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Electronics => Beginners => Topic started by: haglered on October 24, 2010, 06:59:57 pm

Title: Cheap Multi Meter part 2
Post by: haglered on October 24, 2010, 06:59:57 pm
Yeah, I bought another one. This one is one of the ones from Harbour freight. It was only $ 3.50. It has one measurement the other one I bought does not have. It has the ability to measure the amps in small batteries.

If you think of it as a glorified battery tester it is a good deal. Most battery testers cost around $5. It can also be used to measure low powered circuts and otherwise be abused in a tool box.

I also found a halfway decent meter at a pawn shop that I put into layaway. It is a KAL 3000 series meter. It looks very nice. No it's not a Fluke but I think it will fit my needs very nicely.

It is an auto ranging meter, definitely built better than the cheap ones I purchased recently. It comes in a nice case with the probes, a temperature sensor and a clip on probe.

I should have it out in a month or so.

I could not find it online anywhere. There is a book for it in the case that comes with the meter.

I can't wait to get it. It should be rather nice compared to the cheap ones.
Title: Re: Cheap Multi Meter part 2
Post by: saturation on October 24, 2010, 07:09:45 pm
Please review and take pictures!  Enjoy.
Title: Re: Cheap Multi Meter part 2
Post by: PetrosA on October 24, 2010, 09:10:08 pm
From the pics I'm seeing online, it's a automotive mechanic's tester. It looks like decent quality. Post some pics when you get yours.
Title: Re: Cheap Multi Meter part 2
Post by: Kiriakos-GR on October 24, 2010, 11:45:06 pm
Myth busting time ...   ;D

http://www.atlanticautosuppliers.com/pdf_files/kal_equip/multimeter_comparison.pdf (http://www.atlanticautosuppliers.com/pdf_files/kal_equip/multimeter_comparison.pdf)

http://www.atlanticautosuppliers.com/spec_pages/kal_equip/kal_equip_multimeter.html (http://www.atlanticautosuppliers.com/spec_pages/kal_equip/kal_equip_multimeter.html)

I would just say , that's its nothing interesting about it .. why did yous start the thread any way ?
Title: Re: Cheap Multi Meter part 2
Post by: Mechatrommer on October 25, 2010, 12:26:51 am
It was only $ 3.50. It has one measurement the other one I bought does not have. It has the ability to measure the amps in small batteries.
and again we got another new friend to measure a battery's amp. welcome to eevblog! ;)
maybe you can help us to figure out how many amps a 12V car's battery have.
Title: Re: Cheap Multi Meter part 2
Post by: haglered on October 25, 2010, 03:07:31 am
No the cheap one's instructions tell you not to try it on Auto batts. So no It will not be good for that but I have plenty of other uses for it.

I also like it's on/off switch. That seems to be a better idea for these cheap meters.

I had limited info on the Kal 3000 when I found it, but I liked what I saw. It seems to be a fairly nice meter. I decided to put it in layaway.

I have enjoyed playing with the cheap ones and they no doubt will find places as backup or meters that sit in toolboxes along with the other tools I need in that type of repair or just as glorified battery testers, which I can never find when I need one.

I'm sure I will be reaching for a cheap meter when I want to know just how good that battery I am about to take out of my used battery drawer is. Until now I have relied on a simple Radio Shack meter that doesn't give me as much information as these cheap meters do.

The Kal may end up being used as general meter until it is replaced by a better more general purpose meter somewhere down the road. It can be used for general purpose work as well, and right now I am still struggling to repair a car with electrical problems so maybe it is a good idea to get an automotive meter?

With more experience I will figure out what I really want in a good meter.  I am definitely still learning and so far don't regret buying any them.
 
Title: Re: Cheap Multi Meter part 2
Post by: Mechatrommer on October 25, 2010, 03:52:19 am
No the cheap one's instructions tell you not to try it on Auto batts. So no It will not be good for that but I have plenty of other uses for it.
try the 12V Lead Acid Battery then.