Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: Sunny Essex
Posts: 404
Recommended Multimeter
I am looking to buy an automotive multimeter! Anyone got a recommendation?
What functions do I need?
Advice appreciated Faultmate Owner
New front lower wishbone bushes and balljoints
New suspension compressor with two new front height sensors
Clock on dash plus 3 flash indicators
New Exide 017 battery
EGR,s blanked
Front and rear belts replaced by Me
Including new idlers, water pump and serpentine belt tensioner
20th Nov 2012 9:45 am
Cellerdweller
Member Since: 05 Oct 2012
Location: Macclesfield
Posts: 1315
Hi if you don't mind spending the money fluke meters are some of the best out there .sealey also make some good ones and I see these pass there annual calibration tests with no problem .There are some very cheap ones available however I would leave these alone at best they will only give you an indication of measured values they are not accurate . Depending what you want it to do for you will help you decide what functions you require ,the more you spend the more you get however some are quite complex. Choose one that is automotive dedicated as there are meters for all industry's and you won't go far wrong .
20th Nov 2012 10:05 am
tank
Member Since: 29 Oct 2012
Location: Hexham
Posts: 101
+1 for fluke, been using them for.over 20 years. Very reliable and as long as its in the yellow holder bounce well. Currently using a 112, does all I need it to. Spend the extra, quality is worth it.
20th Nov 2012 10:12 am
hgbosch
Member Since: 25 Oct 2010
Location: Pretoria and Zürich, Switzerland
Posts: 188
tank wrote:
+1 for fluke, been using them for.over 20 years. Very reliable and as long as its in the yellow holder bounce well. Currently using a 112, does all I need it to. Spend the extra, quality is worth it.
+2 EX AFRICA SEMPER ALIQUID NOVI
SEMPER IN FAECIBUS SUMUS SOLE, PROFUNDUM VARIAT
with kind regards
George Bosch
2005 Disco3 TDV6 S
2003 Range Rover Td6
1998 Disco1 ES 300Tdi (sold)
And some more serious stuff
20th Nov 2012 10:25 am
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
My cheapo £20 multimeter gives the same reading as my Fluke 83-5, so for the purpose of gentle garage DIY I wouldn't spend much money at all.
Realisitcally you want Volts, Amps, Ohms, Continuity, maybe a temperature probe. It's all you really need unless you are planning to take apart ECU's at component level to test capacitors and diodes.
Got my cheapo 4 years ago, been dropped many times, stuffed in the bottom of the tool box, used out in the rain. Still fine!
2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
20th Nov 2012 10:40 am
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18537
Maplin have a good selection of mid-range multimeters if your budget won't stretch to a Fluke.06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
20th Nov 2012 10:45 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
I'm a Fluke user too but for most I recommend:
The Amprobe AM-240.
It has all the safety features of a Fluke, good basic accuracy, good response time, good features, good leads and good to use.
It costs just over £30, so a fraction of the price of a Fluke.
I have the AM-240 (amongst a few others) and I throughly recommend it. There are a few others that would make my budget list, but I genuinely own one of these.
If you have an hour to kill with the legendary Dave Jones one of his famous multimeter reviews can be found here:
Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: Sunny Essex
Posts: 404
Thanks Guys Faultmate Owner
New front lower wishbone bushes and balljoints
New suspension compressor with two new front height sensors
Clock on dash plus 3 flash indicators
New Exide 017 battery
EGR,s blanked
Front and rear belts replaced by Me
Including new idlers, water pump and serpentine belt tensioner
20th Nov 2012 8:58 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18537
Oooh I do like the look of that Amprobe 06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
20th Nov 2012 9:02 pm
Albert0109
Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: Sunny Essex
Posts: 404
Ordered the Amprobe, AM 240! £34 before the dreaded Vat and delivery, cheers Robbie Faultmate Owner
New front lower wishbone bushes and balljoints
New suspension compressor with two new front height sensors
Clock on dash plus 3 flash indicators
New Exide 017 battery
EGR,s blanked
Front and rear belts replaced by Me
Including new idlers, water pump and serpentine belt tensioner
20th Nov 2012 9:18 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
I find myself using Rapid, either direct or via their ebay shop as their price can vary between the 2 when free shipping is taken into account. £36.95 delivered is not a bad price and there may be better out there, but Rapid are good to do business with.
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 867
I dropped my Fluke for the last time a few years back, but I already had a hand full of other meters, from elcheapos to lab grade.
I have found that even the elcheapos now days are not that far out and the most I have come across was less than 0.1 volt of error.
This sort error margin is not really a problem for sorting out basic work in and around your vehicle.
BUT, if anyone is considering using their multi meter for checking and working around AC mains, do NOT get an elcheapo, stick with the type Robbie posted up.
The one major problem I found with cheapo multi meters is that their leads are NOT safe to use on AC mains power.
BTW and slightly off subject, as I need to measure so many different batteries and set ups around my workshop and test benches, I have cut all my test leads in half and fitted 30 amp Anderson Power poles on them.
I have also fitted short leads with the same power poles on them to all my batteries ( and other devices ). This allows for one handed battery voltage readings. This makes voltage readings so much easier and quicker.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
2008 TDV8 RR Lux + 2009 D4 2.7
Last edited by drivesafe on 20th Nov 2012 10:57 pm. Edited 1 time in total
20th Nov 2012 10:32 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
My (latest) favourite leads with the twist adjustable insulation on the tips:
Fluke TL175 - TwistGuardâ„¢
My previous test leads of choice:
Fluke TL71 Test Leads
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: Sunny Essex
Posts: 404
Robbie wrote:
I find myself using Rapid, either direct or via their ebay shop as their price can vary between the 2 when free shipping is taken into account. £36.95 delivered is not a bad price and there may be better out there, but Rapid are good to do business with.
For those that like a 'Fluke draped over a Disco3' porn shot from my own private collection…
Rapid are waiting stock, 1 month lead in time, so being impatient ordered it from elsewhere Faultmate Owner
New front lower wishbone bushes and balljoints
New suspension compressor with two new front height sensors
Clock on dash plus 3 flash indicators
New Exide 017 battery
EGR,s blanked
Front and rear belts replaced by Me
Including new idlers, water pump and serpentine belt tensioner
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