Which meter

[knave]

I'm looking for a good quality HVAC clamp meter that will last. Is there one meter that does it all well? Right now I'm looking at the Fieldpiece SC56.
Evan

[hvac wiz 79]

can't speak for all the meters out there but I use sc77 & find it perfect for my needs ... wouldn't mind an extra 12" on the leads tho lol

[knave]

can't speak for all the meters out there but I use sc77 & find it perfect for my needs ... wouldn't mind an extra 12" on the leads tho lol

Does it have a magnet on the back?

[hvac wiz 79]

nope .. has a reliable back light tho

[dandyme]

Does it have a magnet on the back?

it's a clamp, yet to not be able to find something to clamp it to


go w/ SC77


fluke crowd will be awake soon

[Vettgetsmwet04]

cant go wrong with either the sc77 or sc56. both are everything u need for hvac. no need for a magnet, u clamp it to whatever your measuring.

[knave]

go w/ SC77



Thanks for the input. Its better than the 56 why?


I like the idea of swiveling the clamp to the correct viewing angle....
Would the swivel be a weak point?

[Vettgetsmwet04]

Sc56 is better, I own the sc77, they both have all the fuctionsu would ever need, if I didnt have the 77 already,iwould buy the 56, it has a few better options

[knave]

Sc56 is better, I own the sc77, they both have all the fuctionsu would ever need, if I didnt have the 77 already,iwould buy the 56, it has a few better options

Thanks. It's a heat/humidity wave here in WI...

[Vettgetsmwet04]

http://fieldpiece.com/clamp-meters/sc56

heres a video on the sc56, its on my list to get with some of this summer overtime.

[Pascone10]

it's a clamp, yet to not be able to find something to clamp it to


go w/ SC77


fluke crowd will be awake soon

LOL.. I kept quiet this time.. But I do Fluke.:angel:

[dandyme]

Thanks for the input. Its better than the 56 why?


I like the idea of swiveling the clamp to the correct viewing angle....
Would the swivel be a weak point?

i worry about the swivel


LOL.. I kept quiet this time.. But I do Fluke.:angel:

Bless your heart:eek2::ghug:

[Dallen45]

I've been reading posts on topics about Fluke vs Fieldpiece and hearing the pros and cons about both and though they are both good meters, which would be the better of the two to purchase for a newbie who is just getting into the trenches as a first and long lasting meter or is it just a matter of preference?

[eddiegoodfellar]

Most newbies go with the 902 meter from Fluke. The Fieldpiece sc56 is priced around the same and has many more features (which you may never use). My main meter is a Fluke 87V and my clamp is a 902 that I am going to replace with a sc56.

[Retread]

I am thinking about going with the SC 46 for the size. It seems to have everything I would need.

[hvacjamie]

fluke 902.

I had the fieldpiece, but the thing was beeping the entire time it is put to power. it was annoying as heck. it also broke on the clamp part after a couple of months. the temp input wire frays out super easy as well.

I have had one of my fluke meters now for about 6 years. I have only had to change the batteries. once.

[Dr.phil]

Amprobe ACD 14 TRMS Plus.

[Ingersoll AC]

fluke 902.

I had the fieldpiece, but the thing was beeping the entire time it is put to power. it was annoying as heck. it also broke on the clamp part after a couple of months. the temp input wire frays out super easy as well.

I have had one of my fluke meters now for about 6 years. I have only had to change the batteries. once.

Not as annoying as checking resistance below 30Ohms and have a constant tone. LOL

I put a 902, SC77 and HS36 head to head and the Fieldpeice always came out on top in terms or accuracy and features. 902 is missing features that would be very important as an HVAC tech such as mV for thermocouple checks ect.

[chuckcrj]

fluke 902.

I had the fieldpiece, but the thing was beeping the entire time it is put to power. it was annoying as heck. it also broke on the clamp part after a couple of months. the temp input wire frays out super easy as well.

I have had one of my fluke meters now for about 6 years. I have only had to change the batteries. once.

I had the Fluke 902 and it was annoying that the ohm range wouldn't go above 1k and it wouldn't do DC milivolts.:gah: So I had to carry 2 meters everywhere.

You must not use your fluke very often, the batteries on my 902 would go every 1-2 months.

[hvacjamie]

You must not use your fluke very often, the batteries on my 902 would go every 1-2 months.


really? I haven't had any problem with that. I have a few meters, but this is my main go-to all day.

[Dallen45]

Thanks for all the great info on which meter to get ,and if I am understanding correctly (and please correct me if I'm wrong) the 902 will do everything I need to be able to do starting out in the field, but not be able to use it for checking DC milivolts? or check above 1k ohm and if so, how often would I run into situations that requires my meter to those tasks,but more then likely not run into those situations that require those functions for some time then I will just go with the 902. Again thanks for all the great info on which meter to get

[Dr.phil]

If you can't check flame rectification, it's just a backup.

[red70cat]

If you can't check flame rectification, it's just a backup.

So the sc77 is your choice then? I believe the sc56 lacks this but I have been wrong once I think...:grin2::angel::grin2:

[Dr.phil]

So the sc77 is your choice then? I believe the sc56 lacks this but I have been wrong once I think...:grin2::angel::grin2:

No, the sc56 does everything. It's in my bag, but my favorite is my Amprobe, ACD14 TRMS Plus. If you ever get a chance to hold one in your hand. it'll be your fav to.

[chuckcrj]

Thanks for all the great info on which meter to get ,and if I am understanding correctly (and please correct me if I'm wrong) the 902 will do everything I need to be able to do starting out in the field, but not be able to use it for checking DC milivolts? or check above 1k ohm and if so, how often would I run into situations that requires my meter to those tasks,but more then likely not run into those situations that require those functions for some time then I will just go with the 902. Again thanks for all the great info on which meter to get

Anytime you have a thermistor to test you won't be able to. Thermopile and thermocouples are also out. I have the SC56 now, used to carry the 902 and a cheap UEI for the stuff the Fluke couldn't do.

[knave]

How often do you use it? the sc56 display looks like it has smaller numbers than a single display meter would.

Smaller All the time, and I can't imagine needing dual display very often?

Does anyone use the fieldpiece sc46?

[mountainman88]

I use the fieldpiece HS36. I've had a bunch of their meters over the years, they make them to cover HVAC tech needs. I like some better than others, mostly just personal preferance. I can check capacitance, DCmicroamps for flame sensors, amps, volts,ac and dc, temps, and most of what I need with the basic meter. Plug on accessories are available for lots of other stuff, like CO, dual TD's, a dual manometer, humidity, and lots of other things. It takes a beating. and nothing lasts forever, but I feel like I've had pretty good results.

A tech is only as good as his tools

[dull]

I am thinking about going with the SC 46 for the size. It seems to have everything I would need.

me too. anyone know if the backlight is green or blue? my old eyes sees blue better.

[Ingersoll AC]

how often would I run into situations that requires my meter to those tasks,but more then likely not run into those situations that require those functions for some time then I will just go with the 902. Again thanks for all the great info on which meter to get

Well you walk into a call on a fireplace then most likely straight away. Some fireplaces use a thermocouple and thermopile.

[nyc_badboy]

bought the sc 56 little time back never looked back ....everything an hvac tech would need is in that meter incuding hz for those variably frequency drives.... love it highly recomend it and the swivel clamp is finally the evolution. thats why fieldpiece is an hvac oriented company...keep up the good work

[Pascone10]

bought the sc 56 little time back never looked back ....everything an hvac tech would need is in that meter incuding hz for those variably frequency drives.... love it highly recomend it and the swivel clamp is finally the evolution. thats why fieldpiece is an hvac oriented company...keep up the good work

Have you actually used that meter on a drive to check frequency?

[nyc_badboy]

its funny you ask that i didnt till last friday where we finished installing a city multi and i just turned it on full load on it it started at 20 hz and went all the way up to 90 hz then while it was working keep steadily going down as indoor temp was dropping pretty awesome ....

[chuckcrj]

Here is what can happen if you use Fluke. http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=897162

[knave]

Here is what can happen if you use Fluke. http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=897162

thread killer. :bump:

[knave]

Got my meter ordered! Fieldpiece Sc56 can't wait now.... :whistle: :toetap:

[chuckcrj]

Got my meter ordered! Fieldpiece Sc56 can't wait now.... :whistle: :toetap:

Should've bought a Fluke, you know :whistle:

[eddiegoodfellar]

Should've bought a Fluke, you know :whistle:

I have a 87-5 and a 902 and i still want the sc56. That amprobe lookd pretty nice as well. So many toys so little money.

[MechAcc]

i worry about the swivel



Bless your heart:eek2::ghug:


Hey Hey Hey Watching the History Channel we now know what that phrase truly means.:grin2:

[jnsrose]

Have many Fluke products that worked very well for me over the years. That being said I will not buy another one. Try calling China for customer service. I do like the look of the sc56. I am waiting for Field Piece to add all the features of the sc56 to the smans. Now that would be a big meter.

[Retread]

Had my UEI (yeah I know I am looking at replacing it) on a roof checking the amp draw on a blower motor. 13.8 amps Then I though wonder if this is correct. Asked the boss for his fluke 12.8. Hmm now I don't know what is right. Asked a co-worker to pull out his Fieldpiece 13.6 looks like the fluke is low but then again how do I know lol.

Think I will go with the SC46

[knave]

Had my UEI (yeah I know I am looking at replacing it) on a roof checking the amp draw on a blower motor. 13.8 amps
Think I will go with the SC46

Do you have a meter for DC micro-amps?

[knave]

It's perfect. Seems very sturdy...

It claims the display is unaffected down to -4F.

[mgenius33]

Hmm now I don't know what is right. Asked a co-worker to pull out his Fieldpiece 13.6 looks like the fluke is low but then again how do I know lol.


E/IR

Test a resistive circuit.

[david1973]

No, the sc56 does everything. It's in my bag, but my favorite is my Amprobe, ACD14 TRMS Plus. If you ever get a chance to hold one in your hand. it'll be your fav to.

I second this I bought one of these in a pinch one day after misplacing my Fluke and ended up really liking it...a WHOLE lot of features and function for the price

[david1973]

Dual display comes in handy for measuring amps and running voltage or frequency

[tuba]

I used to like the Amprobe ACD-14, but trying to find those special batteries was a pain if you were out in the sticks. My eyes were getting worse too, so I went with the ACD-10 that took regular batteries, bigger display, and data logging. I really liked that one till I left it in a unit somewhere....dangit. And then I came across the Klein CL2000. I really like this one, especially the lead holders on the clamp, and back of the unit. And the fact that it does DC amps and has a work light and magnet. It's my new favorite. I think UEI makes it, but I am sold on the features it has - almost like it was made for us HVAC/R people. WHen I was running lots of PM's and having to write down amps, the Klien CL3100 hook meter is great - no more digging for wires for an amp reading. Sometimes I need to read amps with the door closed, so I do have some of those Fieldpiece stand alone head readers, and I have been meaning to get their datalogger.

[david1973]

Yeah the one drawback of the ACD 14 is the batteries (need to keep spares) but I bought this meter in a pinch and was very surprised with its capabilities. I like it better than my Fluke 116/322 combo

[ORV]

The swivel on the sc56 is worth a lot

[cbowling79]

Got a fluke 376 it does everything but temps it's been a great meter so far

[rdholder]

Have used a Fieldpiece HS36 for years and love it. Take a look at all the Specifications and see what you need in the meater.