Mutimeter

[dragginfly]

Looking at the Radio Shack multimeters but don't know which one to get.

I like the digital readout on this one...

RadioShack® 15-Range Digital Multimeter - RadioShack.com

It's the 15 Range Digital Multimeter, Model: 22-182

Anyone familiar with this model?

Does it read resistance on a carto?

 

[dragginfly]

Just found the Product Summary page. It does read resistance, but the low range is 200 ohms.

"Ohms in 5 ranges: 200/2K/20K/200K/2M Ohm +/- 2.5% of reading, 2% of full scale, +/- 3 of last digit"

Trying to read 2.0 to 3.5 ohms at the 200 range may be fine since it's digital.

Anyone knowledgeable on the RS meters is appreciated.

 

[iJax]

well you are looking for a mid deflection of 2-4 ohms. Think of it this way. You want a meter that will display within a tolerance that will not cause a problem. so 2000000000000000 ohm scales are useless to you. Dont pay for more then you need.

I'll look around and get back to you and edit this post.

still looking but it may do, I just wouldnt use it for precision work.

when looking for a 2-4ohm reading you want to bottom end of the scale at 0 while the high end of the scale twice what you are looking at so scale of 10 ohms +/-2%. If your display was 3.3ohms the actual value is 3.234 - 3.366 That way the tolerance doesnt cause a problem. A scale of 200ohms at the low end (3ohms) measuring could be off 20% so a 3.3ohm reading could actually be 2.64 - 3.96.

So all I can say is look for a meter with a scale range that puts what you are measuring in the middle.

 

[dragginfly]

Thanks iJax!

That makes sense. Your explanation of tolerance was perfect.

Will keep looking for something in the low range.

Was hoping with all the Radio Shack mentions and resistance discussions
in ECF... a dozen members would jump in and make this easy by saying
which model to get at RS. :~)

 

[_TJ_]

My cheap one($5) from ebay works at the 200 Ohm level, which is the lowest Ohm level on it. I think 200 refers to 199.9 on the digital readout, so I got the tenths covered. I test the leads before I try and get a Ohm reading to see what I gotta subtract. My LR306s are 1.5, good enough for me.

200Ω and 20DCV is all I use on it of the 20 positions.

 

[NCC]

I just bought one about a week ago. A Craftsman (Sears). It's autoranging (a plus) and seems to be doing just fine.

$20.69 tax included, out the door.

 

[capecodjim]

I picked up this one cheap on ebay and it works fine. I like it because it's small, has auto-range and the probes fit inside the cover.

That's not a bad price for the Radio Shack meter and at least you can get quick if you go to a local store.

 

[grantemsley]

For the kinds of things we are doing with ecigs, you'll get what you need by picking the absolute cheapest one with a digital readout.

 

[NCC]

For the kinds of things we are doing with ecigs, you'll get what you need by picking the absolute cheapest one with a digital readout.

True. Unless you have other uses for it. So, I paid 4x as much and got a solidly built unit which is good for more than testing atomizers. It's a LONG way from high end ... $20 is an el-cheapo price for a decent multimeter.

I've found out through an unfortunate number of unsatisfactory purchases over the years, that although you don't always get what you pay for, you always pay for what you get. buy cheap crap and that's what you get. But, like you said ... yeah, get the $5 deal if all you're doing is testing atomizers. I'd worry about their accuracy and durability though. Just how important is that to you?

 

[ab357]

I agree. I was given an expensive one from a techie at work while I waited for one from China I bought off of ebay for about five bucks including shipping. Both show the same exact readings on attys and batts.