Jeez - another multimeter bites the dust...

[MikeP]

OK, I admit up front that I'm hard on multimeters but I seem to go through them at ridiculous rates. It's been that way every since I was a teen (with one exception which I'll mention shortly). Three different ones have been in residence on our 53MY in the 10 years we have owned it.

I don't think I have ever had a MM last more than around 3 years. I tried the high-dollar Fluke about 10 years ago and it didn't do any better than the 3 year old (and just failed today) Radio Shack top of the line (!) DMM. Today I was working on a circuit and the meter suddenly quit registering meaningful information, with the screen shifting constantly between various non-sensical readings. NO..it's not bad batteries - never has been in any of the previous failures and still isn't. So another DMM was pitched into the trash can and I dragged out...

an old 1959 Heathkit VTVM that I use for working on tube (valves for you Britts) equipment. Yep, 55 years old and working fine...But since it requires 120vac to operate, it's not as convenient to use as a DMM except for bench work - which is what I primarily use it for.

SO… does anyone have a suggestion for my next DMM? I'd like to have one work for at least 5 years!

Otherwise it just makes more sense to buy the 20 buck DMMs and replace them every year!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I've had pretty good luck with the cheapo Klein and Consumers Electric ones like they sell at Home Depot.

 

[bobk]

I've had pretty good luck with the cheapo Klein and Consumers Electric ones like they sell at Home Depot.

X2
Bobk

 

[saltshaker]

I have a bunch of Flukes I use for work and at home. The work ones are used regularly and some are older than my boat. Never had one fail in the 30+ years I've been using them.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I've had real good luck with Fluke meters. Maybe a higher-end Fluke?

Or, maybe you need a small portable genset to run your old meter.

 

[Beckytek]

I have used my present fluke meter for work every day for 29 years and still working. If you have trouble with one, send it to them and they will repair, it will look and work like new. I did that once.

 

[Finalee]

I misplace them long before they ever fail. Never had one not work.

 

[mr hatt]

Harbor freight usually has coupons for free ones. I know I know you get what you pay for, but if it's free? I'm usually just checking voltage or resistance at times. So for basic troubleshooting they work. I imagine you are doing more detailed work, buy it might be worth keeping one around as a backup.

 

[GJH]

I bought this NewMar "ESA" seven years ago and have used and abused the heck out of it ever since. Definitely one of the most valuable tools on the boat. It is made and sold by another company, under another brand, NewMar merely slaps their brand and seal of approval on it. One of the few that does AC amp readings in addition to everything else. I'll see if I can remember the name of the other brand as it is much cheaper that way and the same thing. I liked it not just because it was rugged and versatile, but quite compact.

http://www.newmarpower.com/Test_Equipment/Test_Equipment.html

Based on prior experience with Fluke gear, Mike I think your issue was indeed a Fluke and you should have sent it in to them. They just didn't have anything I could find at the time that matched the Newmar's attributes I liked. I am not sure NewMar still sells these anyway.

Edit: Looks exactly like an Extech model with different colors. Don't recall it being that pricey though. But this one is 400 vs 200 amp.

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/extech/clampmeters/380940.htm

Edit2: Ok here it is under the CEM brand for a lot less, I think I paid almost 200 pretty pricey I know, but it's one of best buddies now and I trusted the Newmar brand.

http://www.amazon.com/CEM-Digital-C...ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1406238024&sr=1-5

 

[Tim Powell]

I bought this NewMar "ESA" seven years ago and have used and abused the heck out of it ever since. Definitely one of the most valuable tools on the boat. It is made and sold by another company, under another brand, NewMar merely slaps their brand and seal of approval on it. One of the few that does AC amp readings in addition to everything else. I'll see if I can remember the name of the other brand as it is much cheaper that way and the same thing. I liked it not just because it was rugged and versatile, but quite compact.

http://www.newmarpower.com/Test_Equipment/Test_Equipment.html

Based on prior experience with Fluke gear, Mike I think your issue was indeed a Fluke and you should have sent it in to them. They just didn't have anything I could find at the time that matched the Newmar's attributes I liked. I am not sure NewMar still sells these anyway.

Edit: Looks exactly like an Extech model with different colors. Don't recall it being that pricey though. But this one is 400 vs 200 amp.
gEORGE

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/extech/clampmeters/380940.htm

Edit2: Ok here it is under the CEM brand for a lot less, I think I paid almost 200 pretty pricey I know, but it's one of best buddies now and I trusted the Newmar brand.

http://www.amazon.com/CEM-Digital-C...ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1406238024&sr=1-5

George
Got two icoms 1 modle 604-A and a another icom not sure the number but they both are about 6 months old yes they are under warenty but they are also deep in the radio box, Any way one is putting out 19 watts and the other putting out about 12 wats when they are on high power. They both are getting 13.7 volts eaven when the mike is depressed. Very strang that its both of them QUESTION are they suppose to show 25 whatts as high power,
I am in Hatteras there is not much here to check with but the guys say i am week. Antena ch
ecks good LOOKING A COUNTRY BOY FIX

 

[av8torrich]

I have had very good luck with Fluke. My 867B has given me years of good service, and I expect it to last many years to come. I am shocked to learn you are having such problems.

I know what you mean about VTVM's. I currently own a Hickok 209 VTVM, which I use for measurements which require high impedance, signal tracing, or in cases were I must analyze or look for a sudden peak or dip in amplitude. This tool is great for those applications, and I would never be left without one.

At work I use a Tektronix bench DMM, which I am pretty impressed with. I know they are making handheld units, and the technicians who use them in the field seem to like them. Its been a while since I looked at pricing, but they seemed to be in the ball park as Fluke, but a little less expensive. My be worth looking at.

 

[av8torrich]

At work I use a Tektronix bench DMM, which I am pretty impressed with. I know they are making handheld units, and the technicians who use them in the field seem to like them. Its been a while since I looked at pricing, but they seemed to be in the ball park as Fluke, but a little less expensive. My be worth looking at.

Out of curiosity, I went to Tek's website, and it appears as though they are not making handheld DMM's any longer. I noted that they are now affiliated with Keithly, which may explain why. They are available used, but you would probably have to get it from a source such as ebay.

Another one you may want to consider is BK Precision. There lower end is not so great IMHO, but some of their higher line test gear is actually pretty good. I have used some of their Scalar Network Analyzers, and found them to be more than adequate, and rugged.

 

[MikeP]

Thanks all, for the info.

Maybe I'll try another Fluke…

Or just buy a brace of 20 buck DMMS and pull a new one out of the box when the "current" one fails.

I'm not sure how many would constitute a "brace of multimeters" but it sounds cool!

 

[av8torrich]

Mike -

If you are feeling adventurous, you may want to open the case and have a good look around the wiper switches. I have seen this area becomes corroded, which could explain the result you are now seeing. If you see signs of corrosion around the copper wiper arms, hit it with some contact cleaner, and see if this corrects the problem.

Rich

 

[MikeP]

I see that some of the Fluke meters are now made in China - including the one I was thinking about - the 117. But at 160 bucks it seems as though they are selling a made in China product for a "made in USA" price. I think my "brace of [cheap, Chinese] multimeters" is a better idea for the money. Or not?

 

[av8torrich]

As long as the warranty is the same, and you have some degree you can get service if needed, then I say go for it. Tektronix used to have their DSO's made in China by a company named RIGOL who now makes reasonable priced test equipment.

While I am sure RIGOL is utilizing designs, and techniques TEK gave them, they have pretty a pretty good warranty, with a USA service center.

I see that some of the Fluke meters are now made in China - including the one I was thinking about - the 117. But at 160 bucks it seems as though they are selling a made in China product for a "made in USA" price. I think my "brace of [cheap, Chinese] multimeters" is a better idea for the money. Or not?

 

[MikeP]

Warranty is three years - just about the time they seem to cr@p out on me normally, regardless of price!

 

[Blaine Thorpe]

I have two Flukes, a Greenlee, a Fieldpiece and one that has a Cat label on it. The Fluke Clamp meter and the Cat DMM stay on the boat. The others at home. I probably use the Cat meter more than the others, but all work fine.

I did have one Fluke go south on me several years ago.

 

[Avenger]

I'm not liking what I'm hearing about Fluke. I just bought one because I fried my OTC. I was never that thrilled with the OTC. But it kept working until something bizarre happened to it which gave me an excuse to buy the Fluke. I'm much happier with the Fluke's performance, and this one is Made In USA. But you guys are scaring me.

OTOH, the OTC was the first meter of probably 8 that I own that I've ever had fail. Also, if you're just doing basic electrical the Harbor Freight "free with any purchase over $10" meter or any other offshore POS is good enough.

 

[Boatsb]

I'm not liking what I'm hearing about Fluke. I just bought one because I fried my OTC. I was never that thrilled with the OTC. But it kept working until something bizarre happened to it which gave me an excuse to buy the Fluke. I'm much happier with the Fluke's performance, and this one is Made In USA. But you guys are scaring me.

OTOH, the OTC was the first meter of probably 8 that I own that I've ever had fail. Also, if you're just doing basic electrical the Harbor Freight "free with any purchase over $10" meter or any other offshore POS is good enough.

X2 on the harbor freight disposotools. I have 4 that I use daily and keep the Fluke for when I need to be very accurate. I have a hard case with foam for my delicate tools like the fluke. I let the harbor freight ones ride on the floor of the truck and still get 3 or 4 years out of them.