Multimeter Recommendations?

[BillyRok]

I'm curious what guys are using for checking the electrical systems on our bikes. The factory coils may be getting weak, I'd like to test them and am looking to acquire a multimeter sufficient to do the job as well as being able to help diagnose other issues that may come up. What do you recommend for the functionality we need vs a reasonable cost? Fluke is a name tossed around...looked at their website with lots of various models, also see them on Ebay. Looking for a unit to do the job and not pay extra for needless bells and whistles.

[jetmechmarty]

Fluke is great! You don't need one. Get a digital multimeter from Harbor Freight for $2.99 or so. A 12 volt test light is invaluable as well. Save your money and get those.

[DGXSER]

If your intended use is strictly for diagnosis of these bikes or similar, on a very infrequent basis, then yes, just about any of them will do. I do like to make sure it has the ability to read AMPS, VOLTS, and OHMS, including a continuity setting. Otherwise though, I have one unit I purchased at least ten years ago still use it now..I forget the brand of it. I have another I recently purchased at a Home Depot for $20, and it has served me well so far.

If your goal is more of a daily use device that will be useful for higher levels of technology where a VERY accurate reading is important, then the Fluke models are an excellent brand and worth the investment.

[bikerphil]

Ones with an audible infinite tone are nice, helps when continuity checking. Auto range is also nice. Probably gonna have to spend at least $20 though. I use a Craftsman/Sears one.

[IanDMacDonald]

I own a Fluke & Craftsman portable DMM, and a B&K bench DMM. Craftsman was the cheapest, followed by the Fluke. Very, very handful tools to own.

[crazy steve]

Fluke is a quality brand and their meters are very well constructed, but you will pay for the name to a degree. The HF meters can be decent, but reliability/repeatability isn't always the best. Their cheapies are handy as 'carry-alongs' as they're small and no real loss if lost or destroyed.

But nearly any moderate-price meter ($25-60) will give years of good service if cared for. Besides Fluke, Amp, Sears, and Radio Shack all offer nice meters with various features. As a minimum you want AC volts, DC volts, Ohms, and diode test positions, and having a 'analog' bar graph if digital is a very nice feature and a must-have in this price range IMO. AC and DC amps positions can be useful (generally limited to 10 amps max), but not necessary. There's also features like 'hold' (not all that useful for the sort of stuff we do), 'peak hold' (which can be), and the ability to switch between manual and auto-range on auto range meters (sometimes handy). Any meter in this price range should accurately 'resolve' ohms to at least .1 ohm.

You may want to read this.... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35338

[Prothec]

When I bought one a few years ago, I looked through a lot of reviews and decided on this one and love it:

Equus 3320


It's available for pickup at Walmart for about $20:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Innova-332...meter/14644666

Manufacturer's page:
http://www.equus.com/Product/3320/Auto-Ranging-DMM

[MPittma100]

Fluke

Fluke has been mentioned and is one of the best out there. So you can start with that and work your way down. I have had the same Fluke for many years. It performs perfectly to this day. It just seems to be more rugged than others. And I need rugged. If you do a good bit of electronics repair, you will appreciate this brand. Just a matter of what you need versus what you are willing to spend.

[jetmechmarty]

I keep one of these in the tank bag, the glove box, the kitchen junk drawer, etc. When Harbor Freight puts them on sale for $1.99 or less, I get one or three. They do the job.

Here's the rub. It works fine, but it's a cheap Chinese throw-away tool. I would be very afraid that if I carried it into a plant and put it across 480 vac I might get an arc flash that could take my head off. I would never trust it. That's where Fluke comes in. When accuracy and safety matter, you get the good stuff. For the purposes discussed in this forum, any multimeter should do the trick.

Seriously, get a 12 volt test light. It is a much more dependable way to check voltage. With a digital multimeter, you'll read 12vdc even with a very poor connection. The test light actually loads the circuit.

[mikubuilder]

+1 Marty, I got at least a half a dozen of cheapos HF....leads might be used for pick up coil fix as well...and no big loss

[D0wn5h1ft]

I actually use one of these from one of my electrical engineering courses:

http://www.ni.com/mydaq/

It plugs into my laptop and is programmable so I can do all sorts of cool stuff like plot RPM to timing graphs of my ignition without spending crazy money on expensive automotive specific solutions. Definitely not for the run of the mill enthusiast as the learning curve is steep. It's still a handy tool for those familiar with this sort of stuff. I've used it to test ignition coils by driving the primary coil manually with input from my laptop and measure secondary outputs through a little step down transformer.

If you want a hog cannon of a multimeter, this is the one I use at work:

http://www.grainger.com/product/EXTE...KJ7?s_pp=false

It has temperature probes for measure engine temps, AC, DC, resistance, diode testing, you name it. A little on the pricey side but it's waterproof and a helluva instrument.

[IanDMacDonald]

I actually use one of these from one of my electrical engineering course

http://www.ni.com/mydaq/

If you want a hog cannon of a multimeter, this is the one I use at work:

http://www.grainger.com/product/EXTE...KJ7?s_pp=false

It has temperature probes for measure engine temps, AC, DC, resistance, diode testing, you name it. A little on the pricey side but it's waterproof and a helluva instrument.

I have the first one from my electronics days. Bought a bench DMM from Kettering (GMI) for $25.

But, if you're going to pay what you did for the Grainger meeter, my-as-well buy the Fluke, and have the brand confidence.

[D0wn5h1ft]

I have the first one from my electronics days. Bought a bench DMM from Kettering (GMI) for $25.

But, if you're going to pay what you did for the Grainger meeter, my-as-well buy the Fluke, and have the brand confidence.

I agree with you. My work actually bought it off of my recommendation. I would have recommended the fluke but all I had for justification was my "brand confidence" which wasn't enough.