Multimeter Help please

[JustMeAgain]

I want to use a multimeter to test some attys, and I'm not used to these let alone the digital ones... I just remember the black one my dad had w/the needle, and I don't really know much about those either.

I've read some posts on using them, but being blonde, I'm still confused.

So, if I want to test an atty, I turn it to the little horseshoe on the dial, and I stick one probe against one side of the thread and the other goes on the other end on the opposite side. I think...

Then the digital reading jumps around forever, never quite settling on a number.

So what am I doing wrong?

Is the procedure the same for batteries? Is the reading for a working atty is 2.5 - 3.5?

If it matters, I'm using this which is a Fluke 87 III. And I have the probes plugged in like they are in the photo.

Thanks!

jm

 

[raddiver]

One will go to the middle and one will go to the side.
These will be your + and - Sides of the atty. It may look like its all one piece, but the 2 are indeed separated. and yes the inverted horseshoe is the ohm symbol.

For the batteries you will switch to the V with the straight line. (constant voltage otherwise known as DC) the V with the ~ above it is for AC(wall outlet type stuff)
But the contacts will be the same. You may see a negative number. This is fine, just dis-regard. It means you have the probes reversed, but the number will be the same.

hope it helps
-=RAD=-

 

[JustMeAgain]

One will go to the middle and one will go to the side.

Can you tell me exactly where the probes go? I know, that's just asking for it...oh well. And is the reason the number keeps changing because I don't have them the right place?

Sorry - not meaning to be dense - did I mention natural blonde, which makes it a genetic disability?

I sound like ..... asking what everyone else just seems to know.

 

[tribalmasters]

Stuff one probe in the hole in the middle and touch the other on the side use both hands to keep erm steady Nice Fluke, mines not as fancy just a cheap digital one.

 

[Houdini]

 

[bearscreek]

Look at the end of he atty that screws into the battery. Put the red probe on the little circle-donut-looking thing (maybe even slightly in the hole). Put the black probe on the screw threads. Try to get a good contact and be really still and maybe press the probes a bit without moving them. You may have to practice, but you'll get the hang of it.

ETA: Lol, looks like we all posted at the same time. Great picture Houdini!

 

[tribalmasters]

Thats just like the picture I had in my head when I tried to describe it only the picture in my head was much lower resolution and more cartoon like

 

[Houdini]

 

[tribalmasters]

I set mine to 200 for measurement I assume that is correct?

 

[Houdini]

I set mine to 200 for measurement I assume that is correct?

Your right. I grabbed the wrong picture out of photobucket.

Fixed now.

 

[abhowe]

Great pictures, Mr Houdini..... I am not blonde, but I did not understand either until I saw your pictures...... Again, Thank you........

 

[JustMeAgain]

Great pictures, Mr Houdini..... I am not blonde, but I did not understand either until I saw your pictures...... Again, Thank you........

Abhowe, I am glad to hear it wasn't just me.

I really did need a picture. That was a huge help for me. I kept thinking that the probes were on opposite ends - 1 @ battery end - 1 @ mouthpiece end, so that's what was throwing me off.

Thanks to all of you for getting it through my head. And for not taking the opportunity to tell me where to stick the probes

 

[Richie G]

If it matters, I'm using this which is a Fluke 87 III. And I have the probes plugged in like they are in the photo.

>

Yes the meter does matter. Your Fluke (I have a similar one) reads an automatic range (when you don't press any of the buttons above the dial). Houdini's photo properly shows his meter (not auto-range) set to 200 ohms. If you press any of the buttons above the dial by mistake, simply turn the meter dial to off and start over. IOW, the default is auto-range.

The advice for checking battery voltage within the thread was also spot on.

Just me -- that's WAY too much meter for testing e-cigs. LOL Please tell me you didn't buy it for this sole purpose... or that you got a steal of a deal. =)

The 87 III is discontinued, btw. The replacement is the 87V that lists for nearly $400. Please don't drop it. It would be borderline criminal. =)

 

[tribalmasters]

If it matters, I'm using this which is a Fluke 87 III. And I have the probes plugged in like they are in the photo.

>

Yes the meter does matter. Your Fluke (I have a similar one) reads an automatic range (when you don't press any of the buttons above the dial). Houdini's photo properly shows his meter (not auto-range) set to 200 ohms. If you press any of the buttons above the dial by mistake, simply turn the meter dial to off and start over. IOW, the default is auto-range.

The advice for checking battery voltage within the thread was also spot on.

Just me -- that's WAY too much meter for testing e-cigs. LOL Please tell me you didn't buy it for this sole purpose... or that you got a steal of a deal. =)

The 87 III is discontinued, btw. The replacement is the 87V that lists for nearly $400. Please don't drop it. It would be borderline criminal. =)

I noticed that too! Its a nice Fluke and probably way better than my £20 non-autoranging meter!

 

[JustMeAgain]

Just me -- that's WAY too much meter for testing e-cigs. LOL Please tell me you didn't buy it for this sole purpose... or that you got a steal of a deal. =)

The 87 III is discontinued, btw. The replacement is the 87V that lists for nearly $400. Please don't drop it. It would be borderline criminal. =)

Nah, I didn't buy it. It was actually a gift from a friend to hubby, who has been off hunting or I would have nagged him with these questions.

I didn't realize it was that pricey, though. I guess I should stop tossing it across the room when I'm done. It might be kinda fun to drop something on the floor when I'm talking to him on the phone and tell him it was his multimeter.

Thanks for all the help with this, everybody...It's nice that now I can check things out.

 

[Kent C]

Thats just like the picture I had in my head when I tried to describe it only the picture in my head was much lower resolution and more cartoon like

More like this??

 

[JustMeAgain]

More like this??

I wish mine really looked like that!