restorer-john
Addicted Member
Just get a Fluke. I promise you, you'll not regret it. You can place 100% trust in the measurements- something you simply cannot do with cheap meters.
Volt Meters... What to Buy Today
- Thread starter hkrick
- Start date
I did it... bought a Fluke 117
And yes - living up to the thread title: Buy "today" from Home Depot for $195.57 "Spring Black Friday" sale.
Sale runs through April 22nd. It's a long day.
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mroboto
Super Member
The Green one is Aneng AN870 and Yellow is a Chinese Market Fluke 18B+ checking BIAS with gold plated probes on my Jasmine Audio Concerto KT88-PP, The Variac output LED Voltage Meter indicated 113V AC this morning (The amp is OK to use between 110V and 120V).
BIAS of the KT88 fluctuates as usual, so it's not real measure comparison, just to picture
BIAS of the KT88 fluctuates as usual, so it's not real measure comparison, just to picture
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As @whoaru99 mentioned above in post #6, a DMM is great for many things, and a basic check of a capacitor it can often do, but if you truly want to know whether a capacitor is good or failing you need a proper capacitor analyzer that can test all parameters at the rated voltage. With tube gear this is even more difficult because it is unlikely that a tester powered by ~9v of battery can go anywhere near testing a 600V capacitor, and yes it matters.
The same can be said of DMMs with basic transistor test functions; it usually can find good/bad only.
That post did make me think about testing capacitance and I looked in to tester specifically for capacitors. For a DMM and testing capacitance I was just looking for as wide of a range as possible, even though still being limited.
I didn't find much here on AK about ESR and/or LCR testers but I did post this in an old thread:
fnirsi-lcr-st1-mini-smart-tweezer-lcr-smd-esr-tester-resistance-capacitance-inductance-continuity-diode-test-measurement-tools?
Suggestion are welcome here too. I am in the learning stage. Everything I learned in the early 80's has flown out the window.
And yes I know about the purple tester. It's not my color.
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For small caps, low-voltage applications, you will be able to get what you need from your DMM. You should be able to do all of the troubleshooting that you need with a DMM.
My point (I guess) is that in higher-voltage caps and large (ex: power supply) caps that are expensive enough to warrant testing instead of wholesale replacement, … an analyzer with higher voltage is necessary.
It hinges a bit on whether you’re using it for testing/troubleshooting or for restoration.
My point (I guess) is that in higher-voltage caps and large (ex: power supply) caps that are expensive enough to warrant testing instead of wholesale replacement, … an analyzer with higher voltage is necessary.
It hinges a bit on whether you’re using it for testing/troubleshooting or for restoration.
In the beginning... for me... mostly troubleshooting for repairs, later restorations.
mroboto
Super Member
Not here to convince you, but a 45$ DMM, plus a capacitance tester, plus a ESR tester is enough for basic tasks.
Even if when I do a recap, I normally entirely recap an amp, tuner, etc.
An oscilloscope / DMM Combo is interesting tool too, have two of these
zotektools.com
Even if when I do a recap, I normally entirely recap an amp, tuner, etc.
An oscilloscope / DMM Combo is interesting tool too, have two of these
ZOYI ZT-703S Triple-in-One Oscilloscope + Multimeter + Signal Generator
It has a 50MHz oscilloscope function to show electrical signal waveforms clearly, along with accurate multimeter measurement and a practical signal generator function. It combines these well, serving various needs in electronics work and study
zotektools.com
restorer-john
Addicted Member
It's a great meter for the money. Enjoy.
Somehow I overlooked or missed that section at first. I'm usually good about finding my way around a site. I mean it's not my first rodeo, as the saying goes. This is though my first time here to any great extent. First time on any audio based site. Overall happy here and liking the participation.There's all kinds of testers on the DIY section test equipment threads.
It arrived today. It's like I spoiled myself. I can afford to do that, sometimes.
Good luck! BTW, I suggest a 9V Lithium battery (if that's what the unit takes). Alkaline can spill its guts in old age, ruining the circuit.It arrived today. It's like I spoiled myself. I can afford to do that, sometimes.
Many DMM’s can measure frequency of audio signal, but very few can measure voltage of frequencies from 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz. Without that you can’t use your DMM for tape deck calibration or frequency response of an amplifier. The other important thing (at least for me) is internal resistance of the meter. Typical DMM will have 10 mega ohms, which is OK for most of the work. I personally prefer 100 mega ohms though. Then is the issue of readout. I’m old fashion guy and for calibration work on decks I like analog readout, especially when my meter has dB scale. It makes my live way easier. So my setup is quality analog multimeter, 100 mega ohms, with frequency range to 30 KHz. Then I have mid-priced DMM for measuring DC voltage, resistance, capacity, frequency, etc. USB scope attached to laptop adds more functionality for some work.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
For analog VOM, I'm either a Triplett or Simpson 260 guy. For DMM, it's Fluke for me all day long whether portable or bench top.