Ferrex ANS-24-146 (Aldi)

[Aldo22]

Today, I bought a DMM at Aldi while passing by.

Ferrex ANS-24-146 for CHF 7.95 (8.50 €)

It is my cheapest DMM so far, but also my only meter that has an ampere range and a GS certification.
https://www.certipedia.com/certificates/50639471?locale=en
It comes with two test leads, 2 x AAA batteries, two 600V ceramic fuses, and a manual.
It has a 3-year warranty.

All of this somewhat contradicts the impression of quality. It all looks as cheap as it is.

The accuracy is... well, it's 2000 counts.

Initial tests show:
DC and AC voltage measurements are acceptable.
Current measurements are a little off, but within specifications. Resistance measurements too.
The continuity tester is OK.

Pros:
It has auto range and manual range selection.
There is a “Rel” function.
There is a “Hold” function.
It has Min/Max and even Max-Min!
There is a 1kHz square wave signal.
It has A, mA, and uA ranges.
The display is easy to read.
It has a Cal switch inside, but I don't know how it works yet.
The banana jack spacing is correct. ;-) 

Cons:
No backlight
mA on the volt jack.
Poor quality impression. 

What to make of it?
Useable, partially surprising. Certainly not a bad thing to have in the trunk.
But despite the certificate and the 600V fuses, it does not inspire much confidence. 

[Kean]

Amazing that they spent money (even if just a few cents) on a switch for cal mode when a couple of test pads would surely have sufficed.

[Aldo22]

Amazing that they spent money (even if just a few cents) on a switch for cal mode when a couple of test pads would surely have sufficed.

That's what I thought too. There are a few unusual decisions with this product.

[Aldo22]

I bought two more to play around with and for spare parts.
Today they were on sale. Now only 5.99 each. 
You probably can't even get the two 30mm 600V 10A and 250mA ceramic fuses for that price in retail stores.



I messed up the voltage calibration on my first one because I didn't know the procedure.
Maybe I can fix it later. There's a video on how to do it in the Eprom.

[Aldo22]

After completely messing up my Ferrex with the “CAL” switch (I don't know the correct procedure), I tried to readjust it.
I had never done this with a USB programmer before and thought that a cheap Ferrex would be an ideal practice object.
And yes, it worked. I was able to correct V, Ω, μA, mA, and A.

The accuracy now seems better to me than the factory setting, especially for current measurement.
I think this cheap meter is now accurate enough for simple tasks. 

Attached images:
IMSProg.png: The yellow markings are relevant. In reading direction: V, Ω, μA, mA, A
VDC_VAC_Ohm.jpg: 1.234VDC, 1VAC, 1kΩ
uA_mA_A.jpg: 100μA, 1mA, 1.5A

[IC_Toaster]

After completely messing up my Ferrex with the “CAL” switch (I don't know the correct procedure), I tried to readjust it.
I had never done this with a USB programmer before and thought that a cheap Ferrex would be an ideal practice object.
And yes, it worked. I was able to correct V, Ω, μA, mA, and A.

The accuracy now seems better to me than the factory setting, especially for current measurement.
I think this cheap meter is now accurate enough for simple tasks. 

Attached images:
IMSProg.png: The yellow markings are relevant. In reading direction: V, Ω, μA, mA, A
VDC_VAC_Ohm.jpg: 1.234VDC, 1VAC, 1kΩ
uA_mA_A.jpg: 100μA, 1mA, 1.5A

When you are going to modify a memory, it is a good idea to do a back up of the current content. In that case you can restore the original information.
I didn't know this multimeter, and now I am tempted to buy a second hand one I have found.

[Aldo22]

I didn't know this multimeter, and now I am tempted to buy a second hand one I have found.

Or you could buy a new one.
Apparently, they are available in Spain (a few euros more expensive than here).
https://www.aldi.es/ofertas/desde-20-diciembre/multimetro-digital-1202-0-0.article.html
But don't get me wrong, it's not a really good DMM, but for this price, it has some remarkable features.

[IC_Toaster]

I didn't know this multimeter, and now I am tempted to buy a second hand one I have found.

Or you could buy a new one.
Apparently, they are available in Spain (a few euros more expensive than here).
https://www.aldi.es/ofertas/desde-20-diciembre/multimetro-digital-1202-0-0.article.html
But don't get me wrong, it's not a really good DMM, but for this price, it has some remarkable features.

Thank you. As you bought the multimeter on September, I thought I lost the oportunity. I was wrong on my asumption the selling dates would be similar in different countries.
I will try to buy it next Sunday.