Quote:
Originally Posted by ol'George
The quality of a tool, does not a mechanic make.
While high quality tools are nice bragging rights for a hobbist,
a test light made from a bulb socket and two wires will get to the root of most problems.
An inexpensive meter will do the rest.
Now if a fellow is working on electronic equipment, checking critical resistance that requires more precision, then a better meter is beneficial.
And If a fellow has those skills, he already has one he likes, and knows how to use it to the fullest.
I'm betting if you are asking what is a good meter, a china-fright free meter
will serve all your needs.
Please,
no offence to anyone.  |
I don't disagree George, when you're talking about tractor work. About the only time a light is not super useful is when you're measuring voltages or voltage drops. For a "binary" type of measurement ("am I getting voltage or am I not") you're right. If you want to measure generator output , then knowing whether it's 12V or 13.2 V is pretty useful. A China Freight meter will do for that as you say.
My view is one who uses these things daily for other chores, so my viewpoint is skewed. I'd still get a mid price meter (meaning 30-50$) so that the thing doesn't die in the heat of battle because I briefly measured voltage on the resistance scale. Nothing cranks me off like having to stop what I'm doing and head to a store to get something in the middle of a repair. A mid price meter is a good value as it's also likely to actually WORK a year from now, has leads longer than 12" and will shut itself off to preserve the batteries when not in use too.
To be sure a $300 fluke is not needed for Cub repair. Sure is nice though :-)
Didn't mean to imply I'm a good mechanic because of a nice DMM , but I would argue that if you plan to use tools regularly and for a lifetime you'll likely not regret you bought good ones.
Your points are well taken!