which multimeter ?

[monkfish24]

Another vote for Fluke i'm afraid....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FLUKE-117-3...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259442782&sr=8-1

Used them on Harriers, Seakings and Lynx. It's safe to use in explosive areas (if your living life on the edge ) and they are an mazing bit of kit.

As said before, you'll not need to buy another one in your life, unless you drop it over the side.

 

[MrCramp]

I think you will have difficulty finding one that conforms with the relevant IP standard to make it truly up to a marine lifestyle at least at a sensible price.

I have one of Maplin's cheapest, bought when they were 2 for the price of one and I keep it in a resealable plastic bag.

They are now better in so much that they come in a protective holster but would still need the protection of the plastic bag. At present on sale at a reduced price. Under a fiver. Get two or three.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=37279

I feel that it would be no great loss if wrecked on the boat but I would be gutted if I had shelled out for a much better meter and that was wrecked.
If I had the need for a better quality instrument ... if i were an electronics engineer perhaps .. I would keep the good one at home and still buy the cheapies for the boat.

Look at Maplins range

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?menuno=67481

I also bought 4 of these when it was buy one get one free. Had them 8 or 9 years, one on a boat, one in a caravan, in back of car, in garage, in workshop, in house. Must have about 6 bought over the years. Never had any problem with them apart from changing a battery every so often.

I look after things but don't put them in plastic bags etc.

Don't understand this "damp on a boat" problem that people mention. If you have good ventilation and decent windows which ARN'T COVERED BY CURTAINS AT ALL then your boat should not be damp.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Another visit to the boat, another dead multimeter!

Any thoughts on a basic meter that can survive in the hot, salty environment on board and take a few knocks? I don't want a mega expensive one, on the other hand I don't want to buy a new cheapo every time I go sailing.

Ah! Another example of buy cheap buy twice (or more!!)

Dont waste your money on cheap ones, buy a Fluke meter, it will last a lifetime.

 

[whipper_snapper]

Ah! Another example of buy cheap buy twice (or more!!)

Dont waste your money on cheap ones, buy a Fluke meter, it will last a lifetime.

But I could buy 60 cheap ones for the cost of one rugged Fluke!! buy cheap buy twice has its place, and maybe for some an onboard multimeter is a no compromise instrument. For me I need one to hand that will work and if its lost or stolen it won't be a disaster.

 

[st599]

Sorry for slight thread drift, but how can I test the accuracy of my multimeter? reason I ask is that I have just fitted a Stirling Charge/inverter that has a LED display, the voltage reading on that is 0.7 less than my multimeter reads, I also have a second multimeter that reads within 0.1 of the other, this difference is obviously significant in terms of battery condition.

Is there a protection diode in there? Or are the LEDs low voltage drop ones?

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Ah! Another example of buy cheap buy twice (or more!!)

Dont waste your money on cheap ones, buy a Fluke meter, it will last a lifetime.

Until you connect it across voltage when switched to amps etc. End of life!

For what you want on a boat a cheap meter is as good as any. You are not doing lab work. Volts are only a guide to battery condition Your reading can vary 0.1. Even more on low voltages with a dirty contact.
Don't worry about "Marine conditions" If it is kept in a reasonably dry codition it will be OK. I use an (Empty) ice cream box It holds extra leads etc all in one place.

 

[capsco]

Is there a protection diode in there? Or are the LEDs low voltage drop ones?

Thanks for your input, but I am unable to answer your question, my technical knowledge in electronics is VERY limited.

 

[Ruffles]

I bought the cheepy Maplin 2 for 1 meters. One stays on the boat the other in the kitchen drawer for testing batteries. I also have a general purpose Fluke which I keep in the toolkit at home. All three meters agree exactly when measuring a 12v battery. So that's within 10mV or 0.1%.
The Fluke is one of their cheapest but still has Max, Min, frequency, capacitance etc. Max is brilliant for testing a connection under load. Min is equally useful for checking a car battery when starting a car. No idea how robust it is. I cherish it! Mind you I have blown the current fuse. A new one is twice the price I paid for the two cheep meters.