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01-28-2019, 12:56 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Rescue, CA. KROB
Posts: 352
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Quality multi meter
Question for the electical gurus, is their a difference besides the cost between a cheap HF $4 multi meter and a good quality one like a Fluke? And by difference, I mean a real usable difference for some building and maintaining a RV (not and electrical engineer at work).
Just curious
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Rob Lasater
Rv-14 flying baby, yeah.
Paid Dec 2019
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01-28-2019, 01:11 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: 8I3
Posts: 3,562
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For maintaining an RV, no. Elcheapo HF will work fine.
I have a multimeter calibrator that is highly accurate I've used to test the cheap multimeters one can get at Harbor Freight (sometimes with a free coupon) and those have been fairly accurate.
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Bob Japundza CFI A&PIA
N9187P PA-24-260B Comanche, flying
N678X F1 Rocket, under const.
N244BJ RV-6 "victim of SNF tornado" 1200+ hrs, rebuilding
N8155F C150 flying
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Not a thing I own is stock.
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01-28-2019, 01:30 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Rescue, CA. KROB
Posts: 352
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Awesome thanks for the info
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Rob Lasater
Rv-14 flying baby, yeah.
Paid Dec 2019
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01-28-2019, 01:50 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
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I'd agree with Bob. The biggest difference is durability. I've got several high quality (Fluke, etc) meters (several different careers in electronics in my past) that are almost impossible to kill. I also have several HF freebees, and while they are relatively easy to kill, and frequently die without provocation, they are plenty good enough for just occasional use.
Charlie
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01-28-2019, 01:56 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Locust, NC
Posts: 440
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Seemed like the HF cheapies are sensitive to battery voltage and would give wacko indications when weak. Keep a fresh battery in them.
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Dave
M20C
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01-28-2019, 02:21 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 175
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A free HF isn't even worth what you pay for it.
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RV-7 builder Ramona, CA.
Free prop balancing for Vans owners
(I am not in the business of prop balancing, just as a courtesy to meet other owners.)
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01-28-2019, 02:58 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Richmond Hill, GA (KLHW)
Posts: 2,183
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I've purchases some of the <$50 meters for home use and they are okay - mostly checking battery voltage before my son tosses batteries from his game controllers. As mentioned above, don't expect a long life from them.
If you are relatively young, spend $140 for a mid-grade Fluke and never look back. I have two but also perform a lot of installs/upgrades at two locations.
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Ray
RV-7A - Slider - N495KL - First flt 27 Jan 17
O-360-A4M w/ AFP FM-150 FI, Dual PMags, Vetterman Trombone Exh, SkyTech starter, BandC Alt (PP failed after 226 hrs)
Catto 3 blade NLE, FlightLines Interior, James cowl, plenum & intake, Anti-Splat -14 seat mod and nose gear support
All lines by TSFlightLines (aka Hoser)
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01-28-2019, 03:19 PM
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been here awhile
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jask
A free HF isn't even worth what you pay for it.
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For routine stuff we do in the hangar the HF meters have proven to be a very adequate tool. I get a free one whenever the coupon rolls around so have a box of them. Every time someone has asked to borrow my VOM I tell them I can do one better....."I'm going to give you one". 
Many of them have been in use for several years now. The only quality lapse I've seen after using several of them is one lead that came apart. |
01-28-2019, 04:45 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 5,665
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jask
A free HF isn't even worth what you pay for it.
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Amen brother 
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Walt Aronow, DFW, TX (52F)
EXP Aircraft Services LLC
Specializing in RV Condition Inspections, Maintenance, Avionics Upgrades
Dynamic Prop Balancing, Pitot-Static Altmeter/Transponder Certification
FAA Certified Repair Station, AP/IA/FCC GROL, EAA Technical Counselor
Authorized Garmin G3X Dealer/Installer
RV7A built 2004, 1700+ hrs, New Titan IO-370, Bendix Mags
Website: ExpAircraft.com, Email: walt@expaircraft.com, Cell: 972-746-5154
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01-28-2019, 05:19 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 175
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My wife got a free one from HF. The first time she used it check voltage, sparks flew and smoke rose from the meter.
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RV-7 builder Ramona, CA.
Free prop balancing for Vans owners
(I am not in the business of prop balancing, just as a courtesy to meet other owners.)
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