best DC clamp meter

[poltergeist187]

guys, bout to swap out my stock alt. to a singer... wanna get a before and after on amps.

whats the best bang for buck or accurate clamp meter.... thanks

fluke and non fluke option if possible

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[bigblank69 10+ year member]

Fluke 381 if budget isn't a concern

Harbor Freight has a 1000a meter on sale for $89

 

[poltergeist187]

good call on the harbor freight unit. i use a fluke 88 for all my other stuff, but as Ill use the clamp much less often than that, i cant quite see the 381...

thanks again for the quick response.

what kind of vehicle you running your system in?

 

[bigblank69 10+ year member]

My vehicle is a 2007 Tundra Double cab... though that's just my Tow Vehicle for my boat, I get a company car from work and that one is bone stock... though thank god our Audio in the high level trims is very good otherwise I would lose my mind

 

[poltergeist187]

ah okay, very nice.

thanks again for the clamp info

 

[wew lad 5,000+ posts]

fluke imo although their recent corporate bullshit selling the company and making the products shittier makes me upset

they have a dc clamp for something like $100-150 and its the same one i have. seems pretty accurate

i can pretty much tell you what large case gm alts will make aftermarket vs oem because ive clamped them

a standard ad244 large case from a junkyard will do about 115a hot at idle. a large case singer/dc power/etc alternator without hairpin windings but with upgraded parts will do about 200-220a at idle hot with some doing around 180a if the vehicle has a lower idle rpm