DiyLightAnimation

Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: sittinguphigh on November 15, 2013,

Title: What's a good millimeter to buy?
Post by: sittinguphigh on November 15, 2013,

Looking to buy a multimeter. What's will do the job.
Check my battery 12v 40 amps.
All things to do with DLA hardware and RGB led strings.

Title: Re: What's a good millimeter to buy?
Post by: njKeever on November 15, 2013,

 http://www.circuitspecialists.com/csims8264.htm

l bought mine from circuit specialists when I got my soldering station. I've been very pleased with both, and you can't beat the price!

 

Title: Re: What's a good millimeter to buy?
Post by: jnealand on November 15, 2013,

Even the cheapies or the occasional free one from Harbor Freight will do the job.

Title: Re: What's a good millimeter to buy?
Post by: rm357 on November 15, 2013,

I have a real nice multimeter that I use for critical stuff, but I also have a couple of $3 cheapies that I picked up on sale that stay on the workbench while the nice one is usually in the portable tool kit.

Title: Re: What's a good millimeter to buy?
Post by: n1ist on November 16, 2013,

Very few multimeters will go to 40A; most max out at 10A.  For higher, you will need a current shunt. 

If you are only working on low voltage stuff (under 50V) the cheapies are fine.  For measuring over 50V, I would only use a CAT-II or CAT-III rated meter; I don't trust the cheapies' insulation or protection at higher voltages.

/mike