looking to get a multimeter

[mat3833 10+ year member]

ok so i got a gift card to advance auto and id like to get a cheap but effective multimeter. the card is for 30 bux and id like to keep the price around that figure. so far ive looked at these 4:

1. Buy Actron Auto Analyzer Digital Multimeter CP7665 at Advance Auto Parts

2. Buy Electronic Specialties Digital Mini Multimeter With Holster ESI501 at Advance Auto Parts

3. Buy Equus Innova Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter EPI3320 at Advance Auto Parts

4. Buy Equus Hands Free Digital Multimeter (10 MegOhm) EPI3310 at Advance Auto Parts

im thinking the first one or the second one honestly. this will more or less be used to check coils and possibly set gains. occasionally it might get pulled out to check a resistor or 2 or help repair a plate amp.

thoughts and opinions are very much apreciated.

Matt

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[butterMilk 10+ year member]

You say ''cheep but effective'' ,just realize you get what you pay for. Though for what you will be using it for I'm sure the cheep ones will do just fine.

 

[neo_styles 10+ year member]

Of your list, I'd say the Equus. If you're going to be using it often or even professionally, though, you can't do any better than Fluke. They're good enough for the Navy...

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

We use fluke most of the time...though for various small tasks like checking subs we use what ever we have laying around for the most part. Just depends on what you will be doing and how often.

 

[mat3833 10+ year member]

i went with the Actron CP7677. it wasnt on my list but it WAS on sale and also lets me set Dwell and measure engine RPM. also let me set my subs up to a 3.8ohm load VS the 4.1ohm they were. lol

seems to work pretty well. decided to test and see if my little computer speaker's sub was actually getting 25W at full tilt. as well as see if the amp im using for my current subs in house is actually doing rated. the computer speakers werent getting 25W but the Klipsch amp was actually putting out closer to 100W with a 60hz tone. im actually kindof impressed.

i can return it within 15 days for a full refund. so if im going to have issues with it tell me now please.

Matt

 

[mat3833 10+ year member]

actually im wonderin if my math is right. the sub channel is rated for 50W @ 4 ohms. so i multiply 50X4 and get 200. SQrt of 200 is 14.whatever. right?

because i was getting as high as 28V... since it plugs into a phone or headphone jack obviously its hard to get a "true" reading. but i played the tone off my laptop with volume set to 25%. so either the amp can do WAY over rated(doubtful) or im nuts..

Matt

 

[mat3833 10+ year member]

@pro\-rabbit ;

any thoughts on my amps readings?

Matt

 

[dumpbeast86 10+ year member]

i would have voted equus also. they make good stuff and that epi3320 is auto-ranging. just make sure with yours that you have the right setting dialed in or you will blow the fuse on your multimeter

 

[mat3833 10+ year member]

the nearest advance that carried that one was like 20 miles away, that was actually my first choice. but they had one like the one i bought out and useable so it kinda sold itself.

Matt

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

actually im wonderin if my math is right. the sub channel is rated for 50W @ 4 ohms. so i multiply 50X4 and get 200. SQrt of 200 is 14.whatever. right?
because i was getting as high as 28V... since it plugs into a phone or headphone jack obviously its hard to get a "true" reading. but i played the tone off my laptop with volume set to 25%. so either the amp can do WAY over rated(doubtful) or im nuts..

Matt

You did something wrong or the meter is a POS.

 

[tommydh 10+ year member]

As an electrician myself I use and recommend Fluke. But if your only gonna use it occasionally if yoou can I'd dd the few bucks and get this Buy Actron Auto Troubleshooter - Digital Multimeter and Engine Analyzer CP7677 at Advance Auto Parts

 

[mat3833 10+ year member]

well the meter reads everything else accurate. tested some car batteries, some duracells, some nicad and lion. all checked out.

Matt

 

[sexy 10+ year member]

actually im wonderin if my math is right. the sub channel is rated for 50W @ 4 ohms. so i multiply 50X4 and get 200. SQrt of 200 is 14.whatever. right?
because i was getting as high as 28V... since it plugs into a phone or headphone jack obviously its hard to get a "true" reading. but i played the tone off my laptop with volume set to 25%. so either the amp can do WAY over rated(doubtful) or im nuts..

Matt

Maybe I missed something here but if you don’t have an ac clamp to use at the same time as you use your multi meter then you will have no way of knowing how much power an amp is doing.

To test output of an amp properly you need AC amp clamp, true rms meter and test tones along with a good understanding of technique for amp tests. AC volts x AC amps = watts.

 

[Atimm693 10+ year member]

I bought the 35.00 multimeter from Harbor Freight for my electronics class. Set it up side by side with a Fluke 87 True RMS on the same battery and the difference was .01 of a volt. I know you already bought one but just in case anyone was looking for a cheap meter I recommend it.