I’ve been using a 12 year old Analog from Radio shack and figure its about time.
Checking for resistance is always a headache because you need to take a known resistor and adjust a dial on the side.
Also its in 1x, 10x and 1k x so checking for something around 500 is a death trap.
Also It has no continuity tone or anything. So when I check for shorts and grounds I have to carefully press the probes and then go look at the meter and see if its shooting to the side.
Which in some cases it still might even if theres something like less than 10ohms resistance.
Goes without saying, preferably not expensive. I’m not sure what normal range is.
i’ve had good luck with a 7 dollar cen-tech one from harbor freight tools. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-7-Function-Digital-Multimeter-/301069357669?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item461921d265. this looks to be the same model. i’ve used it for controller pcbs and for troubleshooting electrical problems in my car. i’m not sure what the resistance is but the only con i can mention is that there’s no auto-off function.
For console/pc/home modding & t/s any digital multimeter(reads slower then analog) with an audible notification for continuity and can read AC&DC shoild be ok, I use a craftsman I got from sears 8yrs agp np problem. For professional use I always stick with the Fluke.brand.
Fluke’s a bit overkill I think. I can use this a handful of times on a quick mod and then it will be shelved for 6-10 months before the next project.
I mean, that radio shack analog has gotten me through 10 years or so and I think I only changed the battery once. I did lose the leads and needed new ones. which didnt fit right and I had to chop em up with an exacto to fit. then eventually got a proper fitting pair. Which of course has the tell tale solder burn through the negative since it was too close and I didnt notice.
Just like I melted some of the soldering iron’s power cord.
Yeah a digital craftsman $15 range w/audible contiunity is my suggestion. It uses the standard lead accessory ize so you can use your existing pairs as spare and buy other styles as needed. Yeah thats why I suggested the fluke only for proffesional use.
I don’t suppose you have a model # available? Quick amazon check shows everything craftsman $28 and up
That looks like mine, prices on Sears.com are actually better & free shipping if you have a store near you or if you don’t have Amazon prime.
m.sears.com/search=craftsman%20digital%20multimeter
I’ll check my model# tonight and let you know (-_-)=b
If you still have a Kmart near you those Craftsman multimeters are cheap as Hell there. I picked up one of those that are $50 at Sears for $11 a few months back. The prices were also a lot cheaper than they had listed online.
That audible continuity testing feature is indispensable. I have a Velleman one I bought from a local electronics shop for like $25 and it’s been worth it.
meanwhile, I have burned through like 4 of the harbor freight MMs.
I usually avoid KMart because its a crap fest, but I may pass one this weekend so I’ll pop in and take a quick look.
I didnt even know about the continuity test until I saw another video with someone showing that.
My jaw dropped.
I sat trying to trace pins on small IC’s and with all the adjusting the probes, and looking back at the meter, missed stuff on many occasions.