Can anyone recomend me a multimeter for arcade work? -UK

[Rusty Shackelford]

Im after a multimeter to do arcade/console work ie. continuity, finding which wire is -12, +5 etc, testing power supplies etc.

I went to my local Maplins and found the have about 20 versions of what looked the same meter. Im well aware the the cheapest isnt always the best but im sure there are a lot of advanced features I will never need.

Im just starting out learning elctronics so could anyone out there recomend me a suitable multimeter?

Thanks in advance

[Blanka]

Just get the cheapest. You're no electronics pro that is interested in the 3rd digit.
One thing that can be handy to get the second cheapest is an auto ranging one (With just a ohm, voltage, ampere setting instead of many ones with specific ranges).
And capacitance can be handy. Still not more than 30 pfund.

[BobA]

Cheapest one with auto ranging seems to be this one.   Auto Range is much easier to use for a new user.  

Autoranging DMM
PC interface not needed but did not find an autoranging for less.

I personally use one of these dmm's a bit cheaper but takes a while for delivery (about 3 wks)
Cheaper Autoranging DMM

[Rusty Shackelford]

Thanks Boba.

So without autoranging you have to switch through all the values until the reading doesnt max out?

[BobA]

Yes you have to basically guess the setting to start.  Not a problem with the few voltages being measured in arcade work but it can be confusing to relate the reading to the dial setting for newcomers.

[drventure]

+1 on the cheapest, unless you also plan on doing some significant other electrical work.

I've used a super cheap Radio shack MM for years and years, pretty much just for hobbiest type stuff like this.

Autoranging would be kinda cool, I guess, but realistically, I check

0-5v (Logic stuff)
0-12v (Power supplies, car stuff)
0-120v ac (mains, was that circuit breaker really off!)
and resistance (Continuity)

And that's about it.

[bkenobi]

I got mine at Sears MANY years ago and one feature that I thought was cool (and never expected to use) was the thermocouple input.  Mine was on sale for ~$30 back then and it has autoranging and PC connect (which I've never used).

I think it's probably similar to this one:
http://tinyurl.com/4kyct8u

They also have some cheaper ones that include temp.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_03482345000P

[Nephasth]

Fluke!

[Eddie_Brock]

Just about any digital Multi Meter should be all you need. For arcade work, automotive, or electrical work around the house.

[BobA]

If you are going to be in this hobby for a while then consider the higher priced DMMs.  If this is a one time thing then go as cheap as you want.  A man is only as good as his tools.

[Nephasth]

A man is only as good as his tools.

+1 Good stuff!

[lilshawn]

Fluke!

got 3... 87, 87 III, and my newest one, a factory tested and calibrated 87V true RMS meter

will never buy anything else ever. but at $500 it's a little pricey but for the amount I use it , it's thousands of times better than any cheap meter you can but at a box store.

i may sell off my old 87 meter... i don't need 3 really.

[Nephasth]

I've got a 112 True RMS that came with a 322 clamp meter. I've had it for 6 years, great meter. I think it was around $200 when I got it. Used it everyday while I was a mechanic and it's still in great shape.

[bkenobi]

Fluke makes a great meter, but it's hard to justify unless you really know how to use it.  Truthfully....how many people here know how to use the features of a Fluke enough to justify it over a a reasonably priced unit (I phrase it that way because low price means affordable, not crap which is the way cheap can be interpreted).

[lilshawn]

*raises hand*

i use the logging function on my meter all the time. i can hook it up to a chassis B+ and leave it for a few hours and then get a max, average, and lowest reading. gives me an idea if the voltage needs to be tweaked or if there is something wrong. same with line voltage... if there is an issue with computer freezing and basic hardware checks okay, i can log the voltages and see if the dip when it crashes or reboots. it's a great feature.

diode test, resistance, current, continuity, ac/dc volts...obviously I mean I have them, so I use them. capacitance test, not so much, as I have an ESR meter...same with the temperature probe.. i have a non-contact infrared unit i use for quick checks. but i have used it a few times.


about the only one I don't really use is the frequency and the duty cycle measuring of AC motors... I have used the frequency along with an SPL meter when setting up subwoofers to find the natural resonant frequency of the setup but if I was testing AC motors i'd probably use them for their intended purpose. 

in the past i have had the more expensive radioshack branded meter and for what it cost, it wasn't bad (i think about $100) but mainly i needed more range. sometimes 500 volts isn't enough. which is why i went to fluke in the first place since it has a 1000 volt range. before that i bought several 10 and 20 buck units and just had nothing but issues. accuracy is way off, no range, cheap leads.

side story:

one of the places i worked at about 10 years ago had a fluke 867 with the built in o-scope... man, when that place went bankrupt, i wish i couldda got my hands on that meter... that was probably a $3000 meter in it's day. hell, on ebay they still go for a grand.

[Nephasth]

Fluke makes a great meter, but it's hard to justify unless you really know how to use it.  Truthfully....how many people here know how to use the features of a Fluke enough to justify it over a a reasonably priced unit (I phrase it that way because low price means affordable, not crap which is the way cheap can be interpreted).

If you don't read the manual that comes with the meter, of course you won't know how to use the features.

Buying tools is like buying oats. If you want quality oats, you have to pay a fair price. If you want oats that have been through the horse already, well, those are a little cheaper...

[Dr Zero]

Since you are in the UK you might consider ordering a basic one from some place like dealextreme or Focal price or the likes that way others could take a look at the offerings and make a suggestion.
http://www.dealextreme.com/c/multimeters-409http://www.focalprice.com/search.html?keyword=multi%20meter

If you want a basic meter like this one http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-90899.html let me know and when I get back home I will mail you one out.
I bought some for gifts and have some left over.

[bkenobi]

*raises hand*

And I'd expect you to as well!  You work in the industry from the sounds of it, so you would have a use for a really nice DMM.  I was just saying that for those that are not in the trade, it's unlikely that *most* people would need much more than a continuity tester.  I've used mine many times over the years and have used most of the functions sans the PC link.

FWIW, I see nothing wrong with buying a much better tool than you currently have a use for if you expect to have future needs.  I also see nothing wrong with buying the cheapest thing out there if you know the current project demands a one time need.

[DaOld Man]

I honestly believe that you get what you pay for, but...
just starting out, this meter here seems like a very good deal.

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/DVM-850BL/3-1/2-DIGIT-LCD-MULTIMETER-W/BACKLIGHT//1.html

I use flukes at work, they are the best IMHO, but at home I dont need the bells and whistles.
Some must haves: 600 VAC and VDC or more. At least 20 megohm ohm meter.
Milliamp and amp meter. (10 amp or more on high side).
Diode checker is very nice, and probably a must have for our hobby. Mine will dimly light an led.
Continuity checker is nice too, but the cheap meters are notorious about the beeper not loud enough or very scratchy.
I dont really feel a beginner would need much more than that.
The meter I listed above has most of these features, but remember, you  get what you pay for.
Also, dont drop it from over a couple of feet.

EDIT:
The link above is in Canada, Im not real sure if they ship to the UK, I live in US, and I think shipping here is around 7 US dollars..

[Nacimroc]

Just to add to this, I use a 'draper' multimeter and for the second time this make is about 20% off on some of the amperage readings compared to other fluke multimeters! Stay clear!

[jukingeo]

Here you go:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/FLUKE-FLUKE-113-/105-735

This is a nice high quality meter that has just the basic features.

[Rusty Shackelford]

Thanks for the recomendations guys I think il go for an entry level autoranging unit because I doubt il ever use it outside of hobby/diy.

[lilshawn]

Autoranging is the cats meow. Saves blowing out your meter due to selecting the improper range.