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View Full Version : Whats a good multimeter for a P38a?



willem
8th April 2009, 10:50 AM
G'day guys,

I'm looking to purchase a good multimeter for my 99 P38a. I understand that its important to get the right sort so that you don't cause more problems just by using the multimeter. Any experience with different brands, and recommendations?

Willem

Chucaro
8th April 2009, 10:58 AM
Fluke is among the best that you can get.
The link is for Fluke Australia is HERE (http://www.fluke.com.au/auen/home/default.htm)

Scouse
8th April 2009, 01:01 PM
Yep, if you can fix your P38, it'll be a fluke :p.

p38arover
8th April 2009, 01:37 PM
I use a cheap Aldi DVM and an analogue meter I made in 1965. I prefer the analogue for most things.

willem
8th April 2009, 05:42 PM
I use a cheap Aldi DVM and an analogue meter I made in 1965. I prefer the analogue for most things.

Reminds me of Dr David Lewis, the explorer/ sailor, who sailed the small steel yacht 'Icebird' to Antarctica and back singlehandedly, who reported on a meeting of polar explorers who were discussing snow goggles. Apparently it was a brilliant discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of the different kinds of snow goggles. Then someone decided to ask Sir Vivian Fuchs, the famed Actic explorer, what he reckoned. He said that a pair of cheap sunnies from Woolies worked well for him!

Thanks, Ron!

Willem

Blknight.aus
8th April 2009, 06:21 PM
its got to be horses for courses and really there is no single multimeter that will do all that you want if you dont want to spend big bikiies.

I have 3 meters and 2 types of test lamp that I use for diagnostic work.

which one I use depends upon what Im looking for or testing.

as a rule, digital multimeters are very accurate but can produce false or phantom readings (for example if you have a bad earth a digital multimeter needing the mearest hint of current to produce a reading will read a good voltage) here a test lamp or analogue multimeter is a better option.

and heres an eyeball of my usual suspects if your interested.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/38770-specialist-tools-2.html#post664829

rovercare
8th April 2009, 06:40 PM
Fluke:D, mina has been abused at work daily for over 7 years, it looks a little sad but has never failed, aside from a few sets of leads and batteries of course, but the $400 is a bit dear for what you wanna do;)

Any cheap meter will do, and also a test light, has dave has pointed out, you need a "load" to prevent false readings sometimes, although, not ECU friendly if not LED, which don;t produce a load:eek:

Test light is generally for trailer lights, brake tail stuff, and a good meter for everything else

karlz
8th April 2009, 08:41 PM
Make sure you get one with:-
1. A temperature sensor (measures temp on touch)
2. Diode tester (doesnt send voltage the wrong way instead of usuing ohm meter)
3. Data logger (can connect it to your computer and measure over time useful things)

Fluke is good, but expensive. There are as good clones.

Hoges
9th April 2009, 09:10 PM
Jaycar have a good selection of reasonably priced DMMs, some of which have a port for a thermometer probe. Actually most of the time I use one from Jaycar I bought for $8.50...measures voltage to 2 decimal places. Was within 0.01V @ 12V compared with a $80 version...

cheers

p38arover
9th April 2009, 10:32 PM
I also have an automotive DVM from Jaycar. The switch is a bit dicky and has been since almost new so I don't use it. Hmm, another faulty item I've bought. I bought it for the tacho, dwell meter, and the temp probe, etc.

Actually, I have about seven or so digital meters, the analogue multimeter I made when I was a trainee tech, an AVO8 analogue multimeter, a Simpson transistorised "VTVM" - and maybe more. One collects these things when one is an electronics tech. I bet BradTot has even more!

rovercare
9th April 2009, 10:37 PM
I also have an automotive DVM from Jaycar. The switch is a bit dicky and has been since almost new so I don't use it. Hmm, another faulty item I've bought. I bought it for the tacho, dwell meter, and the temp probe, etc.

Actually, I have about seven or so digital meters, the analogue multimeter I made when I was a trainee tech, an AVO8 analogue multimeter, a Simpson transistorised "VTVM" - and maybe more. One collects these things when one is an electronics tech. I bet BradTot has even more!


You know why you got so many?

Because you all need to lash out on a good fluke process meter:p

p38arover
9th April 2009, 11:24 PM
You know why you got so many?

Because you all need to lash out on a good fluke process meter:p

Some were bought in the early 70s so you can guess what they cost. I carry a DVM in every vehicle - I can't afford a Fluke in each of them. We used to use Flukes at work and I think they are overpriced.

PaulP38a
10th April 2009, 01:13 AM
I like the approx $100 one from JayCar 'coz it also doubles as a network cable tester... you just never know when you'll need to check if you got those Cat5e pin-outs right if you're stuck in the bush :)
Actually, used it and a test light last weekend (but not the LAN cable bit) to find the reverse wire while wiring up a reversing camera to the P38A.

cheers
Paul.

Chucaro
10th April 2009, 07:48 AM
Reminds me of Dr David Lewis, the explorer/ sailor, who sailed the small steel yacht 'Icebird' to Antarctica and back singlehandedly, who reported on a meeting of polar explorers who were discussing snow goggles. Apparently it was a brilliant discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of the different kinds of snow goggles. Then someone decided to ask Sir Vivian Fuchs, the famed Actic explorer, what he reckoned. He said that a pair of cheap sunnies from Woolies worked well for him!

Thanks, Ron!

Willem

I remember Dr Lewis and his yacht damaged in the Antartica,.
Regarding cheap multimeters and tools you can get a set of spanners on the $ 2.00 shop or ant the other end a Stawille or Snapon.
It is all depends if you asking for good or good enough ;)

rovercare
10th April 2009, 11:25 AM
Some were bought in the early 70s so you can guess what they cost. I carry a DVM in every vehicle - I can't afford a Fluke in each of them. We used to use Flukes at work and I think they are overpriced.

Ahhh, overpriced, but the inbuilt protection in them has saved me MANY meters, wrong range setting on most cheapies and imminent death for the meter:(............but not really an issue with automotive stuff:D