Good, cheap multimeter

[ragnorokk]

I see a handful of digital multimeters on Amazon for $5-$25, all with 4+ star reviews. Do any members have digital multimeters they're satisfied with that were cheap, or recommendations at the least? THIS ONE seems to have good reviews and functionality, but I guess I don't know if there are vape-specific needs that I should be attempting to meet.

Others I was looking at:
Etekcity UT120C Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter (DMM)


Mastech MS8261 series-MS8268 Digital AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter Meter


INNOVA 3300 Hands-free Digital Multimeter (10 MegOhm)

This EXTECH is a little pricer for auto, at ~$45

 

[h3rbalist]

I have not used any of those, and the one work provide me with is expensive.

Auto ranging is essential if you ask me and I would go for the first one personally.

 

[Delta3DStudios]

For most basic jobs, any standard DMM will work just fine (I've built more than one 3D printer with a cheap DMM)

The biggest issue I find on low cost DMM's is the limit on measuring current (amps). Usually the cheap ones never measure enough current to be of any use for me.

I have that MN35 by Extech. It's a nice DMM. The Thermistor included is actually pretty accurate (I use mine to calibrate my printer heads)

I say go for the Extech as you might find the thermistor useful to measure temperature of your vaporizers. (Load vape halfway full with ground tobacco or ABV, drop thermistor in center and fill oven full with herb. Carefully close oven, turn on vape - measure temperatures against set temperatures. I suggest not vaping with thermistor burried in the load, instead blow through the air intake to simulate airflow through the vape).

 

[ragnorokk]

I don't know shit about multimeter technology... what is the auto ranging feature? If I went with the auto-ranging version of the extech, it's significantly more expensive.

 

[CentiZen]

I have a bunch of meters but I find myself using these little Victor VC921 pocket meters 90% of the time I need to measure something. They are the only decent pocket sized meter I've been able to find; and short of the non removable leads I've had no problems with them.

For most vaporizing related uses you only need a reliable voltage and ohmage measurements - but things like current and temperature may be important to you as well. This meter will not replace a higher more expensive meter for these purposes, but it will do voltage, ohmage, capacitance, Hz/Duty Cycle and continuity very well.

If you want to be as informed as possible going into buying a meter, I highly recommend watching this videos by EEVBlog. It's geared a little more towards electronic engineers but covers all the important points.

 

[ragnorokk]

Thanks, guys. Now if I could just find a video "beginner's multimeter use for wax vapers," I'd be all set.

This video is great, btw. GFD is it long, though.

Do I really need current for vape trouble shooting? Also, should I really be concerned about the safety stuff he's talking about, as I'm really only planning to troubleshoot my battery operated devices? I guess, if I want to troubleshoot my Core or a desktop vape, maybe I'd need a more expensive, safer multimeter?

I've removed from my list the one he repeatedly waves around and says is a piece of shit

 

[CentiZen]

Thanks, guys. Now if I could just find a video "beginner's multimeter use for wax vapers," I'd be all set.

This video is great, btw. GFD is it long, though.

Do I really need current for vape trouble shooting? Also, should I really be concerned about the safety stuff he's talking about, as I'm really only planning to troubleshoot my battery operated devices? I guess, if I want to troubleshoot my Core or a desktop vape, maybe I'd need a more expensive, safer multimeter?

Yeah Dave loves to talk - some of his videos run for hours on end. I love them though, full of great stuff.

You won't need to concern yourself with majority of the safety features that he's talking about, as you won't be using it in an industrial/professional capacity. Many of these meters are meant for electricians and electrical engineers who will be working directly with high voltages and currents. Battery powered and low voltage DC powered vaporizers are low risk environments, and I've used my VC921's for minor work on AC powered units like the Cloud.

I hardly need to read current, I don't see many situations in vape troubleshooting where having the ammeter feature will be handy when you already have a voltmeter, ohmmeter and basic math skills.

 

[ragnorokk]

Yeah Dave loves to talk - some of his videos run for hours on end. I love them though, full of great stuff.

You won't need to concern yourself with majority of the safety features that he's talking about, as you won't be using it in an industrial/professional capacity. Many of these meters are meant for electricians and electrical engineers who will be working directly with high voltages and currents. Battery powered and low voltage DC powered vaporizers are low risk environments, and I've used my VC921's for minor work on AC powered units like the Cloud.

I hardly need to read current, I don't see many situations in vape troubleshooting where having the ammeter feature will be handy when you already have a voltmeter, ohmmeter and basic math skills.

That's kinda what I was thinking, though I'll have to refer to the intarwaebs or phone apps for equations, since my physics knowledge just isn't where it ought to be.

 

[Hippie Dickie]

"beginner's multimeter use for wax vapers,"

don't you just need a thermometer??? i use a barbeque digital that goes to 300C - cost $5.

 

[ragnorokk]

don't you just need a thermometer??? i use a barbeque digital that goes to 300C - cost $5.

If I only wanted to see what the temp was, then yes. As it is, resistance and voltage are what I want, as it will be used for battery operated pens. Need to know when a top has gone bad, and want to collect data before sending stuff in for service (or hopefully troubleshoot myself).

But if I was just checking the temp against the temp reading on my device, I'm sure that would suffice. For instance, if I'd wanted to check my old Vapir One for accuracy, that would be sufficient to tell me that if was way off. In that particular case, though, I could tell during use that it was way off, and didn't really care HOW off, cause even if it had seen spot on, it was a terrible device that needed to be recycled.

For the price, that mastech unit is really coming to the front of the pack. Some of the safety features mentioned in the video linked earlier are standard with it (batteries and fuse seem easily accessible, fuse appears to be ceramic, based on photo). Sort of waffling between this and the more expensive extech model.

 

[1_gr8_underdog]

I have a 2 Flukes, Blue point, ideal speery, and craftsman Pro(rebranded extech 470) all being true rms dmm's. If you want a dmm with a decent non contact ir thermometer than get a Craftsman Pro 81079/ extech 470. Years of use and they are all still good. If you want a thermocoupling I would go with a fluke.
Edit: I just realized you wanted a less pricey unit. Sorry all those I mentioned are a little pricey.>$100.

 

[ragnorokk]

Yeah, it's not that I don't like quality, it's that I'm just a dude who wants some info on his vapes for troubleshooting -- I won't really be using the multimeter for much, otherwise.

 

[Detonator]

the 5$ Harbor Freight one seems good to me...

 

[1_gr8_underdog]

Here you go. Print this get a free one with any purchase.

 

[ragnorokk]

Free is my favorite price, nice find.

 

[Jokermachine]

I got one of those free ones. Only use it on 45v. or less. Too damn dangerous otherwise.

 

[ragnorokk]

My vapes are battery operated, but i guess that would make it a dedicated device since I can't use it around the house.