What kind of meters do I need to test my atty's AND batts, and where do I get them??

[magz]

Okay, I'm using a Joye eGo, one genuine Joye Tech atty left, and a few others from rrvaporz... Seems like all the atty's I've gotten are bunk or only work for a day or so and then quit producing vapor.

Also, sometimes it seems like maybe I have a battery issue because I'll pull a fully charged battery off the charger and it won't hit, but I can put the same atty on my 5v passthrough (courtesy of Tim at Hot Vapes, just got it today!) and it works great! Just how it should, and how all my atty's did when I first got my eGo.

So I'm thinking if I can get meters for both my atty's and my batts maybe I can figure out what my problem is. Thanks!

 

[CaptJay]

Shop IDEAL Resi-Pro Digital Multimeter at Lowes.com That kind of thing really.

 

[magz]

Shop IDEAL Resi-Pro Digital Multimeter at Lowes.com That kind of thing really.

Can I use that to test both my batteries and atty's?

 

[justbrewit]

you sure can, you just switch from ohms for testing atty's to dc volts to test batteries.

 

[Dubs58]

Can I use that to test both my batteries and atty's?

Yes, as a matter-o-fact I saw that one (someone else posted it) yesterday and even though I have something better it seemed like a good all around type meter that I would buy!
All we usually need to look for is Volts (0-10), Ohms (0-5) and Continuity (0.00) when touching leads together.

 

[VPDownunder]

I got a cheapy off ebay that arrived today, it's digital, pocket sized and works brilliantly, best of all it only cost a few $

 

[Dubs58]

You will need to know more about testing once you get a meter but they are great for everything from testing the battery on your e-cig to testing the battery on your car (12v)!
Not sure if a lightbulb is good, + goes to center - goes to outer screw part, hair dryer not working? Test the wall socket with this. Its endless, but you just need to learn where to put the multifunction switch AC/DC, Volts, Ohms, etc, but the user manual tells you that too. Once you get one its a learning curve but most in here should be able to help if needed.

 

[Rudforce]

I'll use my first post on ECF to suggest the low-end cen-tech meter from Harbor Freight. Can be had for as little as $2.99 when on sale (usually in-store, online price right now is $10), and they live for years. Since they're cheap it doesn't matter as much if you lose it, loan it, forget to change it to V from A and before testing a wall outlet, drop it in the toilet, whatever.

My Harbor Freight cheapie actually ends up getting used more than my $200 Fluke and the serial-connection-to-the-computer meters put together, just because it's expendable.

 

[markfm]

One word of caution -- be careful if you want to test AC outlets with a multimeter. I generally switch to something like:
Shop IDEAL Analog Multimeter GFCI Receptacle Tester at Lowes.com

Because it's a plug form factor, no risk of accidentally having leads touch, pushing them in too far, etc.

Alternately:
Shop Sperry 80 - 480V AC/DC Voltage Tester at Lowes.com

Again, due to having fixed probes.

 

[misterD]

I got a cheapy off ebay that arrived today, it's digital, pocket sized and works brilliantly, best of all it only cost a few $

pocket size? got a link?

 

[VPDownunder]

This is the same one though I won mine in an auction for $5.99
New Pocket Digital Multimeter - AC/DC 400VAC - eBay, Meters, Electrical, Industrial. (end time 11-Aug-10 22:17:52 AEST)

 

[misterD]

This is the same one though I won mine in an auction for $5.99
New Pocket Digital Multimeter - AC/DC 400VAC - eBay, Meters, Electrical, Industrial. (end time 11-Aug-10 22:17:52 AEST)

that would be like $23
too much money! i can get almost a 1/4 of a Buzz for that price!! i'll learn the voltage as i go i guess...

 

[VPDownunder]

Like I said that's not what I paid but if you just do a search on ebay for multimeters you'll find a pile of cheapies.

 

[DaKnight]

To test the battery it should have a load on it. Some, not all batteries may show the correct voltage when fully charged but soon as a current draw is put on it, it can drop rather quicker than normal if the battery is weak.
A battery tester with a built in load is invaluable around the house. My mallory meter paid for itself hundreds of times over throughout the yr's.

 

[magz]

To test the battery it should have a load on it. Some, not all batteries may show the correct voltage when fully charged but soon as a current draw is put on it, it can drop rather quicker than normal if the battery is weak.
A battery tester with a built in load is invaluable around the house. My mallory meter paid for itself hundreds of times over throughout the yr's.

I don't really understand what you mean.... this is something specifically to do with the tester, not the battery, right? Will it say it on the packaging? Are these types more expensive?

 

[jude8753]

I just bought the digital one at our Harbor Freight, but I haven't gotten around to reading or testing anything. Every time we go there we use our coupons and pick up those free little flashlights, They work great BTW.

 

[magz]

...coupons?