Maplin Multimeter half price

I have two of the green cased model (both bought half price at different times last year). One at home and one on the boat, they work well enough for me, though mainly used as voltmeters.
 
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...though mainly used as voltmeters.

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Aye, mine too - but then they are very good at it. A very handy piece of kit for any boat, I would say.

Great for:-
Checking fuses and bulbs,
Torch (etc) batteries,
Alternator charge levels,
Main battery voltage,
...and so on /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Nearly as useful as a hammer /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I checked my main battery voltage with a pair of adjustable pliers, once.....

Better than 5 Nov on the Hoe.
 
Pliers are also great for measuring the short-circuit current of your batteries /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Ahh! in the olden days. Trusty Avo; a good friend


avo-1.jpg
 
Considering the average yottie ....

A cheap multimeter analogue or digital is about all he / she needs ... any fancier - sorry to say it - is wasted.

I have 4 meters + a test probe and a Bat / Alt tester.

1 analogue £2.99 meter about 3" x 2" .... works well. (been on boat for about 6 years .. still works)
1 analogue £5.00 meter similar to first ... same works well. (Had to repair the rotary front bit a few times when ball-bearing falls out and no click !)
1 digital shirt-pocket size jobbie ... £5 .... works well. (Hard to get internal battery here - but UK no problem) - This one is my favourite !! - we all have one !
1 digital jacket pocket size .... £25 .... works well. (Larger easier to get internal battery).

Test probe for + / - and cont circ. £20 .... works.

Batt / Alt tester £9.99 .... works well as quick checker. Saved me a packet over the years ...

Talk of Fluke / Avo etc. gives me the woolies !! That's expensive stuff ...
 
Re: Considering the average yottie ....

I've been looking for a decent one that also reads high level DC Amps - you know, the ones with a 'clamp arm' for reading the magnetic field. They're brilliant for checking alternator output etc.

My all purpose multimeter came from Maplins too - £3.99!!!!! It's brilliant! I've changed the battery once in 3 years, and that was only as i left it switched on.
 
Re: Considering the average yottie ....

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I've changed the battery once in 3 years,

[/ QUOTE ] Probably worth changing it again now then as it is said that these cheap meters start to read high when the battery starts to fail.
 
Re: Considering the average yottie ....

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I've changed the battery once in 3 years,

[/ QUOTE ] Probably worth changing it again now then as it is said that these cheap meters start to read high when the battery starts to fail.

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My meters just stop reading when batterys start failing ... have to admit never noticed any increased readings when batterys failing.

Thing I did notice though .... the digi's don't like being left in cold weather !! The LCD screen doesn't work .... or only partly. Took in side and let it warm up ... screen back to full display !!
 
Re: Considering the average yottie ....

Yes, I've been looking for a DC clamp meter recently. Best value I could find was this one. Not ordered yet - but tempted.

Rick
 
Re: Considering the average yottie ....

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Yes, I've been looking for a DC clamp meter recently. Best value I could find was this one. Not ordered yet - but tempted.
Rick

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Cheap enough, but doesn't appear to have onboard multi-meter. AC/DC Amps only. Shame.
 
Re: Considering the average yottie ....

Yup - all the ones I can find which include the usual meter functions add more than the price of a meter from maplins. I also see that its $56 in the US, but £50 over here....

Rick
 
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