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Thread: Which Multimeter?
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25th June 2022, 04:17 PM #16
Good find, but at 17:00 on Monday the Ali one will be $43.
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25th June 2022, 05:27 PM #17
Alright, I am happy to narrow this down to either the Aneng AN870 for $53.50 delivered with a pretty reasonable range of probes
OR
the Kaiweets KM601 with an additional set of probes, which is $43.75 (Monday) + $24.88 for the probes set = $68.63
Differences:
ANENG GOOD:
has 19999 counts
takes 2x AA batteries
$15 cheaper
ANENG LESS GOOD:
a fairly crummy looking carry case (have to scroll right down to see it - looks like crackable vinyl)
is less digital (analogue dial)
17x9x4 cms
322 grams
KM601 GOOD:
Is more digital (no analogue dial)
Has Smart mode
Seems to go to lower voltages
Has CE and RoHS cert (FWIW)
KM601 LESS GOOD:
10,000 counts
Takes 6x AAA batteries (or it might be 3 - conflicting numbers shown)
$15 more
Size and weight unknown (only the whole package)
So what says the brains trust? Kaiweets KM601 or Aneng AN870?
I'm leaning Kaiweets mainly because of Smart Mode, no analogue dial, and better case.
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25th June 2022, 05:50 PM #18Senior Member
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I would go with the smart mode option I had a fluke with a similar mode 20 years ago when I was on the Bench, cost me two months pay but I loved it, no thinking required
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25th June 2022, 06:50 PM #19
I was sniffing around AliExpress for some tweezers earlier, and it has to be said that I had never thought of this use for them:
Capture.JPG
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25th June 2022, 06:56 PM #20.
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If you just want to know about meters search for "multimeters for dummies". There are a few basic meter guides out there but they all leave gaps in making correct and safe electrical measurement.
The problem is that most of the issues with using a meter properly are not meter related, but how and what your'e connecting to, so most people end up needing at least a basic course in electrickery. I used to teach first year uni students in labs on how to use meters etc. Some had experience at home and some at high school but during the subsequent practical tests at teh end of semester, while most could measure a battery voltage, and maybe even the current in a simple series circuit, but give them a combination series and parallel circuit and asked them to take certain readings and their results were all over the place - they just believed whatever the meters said and had no idea if what they were reading was a sensible result. Even is second year where the students were expected to start using advanced meters it was clear that some still didn't have a grasp of the basics.
Things really went down hill when over about 10 years funding cuts reduced student labs from 42 to 14 hours a semester.
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25th June 2022, 07:34 PM #21.
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As far as cases go I use my multimeters so often I leave them and most of their leads ready to go on, or above the bench, so most of their original cases sit in the back of a cupboard and even prefer to buy meters without cases.
If I have to take a meter somewhere eg to a machine or out to the car or over to a mates I tote them around in a small foam padded hard plastic cargo case.
Often I leave the meter inside the case encased by foam while making measurements.
The cases are big enough to also tote around a bunch of other related stuff eg different sets of leads, spare batteries, a couple of different drivers, side cutters, wire strippers and pliers etc
Mine are like this
ToolPRO Safe Case Small Black 260 x 245 x 175mm | Supercheap Auto
I bought a half dozen of these cases on special for $20 ea a few years back and it was one of the best things I've ever bought.
Some meters, like my megger, air flow meters, and two of the particle detectors have their own cases and accessories.
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25th June 2022, 07:40 PM #22.
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If want to see some interesting tweezers/scissors/retractors and pokey things take a look at this website
Surgical Instruments: Top 100 Tools and Devices - CIA Medical
SWMBO is adept at using, would you believe, largechop sticks to manipulate stuff while cooking - when I tried it my stuff ended up all over the floor.
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25th June 2022, 07:46 PM #23
I suspect there may be a lot of Doctor's humour in that link. There where quite a number that I didn't dare read the purpose of.
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25th June 2022, 08:41 PM #24
Trust BobL to have a megger. The tool a normal home owner is lucky to use once in a lifetime
Next you'll tell me you've a growler too
BTW - thanks for the link to the safe box. Perfect for my sons camera gear when travelling.
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25th June 2022, 08:51 PM #25
I have two multimeters.
One I bought from an electrician at work. Analogue display. Home made wooden case with polystyrene around the meter and a space for cables and spare batteries and other stuff. Hinged lid. Made with a Triton table saw.
Second multimeter has a digital display. Again home made wooden box with space for leads. Slide on lid. Made with a hand held router. Case has no fasteners as it was a tight fit when dry assembled.
Sorry no images available at the moment.
With all your gear I am sure you could knock up a case for a multimeter with room for leads and spares and some small tools.
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25th June 2022, 10:46 PM #26.
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I had one (large brown glass bottle for bring ale or beer home from the pub) but the handle broke and so chucked it out - I no longer drink so I feel no pain about losing it.
BTW - thanks for the link to the safe box. Perfect for my sons camera gear when travelling.
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26th June 2022, 12:40 AM #27SENIOR MEMBER
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- May 2018
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- Melbourne
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Thanks Bob, no question that issues are not meter related but understanding what you are testing. So as an example my trailer lights aren't working so I should be able to test that power is available at the plug. From there a continuity test will tell me that power is at the globe. So no light then I assume that the globe is faulty or the earth is dodgy. How do I test for a dodgy earth? Is it a continuity test? I am not asking for an answer because next time I need to solve this problem most likely I will have forgotten the answer hence a reference guide. I don't want to be able to resolve problems with my PC (high-tech in my eyes), just at a lower level.
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26th June 2022, 09:29 AM #28.
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Trailers are a PITA.
1) Some times at the trailer hitch there's both "no power" AND also "no earth, so one cannot be used to test the other.
To check the earth I have a long lead with a banana plug on one end that goes to the meter and at the other a large Alligator clip that goes into the car battery positive (then you know you positively have power at that end). Then probe around with the negative till you find the problem. You should be able to remember this.
2) The brass springs holding the globe can be problematic.
Globes should be tested using continuity directly on the globe contacts and not the brass springs.
The springs often oxidise and need cleaning and re-sprining (bending) to hold the globes firmly.
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26th June 2022, 10:09 AM #29Senior Member
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- Jun 2017
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- Moorooka
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Here is a guide I found a few years ago that might be useful for members that may not use a multimeter very often. The theme is for testing cars electrics
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attac...e-beatbook.pdf
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26th June 2022, 11:01 AM #30GOLD MEMBER
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- Nov 2018
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- Newcastle
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For a basic plug & pray, Woodpixel's BSide suggestion looks hard to beat - I may get one just to have lying around for random checking
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