Noobie question...which multimeter to get?

[Wallyworld]

Hello Metro fans!
First post just to say Hi and ask the wise forum my first question. First of many most likely . With a question like that, ya know I'm entry level!

So, Ive seen MM's on ebay for cheap but I'd rather get to know a good supplier. I wont be using it everyday so it doesn't have to be the greatest just a decent one that will last.

I have a decent solder iron and de-soldering thingy so thats good. Any advice or suggestions on tooling up are greatly appreciated!

I decided to build a 50w Lead w/master vol because I heard Big Mike's Metro 50 Lead and I was done shopping right then and there! Its a killer sounding amp! He did a great job on both his Metros. His 50 is the reason I'm here! This will be my 1st build and Im fired up!

Thanks!
Wallace

[Structo]

If you want the best it's hard to beat a Fluke.

I ended up buying a Meterman 37R, it's of similar quality of a Fluke at a bit lower cost.

It's nice to have a capacitance meter on it as well and a diode checker.

[Big Mike]

Hi Wally!!

I did mine with a 14 buck digital from the ace hardware I got around the corner from your house. Only thing it doesn't do that I wish it did, was continuity. I ended up using a cheapie radio shack digital with cont. for that one.

I plan to get a better one as well.

[demonufo]

Cheap multimeters can be both inaccurate and a false economy.
I personally wouldn't recommend spending any less than about £60-70 or around $75-$100.
Even then, VOM's are generally very innacurate at low ohms/ V / mA's, which I have specialist meters for.
Also, I don't recommend auto-ranging meters unless you spend quite a bit of money.

[novosibir]

I highly recommend a Fluke87 III
You can find it on ebay sometimes for less than 120US$ in really good shape!

Larry

[Wallyworld]

Hi,
Thanks you guys for the input! I snagged this one off ebay. Probably overkill for an amateur. Meterman is said to be Fluke clones (or the Fluke low-cost alt).
Ought to be good nuff for my needs. Its not the bottom model anyway.
I once had a Fluke but its long gone.....family can be brutal
yours, ours, mine.....what? I never borrowed that!

So I got this w/manual range and a few more features to get into trouble with:
Cheers all!

Meterman 34XR Professional Digital Multimeter - True RMS with Temperature and Backlight

MSRP: $114.95 per Unit
Our Price: $57.50 per Unit
You Save: $57.45 per Unit!

This Multimeter is BRAND NEW AND UNUSED!!!
Packaged in the original MANUFACTURERS' FACTORY PACKAGING
The packaging is slightly damaged along the edges but the meter itself is unharmed and perfect!

This Multimeter is covered by the Manufacturers 3 Year Warranty:
http://www.amprobe.com/rmarepair.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

***Additional product photo's are available upon request ***

• Frequency to 40 MHz, temperature to 1832 °F, capacitance to 4000 µF



• Input warning tone when test leads are in wrong jack



• 1000 V/750 V dc/ac



• 10 Amps ac/dc, fully safety Fused



• Resistance to 40 M.



• Continuity beeper



• Min/Max, Data Hold and Range Lock



• Auto power off to save battery life



• Separate door for easy battery and fuse access



• Magne-Grip™ Holster with magnetic hanging strap



• CAT III 600 V, CAT II 1000 V Rated



• UL (CULUS) listed



• Three-year warranty

Specifications

DC Voltage


Ranges


400 mV, 4 V, 40 V, 400 V, 1000 V

Accuracy all ranges:


± (0.5 % rdg + 1 dgt)

Resolution


100 μV

AC Voltage (45 Hz to 2 kHz) True RMS


Ranges


400 mV, 4 V, 40 V, 400 V, 750 V

Accuracy 400 mV range, 45 to 100 Hz:


± (1.2 % rdg + 8 dgts)

Accuracy 750 V range: 45 to 1 kHz:


± (2.0 % rdg + 8 dgts)

Accuracy All other ranges, 45 to 500 Hz:


± (1.2 % rdg + 8 dgts)

Accuracy All other ranges, 500 to 2 kHz:


± (2.0 % rdg + 8 dgts)

Resolution


100 μV

AC coupled


True RMS specified from 5 % to 100 % of range

DC Current


Ranges


400 μA, 4 mA, 40 mA, 300 mA, 10 A

Accuracy 400 μA to 300 mA ranges:


± (1.0 % rdg + 1 dgt)

Accuracy 10 A range:


± (2.0 % rdg + 3 dgts)

Resolution


0.1 μA

AC Current (45 Hz to 1 kHz) True RMS


Ranges


400 μA, 4 mA, 40 mA, 300 mA, 10 A

Accuracy 400 μA to 300 mA ranges:


± (1.5 % rdg + 8 dgts)

Accuracy 10 A range:


± (2.5 % rdg + 10 dgts)

Resolution


0.1 μA

Resistance


Ranges


400 Ω, 4 kΩ, 40 kΩ, 400 kΩ, 4 MΩ, 40 MΩ,

Accuracy 400, 4 k, 40 k, 400 k, 4 MΩ ranges:


± (1.0 % rdg + 4 dgts)

Accuracy 40 MΩ range:


± (2.0 % rdg + 5 dgts)

Resolution


100 mΩ

Capacitance


Ranges


4 μF, 40 μF, 400 μF, 4000 μF

Accuracy 4 μF range:


± (5.0 % rdg + 10 dgts)

Accuracy 40 μF, 400 uF ranges:


± (5.0 % rdg + 5 dgts)

Accuracy 4000 μF range:


± (5.0 % rdg + 15 dgts)

Resolution


1 nF

Temperature


Ranges


-20 ºC to 1000 ºC, -4 ºF to 1832 ºF

Accuracy -20 ºC to 10 ºC:


± (2.0 % rdg + 4 ºC )

Accuracy 10 ºC to 200 ºC:


± (1.0 % rdg + 3 ºC )

Accuracy 200 ºC to 1000 ºC:


± (3.0 % rdg + 2 ºC )

Accuracy -4 ºF to 50 ºF:


± (2.0 % rdg + 8 ºF)

Accuracy 50 ºF to 400 ºF:


± (1.0 % rdg + 6 ºF)

Accuracy 400 ºF to 1832 ºF:


± (3.0 % rdg + 4 ºF)

Resolution


1 ºC, 1 ºF

Frequency


Ranges 4 kHz, 40 kHz, 400 kHz, 4 MHz, 40MHz Accuracy all ranges: ± (0.1 % rdg + 3 dgts) Resolution 1 Hz


4 kHz, 40 kHz, 400 kHz, 4 MHz, 40MHz

Duty Cycle


Ranges


0 to 90 %

Accuracy 5 V logic:


± (2.0 % rdg + 5 dgts)

Frequency Range


40 Hz to 20 kHz

Continuity


Audible Indication


< 35 Ω

Diode test


Test Current


1.2 mA (approximate)

Open Circuit Volts


3.0 V dc typical

Overload Protection


AC/DC Voltage All ranges


1000 V dc or 750 V ac rms

AC/DC Current μA/mA input:


0.315 A /1000 V fast-blow ceramic (6.3 x 32 mm)

AC/DC Current 10 A input:


10 A /1000 V fast-blow ceramic 10 x 38 mm (10 A for 4 minutes maximum followed by a 12 minute cooling period)


General specifications

Autoranging Display:


3-3/4 digit LCD, 3999 counts with 41-segment analog bar graph

Display Update Rate


2/sec, nominal

Power Battery


9 V NEDA 1604, JIS 006P, IEC 6F22

Battery Life


200 hrs typical (alkaline) frequent use of backlight will decrease battery life

Operating Temperature


0 ºC to 45 ºC at < 70% R.H

Storage Temperature


-20 ºC to 60 ºC, 0 to 80 % R.H. with battery removed from meter

Dimensions:


7.75" x 3.55" x 2.4" (196 x 92 x 60mm)

Weight (without holster, includingbattery)


1 lb (400 gr)

Voltage AC


750 TRMS AC

Voltage DC


1000 V

mV AC


TRMS

Basic DC Accuracy


0.50%

DC Current, fused


10:00 AM

AC Current, fused


10 A TRMS

Resistance


40MΩ

Capacitance


400μF

Frequency


10 MHz

Temperature


1832 ºF / 1000 ºC

Please do not hesitate to contact us for additional information!

[Big Mike]

Sounds pretty good bro. Continuity beeper is nice. I miss that!

I checked continuity constantly on my builds. Just to make sure I didn't have a bad solder, and things were going where they're supposed to.

[myfoot]

Sounds pretty good bro. Continuity beeper is nice. I miss that!

I checked continuity constantly on my builds. Just to make sure I didn't have a bad solder, and things were going where they're supposed to.

+1 can save you a lot of frustrating time later on if there's a problem .

[Structo]

Yes the Meterman's are very good quality.

[Wallyworld]

Great! I'm off to a good start then. Nice!

I thank you guys in advance for all the dumb questions I will inevitably ask.

Thanks so far as well for the warm welcome. My confidence is growing for the support so far and my kit just ordered!

Wallace

[bristol]

I bought a Fluke 115. Pretty much does it all. I shopped around on the Internet and found a pretty good price. Under $115 at

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OCFFMW/ref ... B000OCFFMW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Charlie

[Metal Handles]

The Fluke 115 True RMS Multimeter is an awesome DMM. You will not be disappointed......
and will definitely be impressed with it. Believe me!