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recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 5:14 pm
by juntjoo
just been doing some electrical and find I need to upgrade. Been looking at clamp meters with diode and temp and capacitance testing and "true rms" as I've found all that <$120 but I'm just learning about these things and I don't necessarily need to spend that much if any of the things I mentioned are necessary. So just looking for ideas from you more experienced folk, with these bikes or just automotive electrical in general. Note: I got turned onto the idea of "TRMS" as it being good for res HVAC diagnostics which I'll do to a certain level before I replace a blower or something relatively easy, so that's something that could be a plus for me. Anyway, thanks for input!

ps the latest one I checked out with that medley of features is the fieldpiece sc260

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 2:54 pm
by MEHall
A multimeter for over $ 120? And what is it you need to upgrade? Seems to me it's a bit expensive to pay that much for a multimeter that you use on the CB650. :roll:

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Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:49 pm
by juntjoo
MEHall wrote:A multimeter for over $ 120? And what is it you need to upgrade? Seems to me it's a bit expensive to pay that much for a multimeter that you use on the CB650. :roll:

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UNDER. But price no biggie, I just want the best, for under I'll say $100 at this point. Looking at this one :

INNOVA 3340 Automotive Digital Multimeter (10 MegOhm/UL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KIMHRQ/re ... EAbY4PZ486

$75, has all standard bells and whistles but as an "automotive" meter it's good temp and tach measurements. Good automotive tools no? Especially the tach.

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 11:19 am
by MEHall
:shock: What the****** Some text have not been posted of what i remembered i wrote.
But to the subject:

I use that multimeter you see in the picture and it have all the functions you need to work on the bike. :wink:
And it can do the most of the functions the one you have linked to and it dont cost as much, only about $ 15. :wink:
I Think you can se in the picture what function there is.
The one you have linked to is not bad at all but a bit costly, as i think, but not a bad choice if you really want it. :wink:

So by all means buy it. :wink:

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 12:14 pm
by GeorgeSweety
I bought one a couple of weeks ago for working on my Kawasaki, it had to have auto ranging on it because I need all the help I can get when it comes to electrickery hocus pocus :roll: It is an Amprobe AM-500-EUR and cost £40 so I guess about $50-55USD. I liked the auto range part as there aren't too many settings on the dial so there is less for me to screw up :lol: Unfortunately I only have one Zephyr now so swapping electrical bits is no longer an option :(

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:02 pm
by juntjoo
MEHall wrote::shock: What the****** Some text have not been posted of what i remembered i wrote.
But to the subject:

I use that multimeter you see in the picture and it have all the functions you need to work on the bike. :wink:
And it can do the most of the functions the one you have linked to and it dont cost as much, only about $ 15. :wink:
I Think you can se in the picture what function there is.
The one you have linked to is not bad at all but a bit costly, as i think, but not a bad choice if you really want it. :wink:

So by all means buy it. :wink:


Well share! maybe I can cancel my order. haven't received shipping confirmation yet

edit. oops. never mind. I see now. thanks.

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:05 pm
by juntjoo
MEHall wrote::shock: What the****** Some text have not been posted of what i remembered i wrote.
But to the subject:

I use that multimeter you see in the picture and it have all the functions you need to work on the bike. :wink:
And it can do the most of the functions the one you have linked to and it dont cost as much, only about $ 15. :wink:
I Think you can se in the picture what function there is.
The one you have linked to is not bad at all but a bit costly, as i think, but not a bad choice if you really want it. :wink:

So by all means buy it. :wink:

does it test diodes and capacitors and temperature and rpms?

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:30 am
by MEHall
juntjoo wrote:does it test diodes and capacitors and temperature and rpms?


Nothing outside electrical function, i'm afraid, and on my CB 650 i have no need to check temperature and rpms. :roll:
Rpm i can see on the Tachometer and the engine is aircooled so i there in no need for me to see the temp and rpm. :wink:
And i have never even seen that a CB 650 have any capacitors, so my multimeter dont have that function, and on any aircooled bikes you dont need any multimeters that is more advanced. :wink:

But on cars and a bit more advanced electrical appliances the one you have linked to is more what you need, so ok buy one that have those functions but i think you can buy the cheapest one with those functions. :wink:
It will work equally as good as a more expensive model i think. :wink:

I hope that info helps. :wink:




8)

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:15 am
by Folsoml
juntjoo wrote:does it test diodes and capacitors and temperature and rpms?


Speaking of temperature, make sure that, while you are working your bike in the garage, if you have it running for anything longer than a minute or so, that you have one or two large fans blowing across the engine. As you know, it is air-cooled and will overheat rather quickly. Also make sure you have plenty of ventilation so YOU can breathe.

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 2:05 pm
by juntjoo
Folsoml wrote:
juntjoo wrote:does it test diodes and capacitors and temperature and rpms?


Speaking of temperature, make sure that, while you are working your bike in the garage, if you have it running for anything longer than a minute or so, that you have one or two large fans blowing across the engine. As you know, it is air-cooled and will overheat rather quickly. Also make sure you have plenty of ventilation so YOU can breathe.


thanks. never considered it being air cooled. I knew just didnt occur to me... so you cant just idle the bike for long?

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 2:33 pm
by Folsoml
No, it will overheat quickly. Not a problem when you are riding because (obviously) there is wind going across the cooling fins.

Edit: I have for you, the deal of the century. I appealed to people smarter than me with your problem. A man known as Holysmokes on the DOHC custom forum has offered his assistance to you. He wrote:

Holysmokes wrote:Tell him to replace plug caps

Or get him to find me on Facebook.
John h Veinot
I'll help him

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 12:39 am
by juntjoo
anyone know what it means when the ohms reading is erratic? digital reading

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 5:22 am
by Folsoml
Usually means your probes are not making good solid contact with what you are testing. What ARE you testing? Something in the headlight circuit?

Re: recommendations on a <$120 multimeter?

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 10:01 am
by juntjoo
Folsoml wrote:Usually means your probes are not making good solid contact with what you are testing. What ARE you testing? Something in the headlight circuit?


yeah, i think I figured that out. thanks