Electrical test meters,,,got one ?
- Thread starter Willl
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RidgeHiker
Gold Member
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- Mar 23, 2011
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- 390
- Location
- Upper California Mountains
- Tractor
- Kioti DK5010 with KL5510 Loader & 72" Bucket. Kawasaki Mule Pro MX SE with 66" snow plow.
I have an old one that I never really learned to use very well. You all, having a tractor for the first time, and getting ready to put work lights on are probably inspiring to learn more. Just what I need, another thing to do...
kebo
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- Lexington, SC
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- 2001 John Deere 790 4x4, bar tires
Ahhhh.... A good old black Simpson 260, the classic analog meter of choice! I "grew up" in tech school with that one. If you got one (and I don't) hang on to it! :thumbsup:
kebo
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- May 16, 2006
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- 2001 John Deere 790 4x4, bar tires
I'm in the crowd that has one, but I would suspect the biggest reason for those folks who don't own a meter is simply because they just don't know how to use it. Once you learn how to use it, you never go back lol.
rasimmo
Gold Member
I have a couple Flukes and a cheap Radio Shack one that gets used a lot. I have not had any trouble with any of them. At work all we have are Flukes. Some of them can get pretty expensive. The last one I bought (with company CC) was about $3500. That things has more keys than this keyboard. I still have not figured out how to use all the functions on it, but I like playing with it.:thumbsup:
WM75Guy
Elite Member
Many years ago I bought an Extech 400 amp DC clamp on meter. Used it for working on fire trucks and ambulances with up to 300 amp alternators. Really great for quickly testing alternator output or to see what load a piece of equipment is pulling.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
I have a Fluke clamp meter with 600amp AC/DC but felt this is a little more meter than most would buy for their tractor trouble shooting. A combination current clamp and dvm is a good choice though for home and vehicle work.
A very simple and inexpensive meter would suffice for 95% of trouble shooting the average Joe would do on his tractor, checking voltage, continuity and resistance measurements. I have a newer Fluke dvm that replaced my older 87V and usually don't need to pull it out except for frequency checks on the gensets. Most of us that have the better meters today always wanted the better equipment but the truth today is there is very little you can fix at the component level. Everything is disposable for the most part so not alot of need for the higher priced meter's capabilities.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
All of my meters are clamp on..but none are DC AMP meters. That would be REAL nice to have in a meter for tractors.
I know fluke makes them...but i don't ever need them in my work (electrician).
I know fluke makes them...but i don't ever need them in my work (electrician).
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
I seldom do any commercial electrical work anymore, most of my current clamp needs are checking on air conditioning compressors during the summer months, for this work the simple Fluke T5 600 has a 100 amp ac clamp and is good enough. I use to install primary and secondary equipment for federal jobs, now I don't need much for residential work either.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
its so slow now... i dont do much of ANY work :laughing:. but i do have 3 new 3500-3800 sf customs that i just signed up...maybe things are finally turning around??
