Digital multimeter

[The Q]

Give me a loan please.

They won't even loan me one of those (the 8588A), though I was given an even earlier 6.5 digit model (1980s) it was otherwise going to be scrapped. It's in full working order, fully calibrated they still fetch up to £2000, in uncalibrated form about £500

 

[blxm]

Just as a backup when the inevitable happens and the battery in my DVM dies or goes flat, I keep a good old analogue multimeter on hand that's good enough for 90% of needs. Its an old avo 8, for those of a certain age(!) but this would be fine https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-373...658308044&sprefix=draper+37317,aps,807&sr=8-1 as a backup.

 

[The Q]

Whadaya mean of a certain age.. ? We got an Avo 8 in the cupboard at work!!

In less than 5 Months I retire and I'll volunteer at the RAF Radar Museum, Home | RAF Air Defence Radar Museum
Where amongst the stuff I used to work on ,there is a display of old Avos and similar stuff..

 

[Blueboatman]

And sometimes all you need is one of these on board.

About £6

 

[Tim Good]

In terms of quality to price ratio I have found Uni-T meters to be good. The UT61E is highly regarded and sub £75.

 

[Dellquay13]

Just as a backup when the inevitable happens and the battery in my DVM dies or goes flat, I keep a good old analogue multimeter on hand that's good enough for 90% of needs. Its an old avo 8, for those of a certain age(!) but this would be fine https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-37317-Pocket-Analogue-Multimeter/dp/B0001K9TTW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SL5XZ8E90IC&keywords=Draper+37317&qid=1658308044&sprefix=draper+37317,aps,807&sr=8-1 as a backup.

I find that spare batteries are handy to keep aboard as a backup. they are compact, fit a range of appliances and easily sourced when replacements are needed. ?

 

[Hacker]

Whadaya mean of a certain age.. ? We got an Avo 8 in the cupboard at work!!

In less than 5 Months I retire and I'll volunteer at the RAF Radar Museum, Home | RAF Air Defence Radar Museum
Where amongst the stuff I used to work on ,there is a display of old Avos and similar stuff..

I’ve still got my father’s copies of the text books used when he trained as an electronics tech in the early 50’s. We did have an Avo but that got lost many years ago.

 

[The Q]

My Books got donated to the museum, along with a lot of other stuff I'd accumulated.. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the info in your Dads books were copied word for word into mine in the 70s..

 

[Hacker]

They were interesting for those of us who remember valves!

 

[penberth3]

And sometimes all you need is one of these on board.
View attachment 139047
About £6

£6!!! Keep it simple man.

 

[Alfie168]

Get the cheapest one with auto switch off. Hands up anyone who has been down to the boat and found their multimeter as flat as a fart and thought "oh feck, left it on again". And it's always after you've used up the spare batteries you "normally" keep on the boat.

 

[William_H]

As said cheap is usually good. However as said auto switch off is good. Buzzer for continuity is good. Another aspect is they often have behind the case plastic clamp for the probes. It is not for storage but rather so you can put the pos. probe in there and have the meter and probe as one for one handed use. Very handy.
However OP says DMM is dead. Very unlikely. If nothing on screen, look for bad battery and connections. Other part which gives trouble is the selector switch which can be dismantled and cleaned. Usually appearing as dicky readings until you wiggle the switch. Last failing is of segments of digits not showing. You might try dismantling the readout. It will have a glass piece with conductive rubber along top and bottom. These can be cleaned. Trick is to get it all back together and aligned. Give it a go you have nothing to lose. ol'will (PS reading too high fit a new battery)

 

[The Q]

They were interesting for those of us who remember valves!

and shiny fingertips from changing them when they were hot

 

[Stemar]

Other part which gives trouble is the selector switch which can be dismantled and cleaned. Usually appearing as dicky readings until you wiggle the switch. Last failing is of segments of digits not showing. You might try dismantling the readout.

All that can be done, but how much is your time worth? By all means do it for fun, but not to save money

 

[blxm]

I find that spare batteries are handy to keep aboard as a backup. they are compact, fit a range of appliances and easily sourced when replacements are needed. ?

good point!

 

[Blueboatman]

Lidl , much loved by this forum, currently has both auto set multimeters and a volt/alternator tester , £10,£4 in beer tokens

 

[WoodyP]

It was an Aldi cheapy. The digits show with gaps, and flash on and off. I don't think taking it apart comes in my definition of fun

 

[thinwater]

A clamp meter is next level to the ordinary multimeter. Costs more but indeed is a different device.

This. A clamp AC/DC ammeter is VERY handy. I used mine just this morning, testing a battery (measuring draw over time).

I have a Klein meter with this feature, but probably not big in the UK.

 

[thinwater]

This. A clamp AC/DC ammeter is VERY handy. I used mine just this morning, testing a battery (measuring draw over time).

I have a Klein meter with this feature, but probably not big in the UK. I've had cheapies (not worth it) and I've had high-end (they sprout legs if you leave them out). Mid-range seems to be the best value.