3dzapper Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 If not, that Rat shack meter doesn't look bad for $70. It has a lot of neat functions which can come in handy for a lot of things around amps, the house and cars. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEC Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 This one might be worth looking at. Pretty impressive feature set for less than $50.00. http://www.elexp.com/tst_8209.htm Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.4knee Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 fini, What are you going to use it for? If you are just measuring 115VAC in your house and looking to see if a voltage is present in a circuit any old meter will do. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 1. Are you looking to make L and C measurements as well or true RMS? 2. Are you trying to make specific quantitative measurements critical to troubleshooting a problem? 3. Will you need to keep it calibrated? 4. Would you classify yourself as the hobby guy trying to build the moral equivalent of a birdhouse as a major project? Not trying to offend you but if you answered number one, two or three yes look into Fluke or B&K. If number four best describes your needs, then the Rat Shack will do just fine. R/Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted January 25, 2005 Author Share Posted January 25, 2005 Jim, I'm about to do some critical troubleshooting in a 60's Fisher console amp, as described in this thread, in the 2-channel forum. Pretty cool, a bunch of guys are chipping in with advice to remotely (their brains, my hands) get this old beauty up and running. I am actually quite touched by their gesture (pardon me...I need a moment...) OK. I guess I'd then fall into the #2 category. BTW, you are most certainly encouraged to add your 2 cents worth in that thread... I think I will be getting the meter tomorrow, and start testing Thursday (tomorrow is Mrs. fini's birthday, and I promised to clear the amp & stuff off the dining table). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.4knee Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 OK I guess a fluke 77 or one of its comparable siblings will do fine. What would really help you are a decent oscilloscope and a signal generator, but that is a fairly steep expenditure. Tell Mrs fini happy B-Day for all of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Klappenberger Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Add me to the "Flukey" bunch! I got a Fluke 87 and it is very good. As an ex-instrument repair technician (Westinghouse) I came to understand the difference between quality instruments and the second-line stuff. The difference is hard to explain, but it becomes obvious real soon when you comepare them. I guess the word to describe the difference is "stability". Al K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted January 26, 2005 Author Share Posted January 26, 2005 Hey, I got the Fluke 73-III, for $65! Now for the fun stuff... Thanks for the help, sirs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analogman Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 ---------------- On 1/25/2005 10:42:53 PM J.4knee wrote: fini, What are you going to use it for? If you are just measuring 115VAC in your house and looking to see if a voltage is present in a circuit any old meter will do. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 1. Are you looking to make L and C measurements as well or true RMS? 2. Are you trying to make specific quantitative measurements critical to troubleshooting a problem? 3. Will you need to keep it calibrated? 4. Would you classify yourself as the hobby guy trying to build the moral equivalent of a birdhouse as a major project? Not trying to offend you but if you answered number one, two or three yes look into Fluke or B&K. If number four best describes your needs, then the Rat Shack will do just fine. R/Jim ---------------- Thank God someone thinks first. All the best, Analogman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Good deal. Did you get the manual? If not if it needs a battery, there is just a standard 9V alkaline in there. The auto off feature is a pain sometimes but it does save a lot of batteries if you are like me and forget to shut it off. Where's that hand???? Rick PS: Don't throw out that analog unit. There are times when they come in handy. I've got a $10 analog Rat Shack meter I keep just in case I need one outside in the rain, in the bildge, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted January 26, 2005 Author Share Posted January 26, 2005 ---------------- On 1/26/2005 8:38:10 PM 3dzapper wrote: Good deal. Did you get the manual? If not if it needs a battery, there is just a standard 9V alkaline in there. The auto off feature is a pain sometimes but it does save a lot of batteries if you are like me and forget to shut it off. Where's that hand???? Rick PS: Don't throw out that analog unit. There are times when they come in handy. I've got a $10 analog Rat Shack meter I keep just in case I need one outside in the rain, in the bildge, etc. ---------------- "Where's that hand????" Kind of a personal question, but I'm grabbin' me ***! No manual, but I downloaded it before I offered $65. Re: the analog meter: Don't worry, ask my wife, I don't toss anything... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yaffstone Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Fluke 77 for me too. Great meter. Knocked around the tool box in the garage for years, then came inside. Works great and tests really accurate in the lab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 fini, Check your manual, but that probably uses the same 650ma fuse that the 77 uses. Get you a couple of spares before you need to replace one (I've only had to replce one once, and I got mine in '90). They aren't the size you'll find at the gas station or consumer electronics store. Nothing more frustrating than needing a fuse and not being able to find one. Marvel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jheis Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 I've got a digital multimeter that I backed my 1933 Franklin over (don't ask) destroying the digital readout screen, so I bought a closeout Bel Merit (made in Korea I believe). But I still have the old one out in the garage because even though you can't see the readout, the continuity tester still beeps - which is often all you really need when working on your hobby car! James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted January 29, 2005 Author Share Posted January 29, 2005 James, Too bad the meter didn't have a motion sensor... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scp53 Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 i built my own multi tester from elenco. works fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jheis Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 Hey fini: Whereabouts in Sonoma County? I'm in Santa Rosa (ex SF). James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted January 30, 2005 Author Share Posted January 30, 2005 ---------------- On 1/30/2005 1:33:29 AM jheis wrote: Hey fini: Whereabouts in Sonoma County? I'm in Santa Rosa (ex SF). James ---------------- James, Right here in beautiful Rohnert Park! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted January 30, 2005 Author Share Posted January 30, 2005 Marvel, I checked the manual, and opened up the meter. There are two fuses in there. Trouble with getting the fuses ahead of time is remembering where I've put them (kind of like all those left-over parts from construction projects: bags if nails, screws and washers, hinges and wall anchors. Why throw 'em away? It seems to be able to actually use them when you need them, you've got to dedicate your life to organization...my garage looks like someone put a hardware store, a hi-fi shop, and a lumber yard in a huge blender and hit "mix"...). Or, I could put them with my test equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 The only time you use the big fuse is when measuring current. It's easier and safer to measure current with a resistor and voltage drop anyhow. In my 18 years with my 73, I have blown one fuse. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richinlr Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 ---------------- On 1/30/2005 11:03:56 AM 3dzapper wrote: The only time you use the big fuse is when measuring current. It's easier and safer to measure current with a resistor and voltage drop anyhow. In my 18 years with my 73, I have blown one fuse. Rick ---------------- I too have an old Fluke 73 that I was very found of. I say 'was' because several years ago, in a lapse into utter stupidity, I attempted to measure current on a magneto based lawn mower ignition and fried it. The current inputs on a 73 have no fuse. Anybody have any ideas if it can be repaired or is it now a throwaway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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