before I went to the boat and 6 months on the boat in the heat and humidity of the Caribbean.. about daily. Really like it. Better than my high end one in the shop at home.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's the cheap Signstek unit I have been using as well. It seems to work well. My old Fluke does not measure current. I end up using the cheap unit over the Fluke since it is at hand.

Cheers, RickG