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Ohm Meter

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Steve's 70-5, Dec 12, 2017.

  1. Dec 12, 2017
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
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    Need to buy a Ohm and voltage tester. Any recommendations.
     
  2. Dec 12, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    For what purpose?

    If just general automotive purposes almost anything will do but I'd recommend avoiding the absolutely cheapest ones. A current clamp is nice but I'd stay away from really fancy units with things like temperature, frequency or other features you won't need on a car.
     
  3. Dec 12, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    How much do you want to spend? Fluke is the best. If you want to spend more than a few bucks, Extech is good. I have this one - Extech MN16A Compact Autoranging MultiMeter with Advanced Functions - - Amazon.com Works well - you get a lot for ca twenty bucks.

    Flukes are much more expensive, but very durable and "true RMS" - when you measure an AC signal, the meter reads a true root-mean-square value despite the waveform shape. A cheaper meter will give you an RMS value for sine waves (your typical mains voltage) but maybe not for other inputs, square wave for example.

    For automotive and household work, the Extech will be fine. It's not as rugged as a pro model like a Fluke. This means resistance to physical assault (dropping it usually) or electrical assault (overvoltage, voltage spikes, etc.) Be sure to set it to the right range before you measure. IIRC there is a fuse inside that will blow if you exceed the amp rating for the setting you choose.
     
  4. Dec 12, 2017
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
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    Doing wiring on the jeep and will probably need to test things in the future.
     
  5. Dec 12, 2017
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
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    Could go $50.00
     
  6. Dec 12, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    They do the job for a budget price; Sears Craftsman. They are usually marked down to $10 as stocking stuffers. I've been using a couple of the red ones for about 5 years now.
    Can't go wrong for the money.
    -Donny
     
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  7. Dec 12, 2017
    GeoffreyL

    GeoffreyL Well-Known Member

    moorestown, nj
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    I've got a bunch of the harbor freight freebies you get when you spend so much and have the coupon. They work fine for what I do, which is not much.
     
  8. Dec 12, 2017
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
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  9. Dec 12, 2017
    blevisay

    blevisay Oh Noooooooooooooooo! Staff Member

    Portland Tn.
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    Try to find a used Simpson 260 , the best meter period
     
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  10. Dec 12, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The Simpson is an analog meter. A great thing, but either expensive or not widely available.

    My advice - get the Extech and spend the rest on probes and extension cables. Learn how to use it. A little bit of electrical insight will help you.
     
  11. Dec 12, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

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    Don’t forget about the power probe it’s an amazing tool if you are doing wiring.
     
  12. Dec 12, 2017
    blevisay

    blevisay Oh Noooooooooooooooo! Staff Member

    Portland Tn.
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    On Ebay $50......
     
  13. Dec 12, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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  14. Dec 12, 2017
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
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    And then there is a $40.00 unit with dwell and tach--I like it fine. It's "branded" Bosch, but Actron and others are identical. Professional Multimeter | Bosch Diagnostics

    Previously I had an even cheaper plain jane analog multimeter and it did the job.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2017
  15. Dec 12, 2017
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    For working on cars, no Analog meters, you can't use them at an odd angle or upside down due to the needle swing. Get a digital, preferably auto ranging, for auto's get one that will read DC amps for checking and tracing parasitic amp draw. A temp probe is is nice but not necessary. Other than that, AC/DC volts, ohm reading, continuity tester with buzzer or beeper and DC amps, make sure that it has replaceable leads. I have an Extech, Fluke at work and 2 of the harbor freight cheapy's and an old radio shack analog from the 70's, it gets used the least.
     
  16. Dec 12, 2017
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Love my power probe(y)
    I use an old radioshack meter that looks like a fluke i got in the early 90's and i cant kill it. Ive been waiting to buy a fluke for work but the radioshack one wont give up
     
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  17. Dec 13, 2017
    Karl Childers

    Karl Childers Member

    Taos New Mexico
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    I had a Simpson in the early 70's when I fixed radios and TV's. Analog, it was the best at the time. I woudn't mind owning one now. I do have a an older Radio Shack analog meter that was high end 30 years ago and a digital Craftsman that ran about sixty bucks which is very accurate and has high sensitivity. I kind of question how accurate the $7.95 parts bin ones are but a lot of guys use them. Don't overlook having a sharp pointed test light in your tool box. About 90% of wiring on old cars and trucks I do is accomplished with that stone age tool.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2017
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  18. Dec 13, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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  19. Dec 13, 2017
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Its tempting to go cheap for a digital meter, but I'd recommend spending a few extra bucks for an auto range unit. I bought one of the ubiquitous red Craftsman ones back in the '80s and it just won't die.
     
  20. Dec 13, 2017
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
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    My Dad was an electrical engineer. He used company issued Triplett model 631 and 60 NA meters. He retired in 85 so it's been a while. I think I still have one somewhere.
     
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