Is bar graph on meters worth it?

[kbm]

I am looking to buy a pro quality mutimeter and trying to decide if it is worth the extra cost to get the ones with the floating bars indicators that emulate an analog needle.
There may be some useful purpose but I cannot think of why it is a must have feature. Maybe in startup current tests?

Second related question, is it better to have a single all-in-one meter that takes temperatures and V-R-A or to carry two or three meters that are purpose built?

All-in-one is nice but there are some reasons to have dedicated meters. Such as you want to read volts while taking temperature.

[BobbyBJr]

The all in one meters are nice and very handy doing this type of work. I have the Fluke 902 and several of my techs have the Fieldpiece SC76. I'd also suggest you have a spare meter and temperature meter so that you won't be caught without should something happen to your main meter. The extra meters also are handy when you have to take more than one measurement on a job. I carry in my tool bag a Greenlee multimeter in addition to the 902. If you are just starting out in the industry, buy the best you can reasonably afford right now and add to it later.

[kbm]

I like the FieldPiece hvac, good bang for buck.
Like the HS 33/35. I am not sure about how much I'd find having to snap on different attachments a pain.
If it goes down, nothing works so have to carry a backup anyway.


The all in one meters are nice and very handy doing this type of work. I have the Fluke 902 and several of my techs have the Fieldpiece SC76. I'd also suggest you have a spare meter and temperature meter so that you won't be caught without should something happen to your main meter. The extra meters also are handy when you have to take more than one measurement on a job. I carry in my tool bag a Greenlee multimeter in addition to the 902. If you are just starting out in the industry, buy the best you can reasonably afford right now and add to it later.

[mark beiser]

All in one meters don't fit the way I work.
It is common for me to be checking multiple temperatures, current draw and using my multimeter at the same time.

I'm very loyal to Fluke also. Fantastic repair service the few times I've needed it, rock solid dependability, durable, and consistent repeatable accuracy.
Worth the extra cost IMO.

For general HVAC service, I highly recommend a Fluke 52-2 dual input thermometer, with 2 pipe clamp probes, a surface probe and an air probe, a Fluke 116 HVAC multimeter, and a Fluke 330 series true RMS clamp on amp meter. Save the leads that come with the meters for spares, and get a set of their silicon test leads that have the changeable tips.

If you are just starting out, an all in one type meter, like the Fluke 902, may be a good way to get started, then will make a good backup meter once you have a good set of instruments. ;)

[kbm]

You sold me on having 2 or 3 pro quality meters.
One for v/ohms/amps, one for temperature and maybe one for caps.
I have a couple of cheap meters that I plan to keep as emergency backup.
I was leaning to buy this HP meter from a computer tech buddy that upgraded. It's a bit old-school but there is no problems with it, I trust him.
Has autorange, floating bar, 10A, 100VAC
*edit: I meant 1000VAC, 100 would be useless
It seems to be built sturdy.
I bought it for $50.
It appears to have a temperature measurement feature but we don't know how it works.

Below is from the back label: Anyone can help me ?

Temperature degF/C "Ohm sign", calibrated for 5K thermister.
And a degF/C "Current sign", calibrated for K themocouple.

Is there a good temperature clamp add-on that would work with this meter?

[iraqveteran]

I've got 3 meters. 2 UEI DL279 and 1 UEI DL 289.

The UEI has a dual display. I can use the clamp to take amp readings and take a voltage reading all at once. It all displays on the meter. So they work good for me. Also has the hook attactment for getting amp readings in tight fits such as AHs with heat strips.


I've got a arrangement of temp probes. liquid, flat surface, K-types, couple temperature clamps.

[kbm]

I've got 3 meters. 2 UEI DL279 and 1 UEI DL 289.

<snip>

.

Iraqvet, they look like good meters.
Can they take abuse?
Do you ever need to calibrate them?
Maybe I should ask does anyone ever calibrate their meters?

The CH2 amp hook is neat.
It doesn't need to clamp, you just hook the wire to take current?

[gasoilair]

Lemmee chalk up another vote for separate meters (and Fluke brand). Like others mentioned, I like to do a few things at the same time to speed up the call. My 52-2 and 80pk-8's can hang out with the gauge manifold while I'm doing other things. For a multi/checking windings and wiring, I use the Fluke 1587 and for quickie stuff, back pocket use, I have the Fluke T-600 (my wiggy) for quick voltage checks (like live cabinets:eek:) and quick current and continuity/R checks. In the veto bag, I keep the 52-2 and clamps, the t-600, and a fluke 87-ii multi with a 400a AC clamp.

As far as having a bar graph goes, once you get used to it, you'll like having it there. The bar graph reacts to spikes and dips in the measurement your making that would otherwise be missed alltogether with a digital only display.

[kbm]

Wow, gasoilair, thats a lot of meters.
I see your point about multitasking, wouldn't want to do more fuzzing around connections than necessary. Spread this time savings over, say 10000 calls, the price difference is minor.
Good tools cost more but last longer, is also good insurance.
I worked in a test lab, "shaking and baking" will wean out the pretenders.



Lemmee chalk up another vote for separate meters (and Fluke brand). Like others mentioned, I like to do a few things at the same time to speed up the call. My 52-2 and 80pk-8's can hang out with the gauge manifold while I'm doing other things. For a multi/checking windings and wiring, I use the Fluke 1587 and for quickie stuff, back pocket use, I have the Fluke T-600 (my wiggy) for quick voltage checks (like live cabinets:eek:) and quick current and continuity/R checks. In the veto bag, I keep the 52-2 and clamps, the t-600, and a fluke 87-ii multi with a 400a AC clamp.

As far as having a bar graph goes, once you get used to it, you'll like having it there. The bar graph reacts to spikes and dips in the measurement your making that would otherwise be missed alltogether with a digital only display.

[gasoilair]

It's not actually that much. Add in a half dozen sets of gauges, testo combustion annie, little ridgid POS camera, both gas and refer sniffers, and a damn mountain of other tools/equipment, from threading pipe (We can run from 3/8" to 6 inch.:eek:) to burying tanks, and a hand full of meters is nothin'...:rolleyes: You'll find out eventually. In about 10 years, you'll have so much junk, you won't remember where any of it is.

Here's what generally comes in on every call.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6421/vetobag003bq3.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2861/vetobag005zv8.jpg

[dandyme]

GOA

what's the paintbrush for?????

[gasoilair]

GOA

what's the paintbrush for?????

Generalized dusting in and around equip in tight areas. Like the air shutters on oil burners, around controls and circuit boards, cleaning the soot off gas FP logs when I have to take them out for a service (My little 18v vac with a brush nozzle works good for this task also), etc.. That cheap paint brush is probably the most used tool I have in the bag, not to mention the oldest.

[kbm]

My shoulder hurts just from looking at your tool bag.
You need a strong bag no doubt.

Whats the trigger "tool" next to the Fluke?
Love those ancient benchtops, you fix vacuum tubes?
:)

[gasoilair]

My shoulder hurts just from looking at your tool bag.
You need a strong bag no doubt.
It's not that bad, right around 30lb's

Whats the trigger "tool" next to the Fluke?
That's my HK USP45, aka, the customer service and billing dept.

Love those ancient benchtops, you fix vacuum tubes?
Lol, been fooling around with amateur radio for the better side of 20 years now. My particular interest has always been the old tube gear from the 50's and 60's era. Old military and commercial AM transmitters from 5 watts to 5000watts, and a few homebrew transmitters and amplifiers I've slung together over the years.

I've also been known to take home the occasional fried control board, repair it, and put it back into stock.
:).

[Texas-Tech]

Very Impressive tool bag

I also agree with separate meters for just about everything. Have no problem with Field Piece meters, own the sc76 and the hp74, and older non auto ranger. Fluke 52 tells the truth every time.

[gasoilair]

Thanks. That's what it looks like after a wipe down/clean up. Usually by the end of the week, it'll get trashed and there will be all kinds of extra stuff jammed in with the usual passengers. I try like hell to keep it around the 25lb mark and the fact that the bag itself empty is like 7lbs doesn't make that easy:D.

One of the things I found handy with the 52-2 is the offset function for each of the two channels. Most of my probes have a number marked on them, like "-0.3 or +0.2" it the offset I can dial in to the meter if a temp I'm looking at has to be critical. For clamps, I'll use a short stub of copper pipe put into a can of crushed ice and water. Clip the clamp on right above the waterline and use the reading to determine the offset I need to dial in the meter. The 80pk-8s' were right on the money out of the packaging, but as the batteries wear down, the readings will change a bit. (Not more than a couple tenths)