Automotive multimeters

[adamsmitqc]

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a decent automotive multimeter?

Need one but don't want to spend a fortune!

 

[piman]

Hello Adam,

I have used a Clarke one for years, no problems withit, but I don't remember what it cost but reasonable. It's one function that could be useful for automotive work is a temperature probe.

Alec

 

[rtbcomp]

I got one from Maplin years ago with a thermocouple probe, still working fine.

 

[adamsmitqc]

Definatley want a thermocouple probe, I've seen some with infra red thermometers which could be handy but more than I'm willing to pay!

The old spitfire has many electrical demons so need to get one sorted!

 

[AndyStobbs]

use a metrix myself. Its not capable of series current measurment, but has a position to use it with a current clamp. No temp probe either, but never missed that.

 

[Wayne.]

Fluke 88 had it for years bought new when that model first came out fantastic meter

 

[Wendelspanswick]

High and Low functions are useful on a meter, especially one for automotive use. It will store the highest and lowest reading, useful when measuring battery voltages when cranking.
I have a Maplin one with USB output so you can use it as a data logger (output readings according to your schedule), they are normally £60 but they regularly sell them half price.
Had mine for about 5 years and gets used weekly, very pleased with it.
It comes with a thermocouple.
Maplins also do the various banana plug attachments like insulated crocodile clips and cable piercers etc.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Maplins do a good range of multimeters. The UNI-T ones are good, batteries last ages nice big screen and their autoranging ones actually work properly.

 

[adamsmitqc]

Thanks everyone for the info so far.... Fluke will be out of my budget, not even gonna look! Off to look on the maplins website...

 

[keithski122]

Powerprobes or similar are really useful for fault finding.I used to do a lot of car electrical work and it was my go to tool far more often than a multimeter.Just got to be careful you don't let smoke out of modern vehicle electrics.Powerprobe3 with built in voltmeter and beeper is good too,probably more expensive than you need though.

 

[adamsmitqc]

I have to be honest... I'm feeling a tad baffled by the choice available and the massive variation in price!

More research required....

 

[rtbcomp]

Don't be tempted to get a current clamp unless you are certain in can measure DC, some of the cheaper ones will only measure AC.

 

[adamsmitqc]

Don't be tempted to get a current clamp unless you are certain in can measure DC, some of the cheaper ones will only measure AC.

Ok will make a note of that one !

The gunson one seems a fairly competent thing, around the forty to fifty quid mark

 

[Wendelspanswick]

The one I had from Maplins:
http://mobile.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=222041
Sadly seems like it is no longer available!

 

[AndyStobbs]

for something like a spitfire, you will only need a very basic multimeter. They aren't complex electrically.

 

[malcolm]

I bought a Fluke look alike from Homebase and it's brilliant and was cheap. Calibrated it and it's spot on. I would avoid anything that can be bought in Halfords.

Is it a later Spitfire? Rivited connections in the fuse box were the problem on my old one.

 

[adamsmitqc]

Hi Malcolm, its a 1971 mark IV, a labour of love more than anything!

 

[PTvor]

I have to be honest... I'm feeling a tad baffled by the choice available and the massive variation in price!

More research required....

Which features do you need?

You don't need true RMS, you don't need frequency measurement, you don't need capacitance. Do you need AC current? You don't need voltage above 600V which seems to be a break point in cost. I don't like auto-ranging meters myself.

Voltage, current, resistance, a continuity buzzer, temperature. Sounds like a £20 number from Maplins.

It doesn't sound as if you are going to give it the regular use which would justify a Fluke.

I'd avoid the very cheapest.

e.g.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/domestic-multimeter-37279

which appears all over the place in various forms and at one time maplins were doing 2 for a fiver, because they're rubbish. They don't have proper selector switches, the batteries have a very short life and IMHO they're not safe to use with mains voltage.

 

[Robotstar5]

Can't beat an old lampholder with 2 bits of wire, the lamp will put a load on the circuit under test, whereas a multimeter is so sensitive it will show voltage across poor connections that will not pass much current.

 

[dannyp]

Can't beat an old lampholder with 2 bits of wire, the lamp will put a load on the circuit under test, whereas a multimeter is so sensitive it will show voltage across poor connections that will not pass much current.

very very true espectaly on the old cars