Ooooh! Value Pawn. Fluke 110. They are asking $45, but the new price on Amazon is $79. Maybe I can get it for less. Doesn't have diode check, but that's easy enough to rig up using resistance check. And, it's a Fluke.

 

The Fluke 110 was supposed to measure capacitance, but had no selection icon for it. The one in the case could measure amps, volts, and ohms. That's it. On Fluke's web site, it is listed as discontinued.

Also in the case was a UEI DL369. The price was right, and checking online, it seems to do all I want. I have to go back, and I think I'll buy that one. It has positive reviews in Amazon.

 

hope you havent purchased yet

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/PEA...ance-meter-transistor-tester/32824762258.html

This is my recommendation

 

Bought it. $35. $5 more, and the pawn shop agreed to give me $35 store credit if it goes tango uniform in the next 6 months. Least Ebay price $39 plus $9 shipping. Couldn't talk them down. Tomorrow, some tests.

I'm watching a DeWalt 7" angle grinder in the same shop. Too pricey, now, but they price on a Polish Auction system. Every couple of weeks the price drops.

 

Was able to download an instruction manual.

Over the next 6 months, I'll save for a Fluke. The 115 is about $100 new, and seems worth it. I'll keep saving as long as the UEI keeps working.

The UEI seems pretty rugged, and has a wire clamp. I wasn't after a wire clamp machine until the pawn salesman suggested I try it out. Yeah, it takes more room, but I'll find a use for it.

The next time I need to diagnose a PWM, check a 220VAC or 3-phase circuit to verify it disconnected, or check a car engine sensor, I'll have a way more sophisticated tool. If it dies in under 6 months, I can go back to any of the 4 Value Pawns in the area, and have $35 toward something else.

In a couple of weeks, I add a DC circuit to my Lincoln 225 AC Tombstone welder. I may need to explore what type, and what value of capacitor to add to smooth out the DC voltage curve. But that's another project.

 

There is like a <$20 component tester on banggood that everyone likes. Skip those functions with a DVM.

Reccomend Auto-off and auto-range.

 

They are very handy!
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LCR-T4-...069018&hash=item1ca096bc00:g:0WQAAOSwXYtYxjxb
And a case...
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:797733

A video review..

Dave also did a review on the AN8008. It is a bit funny as he started off bagging it as junk but as he actually got to test it, he was forced to change his mind

 

Something odd. I checked a 1-1/2V battery with it, and red to positive black to negative, it read OK. When I reversed the leads, initially, it read 0L, then the correct voltage. It adjusted for the misplacement of the leads. Is it supposed to do that? I ask, because this could be a real problem on a diode test.

 

Hey, cool transistor/diode/capacitor test gadget. Gotta check it out. Gonna buy one! Thanx!

 

Something odd. I checked a 1-1/2V battery with it, and red to positive black to negative, it read OK. When I reversed the leads, initially, it read 0L, then the correct voltage. It adjusted for the misplacement of the leads. Is it supposed to do that? I ask, because this could be a real problem on a diode test.

it's probably a good thing. Ni-Cd batteries are known to reverse polarity when used in a series string.

 

There are so many, it is difficult to choose. I know, or think I know, Fluke is the best, but I don't want to spend $125+. I'm interested in the under $50 level.

I'm interested in your experiences. Chinese meters are OK.

-Durable
-VAC and VDC to 400 at least
-Amperage as much as I can get
-Transistor testing
-Diode testing
-Capacitor testing
-Resistance
-Temperature would be nice to have, but is not necessary
-Frequency

Usage level is, perhaps, twice a week, most of it on the bench, or at the tool

Will be used to test many things, but primarily electric power supplies, switching, diodes, resistance, continuity, power transistors.

I'm looking on Ebay for my next multimeter. My current multimeter is an analog Radio Shack cheapo from the 1980's, that doesn't do half of what I need. Its circuitry is iffy, and needs to be recycled.

Your input is highly valued.

If you measure high voltages "VAC and VDC to 400 at least". Then please get one from a reliable brand. As skimping here on quality can have serious consequences. Some of them might catch fire or electrocute you when measuring such high voltages if you go with cheap ones due to their falsely advertised tolerances. If you are just into hobby electronics dealing with low voltage, then a cheap one would suffice.

 

The highest voltages I measure are 220. I'm a hobbyist, not a pro. If there is high voltage in a circuit under that, it doesn't carry the deadly amperages. I've been "stung" by my MIG welder during summer, when sweat soaked my clothes, but that's low voltage and high amperage.

The battery measured was a Duracell 1.5V flashlight battery, not NiCD or any other rechargeable.

My next door neighbor's tenant works HVAC. Going to borrow a few capacitors from him, today.

The more I look at this meter I bought, the more I am pleased with it. I just hope the testing shows all works. So far, low voltages, house current, and various spare resistors have shown it's pretty accurate. The clamp works.

The leads are kind of beat up. Going to buy new ones. They look standard. Suggestions?

 

After testing, the meter works just fine. Wow. Bought for half the retail price. And insurance of a sort. Heckuva deal. The only complaint is that it takes about 10 seconds to get the desired value.

 

I have a cheapish one that I use for "everyday" use it's a Tenma.. It's now 6~7 years old and the dial switch is getting dubious!! I've cleaned it many times with alcohol, but it's had its day... For £40 ( $52 ish ) I definitely will replace it for another... But!! If you don't have a bench DVM then I would suggest a bottom end fluke.. It will last longer than the mid range, and it's far more accurate.

The difference between my bench fluke and the mid range £40 meter is apparent when working at precision!! The Tenma was just for field work..

I reckon £100+ ( $140ish ) will get you a decent DVM...

What model Fluke are you using?

 

You said "good" which means high quality.
You also said "cheap" which means very poor quality.

20 years ago I bought a Fluke DMM and after being used every day it still works perfectly. At the same time my boss bought a Radio Shack DMM and it failed in one week and could not be replaced or fixed.

 

The only complaint is that it takes about 10 seconds to get the desired value.

Turn off Auto Range.

 

20 years ago I bought a Fluke DMM and after being used every day it still works perfectly. At the same time my boss bought a Radio Shack DMM and it failed in one week and could not be replaced or fixed.

I bought a DMM from Radio Shack in 1990. It still works.

 

I bought a DMM from Radio Shack in 1990. It still works.

So you're the lucky one for that year!?

For full disclosure I should say I bought a thin LCD display calculator around 1978 from them that still works. It was probably made by Casio.

 

What model Fluke are you using?

As per norm... Its a fluke / HP combo... Can't remember the number, I'll have to check at work tomorrow... Damn good meter though..

 

Bought a case and new leads from some Chinese outfit on Ebay. Probably take a month to get to me.

The ancient Radio Shack analog volt meter is retired, in the circular file.