Choosing a multimeter

C

Cynthia Mollis

Guest
Hi,
I'm just starting out with electronics and I need a cheap multimeter or
a separate voltmeter and milliameter. For the project I'm working on they
say I need:

1) milliameter: range microamps to 100 milliamps or so.
2) voltmeter: range 100 microvolts to 3+ volts.
sensitivity 20,000 Ohms per Volt.

I'd prefer to get two different meters rather than a multimeter. If someone
could point me towards meters that have at least these
specs that would be wonderful.

Thanks.
 
"Cynthia Mollis" <cranemol@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message news:<cJkPb.76870$6y6.1552701@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>...
Hi,
I need:

1) milliameter: range microamps to 100 milliamps or so.
2) voltmeter: range 100 microvolts to 3+ volts.
sensitivity 20,000 Ohms per Volt.
Click to expand...

The latter is a conventinal analogue (moving coil) meter. Radio Shack
used to sell an assortment of them.
However, I doubt very much that you will find one which is just a
multi-range voltmeter. They will all have current and resistance
ranges too.
 
In article <cJkPb.76870$6y6.1552701@bgtnsc05-
news.ops.worldnet.att.net>, cranemol@worldnet.att.net mentioned...
Hi,
I'm just starting out with electronics and I need a cheap multimeter or
a separate voltmeter and milliameter. For the project I'm working on they
say I need:

1) milliameter: range microamps to 100 milliamps or so.
2) voltmeter: range 100 microvolts to 3+ volts.
sensitivity 20,000 Ohms per Volt.

I'd prefer to get two different meters rather than a multimeter. If someone
could point me towards meters that have at least these
specs that would be wonderful.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I bought several DMMs from Futurlec for $6 apiece. The test leads
were bad on one, but the meter itself worked okay, even came with a
battery(!) At that price, you could afford several.

--
@@F@r@o@m@@O@r@a@n@g@e@@C@o@u@n@t@y@,@@C@a@l@,@@w@h@e@r@e@@
###Got a Question about ELECTRONICS? Check HERE First:###
http://users.pandora.be/educypedia/electronics/databank.htm
My email address is whitelisted. *All* email sent to it
goes directly to the trash unless you add NOSPAM in the
Subject: line with other stuff. alondra101 <at> hotmail.com
Don't be ripped off by the big book dealers. Go to the URL
that will give you a choice and save you money(up to half).
http://www.everybookstore.com You'll be glad you did!
Just when you thought you had all this figured out, the gov't
changed it: http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/binary.html
@@t@h@e@@a@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@m@e@e@t@@t@h@e@@E@f@f@l@u@e@n@t@@
 
On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 01:37:12 GMT, "Cynthia Mollis"
<cranemol@worldnet.att.net> wrote:

Hi,
I'm just starting out with electronics and I need a cheap multimeter or
a separate voltmeter and milliameter. For the project I'm working on they
say I need:

1) milliameter: range microamps to 100 milliamps or so.
2) voltmeter: range 100 microvolts to 3+ volts.
sensitivity 20,000 Ohms per Volt.

I'd prefer to get two different meters rather than a multimeter. If someone
could point me towards meters that have at least these
specs that would be wonderful.

Thanks.

The lastest Harbor Freight (print) catalog has item 30756-4JKA
Click to expand...
3 1/2 digit DMM for $2.99 each.
DC-A: 0-200uA, 2mA, 20mA, 200mA
Resistance: 0-200, 2K, 20K, 200K, 2000K
DC-V: 0-200mV, 2V, 20V, 200V, 1000V
AC-V: 0-200V, 750V
Also diode, continuity, and transistor test.

Last time they were this cheap I bought 5 of 'em.
They are really handy and no worries if you drop it.
I also have in mind that next time I need a panel meter,
this may be the cheapest way to go!

Don't know if the Web catalog has the same price
<www.harborfreight.com>.



Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com
 
Bob Masta wrote:
Last time they were this cheap I bought 5 of 'em.
They are really handy and no worries if you drop it.
I also have in mind that next time I need a panel meter,
this may be the cheapest way to go!
Click to expand...
Bob, look at this panel meter. Finally, one that has a built in Dc-DC
converter so it will run off +5 volts, or a 9 volt battery without
isolation.

http://www.mpja.com/viewallpict.asp?dept=52&main=51 14505 ME $8.95 each

Compact, 3-1/2 Digit, reflective LCD Digital panel
meter with black plastic bezel & face plate. Chip On
Board design for economy as well as compactness.
Ideal for battery powered monitoring or test equipment.
RANGES: (jumper selected)
ADC: 200mA
ACV: 200mV/2V/20V/200V/500V
VDC: 200mV/2V/20V/200V/500V
Selectable Power: 9VDC (Isolated power) or 5VDC
(input & power common Ground)
1/2" character height Adj. decimal point
Auto polarity >100Mohm input imp.
2 readings/sec., .8% accuracy (1% AC)
Through panel mounting.
W: 2-5/8" H 1-3/4" D: 3/8" WT: .1

It looks interesting to me. If it was a 4 1/2 Digit it would be even
better! Then they would be perfect for a bench power supply to monitor
voltage or current at the flip of a switch..

--
We now return you to our normally scheduled programming.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
 
I need a cheap multimeter
Cynthia Mollis
Click to expand...
I got some cast-off Sears analog units at http://www.acpswapmeet.com/
(only happens 1 day out of 60).
Repaced the fuse(s) and good to go.
Needles are nice for watching trends.

I get mailers from http://www.harborfreight.com/
They often have DMMs under $4 on special.
You may have a similar tool outlet near you.

Your local version of http://www.recycler.com/
(magazine where folk sell their old stuff) may do you.

Used stuff on ebay is another option.


I'd prefer...two...meters rather than a multimeter
Click to expand...
Unless you can get surplus meter movements
(the cheapest new ones are $20), get 2 cheap multimeters.
 
On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 17:48:52 GMT, "Michael A. Terrell"
<mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:

Bob Masta wrote:

Last time they were this cheap I bought 5 of 'em.
They are really handy and no worries if you drop it.
I also have in mind that next time I need a panel meter,
this may be the cheapest way to go!

Bob, look at this panel meter. Finally, one that has a built in Dc-DC
converter so it will run off +5 volts, or a 9 volt battery without
isolation.

http://www.mpja.com/viewallpict.asp?dept=52&main=51 14505 ME $8.95 each

Compact, 3-1/2 Digit, reflective LCD Digital panel
meter with black plastic bezel & face plate. Chip On
Board design for economy as well as compactness.
Ideal for battery powered monitoring or test equipment.
RANGES: (jumper selected)
ADC: 200mA
ACV: 200mV/2V/20V/200V/500V
VDC: 200mV/2V/20V/200V/500V
Selectable Power: 9VDC (Isolated power) or 5VDC
(input & power common Ground)
1/2" character height Adj. decimal point
Auto polarity >100Mohm input imp.
2 readings/sec., .8% accuracy (1% AC)
Through panel mounting.
W: 2-5/8" H 1-3/4" D: 3/8" WT: .1

It looks interesting to me. If it was a 4 1/2 Digit it would be even
better! Then they would be perfect for a bench power supply to monitor
voltage or current at the flip of a switch..

--
Click to expand...
That 200 mV AC range looks especially good. That's one area that
cheap DMMs always come up short. Thanks for the tip!


Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com
 
Bob Masta wrote:
On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 17:48:52 GMT, "Michael A. Terrell"
mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:

Bob, look at this panel meter. Finally, one that has a built in Dc-DC
converter so it will run off +5 volts, or a 9 volt battery without
isolation.

http://www.mpja.com/viewallpict.asp?dept=52&main=51 14505 ME $8.95 each


It looks interesting to me. If it was a 4 1/2 Digit it would be even
better! Then they would be perfect for a bench power supply to monitor
voltage or current at the flip of a switch..


That 200 mV AC range looks especially good. That's one area that
cheap DMMs always come up short. Thanks for the tip!
Click to expand...

Bookmark that page for the next time someone complains that they
can't use a regular panel meter because of isolation problems. I am
going to add it to a construction tips page for my website.

I am designing a new five output bench power supply where I am
debating on using these, or a LCD panel to display all four adjustable
supplies, and the fixed 5 volt supply. It would be cheaper to use the
modules, but will look better with a single, formatted display.

--
We now return you to our normally scheduled programming.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
 
On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 17:48:52 GMT, "Michael A. Terrell"
<mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:

Don't mind me butting in because I've been trying to get some decent
one cheap. Local prices seem to be around US$60 minimum and so 9 bucks
sound really good.

http://www.mpja.com/viewallpict.asp?dept=52&main=51 14505 ME $8.95 each

Compact, 3-1/2 Digit, reflective LCD Digital panel
Click to expand...
What does 3 1/2 digit means? that it will display 4 digits but the
last one can't be trusted?

2 readings/sec., .8% accuracy (1% AC)
Click to expand...
Would 2Hz sampling be a bit slow? It would happily miss a 50% spike
that lasts for 300msec right?
--
L.Angel: I'm looking for web design work.
If you need basic to med complexity webpages at affordable rates, email me :)
Standard HTML, SHTML, MySQL + PHP or ASP, Javascript.
If you really want, FrontPage & DreamWeaver too.
But keep in mind you pay extra bandwidth for their bloated code
 
"The little lost angel" <a?n?g?e?l@lovergirl.lrigrevol.moc.com> wrote in
message news:4010a9a0.2737062@news.pacific.net.sg...
On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 17:48:52 GMT, "Michael A. Terrell"
mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote:

Don't mind me butting in because I've been trying to get some decent
one cheap. Local prices seem to be around US$60 minimum and so 9 bucks
sound really good.

http://www.mpja.com/viewallpict.asp?dept=52&main=51 14505 ME $8.95 each

Compact, 3-1/2 Digit, reflective LCD Digital panel

What does 3 1/2 digit means? that it will display 4 digits but the
last one can't be trusted?
Click to expand...

LOL... No, 3-1/2 digit means that there are 3 whole digits, plus a fourth
one which only displays 0 and 1, hence the maximum number displayed can go
up to 1999 (plus sign and decimal point). There are also 3-3/4 digit
displays which can display up to 3999. A full 4-digit display would go up to
9999.



2 readings/sec., .8% accuracy (1% AC)

Would 2Hz sampling be a bit slow? It would happily miss a 50% spike
that lasts for 300msec right?
Click to expand...
Probably yes, but not necessarily. A multimeter may display 2 readings/sec,
but may actually sample much faster than that. I have a Fluke 189 multimeter
which can catch pulse widths down to 250 microseconds. But this is a very
expensive multimeter, cheap ones may well miss short duration spikes.

Costas
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Back
Top