The Motoring Gawds have decided that at age 49, I need a multimeter in my life.

Having never owned one before, while often having drooled over the funky displays, dials, wires, probes and wotnots, but not wishing to end up buying the only multimeter that doesn't do what I need it to, I throw myself at your feet, humbly and sincerely.

I need a multimeter that will let me check the car battery charge, then track down the bloody thing that's making the battery drain overnight. The Internet is very helpful with telling me what to do with the multimeter - sadly, it sucks when it comes to helping a novice buy a decent one.

Can someone recommend one to me?

I bought mine from Wilkinsons, does what I need it to do.

Do you have an aftermarket stereo installed? They're the usual culprit for battery drainage when installed incorrectly.

Ah, it's for me wife's little Micra (K12), not mine

Captain Slaphead said:

The Motoring Gawds have decided that at age 49, I need a multimeter in my life.


Can someone recommend one to me?

Click to expand...

I'm on my 2nd one of these in 15 years, LOTS of similar ad's take your pick..http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-L...253801?hash=item35f4054929:g:2NMAAOSwT5tWJ1yq

the original still "worked" but scale slipped - a fully charged "12 Volt" car battery - registered as 16 Volts -

in my experience it's the LEADS that need the money spending,
I had a REALLY great set bought for indepth diagnostic stuff, immob issues.

broke 1 of the sprung hook ends..only to discover a replacement set was @£25..!!:bang:

FTI - http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/multimeter-test-leads/3402421/

but for the basics you'll not go far wrong for @£5.. including basic leads..!!

Charlie

I'd go for a tennma, love my pen style one
http://cpc.farnell.com/tenma/72-9390/multimeter-digital-pen-type/dp/IN06234?CMP=CPC-PLA

but generally use a normal tenma multimeter,

Will hijack this thread later on clamp style.

I have about 5 , but the one I use the most is one I got from Toolstation . It checks down to millivolts and also has a thermocouple for checking temperatures . Found that very useful when testing an oven for it's thermostat settings. Not too good for checking currents though as appears to put too much resistance in circuit for checking low milliamps.It pings for checking continuity too.

For car electronics, where you do not need to be 1% accurate down at the milliamp ranges etc the anything such as one from Aldi etc. will do you.

Heck a bulb and a bit of wire worked for me for years lol