Recommended multimeter and power supply - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: akkarin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2012, 10:50:13 pm
content: Hello,I already did some atmega development and also some RPi stuff.And now I'd like to buy a good multimeter (till now a I borrowed a cheaper one).Can someone recommend me some good multimeter? I don't want some top of the edge stuff but something solid, which I don't want to exchange for something better anytime soon.I've seen a manufacturing second (in a regular shop) Gossen METRAHIT 2+ is that something I'd like to get? It costs 115 Euro ~ 150 USD.And furthermore I need a power supply, maybe something I can build myself. With adjustable voltage etc. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction as well.Thanks!

author: psycho0815
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2012, 07:11:37 am
content: If you're planning on keeping it as your only meter for a while, i'd rather pick one with a µA-Range. Also it's only 6000 counts and average accuracy (0.5%). Not bad for the money though.The Uni-T UT61E is more or less the standard recommendation here, in the 100$ class.As for the power-supply, maybe have a look at this one:http://www.linuxfocus.org/English/June2005/article379.shtmlYou can also buy a kit. they ship from canada however, which might be something worth considering...

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2012, 07:37:05 am
content: With your budget for a meter, you could get 2 UT61Es, meaning you can measure current and voltage at the same time, throw in one of Daves uCurrents and you have a nice metering solution, you can also throw in some probe tip alligator clips too which are very nifty.As for the power supply, things get a lot harder, ideally you want one with 2 isolated outputs, output current and voltage doesn't really matter initially as almost anything will cover what you need, but price things get hard... there are some nice kits around...

author: akkarin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2012, 08:43:23 am
content: Thanks for the input.I don't think I need two meters right now. Haven't needed them yet and well if it really becomes necessary I'd rather get a cheaper meter later.I just got a last question regarding the meter I was reading around a bit more and I've seen a lot of recommendations for the fluke 87V, is that something worth thinking about?Getting it new is out of the question but I've seen them getting sold used on ebay for about 200 eu (Which would be my absolute maximum).So should I try to get one of these, or shall i go for a UT61E, which might be sufficient to begin with?Regarding the power supply the one from linuxfocus.org looks neat, I'm still searching around but if i don't end up with anything better I guess this will be it.Shipping shouldn't be the problem.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2012, 02:39:00 pm
content: It's over-sufficient for a beginner but it's a great meter, trust me on that.220mF cap range is plenty ...

author: akkarin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2012, 03:43:05 pm
content: Sorry but what do you mean by "220mF cap range is plenty"?

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2012, 06:47:14 pm
content: The cap range can measure up to 220mF and the resistance up to 220Mohms

author: HVAC Guy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2012, 07:23:08 pm
content: I have a new Fluke 179 I will ship to you for 150 USD. I took it out of the box and tested it but other than tha it is new.

author: akkarin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2012, 08:13:09 pm
content: Your sure? I'm from europe, germany to be exact.

author: tlu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2012, 09:22:22 pm
content: Quote from: HVAC Guy on November 05, 2012, 07:23:08 pmI'm interested in taking it off your hand. Where are you located? I'm in california.

author: jabramo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2012, 12:29:17 am
content: http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-87V-87-V-TRUE-RMS-DIGITAL-MULTIMETER-/271098041863?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1eb3d607Fluke 87V used for 130 looks like a real winner. Only one left

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2012, 12:09:12 pm
content: Quote from: akkarin on October 29, 2012, 10:50:13 pmDid you ever think about getting a benchtop multimeter? I'm quite happy with this one:http://www.ebay.com/itm/VC8145-80000-countBench-Top-MultiMeter-AC-DCV-A-R-C-F-T-gi-/251170073041The big plus of a benchtop multimeter is that you never have to change batteries and you can stack it on other equipment (or vice versa).

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2012, 03:35:36 pm
content: And that you can leave them on forever if you want