any recommendations for a multimeter ?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › any recommendations for a multimeter ?

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#2410784 31-Jan-2020 15:31

I got a el Cheapo off ebay some 2 years ago.
Gets thrown around in my toolbox.
Still work, came with a temperature probe as well.
Is not bad, have a look

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=AN870+19999+Counts+True-RMS+Auto+Range+Digital+Multimeter+AC%2FDC+Voltage+Meter&_sacat=0&_sop=15

neb

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#2410831 31-Jan-2020 15:40

That's an Aneng, or more likely a clone. They're OK, probably in the same region as the UNI-T's if they're an original.

As with the UNI-T comment, you'd have to be careful you're not getting a way-below-par clone, i.e. try and locate an official reseller or get it locally.

Batman

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#2410834 31-Jan-2020 15:46

question: can you use a multimeter to check if disposable batteries are full or empty?

richms

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#2410848 31-Jan-2020 16:27

Batman:

question: can you use a multimeter to check if disposable batteries are full or empty?

Sort of. You can tell a full one because it will be about 1.6v, you can tell a dead one because it will be 0.something volts. But you cant tell how far down they are inbetween since that will change on the load, and a multimeter puts no load on the cell. Real battery testers pull a few 100mA from the cell and show the voltage. A good one will have lots of voltage there, but an almost dead one will have the voltage drop, but will still have ok voltage when checked with no load.

Richard rich.ms

Batman

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#2410850 31-Jan-2020 16:33

richms:

Batman:

question: can you use a multimeter to check if disposable batteries are full or empty?

Sort of. You can tell a full one because it will be about 1.6v, you can tell a dead one because it will be 0.something volts. But you cant tell how far down they are inbetween since that will change on the load, and a multimeter puts no load on the cell. Real battery testers pull a few 100mA from the cell and show the voltage. A good one will have lots of voltage there, but an almost dead one will have the voltage drop, but will still have ok voltage when checked with no load.

ah that makes sense. all my batteries that don't power anythnig have normal voltages. need a tool that draws current and look for voltage drop. got it.

neb

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#2410997 1-Feb-2020 00:47

Batman:
ah that makes sense. all my batteries that don't power anythnig have normal voltages. need a tool that draws current and look for voltage drop. got it.

These are a couple of dollars off the crapvendor of your choice. Worth getting because they're so cheap, just chuck it in the drawer where your batteries hang out. Here's a local source, about half that on eBay, Ali, etc.

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#2411081 1-Feb-2020 12:59

mdf:

I've been meaning to upgrade my multimeter for a while too.

Any particular features I should be looking out for? Or recommended model numbers?

I saw Electroboom with a multimeter that combined a basic oscilloscope and wave generator. I can't justify a full scope but a cheaper handheld could be useful on the rare occasion I need it. Or would I just be buying three junky items in one convenient plastic shell?

Depends on what you're using it for. This can determine for example if you require a mA range.

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#2411143 1-Feb-2020 14:58

I got one of these from aliexpress. It's a great little meter. Tested against my Fluke 179, and I got very satisfactory results.

It has a large clear display, backlight, and auto off which are both must haves for me.
It has good measurement ranges.
It remembers which setting you were using in each dial position (eg. V position remembers AC/DC/%/Hz selection).
It's auto ranging.
The leads are excellent for the price.

The only quirk is the current measurement fuses being oddly tiny and hard to obtain.

neb

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#2411158 1-Feb-2020 15:04

andrewNZ: I got one of these from aliexpress. It's a great little meter.

That looks like a clone of an Aneng one that EEVBlog reviewed a while back. From what I remember he was reasonably happy with it, but also pointed out the tiny fuses as an issue.

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#2411174 1-Feb-2020 15:40

If you're intending to use it on mains voltage, I would buy a meter with no inline current measurement capability, like most clampmeters. This makes it a lot harder to accidentally leave the leads in the current measurement sockets and blow something up, and entry level meters do not have fuses that will break 2kA at 240V.

If it's never going to see more than 48V, more or less anything will do.

sqishy

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#2411193 1-Feb-2020 17:13

Check Jaycar they have ranges fro $12 to $90. They are all the same really for most people unless your into some high end electronic plus they last forever on batteries.

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#2411276 1-Feb-2020 21:29

andrewNZ: The only quirk is the current measurement fuses being oddly tiny and hard to obtain.

Aw come on, whats wrong with a bit of scrunched up aluminium foil. I was going to suggest No.8 wire but since you said tiny then I figured that might be a bit big.

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#2411302 1-Feb-2020 23:26

Fuses are 3.6x10mm ceramic. I was unable to find a ceramic replacement, so I got some glass ones with leads and cut the leads off.
Mine is only for hobby electronics and a 12v solar system, so a glass fuse will do fine

If you are going to test mains voltages, buy a real meter.

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#2411308 1-Feb-2020 23:49

I've bought one of these ones from Banggood: ANENG AN8008

For the price I paid I am very impressed with it. The one I got is accurate enough, I've used it on mains voltage, the leads feel great and the general build construction is great. Auto ranging also. I don't use it often but it has been reliable for when I've needed it.

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#2411330 2-Feb-2020 09:05

richms:

Nahh, they are Chinese specific models that don't have all the certifications that the bureaucrats in the west want which is why they are so much cheaper, but they are still really good. Dave jones and AVE done videos on them.

My flash multimeter got stolen by some lowlife so I brought the second cheapest Fluke multimeter from Dick Smith Electronics and will use that until it breaks, then I will buy a better one.

Sadly, it's been over 24 years now and still no sign of it dying...

Anyway, I decided to check out the Dave Jones video on the cheap fluke meters from Aliexpress. I haven't got there yet as have been distracted by all of the other interesting videos that is on his site, so, thanks for the heads up.

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