multimeter useage help

[Welsh girl]

Ok. I bought one of these to test our leisure battery. Can you explain how to use it please? The instruction leaflet is double Dutch to me.

 

[pappajohn]

If you simply want to check the battery voltage then set the meter to DC volts, probably 20vdc on the scale/dial.

Put the red wire to the battery positive (+)
Put the black wire to the battery negative (-)

The reading on the screen is your actual battery voltage.

12.6v/12.7v volts is fully charged.....12.0v is fully discharged.

If you get the red and black wires the wrong way round dont worry....the screen will show a - symbol before or after the numbers.
Its still the same reading only negative.

 

[Techno]

The yellow scale on the left is DC volts and the most appropriate on your meter is 50

 

[pappajohn]

The yellow scale on the left is DC volts and the most appropriate on your meter is 50

Thanks for the correction....re: volt scale.

For some reason i never saw the attachment thumbnail and expected a cheap multimeter, not a moving coil..

 

[pappajohn]

Before taking any measurements, zero the scale using the white screw below the needle.

Turn it very slowly until the needle lines up on the zero's on the scale.

A little off and the results could be incorrect.

 

[Mike B]

For an accurate reading you need to view the needle such that it is covering it's own reflection in the mirror at the bottom. (PARALLAX ERROR)

 

[pappajohn]

With that type meter ignore my comment about connecting the wires the wrong way.....they MUST go red to positive, black to negative or the needle will try to swing the wrong way.

 

[scotjimland]

sorry to say, but with an analogue meter of that quality and on a 0-50 vdc scale, it won't be very accurate, it will also be difficult to read accurately.

If you want to learn how to use a meter, and not just for battery voltage, then my advice is to buy a reasonably priced digital multimeter from the likes of Maplins .. from as little as £20

easy to use and easy to read..

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/digital-multimeter-with-voltage-detector-n61lk

 

[hilldweller]

it will also be difficult to read accurately.

Spot on, you could not tell the difference between flat and fully charged on that. Quite useless.

 

[The Wino]

How about this one from screwfix half the cost http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-mas830b-digital-multimeter-600v/75337
David

 

[MicknPat]

sorry to say, but with an analogue meter of that quality and on a 0-50 vdc scale, it won't be very accurate, it will also be difficult to read accurately.

If you want to learn how to use a meter, and not just for battery voltage, then my advice is to buy a reasonably priced digital multimeter from the likes of Maplins .. from as little as £20

easy to use and easy to read..

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/digital-multimeter-with-voltage-detector-n61lk

 

[scotjimland]

How about this one from screwfix half the cost http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-mas830b-digital-multimeter-600v/75337
David

Like most things in life you get what you pay for David. It doesn't say on the info what the % accuracy is.. so presumably it's not great..

If it's only for using once in a while to test the battery, then it will do the job... it's better than a cheap analogue

If you are going to use a lot I would buy something a bit better .. look for % accuracy..
an example is the Maplins one in my link that gives DCV accuracy as +/- 0.5%

You can of course go to the other extreme and buy a pro meter like a Fluke, but they are over £100

 

[Welsh girl]

For an accurate reading you need to view the needle such that it is covering it's own reflection in the mirror at the bottom. (PARALLAX ERROR)

The yellow scale on the left is DC volts and the most appropriate on your meter is 50

it is only for occasional use. These are the instructions.
We cant make head nor tail of them

 

[The Wino]

Like most things in life you get what you pay for David. It doesn't say on the info what the % accuracy is.. so presumably it's not great..

If it's only for using once in a while to test the battery, then it will do the job... it's better than a cheap analogue

If you are going to use a lot I would buy something a bit better .. look for % accuracy..
an example is the Maplins one in my link that gives DCV accuracy as +/- 0.5%

You can of course go to the other extreme and buy a pro meter like a Fluke, but they are over £100

Quite right but from the original post I thought within 5% would be fine!! I'm a bit of a rough and ready DIY bloke and it would be well worth the extra if your'e using it a lot but for a quick check on the battery volts would probably be more than up to it and there is a tenner towards the battery if you need it . Our local (not part of a big chain) car spares place would check it for you foe free (and they are honest) just don't try one of the chains where the staff are on a target

David

 

[Sandancers]

Just a point about the multi meters above and others of the same types. Even if it has a 240v range it is NOT advisable to use these meters to check mains voltages, it is a safety issue. You really want a martindale tester for mains work, much safer.

 

[stevec]

Some multimeters have three sockets (as the screwfix one). The left hand one is for measuring amps (current). The right hand one for volts (centre is negative -common). Make sure you use the correct one!

 

[rickwiggans]

Just a point about the multi meters above and others of the same types. Even if it has a 240v range it is NOT advisable to use these meters to check mains voltages, it is a safety issue. You really want a martindale tester for mains work, much safer.

Evidence please.

 

[Techno]

The probes are inappropriate for mains work. They should incorporate fuses and the contact tip should be shielded all the way to the tip.

 

[Techno]

Page 6 should do it
http://www.qub.ac.uk/safety-reps/sr_webpages/safety_downloads/electrical_test_equipment.pdf

 

[Reallyretired]

it is only for occasional use. These are the instructions.
We cant make head nor tail of them

This is the problem when they use google translate on the original Chinese. Do not read these instructions, you will go mad

 

[Jaws]

Like most things in life you get what you pay for David. It doesn't say on the info what the % accuracy is.. so presumably it's not great..

If it's only for using once in a while to test the battery, then it will do the job... it's better than a cheap analogue

If you are going to use a lot I would buy something a bit better .. look for % accuracy..
an example is the Maplins one in my link that gives DCV accuracy as +/- 0.5%

You can of course go to the other extreme and buy a pro meter like a Fluke, but they are over £100

Jim, just recently been on a school site and junked more than 60% of all their fluke digi meters.. All less than 2 years old and all miles out.. Fluke seem no better than a whole raft of much cheaper units nowadays.. I guess it is the 'eastern influence' again