I need some advice on a new True RMS digital multimeter that is frequency capable and won't bust my wallet. I sure like the Fluke but 300 clams is pretty steep. Any suggestions or experiences would be helpful. Like I said, has to be frequency capable. Don't have to be auto ranging either, I'm quite capable of twisting a knob.
I wouldn't buy anything but a Fluke. They are spendy, but the reliability and precision make it worth it. Do you want a clamp meter, or just a standard DMM?
I’ve got a Milwaukee and a Klein at work and like both. Bought both on special deal bundles with volt pins, and wire strippers for my shop and other maint guy. Both seem great to me.
Already own a Fluke clamp meter and that was expensive. I'll check all of them out. Thanks. I mainly need the frequency aspect for the standby genny. It's running a bit above 60 CPS according to the clocks in the house which are running fast. It's 15 years old and I've never fiddled with it other than maintaining it.
Some generators need to have frequency tested and adjusted any time you change the air filter. Especially if there was a frequency adjust between changes. I always preferred Fluke at work, but the last ten years before I retired they became targets of thieves.
Well that's easy ...plug in a clock with a second hand, adjust governor to match 60 seconds on a stop watch...then if you need to tweak it just a bit then just make small adjustments until you sneak up on it...or, if you want an excuse to buy a new meter, go for it
Didn't know they made these (or put their brand on em anyways). I'd bet that repairs and calibration costs are very reasonable through Milwaukee. HD is making at least $70 on that unit. Allegedly I have access to Distributor pricing.
Did some research yesterday and it appears they are all made across the pond (no surprise there I guess) so I think I'll get the Ames (Harbor Freight) meter. It does everything I require plus it auto ranges. 100 bucks and I get my HF bonus points (I have an HF credit card). Real surprised about the Milwaukee being off shore. I cannot find anything about where it's made on the Fluke however. If the Ames is as good as the Chief air tools, I'll be happy. Interestingly, I was looking at buying a 4.5" air angle grinder for the shop and the only one I found was the IR at 260 bucks at MSC until I discovered HF had the exact copy for under 100 bucks so I bought it and when I brought it home, took it apart and the interior components were top shelf, right down to the grease in the gearcase. Like the IR, it even has an external grease fitting to lube the gearset and just like the IR, the gearset end is polished aluminum. If you put them next to each other, there is no difference except price of course. Probably made in the same place.
Wasn't aware of that, never touched it in 15 years now but it is running over 60CPS. A few air filters and oil filters as well as oil changes and coolant flushes.
I ran into wonky problems with some generators trying to run computers with a UPS as a line conditioner. A UPS that couldn't handle much of a deviation from the expected normal 60hz frequency would freeze. -0 to +3hz wasn't good enough in many instances. A UPS that would function -5/+10 from 60 hz would be pricy, and even then ..... A couple batteries, a charger, an inverter was often a solution if ya could get the customer to spend the money and then also monitor the system. Dunno how laptops with USB3 charging are working out. I retired.
We experienced no issues with the computers or the cell phones, only the analog clocks gave it away. Not that we had Internet because it went south with the power...lol I run Tripp Lite conditioners on all the electronic stuff, always have but no battery backup (UPS). Nothing that important on the net that it cannot wait. The biomass stove wasn't impacted (it ran the entire time) and I have it on a Tripp Lite as well I'm retired as well, just not in your field but I still farm though all the new stuff is computer controlled (ugh). Guess we are in the 'computer age' now. I don't like it personally. Heck, I cannot fix any of my new equipment, cannot even access it, gotta have the dealer come out with his whizz bang interface when I have an issue. All I can do is change the fluids and grease them now.
I bought an old fluke 27/fm and would look for an older used fluke if stuck on fluke. The kaiweets ht208d does frequency but I've never tried using that function yet.
