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Thread: DMM Oscilloscope for sons Auto Electrical Apprenticeship

  1. #1
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    DMM Oscilloscope for sons Auto Electrical Apprenticeship

    Hi guys,

    My son will be starting an auto electrical apprenticeship soon and I thought I might buy him his first multi meter. I read on here that a DMM with oscilloscope was a good idea but I don't know anything about oscilloscopes. I was wondering if this might serve as a reasonable first meter for him -

    HDS200 Handheld Oscilloscope Multiumeter 20000 Counts OSC+DMM+Waveform Generator for Automobile Maintenance and Power Detection|Multimeters| - AliExpress

    I would appreciate some feedback from you guys that know best please. Also, I know Fluke is a good brand but is rather spendy here so not looking at that brand. He can buy his own if he wants one later.

    Thanks, James NZ
    '00 D2 V8 The orange off road truck. 2" lift, made my own rear bumper, still working on the front one
    '03 D2a TD5 The silver on road daily driver

  2. #2
    BradC is offline Super Moderator
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    Owon do make acceptable kit but you'd be better buying something local with a warranty.

    To be honest I'd buy him a good DMM and wait for the scope until :
    A ) He needs it ; and
    B ) He knows what his actual requirements are.

    A good DMM is worth its weight in gold. I still have/use the Protek 506 I got when I started my apprenticeship back in the early 90's. It was an acceptable meter then, and it's still acceptable. I'd have loved a Fluke, but $$$ when you are earning $4/hr as a first year.

    A good DMM is also going to be considerably smaller, quicker to use and more rugged than any meter/scope combo.

    Just my 2c.

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    the protec 506 is a great first meter, and for one with all the same tricks and an entry level osiliscope with data logging ability (if you tether it) the digitech QM-1577 get my mention.

    But as hes starting out, make sure you get extra fuses for whatever you get.

    In auto elec work its also worth getting a clamp meter/adaptor as well as a simple at a glance test light/probe type meter.
    Dave

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    I have this one I got from Aliexpress and I'm pretty happy with it. I'd recommend it for a low cost single cannel Multimeter/Oscilloscope but as he progresses he'll need a multi channel unit.

    2 in 1 MT8206 Intelligent Digital Oscilloscope Multimeter MUSTOOL Upgraded Analog Bar Graph 200k High speed A/D Sampling|Multimeters| - AliExpress

    2 IN 1 UPGRADED INTELLIGENT DIGITAL OSCILLOSCOPE MULTIMETER AC/DC TESTER ET826 743022320960 | eBay


    Also a power probe is worth its weight in gold for fault diagnosis.

    AUS Autel PowerScan PS100 Electrical Circuit Test Leads Diagnostic Testers Tool | eBay
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    Thanks for the replies guys. BradC, good point about buying locally for the warranty. I've had a look for the Protec 506 but its discontinued, likewise the Digitech QM-1577. I've emailed Jaycar for the replacement model but I'm also going in to the store tomorrow to have a look at the QM1571 and clamp meters.

    Thanks!
    '00 D2 V8 The orange off road truck. 2" lift, made my own rear bumper, still working on the front one
    '03 D2a TD5 The silver on road daily driver

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    Quote Originally Posted by BradC View Post
    B ) He knows what his actual requirements are.
    As above, wait till the employer tells him what they want him to have. Nothing worse than being odd man out with a different bit of kit to what everyone else has coz you (dad) jumped the gun.

    Let him tell you what to get as per workplace requirements.

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    BradC is offline Super Moderator
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    Quote Originally Posted by James NZ View Post
    Thanks for the replies guys. BradC, good point about buying locally for the warranty. I've had a look for the Protec 506 but its discontinued,
    Oh, I love my 506 but I wasn’t recommending one. After all it’s a 30 year old design, but it was only discontinued a couple of years ago. My point was I bought a decent quality bit of kit in 1992 and I’m still using it today.

    I still have the tools dad bought me when I started my apprenticeship too.

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    If you haven't decided yet what you are going to get him, check EEVBlog on Youtube.

    Dave does a lot of detailed stripdowns, and measurement testing of some of the cheapies on ebay/aliexpress.

    He has a lot of content on there, so may take a while to find the various tools and devices he tests.
    I think(from memory) he also sells DMMs(EEVBlog website/forum).
    Arthur.

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    BradC is offline Super Moderator
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    Quote Originally Posted by AK83 View Post
    If you haven't decided yet what you are going to get him, check EEVBlog on Youtube.

    Dave does a lot of detailed stripdowns, and measurement testing of some of the cheapies on ebay/aliexpress.

    He has a lot of content on there, so may take a while to find the various tools and devices he tests.
    I think(from memory) he also sells DMMs(EEVBlog website/forum).
    He sells a few, a couple of EEVBlog branded Brymen and an EEVBlog branded and co-designed meter (the 121gw). The former are ok. The latter has been a bit "problematic".

    If I was buying new I'd be looking at a rugged 4 digit meter that takes AA batteries (preferably with a switchable backlight), and an "add-on" AC/DC current clamp.

    I have several "clamp-meters", but once I bought one of these : Hantek AC/DC Current Clamp CC-65 I have only taken one of the other clamps out of the drawer once (to tong a switchboard > 65A). I bought this one because it plugs into the oscilloscope also (Perfect for looking at D3 LPFP current waveforms).

    By separating them you get a much better selection of meters (which is the device going to get the most use) and the ability to use a high resolution clamp when you need it.

    I ran the exercise a couple of years ago in looking for a replacement for my 506 and I couldn't find a candidate for money I could reasonably afford at the time but looking at the new EEVBlog BM786 I might go down that route.

  10. #10
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    Some more good points raised, thanks guys. Thanks to Arthur for the suggestion to look at the EEVblog, I've just watched the hour long "#75 DMM buying for newbies" and learnt some stuff myself. In fact I'm having side ways glances at my multimeter haha, might have to replace it. I'm going to watch some more as I like his down to earth presentation.

    I didn't get to Jaycar today as the lad dragged me along to look at, and then he bought, a 2000 Disco TD5! Its a basically sound, but lived in, just short of 300k, NZ top spec model. Once its thoroughly groomed it short look better.

    On a side note, initiating the apprenticeship process over here seems to be a hell of a lot more complicated than when I did mine!

    Cheers, James NZ
    '00 D2 V8 The orange off road truck. 2" lift, made my own rear bumper, still working on the front one
    '03 D2a TD5 The silver on road daily driver

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