multimeter rant

47fivewindow · May 28, 2018

I see many folks on these sites who have replaced almost every component of charging or ignition system without success. Instead of hundreds on parts I think buying a $60.00 Fluke meter would be the best place to start. There are some good Utube classes for beginners. With some help from the great mentors here telling where and what to test a lot of money could be saved,tractors would run, and we could spend more time talking about who has the best pies.

old · May 28, 2018

Most thing you do not need a VOM to trouble shoot. Most of the time I just use a simple and cheap spark test. To check points and to see if there doing there job I simply use a wire from the battery to the coil. If points are closed and working you get a spark if there open or bad no spark simple as that. Ya I do have a couple of VOMs but do not use them often other then to maybe make sure a battery has a good charge. I also have a test light but again I do not use it often unless I am trying to find out where power is getting lost

Gambles · May 28, 2018

"Most thing you do not need a VOM to trouble shoot. Most of the time I just use a simple and cheap spark test."

^This. I can usually tell as much with a $5 test light as I can a volt meter (at least for the initial troubleshooting), and it's easier to use with one hand.

JD Seller · May 28, 2018

You do not have to have a $60 VOM to figure things out. I have a cheap $8 one from Lowes of all places. I bought it because I had broken the second or third high dollar VOM. So thought buy a cheap one and not worry about it. Leave it in the Pickup/tool box and OK if it gets beat around. Darn thing is ten years old and still going strong!!! LOL

47fivewindow · May 28, 2018

I got one from HF for a coupon I use often. No auto range and no condenser checker make it a little harder to use.

Steve@Advance · May 28, 2018

Me too, test light solves most problems, easy to see, easy to operate. If I drop it, no big deal.

About the only time the VOM comes out is for checking charge rate, more indepth diagnostics.

showcrop · May 28, 2018

Do test lights really cost $8.00 now??? that is highway robbery. Five window, if you look back you will probably see that most of the time when guys are looking for help with their brand new ignition system and carburetor, it is a new first time poster. You will need to get an ad posted on eBay or facebook or something like that in order to reach these guys before they buy all the parts.

flying belgian · May 28, 2018

Yep, test light for me too. I have never owned a multi-meter. Don't know the first thing about one.

47fivewindow · May 28, 2018

I check battery vdc, coil vdc, point resistance to ground, condenser mf, and coil resistance. Boom,boom,boom, done. When you see 10 volts, corrosion is somewhere. It's easier for me to use the VOM. Resistance in trailer wiring shows up faster. I worked with a guy who could judge the brightness of his test light with exceptional accuracy so it's all what your use to. I think it would be easier to troubleshoot without being there with real numbers.

Oliver 500 Wa · May 28, 2018

I check battery vdc, coil vdc, point resistance to ground, condenser mf, and coil resistance. Boom,boom,boom, done. When you see 10 volts, corrosion is somewhere. It's easier for me to use the VOM. Resistance in trailer wiring shows up faster. I worked with a guy who could judge the brightness of his test light with exceptional accuracy so it's all what your use to. I think it would be easier to troubleshoot without being there with real numbers.

I do more like this ^ than use a test light. On newer equipment I've had to use my oscilloscope to trouble shoot things like engine speed sensors.

David G · May 28, 2018

Multimeter and test light, can darn near troubleshoot any electrical issue on older equipment.

I have given up suggesting it.

Doesn't have to be a $60 Fluke, $10 meter will work.

Hobo,NC · May 28, 2018

(quoted from post at 01:28:24 05/29/18) I see many folks on these sites who have replaced almost every component of charging or ignition system without success. Instead of hundreds on parts I think buying a $60.00 Fluke meter would be the best place to start. There are some good Utube classes for beginners. With some help from the great mentors here telling where and what to test a lot of money could be saved,tractors would run, and we could spend more time talking about who has the best pies.

Those that don't use one on a regular basis are think they don't need it are lost in time they don't want to learn they think they already know it all... You will have to just be satisfied watching them explain to others how to chase there tail they are well experienced at it... To learn you have to apply it, its not gonna happen so get over it...

Wait till you get into a discussion with a amp-meter lubber they can dream up some neat useless chit as to why voltage measurements are useless...

M-MAN · May 28, 2018

I'm curious where you found the Fluke so cheap. Mine was over three times that much and it's no where near top of the line.

Steve A W · May 28, 2018

Interesting thread.
I'm sitting here trying to set the timing on a 9N front mount
distributor.
Last time through Harbor freight I got the freebie meter. I figgured
To let my gearhead daughter have it to learn with.
What a piece of junk. There must be a half second delay when you break
contact. The leads only go in an eighth of an inch, that's not gonna
last very long. And no way to zero the meter.
When I was working HVAC I had a Simpson 260 for the intricate work
and what was considered a cheap meter on my tool belt. That cheap meter
was so much better than this one.
A lot can be diagnosed with a VOM meter but sometimes a simple test light
will do it all.

Steve A W

47fivewindow · May 28, 2018

hope this link works, but amazon 101 fluke
click here

Destroked 450 · May 28, 2018

I bought a Fluke 77 multimeter over 20 years ago, still works good
Gave nearly $100 for it back then, good think I was setting down when I just looked up the price of a new one.

Test lights are good to have at times but I always reach for my multimeter first.
Buddy has one of those cheap multimeters, I'd rather use a test light than his pos meter.

oldtanker · May 29, 2018

(quoted from post at 16:10:01 05/28/18)

(quoted from post at 01:28:24 05/29/18) I see many folks on these sites who have replaced almost every component of charging or ignition system without success. Instead of hundreds on parts I think buying a $60.00 Fluke meter would be the best place to start. There are some good Utube classes for beginners. With some help from the great mentors here telling where and what to test a lot of money could be saved,tractors would run, and we could spend more time talking about who has the best pies.

Click to expand...

Those that don't use one on a regular basis are think they don't need it are lost in time they don't want to learn they think they already know it all... You will have to just be satisfied watching them explain to others how to chase there tail they are well experienced at it... To learn you have to apply it, its not gonna happen so get over it...

Wait till you get into a discussion with a amp-meter lubber they can dream up some neat useless chit as to why voltage measurements are useless...

Whatever MR lost in time yourself. That's why some of us have test equipment and know how to use it. We can even repair modern computerized stuff. Mr volt meter lubber'. :lol: You still ain't over the fact that someone dared disagreed with you? That's downright funny!

Rick

Bret4207 · May 29, 2018

I've got 3 books/booklets on testing components with a multimeter and all 3 show a different way of doing simple tests and all 3 end up giving me different results. This is simple stuff like testing a condenser or measuring resistance in a plug wire. At this point I'm so confused ("fuzed up" in the local vernacular) that I hate the thought of deciding which method is more correct than the other!

Oh yeah, and then there's the differences in results between the old reliable GB analog and the fancy new digital job that doesn't even use the same symbols. It'a all magic and I'm lost...

oldtanker · May 29, 2018

(quoted from post at 04:59:53 05/29/18)

I've got 3 books/booklets on testing components with a multimeter and all 3 show a different way of doing simple tests and all 3 end up giving me different results. This is simple stuff like testing a condenser or measuring resistance in a plug wire. At this point I'm so confused ("fuzed up" in the local vernacular) that I hate the thought of deciding which method is more correct than the other!

Oh yeah, and then there's the differences in results between the old reliable GB analog and the fancy new digital job that doesn't even use the same symbols. It'a all magic and I'm lost...

LOL that's where I'm lucky. I have access to a couple of "experts" One does electrical repairs one hospital equipment like the IV devices and such and the other is a network engineer. Both are my sons. Help is a phone call away!

Rick

1948CaseVAI · May 29, 2018

(quoted from post at 20:53:04 05/28/18) I'm curious where you found the Fluke so cheap. Mine was over three times that much and it's no where near top of the line.

I'm not involved in the diagnostic discussion, but Amazon has a Fluke 101 Basic for $56.21 with free Prime shipping.

Deutz Lover · May 29, 2018

More than ninety five percent of the time a multimeter is not needed, but it can help even with the mundane. It can check your battery voltage static and dynamic (voltage drop when cranking).
They can check suspect fuses or fuse blocks, bad grounds, bad sensors, bulbs etc. I think they are like a tube of used up tooth paste-----in-dispense-able. I know a contradiction in words.

Hobo,NC · May 29, 2018

"More than ninety five percent of the time a multimeter is not needed"

I will let you off EZ name one time when doing diagnostics on anything that uses electricity on a automotive application... Diagnostics not parts swap'N...

Deutz Lover · May 29, 2018

Hobo,
I was being generous compared to some of the posts. I am referring to tractors when I said it would help with the mundane which is most problems where there are obvious things to check. It makes these types of problems a lot easier, faster, and some problems cannot be diagnosed without one.

It's that five percent that makes the vom an extremely valuable, non negotiable item.

The other are ways to check circuits, but sometimes a noid light, circuit light, replacing suspect fuses, or touching a device to see how warm it is just won't do. I speak specifically about 12 volt DC systems. These are the quick checks person does in the field before going to find where they last left their meter.

1.So if you have an ignition problem. One check is to remove the spark plug wire to see if there is any spark. No spark. Check high tension wire coming off coil.

2. Use an insulated screwdriver to manually break points to see if there is a spark.

3. Use a pair of pliers to recrimp possibly loose connectors.

These are diagnositic techniques used to localize problems.
A continuity light can be used as a diagnostic technique, but a vom is better. It's when all the other quick diagnostic techniques fail. That is why I have four VOMs. More or less.

Hobo,NC · May 29, 2018

I grantee you those that boast they don't need a voltmeter don't know how to apply its value and don't want anyone else to either...

Somehow that makes them a man are sum'N :lol: What they do is replace parts and chase there tail hoping they hit the fix...

You could spend days watching youtube and learn the tricks a DVOM has in it... Voltage has not changed since the days folks gave up working on cars to drive a truck are got there walking papers from the Navy BUT how to use a voltmeter has...

To boast you don't need to use this tool shows they are lost...

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