Recommendations for AC/DC voltmeter purchase

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by Bleemus

You do realize this is Mainesails website right? He would never carry a product he doesn't believe is worth it.

No, I did not realize that. In any event I was not trying to impugn the seller (one that has earned great respect over the years, now that he is identified), only to point out that we can't tell much of anything about the product by looking at the web site. My take is that he was offering a product for the non-technical that he knows will be a good (or good enough) solution. No problem there. But for someone who does understand instrumentation saying "this will work" is simply not enough. There is a clear trade-off between price and accuracy/features, so without knowing the accuracy and features it is impossible to judge whether it is worth the price. Now knowing the vendor I would have more confidence that the product is adequate for the need, and backed up by customer service. But I still can't say how it compares with other offerings, so would not recommend buying it over other options until the specs are available. But that is just me I guess - I want the facts.


Greg

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

I've always got by with a cheap $10 one. But I got stuck recently diagnosing a faulty bit of marine sceince gear and we needed an old school analog meter, as even the decent quality digital ones onboard weren't fast enough to detect a short trigger pulse. Have to add one to my tool kit.

Yes, that is a big disadvantage to digital meters, and an example of where a small lamp can be better at detection. Personally I would go with a shirt-pocket oscilloscope, like the Sainsmart open-source models, for $100-200. They are awesome diagnostic tools at a bargain price. My nephew is a robotics consultant and carries one with him on the job. It is on my wish-list.



Greg

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Again, there are no **DC ammeters** that cheap.

And yes I'm happy to recommend that meter, between Charles Sterling's DC engineering skills and my respect for Maine Sail's knowledge and integrity.

$100 is dead cheap if you want a decent tool.

The difference between that and the cheapest possible Chinese eBay one is less than taking the kids to McD's after a game.

I'm not sure why the personalization of my comments. I have no doubt that Mr. Sterling is a fine engineer, and that Maine Sail is a solid vendor. I am talking about the product, not the people. It should be pretty obvious at this point that Sterling's engineering skills have nothing to do with this - it is a private-branded generic product that is being sold by Sterling - he sure as hell didn't design it. He is clearly importing it with his name on it from a Chinese factory. There is nothing wrong with that - after all, Apple's expensive top-end gear comes from the same place. The only way either person is brought into the discussion is that some posters feel that we shouldn't need the specs because of the reputation of the sellers; I respectfully disagree. Customers have a right to make a knowledgeable decision, and without the knowledge being present should look elsewhere.


BTW the lack of specs originates with the Sterling site, not Maine Sail's. I hope they will both take note and remedy the situation.



Greg

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Absolutely, most things on a boat don't require a Fluke, maybe for bragging rights. I might pay a little more than $10 but not much.

Depends I guess on how you value tools.
I’ve made most of my living with them and to me quality tools are a necessity. A fluke 115 is not that expensive, not for a long time purchase.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

I've always got by with a cheap $10 one. But I got stuck recently diagnosing a faulty bit of marine sceince gear and we needed an old school analog meter, as even the decent quality digital ones onboard weren't fast enough to detect a short trigger pulse. Have to add one to my tool kit.

The Fluke 77, and its successors, and many imitators past and present, added an analog-like bargraph underneath the digits, which makes them almost as responsive as analog meters. The clamp-on meter I linked to back on page 1 or 2 has such a bargraph, as well as a peak hold function: you 'arm' it, and then when a peak or pulse has passed, the value is held in the readout til you reset and arm it again.

But analog meters still have advantages in some situations.

Rather than the '$10' meter, I usually go for the ~$70 meter when it's on sale. And they usually last. I have a Radio Shack clone of the Fluke 77 that's still working fine (with occasional switch cleaning) after - yikes - 30 years?

Another must-have feature - beep continuity, so that when you're looking for a short or tracing wires, you don't have to keep looking at the meter.

[CarinaPDX]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

Another must-have feature - beep continuity, so that when you're looking for a short or tracing wires, you don't have to keep looking at the meter.

Yep, I couldn't agree more, and it is not on the cheap HF meter that I got for free - an enduring PITA (you get what you pay for?). Fortunately my other meter does have it, as well as the UT210E.


Greg

[john61ct]

Yes I'm not saying the specs shouldn't be easy to find, just that issue would not imply the product isn't good value, based on my trust in both.

Pop Charles an email, he's usually responsive.

[Westsailor32]

If you are troubleshooting circuit boards, etc. then an expensive, digital Fluke, etc. is necessary. Trouble shooting 12/24v or 110AC simply does not require readings to the hundreds/thousandths. For 'general troubleshooting' I prefer an analog meter. Particularly one with a large face like the 'built like a tank' Simpson 260. I can focus on where my probes are while watching needle movement out of the corner of my eye.

[john61ct]

Volts is not the challenge.

The issue is getting DC Amps readings

reasonably accurate

at reasonable pricing.

Super-duper Fluke is $200-400

Around $100 I'd now reco MS's.

El cheapo, fine for many have not seen cheaper than the $25-50 ones discussed above.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Depends I guess on how you value tools.
I’ve made most of my living with them and to me quality tools are a necessity. A fluke 115 is not that expensive, not for a long time purchase.

My favorite was always a Simpson 560. They are probably no longer make.

[Russian007]

I just ordered this one. I'd love to be able to clamp off one of the probes, do you guys normally just attach a two sided alligator clip to the probe tip? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ZNPCOPQZ&psc=1

[GrowleyMonster]

Originally Posted by Russian007

I just ordered this one. I'd love to be able to clamp off one of the probes, do you guys normally just attach a two sided alligator clip to the probe tip? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ZNPCOPQZ&psc=1

The jaws open and close around the wire or conductor to be tested for current. Test leads are used for voltage, resistance, and sometimes other variables depending on the meter's designed capabilities and functions.

[Russian007]

Originally Posted by GrowleyMonster

The jaws open and close around the wire or conductor to be tested for current. Test leads are used for voltage, resistance, and sometimes other variables depending on the meter's designed capabilities and functions.

I understand, what I meant was it's awkward having to use both hands to test a circuit. Be nice if I could clip one of the leads to free up my hand.

[Bleemus]

Amprobe TL36A Test Leads with Alligator Clips, 1000V https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029XS6KW..._nJ9nBbH3APBRC

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Russian007

I understand, what I meant was it's awkward having to use both hands to test a circuit. Be nice if I could clip one of the leads to free up my hand.

It isw not uncommon to have an alligator clip that slips onto a probe. Probably more common than not. Logic circuit not as much.