DIGITEK DT-2844R True-RMS Auto-ranging Digital Multimeter

[Keken]

I'm just starting out and didn't want to get a cheap multimeter. Didn't want to go all out either. So I was thinking about getting the Digitek DT-2844R
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YF0VEM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(~$45 is my budget)

Basically for what I'm doing over here on this thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/computer-power-supply-salvageable/

Decent multimeter for electronics? At the moment, just need to read capacitors and other unforeseen electronics as I continue my education on this.

Thanks in advance!

-Kekens

[retiredcaps]

Checking the capacitance of a capacitor for a SMPS isn't as important as checking the ESR of a capacitor.

Since you are just starting out, I suggest you just replace the obviously bulged capacitors and see if the SMPS works.  Then if it does, you can choose to replace all the capacitors with high quality ones or buy an ESR meter to check the existing ones. 

If you are deciding if you like this hobby or not, don't buy an ESR meter, just get a multimeter.  A multimeter will be much more useful for real life things if you decide you don't like electronics as a hobby.

No multimeter will have ESR measurement functionality.

[retiredcaps]

BTW, I started learning electronics by repairing lcd monitors.  The SMPS on the lcd monitor is basically the same as an ATX PSU, but it is easier to work with since it is laid out flat on a single layer PCB and not all packed tighly together like in an ATX PSU form factor.

The single layer PCB also makes soldering and desoldering easier and you can get away with use a "cheap" soldering iron.

[mariush]

See Franky's store (iloveelectronics here on forum) :  http://stores.ebay.com/99centHobbies 

And his forum thread: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/franky%27s-sales-thread/

For around 55-60$, he may be able to get you a Uni-T UT61E which is a perfectly fine multimeter and a very good deal at that money. 22000 count, data logging, good features (lacks backlight and temperature, that's pretty much it). Send him a pm and see.

If you want cheaper, he also has Uni-T UT139C , 6000 count, ncv, the works: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Uni-T-UT139C-True-RMS-Digital-Multimeter-with-Temperature-NCV-Backlight-/171213085325

There's also Digitek DT-2843R in his store, 4000 count  so in theory the uni-t should be a bit better than this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digitek-DT-2843R-AC-DC-True-RMS-Multimeter-with-Backlight-and-Temperature-/171080136251

Pretty much any of these would work.

But you should know, if you plan of buying a multimeter to test the capacitors in that power supply, a multimeter is somewhat useless for something like that.  You'd need an ESR meter or a LCR meter to test capacitors properly, a multimeter can only measure capacitance under some conditions, and capacitance doesn't really tell you much about the "health" of a capacitor.

[Maxlor]

Here's a review of the DT-2843R, which seems to be mostly the same, except it also measures temperature, done by LightAges from this forum:

In short, it seems to be a reasonable meter for electronics, but stay away from high power stuff.

I have another Digitek model, the DT-4000ZC, which from the pics has a similar construction. It's small and reasonably solid, (worse in the input protection part than th DT-2843R and no TrueRMS, but has RS232), and has 4 trimpots internally which make it easy to calibrate it to well above its specs. I'd say above average for the price.

Franky from this forum sells both meters btw: http://stores.ebay.com/99centhobbies

[Keken]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

Will be making another post about ESR meter

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Created it here:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/capacitor-meters-your-suggestion/