Can anyone recommend a digital multimeter

[jb]

I would like to get one for mainly 12v usage as it would be a lot easier to read a digital display as my eyes are getting older and struggle with accurate analog readings.

[chris68]

Hi,
Fluke are the benchmark and a Fluke 87v is very good and accurate meter, but probably over kill for what you need. Asian manufacturer Uni-T are a good alternative and a site cheaper. Something like a UT139C or UT61E would serve you well.
Cheers

[jb]

Thanks Chris

[PeterK]

Depending on what you want to use it for, also consider something like an Autel PS100. Digital display, great for most car electrical problem solving, including powering or earthing devices to check they work.

[jb]

Thanks Peter

[deano]

I havent looked to see what features are comrades here are recommending, but I wanted to add that a lot of modern DMMs don't have current measurement and that is a very useful feature to have e.g. if something is draining your battery etc. etc. Also, crocodile clips are good to have too, and sharp probes that can prod thru wire insulation. We dont need great accuracy for car work, so my suggestion would be to buy a cheap one with decent online reviews with 10A measurement and sharp normal probes+croc clips. A super quick look on Amazon came up with this, which fits the bill (I didnt read the reviews)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neoteck-Multim ... =1-15&th=1

[jwhillracer]

Hi Deano,
These are the two multimeters that I use.
The Rapid one is only the 2nd one that I have had in more than 30 years working on agricultural electronics and cars.
It's simple to use, rugged and reliable, and has survived about 15 years so far working on farms, and rattled about in hillclimb paddocks.
The Draper one, obviously very similar but car-orientated, I have only had for about 10 years, and so far the same applies.
The only fault that I have with them both is that it is very easy to either put them away without switching off, or equally well knock the switch on when they are in a bag full of other tools. These days when I use them less, it's vital to have a spare PP9 battery or two, as it always happens at the very worst time!



Cheers
JW

[C3s]

I can recommend the Draper, bought one about 20 years ago and got squashed 10 years later so replaced with the same

[PeterK]

I’ve got one too

[SeanP]

I have an Avo 8 pure analogue

[Jonny Hart]

Two useful features better DVMs have that people forget or never use:

1) Frequency measurement. For example, you can test your tacho output and convert to RPM ( Freq x 20 for a 6 cylinder).

2) Temperature. Most modern DVMs will take a 'K' type thermocouple for measuring temperature. This either plugs into the round holes or the slots shown in the blue Draper above.

[robs912]

Always used fluke meters for my work 34 years. Never let me down.
Rob

[jb]

Actually after I posted I realised that I had a Draper 'Expert' in the garage which is perfect for my needs. I also realised that I had a very old Ross multimeter which had a much bigger screen than the one I normally used so I fixed that too.
Thank you all for your input.

[Winston Teague]

When I got started in the classic vehicle electrical game 20+ years ago I bought a Fluke 73. It was shi&&ing expensive (£200). It is still going strong, few sets of leads, a few batteries and a few DCA fuses later. I have since bought a few more if these for petrol head xmas presents, son, home workshop etc. They can be had for 45-50 quid on eBay and all have been a success. Very highly recommended.

Jonny, you're quite right about frequency, id never thought about it for RPM, can you explain the x20 bit pls! W

[Winston Teague]

Here you go:

I strongly recommend getting one with the yellow outer rubber shell, it has saved mine many times......

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175147426935 ... Sw8qNiASdq

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255337123524 ... Swt1ph5Yjl

W