multimeter auto ranging

[huffmuds9320]

I'm looking to buy a digital multimeter and didn't realized there were ones with auto ranging. Is it worth the extra cost for a auto ranging one or would the regular manual kind do? From what I find the auto ranging ones can have some delay/lag before the reading settles down. I don't need a fancy expensive one something maybe in the $30 range, any recommendations. Thanks.

 

[JimPghPA]

Harbor-Freight has some low cost ones that work OK.

Go to a Harbor-Freight web site and enter multimeter in the search once you are on their page.

 

[JHZR2]

I see no need.

 

[wrcsixeight]

If my HF meter retained its original accuracy, my 230$ batteries would still have ~65+% of their capacity rather than under 35%. It now reads .25v low, and I set my solar bulk, acceptance and float voltage by it, and overcharged the batteries for too long

The Sears 82369(~52$) is a clamp on AC/DC Ammeter with full multimeter functions. Very nice not having to disconnect a circuit under 10 amps to see how much current is flowing through it.

 

[Donald]

I would get a $20 one at HF and get some experience. I have several now. I was given a used Extech that has a built in live AC circuit tester.

 

[pcoxe]

With an auto ranging meter, you will need to pay close attention to the scale it settles on. 13.5V will indicate a good battery, while 13.5mV won't run a transistor radio. Most meters will probably have a range lock feature which is good to use to avoid lag and scaling problems.

 

[46Harry]

I prefer the manual DMM's as the auto ranging feature can be confusing if you aren't careful when looking at the reading on the meter. I keep a cheap Harbor Freight meter in my road tool box, but the DMM on my radio bench is a good one that I paid a couple of hundred dollars for and it is a manual switching unit.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: wrcsixeight
If my HF meter retained its original accuracy, my 230$ batteries would still have ~65+% of their capacity rather than under 35%. It now reads .25v low, and I set my solar bulk, acceptance and float voltage by it, and overcharged the batteries for too long

The Sears 82369(~52$) is a clamp on AC/DC Ammeter with full multimeter functions. Very nice not having to disconnect a circuit under 10 amps to see how much current is flowing through it.


ouch!! That can be dangerous!

 

[HerrStig]

The "Meterman" company makes some nice ones, several of them do "L" and "C" and basic testing of transistors (bipolar) and diodes. Mine even has a counter function.

 

[Vikas]

Frankly (at least with low priced units) auto-ranging is pretty much useless. All it does is takes time for the reading to settle. Even though mine is auto ranging, I usually end up selecting a range anyway to avoid it having to hunt.

 

[huffmuds9320]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll just get a basic manual digital multimeter just to keep things simple.

 

[Tempest]

A few years ago I got a Craftsman "Professional" on sale for $50, down from $75. It is auto ranging and I like it. Seems to work fine for the few times that I have needed it. It defaults to auto ranging but you can manually lock in the units if you like.

I've only used it for auto repair and some household work. If working on computers or the like, it might be a different story.