Which Multimeter for 12/24v?

[m33ufo]

Being a relative novice where car electrics are concerned, I'm after a spot of advice on multimeters!

First and most importantly, it needs to work on both 12v and 24v vehicles. How do I know if the multimeter I'm looking at provides this basic requirement?

Any recommendations welcome - don't want to go overboard but happy to throw £50 or so at something.

Many thanks.

[Krikkit]

Something fairly basic will do fine, the only thing I'd suggest for cars is to get one which auto ranges and has a backlight, e.g. https://amzn.eu/d/6BcqpiA

Then get some more probes with crocodile clips as well:

https://amzn.eu/d/hsGCFp6

[eliot]

All meters will do anything up to mains voltages, but the cheapies aren't really suitable for mains due to poor isolation and protection internally.

The aneg ones are reasonable value for a true rms meter:
https://amzn.eu/d/cXNR8Au

cheaper on ebay/aliexpress if you are prepared to wait (search AN8009)

There are cheaper ones, but the above was tested by various nerds and shown to be accurate and reasonable value.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdGQEVdxmQQ

I use the above as my knockabout meter that i don't care if it gets run over, for proper measurement i have a BrymenBM867 - which is more accurate than the equivalent fluke meter.

I also recently bought an Oscilloscope / Multimeter - which was about £60 delivered - also very good value.

Here’s my garage of meters;

Edited by eliot on Tuesday 14th November 22:37

[m33ufo]

Thanks for the replies.

Great, I was obviously over thinking it. It's purely for vehicular use, just want to make sure that I don't buy something that isn't suitable for 24v.

[eliot]

m33ufo said:

Thanks for the replies.

Great, I was obviously over thinking it. It's purely for vehicular use, just want to make sure that I don't buy something that isn't suitable for 24v.

The meter above in the middle is a ZT-706s - which is a multimeter and oscilloscope - which means you can scope cam/crank pickups and injectors etc.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276090548305?mkcid=16&a...

Slightly cheaper on aliexpress and it only took a couple of weeks to arrive.

[m33ufo]

Cheers Eliot. I'll take a proper look.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Uni-t are about the best quality budget meters

[Belle427]

Don’t get too technical with them, a basic one will do.
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/multimeters/1231938

[m33ufo]

You're probably right. As much as I like bells and whistles, I really just need a fairly simple multimeter.

[eliot]

yeh that RS one looks fine and reputable.

[pcn1]

We have Fluke 83 V meters at work, but there like £300 a go I think.

Years ago I needed a meter for home so bought a cheap one, £40 I think.
Mistake really, I needed to measure/set a precise 500mV signal on my Ducati fuel injection system to set it up, and the cheap meter wouldn't display a stable reading. Took it back and got a refund.

I then bought a used Fluke (older model) from £60 from e-bay and its been fine for all my home/automotive uses.

You get what you pay for.

[S6PNJ]

m33ufo said:

You're probably right. As much as I like bells and whistles, I really just need a fairly simple multimeter.

I have one of these in my garage for general use - https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-ac-dc-digital-multi... can't get much more simple than that.

I do have a Fluke 85 where I need a slightly more accurate answer. bought second hand from eBay a few years ago - https://www.coleparmer.co.uk/i/fluke-85-3-digital-...

[ARHarh]

Just about any meter will get you the results you need for 90% of car issues. Cheapies may not be accurate, but that is not really an issue most of the time. Often you will just be looking for electricity rather than 12.1v or 12.3v. Some long wires on the probes can often help as well, especially for continuity from the front to back of the car.

I have a fluke that may have found its way home from a previous workplace. I needed to replace the battery yesterday and it has a calibration date of June 1989, it was probably a few years old when it was last calibrated. Still going strong.