How do i use a multimeter?

Post by **chriscburgess** » 13 Nov 2007, 22:01

Bought a cheap multimeter from Maplin but haven't a clue how to use it - no instructions.

I just want to use it to test things have power in the van. Does anyone have any simple instructions for an office waller!?

Post by **kevtherev** » 13 Nov 2007, 22:06

what type is it ie name
then we could get an idea of what you have got.

to test for battery condition set the meter to read Volts (2, 20, 200, 1000V) and put the red probe on the +ve battery terminal and the black on the -ve batt terminal

Post by **kevtherev** » 13 Nov 2007, 22:08

[img:199:300]http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/300/n20ax.jpg[/img]

is it this one?

Post by **chriscburgess** » 13 Nov 2007, 22:28

I think so. it is down in the garden shed! I will check in the morning. Thanks for your help.

Post by **airhead** » 13 Nov 2007, 22:41

On them you have DC and AC volts, within specified ranges. Use DC on 20v for car electrics to check for voltage. You have resistance, also within specified ranges, which is what you would use to test, say, a lightbulb or fuse for example. The power must be off to test resistance. You have diode forward voltage drop, and you have transistor test setting, which you probably won't need. Finally you have Amps. Thats a dangerous one cause you put it across a break in a circuit and the power flows straight through the meter, reading how many amps is being drawn. Its very easy to melt the test leads or fry the meter on this so make sure you dont go testing something that could be pulling 40 amps, or even 15 for that matter. You have a seperate socket for the positive test lead for 10 amps, and no more than 10 should go through there, and even then be careful. Remember, when you have the meter on the amps setting, don't go trying to test voltage cause you'll only short out the circuit, and something might go pop. This tool is a must have for a toolkit I have to say. I have one in my mini portable toolkit for my van. That exact one in the pic actually. Its grand.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 14 Nov 2007, 07:49

Er....
This may sound a bit harsh.... So please try not to be offended by this....

if you dont know what you are looking at on a multimeter then I think you should be very carefull what you start doing with it.. even 12v in a van will start a fire... and if you start disconnecting things you are not knowledgeable about you could end up with a pile of smouldering metal...

Have you got a Haynes manual? this will show some procedures for checking circuits if you know what Volts, Amps and Ohms are....

Post by **Andyvandy** » 14 Nov 2007, 18:48

Did you get buy one get one free?

I bought one on Friday in Inverness and it was buy one get one free!

Goodness knows why I need two, will probably give one away.

Andy

Post by **tonytech** » 14 Nov 2007, 18:51

I just bought 2 x 15 = 30 for work

T

Post by **munnyella** » 14 Nov 2007, 19:43

Try and see if the yellow bit (the brain) pulls out of the black or blue rubber bit, mine does and I found an instruction sheet in there!.

It was about 2 months after buying it!

Might be worth a look!

I still don't know how to use all the functions though, the instructions seem to be aimed at Prof. S. Hawkin!, not your come day-go day camper owner.

I shall keep an eye on this thread and see if I can learn something!

Munnyella

Post by **chriscburgess** » 14 Nov 2007, 21:20

http://www.sinometer.com/Products/Elect ... S8230B.jpg

This is the one. Although do not need it now. The nice AA man got it started tthis morning. There was a lead to the battery disconnected - in fact there were about four but he could only work out what one of them did.

Sounds like I need an autoelectrician.[/img]

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How do i use a multimeter?

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