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Recommend a voltimeter?

Joylynn Hardesty

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I need a voltimeter. I had a cheap one, but I'm pretty sure I killed it. I was unable to find understandable instructions to use it. All youtube instructions had different models. Preferably one found on amazon, cause I cant go driving all over creation.

I want it to be able to tell me if my car battery has the correct power, if electrical outlets are good or bad, if my well pump is getting power... the issues I've had in the past, and bunches more stuff around the homestead.

My current issue is my washer is not spinning. Bellow video tells me that I may need a voltimeter. At 8 minutes in, "Teknishun" tests the capacitor, and says voltimeter needs to read... something.

I will need ongoing instructions for the tool. Numbers fry my brain. Please help a girl out.

Will start a thread on the washer when I start pulling it apart.

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Josh Hoffman

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A "clamp style" would be best tester/multimeter if your not familiar or comfortable around electricity. Otherwise, you'll be checking voltage at the terminals. That may be difficult if they have shielded terminal connectors attached. Some "clamp styles" no longer have clamps but have an open portion to put the wire in between.

The clamp style will tell you if you have current flowing IF the component is supposed to be energized at that time in the machine cycle. As far as an outlet, normally the tester comes in a set with a simple plug in device that checks that the wires are in the right location and hot. You can purchase a separate and inexpensive outlet tester if not. You can also press the probes into the outlet to check voltage.

You'll have to test the capacitor at the terminals and would use the probes for that. Not difficult for that component because it will not have shielded terminals.

I like to watch the videos on youtube from "Electrician U". I find they are fairly accessible for all skill levels. He has several on testers.

Short one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x8SiNCkqm8
Longer specific one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNrSiSmB2DU

He also has some great basic videos on understanding circuits. Mileage may vary but I find them very helpful.

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Mark Miner

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Plus to the clamp meter suggestion.

It's overkill for most householders, but I love my Fluke 374. If you ever want to do solar systems, strong recommend (but it is spendy). A major plus is that the clamp current meter can do DC as well. My Klein Tools clamp meter cost 20% of the Fluke, but only does AC, so no go for battery or panel current.

I will also note that probe leads can be had with safety cones, which only expose the very tip. This can reduce the risk of accidental shorts at the probe tip, but is a little less convenient.

Good luck in your troubleshooting!
Mark

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Douglas Alpenstock

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If I were in the market for a mid-range multimeter, I would seriously consider the Klein kit from Home Depot. Multimeter, no-contact AC tester, outlet tester. Caveat: I haven't used the Klein multimeter, but I've been extremely pleased with their non-contact tester. This after numerous other brands took my money and gave me absolute junk that rapidly failed or was unreliable (esp. Gardner Bender). From what I've seen, Klein seems to have retained their quality. My 2c.

James Bridger

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Fluke is the gold standard for multimeters. (A multimeter will measure AC/DC voltage, resistance, and amperage). Something like a fluke 88 or 87 is pretty standard in the automotive industry. Honestly, though, at home, I use a cheap one I got from Ace Hardware for about $20.

Joylynn Hardesty

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Disclaimer: I am currently in the window shopping stage. This Klien claims to read AC/DC. Is it rated for solar? It is their smallest model. I do have one tiny tiny solar square that's never been used. Too small for me to call a panel.

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Mark Miner

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Good question, Joylnn, it will read AC or DC voltage, but only AC amperage. However, I have that one as my backup multimeter, and I do think it's a good instrument for the price.

And lots of people install lots of solar without reading DC amperage, so it's not really that big a deal if you aren't doing it professionally. (Sorry, your ask about recommendations brought out my favorite Fluke, but that doesn't mean it's the right tool for you! The Klein is solid for the price.)

Good luck!
Mark

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Douglas Alpenstock

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Joylynn Hardesty wrote:Disclaimer: I am currently in the window shopping stage. This Klien

I think the auto ranging and the non-contact functions would make it a very friendly unit for someone who is new to the game.

Mark Miner

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FYI, do a quick ebay check before buying on Amz, it looks like you might save $5 or so.

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C. Letellier

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Here is one I deliberately duplicated this fall after the first one gave 3 years of good service. First one got wet while working on a center pivot and quit working.(disassembly, washing out and drying out got it working again but by then the new meter was on the way). It does non contact AC voltage and limited capacitance which many meters do not. Auto power off and runs on AAA batteries(would never by another meter that didn't have those 2 features.) Temperature and frequency can be of value. Lacks clamp capability and is limited to 10 amps current but if used properly those are not critical missing functions. Prefer the continuity tone on this one over many others, Fuses seemed to protect the meter on over current which many meters won't deal with in spite of the fact that they should. Back light and work light are handy at times. Test leads held up fairly well.

Complaints slow to range so if you are taking hundreds of readings might want something faster and the alligator clips are junk so order a good stand alone cable set if you need that capability.

Over all for the price point I would solidly recommend this one.multimeter on amazon

Country oriented nerd with primary interests in alternate energy in particular solar. Dabble in gardening, trees, cob, soil building and a host of others.

Steve Zoma

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Joylynn Hardesty wrote:My current issue is my washer is not spinning. Bellow video tells me that I may need a voltimeter. At 8 minutes in, "Teknishun" tests the capacitor, and says voltimeter needs to read... something.

If you have a top loader it probably has nothing to do with your washers electronics. A common fail point is the plastic pawls that ratchet the drum around for agitation. The cost about $3 US Currency and is a super easy fix. I think the single bolt you need to remove is 7/16 but you will need every extension you have to reach it down the tube of your drum. Just pop the cap off your tube, reach down inside, take off the bolt and pull your drum out. Replace the worn plastic pawls and reinstall the drum.

A lot of people go out and buy a new clothes washer for a $3 plastic part.

If you have a front loader... call a repairman!

Steve Zoma

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For voltmeters my recommendation is twofold; to keep it very simple and to buy Fluke.

As an electrician I have messed up a lot of stuff, got a lot of erroneous readings, chased down phantom issues all because the Fluke Meter at work was WAY overcomplicated. With so many options it is very easy to choose the wrong setting! This results in phantom problems.

At work I have many Fluke Meters, but the one I use the most is the most simple. So why do I use the overcomplicated one and make mistakes? Because our powerplant has 103 steps from top to bottom and no elevator and I get lazy with all those steps and use what I have instead of going to get the simple, better Fluke meter.

For a household, the wiring is very limited and simple is all you need.

Instead of buying a Fluke Meter that does so much, like reading amps of a DC battery, just buy a cheap battery tester for automotive batteries. Its not like you will ever need to check the amperage flow on the DC side of the exciter motor operated potentiometer at your house. Keep it simple so settings mistakes are reduced. To that end, get a Voltage Sniffer. They are simple, cheap devices but I use mine at home and work all the time.

At work we only use Fluke. We are not even allowed by company policy to use another brand. In fact we do not even call them voltage meters but rather, "I need the Fluke", referring it by brand name only.

Josh Hoffman

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Mark Miner wrote:Plus to the clamp meter suggestion.

It's overkill for most householders, but I love my Fluke 374. If you ever want to do solar systems, strong recommend (but it is spendy). A major plus is that the clamp current meter can do DC as well. My Klein Tools clamp meter cost 20% of the Fluke, but only does AC, so no go for battery or panel current.

I will also note that probe leads can be had with safety cones, which only expose the very tip. This can reduce the risk of accidental shorts at the probe tip, but is a little less convenient.

Good luck in your troubleshooting!
Mark

Great point about reading DC, Mark. We have solar on the top of our RV we live in and I am able to see how the panels are performing in a given situation by using the clamp style to read DC.

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Robert Ray

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Be careful testing capacitors, they can zap the peewadding out of you if you don't discharge them.

Our inability to change everything should not stop us from changing what we can.

Seriously? That's what you're going with? I prefer this tiny ad:

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