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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Joined: 15 May 2017
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Posts: 2629 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: multimeter purchase
    Posted: 18 Dec 2018 at 2:27pm
I would precaution about Gardner Bender (usually labeled "GB" on the front, and orange/black or just orange). They're OK meters as far as they go, but I picked up a couple of cheap GB meters when I didn't have access to my own meter, and they came apart (internal rotary switch failed) after not a long time. You can often pick up one of these GB meters for $15 or $20. I don't think they are worth that much.
bp
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2018 at 3:44pm
That is why I waited until the Southwire meter was at a price point that was acceptable. It looks to be a good quality meter, much less expensive than a Fluke meter but much higher quality than ones like the GB described above.
StephenH
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2018 at 4:52pm
What is the goal for the voltmeter?
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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ColoradoPK View Drop Down
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Posts: 21 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2018 at 4:58pm
I figured it would be a good idea to have to keep
Track of battery power?
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2018 at 5:04pm
My stuff is all Fluke.
Mike Carter
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2018 at 6:20pm
Fluke and Klein are really nice tools.  When I worked in the elevator industry, all the company meters were Fluke and had to regularly calibrated to comply with ISO requirements ... and they were almost never out of adjustment.  The Flukes are workhorses.  But they ain't cheap.  

For the simple stuff on a Pod, and if you're not a technician or engineer who appreciates the subtle differences and capabilities of a really good meter, pretty much any decent quality multi-meter will work.  I used to have an analog meter that I used for my boat.  It was all I ever needed, but unfortunately I lost it in one of several moves.  

For the lay person, the simpler the better.  For us there is nothing worse than opening your brand new multi-meter from Amazon, reading the English translation of the original instructions written in Mong, translated to Laotian, then to Chinese, thence to English and realizing that you don't have a clue what they're talking about, much less how to work the darn thing.  

So for those of us who are not technophiles, follow the KISS rule.
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2018 at 9:57pm
Originally posted by TheBum

Fluke is a good brand too.

Fluke is what I meant but couldn't think of when I said Klein was top of the line.  Honestly, though, unless you're a pro who's going to use the heck out of it, for a Pod you can do pretty well with a $10 meter.  You can obviously spend more and get more features that you might or might no use.

That said, I like tools and generally spend more on themthan I probably ought to.  Sometimes maybe I grow into them.  Sometimes the amortization schedule on my fancy screwdriver is about $60 per screw driven.

TT
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TheBum View Drop Down
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Posts: 1407 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2018 at 10:23am
Fluke actually has some reasonably priced meters. They're not $10, but you can get a good one for around $100.
Alan
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Joined: 11 Oct 2017
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Posts: 113 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2018 at 3:37pm
ColoradoPK,
Do you know how to use a multimeter? I only ask because I'd hate to see you get hurt. Here are some links that may help. If you have questions, feel free to ask. I have Fluke, Simpson, Heathkit and some cheap ones. All work but some have better features/quality than others. Good luck.

and
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SC for Huskers View Drop Down
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Posts: 144 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2018 at 5:14pm
My two cents.  Ask a friend to show you how to use a meter.  Next buy one with a rubber cover, you will drop it at least once.  Mine is a digital Fluke 73III with 3 dig. Beckman HD100s , 2 Simpson analog, one cheap dig throw away, as backups. I have never had to test anything over 30 amps. Again, ask a friend or any electrical, electronic tech. to help you out.  If you are in Charleston, give me a hoot.
Good luck
Happy Traveling,
Tom
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