Pretty sure I have ruined my multimeter already

[IrishUpstart]

No matter what I do, I can't get a reading on ohms. Even touching the leads together to get the internal resistance, it will start at 1 and work its way down to zero (very slowly) and then it will start going up again in negatives. I dunno how I could have messed it up already. Course....I am just learning how to work this thing to be quite honest.

(sighs) Rebuilding is starting out poorly and all I have done is check volts on batteries and try to test resistance on known cartos. Blarg!

 

[Jaguar07]

Try putting a fresh battery in it.

 

[IrishUpstart]

Brand new batteries in it.

 

[IrishUpstart]

Opened it up. Fuse appears to be good.

 

[Jaguar07]

If the ohm part of the meter is reacting the way you indicate, the Battery is weak. Or you have the leads ... check that as Ohms doesn't matter with way the leads are.

 

[IrishUpstart]

Checked with leads reversed, same deal. Maybe I flipped through settings to fast and blew fuse some how. Will exchange tomorrow. I'm frustrated now...lol

 

[Jaguar07]

Oh is it a meter that has a needle on it? or is it a digital meter? If it has a needle, there should be a zeroize feature. You hold the leads together and then set the needle to zero with the adjustment wheel or knob. If it's digital, the meter should "Auto" zero.

 

[Jaguar07]

And walmart of all places has a half way decent digital meter in the electrical section. I think it was $25 for the Meter, a pecker checker(wall outlet tester) and a basic current checker.

 

[IrishUpstart]

Think that's the one I have. No contact voltage detection. Temperature lesds. Continuity setting.

 

[SissySpike]

Klein Tools MM100 Manual Ranging Multimeter - Amazon.com

Here is a fairly good meter its on sale and it will last you more than a week. You have to buy the leads separate but they are about 6$

 

[scalewiz]

Does the meter work correctly when measuring voltage?? If it does, then you can assume the leads are making contact and the battery is OK.

Many meters actually have 2 fuses; one for the basic meter, and one larger one for the high current measurements. Check both (naturally you will need another meter to do this).

Note to inexpensive meter users: ALWAYS make sure the function and range selection is proper for the use at the moment. DO NOT set the meter on ohms and then attempt to measure current or voltage. Likewise, DO NOT use the current settings and attempt to measure voltage or ohms. Applying voltage to the meter leads while on the current setting WILL blow the fuse, and the device you are checking will see this as a dead short. Applying voltage to the meter leads while on ohms settings CAN cause damage to the meter. Most higher quality meters will have some measures of protection, but inexpensive meters are just that.

 

[SissySpike]

Here is a video om how to use cheap meters. Here is a decent auto ranging meter Its allot easier to use IMO

Amazon.com: ESI 480A Auto Ranging Multimeter: Automotive

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-MM200-Ranging-Multimeter/dp/B003LCITWA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_4

 

[Jaguar07]

Includes test leads and battery. Nice one buzzzlove

 

[spider362]

Check Harbor Freight for good, cheap ones.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=digital volt meter

The picture of the one buzzzlove posted can be had from Free to less than $6. Just keep an eye on the HF ads.