Recommended Multimeter

[SpletKay06]

Ive used my Fluke dvom halfway around the world and back, still works perfect. Now ive pulled hf meters out of the package and had them fail checking battery voltage. Which would you trust?

[Caffeinated]

I bought a Klein mm 1000. Works fine for my needs.

Mike

[billtrev]

I know I'm a little late for the OP but a Fluke 27/FM can be a GREAT deal.

These were US military issue in the '80's. Built like a brick, very accurate, shockproof, o-ring sealed, true RMS multimeter for about $50 on eBAY.

I have read that only the ones marked 27/fm around the display are true RMS meters.

Only issue with mine is that it is a bit on the large size to store in a small toolbox.

[dbusse]

Fluke. Always works when you need it. Factory support. Ease of use.

I have 4-5, and always have one in my vehicle and my Classic (Fluke 117).

Dan

[AWCHIEF]

Harbor Freight freebies. Basic functions are all are needed by the average DIYers. Most people have no use for an expensive meter and do not know how to use them.

[rmkrum]

Better, when it blows up from misuse, just recycle it and break out another.


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[amirm]

The cheapest meters like Harbor Freight are not auto-scaling which makes them more difficult to use (for both novice and experienced). Their probes are also horrible. I have connected them to batteries and have them not show the right value unless you really poke them into the terminals. I have a few of them I got for free and leave them in the workshop and such and not worry about getting stolen.

As someone mentioned, for RV work you really want one with a clamp meter as often you want to measure current without disconnecting cables.

A very nice but low-cost clamp meter is this Uni-T: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



It is small so doesn't take much space on board. And unlike a lot of cheap Chinese meters, its construction is decent.

[ijustlee]

You can't beat a Harbor Freight $14 digital clamp on multi-meter for all around value. It gives me the same readings as my Fluke most of the time so is good enough and I wouldn't cry if it got lost.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by amirm

The cheapest meters like Harbor Freight are not auto-scaling which makes them more difficult to use (for both novice and experienced). Their probes are also horrible. I have connected them to batteries and have them not show the right value unless you really poke them into the terminals. I have a few of them I got for free and leave them in the workshop and such and not worry about getting stolen.

As someone mentioned, for RV work you really want one with a clamp meter as often you want to measure current without disconnecting cables.

A very nice but low-cost clamp meter is this Uni-T: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



It is small so doesn't take much space on board. And unlike a lot of cheap Chinese meters, its construction is decent.

That looks very much like the one I have and so far I'm very happy with it.

If buying something similar - especially in the lower price range - read the description closely to make sure that the clamp for measuring current will function on BOTH AC & DC current.

Some will only work on AC, but for RV work, it is handy to have both - for example, checking current flow to brakes

Brian.

[mandolindave]

A guy recommended the Fluke that he had, then I saw an electrician that had one too. So I picked one up. ( no returns for electrical stuff ) It only measured volts in whole numbers. You will want the Fluke that displays decimals, for battery.

I would also recommend an inexpensive volt meter that plugs into the DC cigarette jacks. They are very convenient