Guys ... Get yerself a Digital MultiMeter

[twigg]

For Father's Day, Christmas, Birthday ... or just because you are in Walmart and they have them on the shelves.

 

Without one you are like the blind man, in the dark room, looking for a black cat ..... that isn't there!!

 

This one is perfect, and it does "tach" too ... helps setting Idle Mixture:

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3340-Automotive-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B000KIMHRQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1336434517&sr=8-5]Amazon.com: Equus 3340 Automotive Digital Multimeter: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BBJ2IF%2BkL.@@AMEPARAM@@41BBJ2IF%2BkL[/ame]

 

This one is decent and cheaper:

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP7677-Automotive-TroubleShooter-Multimeter/dp/B0002LZU7K/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1336434517&sr=8-13]Amazon.com: Actron CP7677 Automotive TroubleShooter - Digital Multimeter and Engine Analyzer: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BSKJ7JKYL.@@AMEPARAM@@51BSKJ7JKYL[/ame]

 

Even this will get the job done:

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3300-Hands-free-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B001O1X65A/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1336434517&sr=8-6]Amazon.com: Equus 3300 Hands-free Digital Multimeter: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MXDQOCOHL.@@AMEPARAM@@41MXDQOCOHL[/ame]

 

If you are wealthy, or a pro ... then this would be nice to have:

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-77-4-Automotive-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B000U8WQ4U/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1336434983&sr=8-12]Amazon.com: Fluke 77-4 Automotive Digital Multimeter: Home Improvement@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31UUF4XwNDL.@@AMEPARAM@@31UUF4XwNDL[/ame]

 

It should be the first thing in everyone's toolkit. Don't leave home without one.

[etcswjoe]

I thought everyone owned a multimeter and an O'scope.

 

 

Thanks for the post good info, mine has saved me heartache numerous time.

[twigg]

I thought everyone owned a multimeter and an O'scope.

 

 

Thanks for the post good info.

 

I should make allowances for the varied level of expertise, and be happy that folk are prepared to get their hands dirty.

 

Digital meters can be daunting at first ... then you wonder how you ever managed without one.

[Carbon_One]

I have one of the more expensive ones from Sears but also have a couple of the cheap Harbor Freight meters like these - http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-69096.html

One I keep in the tool kit on the bike and the other in the garage tool box. Most times it seems I grab the HF one as often as not to check stuff. Another one I'll check out soon is the 2nd one. http://www.harborfreight.com/lcd-automotive-multimeter-with-tachometer-kit-95670.html

Larry

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_20360.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_13487.jpg

Edited May 8, 2012 by Carbon_One

[etcswjoe]

I should make allowances for the varied level of expertise, and be happy that folk are prepared to get their hands dirty.

 

Digital meters can be daunting at first ... then you wonder how you ever managed without one.

 

Having used them for what seems like forever I agree, I tried to be funny and I think I came off as an a$$ sorry. Lots of good info I think all can benefit from your post.

[flb_78]

I have a Fluke at work.

 

I also had a couple of the cheapy Harbor Freight ones to do amperage draw tests. The $3 Harbor Freight meter is cheaper than replacing the $10 fuse inside the Fluke.

[dingy]

Digitals are great considering the cost, but for most stuff I prefer my Simson 260 analog (needle) meter. As long as it doesn't involve a circuit board directly. Not really sure why I prefer this antique over the 2 digitals I have, but I like it.

 

The one with tach functions would be a great choice for a digital. Not real cheap at $70, but nice.

 

Gary

[bkuhr]

I have a Fluke at work.

 

I also had a couple of the cheapy Harbor Freight ones to do amperage draw tests. The $3 Harbor Freight meter is cheaper than replacing the $10 fuse inside the Fluke.

 

Not supposed to be blindly probing AMPS and blowing fuses!

[twigg]

Digitals are great considering the cost, but for most stuff I prefer my Simson 260 analog (needle) meter. As long as it doesn't involve a circuit board directly. Not really sure why I prefer this antique over the 2 digitals I have, but I like it.

 

The one with tach functions would be a great choice for a digital. Not real cheap at $70, but nice.

 

Gary

 

The second one on my list does tach too.

 

Personally, I like the look of the one Carbon One pictured, with the inductive pick-up.

 

I had a PM about setting the Idle Mixture, so for those who don't know ..

 

If you use the Idle Drop Method you need a tach that can register rpm changes of about 50rpm. The bike Tach is not good enough for this, but most meters are.

[djh3]

I have to agree. Even if you buy the inexpensive one they are a must have at times. You can only do so much with a test light. I also have one of the what I would call "nice" sears jobs.

[reddevilmedic]

hey...guess what? i just recently picked one up...i wonder what i should check...

[twigg]

hey...guess what? i just recently picked one up...i wonder what i should check...

 

:rotf:

[pmelah]

ok which one does tach? thats what i want considering my rstd does not have a tach i may not be experienced with the rstd or any other bike for that mater but i can do basice stuff and can chase down problems and do quick fixes in a pinch. the top or bottom one or can both do it or just the one with the pick up

Edited May 8, 2012 by pmelah
add

[twigg]

ok which one does tach? thats what i want considering my rstd does not have a tach i may not be experienced with the rstd or any other bike for that mater but i can do basice stuff and can chase down problems and do quick fixes in a pinch. the top or bottom one or can both do it or just the one with the pick up

 

On the original list, the first two.

[twigg]

Fluke Scope Meter only way to go.

 

:rotf:

 

Why mess around with the cheap stuff, when you could buy this:

 

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-190-102-Channel-ScopeMeter-SCC-290/dp/B007V55H5A/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1336440178&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: Fluke 190-102/S 100 MHz, 1.25 MS/s, 2 Channel Color ScopeMeter built-in DMM & SCC-290 Kit: Home Improvement@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-sQBOVoZL.@@AMEPARAM@@51-sQBOVoZL[/ame]

[reddevilmedic]

dont forget batteries.....

[bongobobny]

Digitals are great considering the cost, but for most stuff I prefer my Simson 260 analog (needle) meter. As long as it doesn't involve a circuit board directly. Not really sure why I prefer this antique over the 2 digitals I have, but I like it.

 

The one with tach functions would be a great choice for a digital. Not real cheap at $70, but nice.

 

Gary

Yah Gary!! Bekieve it or not I still have my old Heathkit VTVM from the '60s...

[BuddyRich]

:rotf:

 

Why mess around with the cheap stuff, when you could buy this:

 

 

Amazon.com: Fluke 190-102/S 100 MHz, 1.25 MS/s, 2 Channel Color ScopeMeter built-in DMM & SCC-290 Kit: Home Improvement

 

You could just about get a dual channel o-scope for that. Then you just need a good HP spectrum analyzer and you could work on these bikes........

 

Now where did I put that old Simpson ?

[Midrsv]

The second one pictured from Harbor Frieght that has a tach got very poor reviews for that function on the HF site.

 

I have a couple of digital meters but most of the time I still pick up my cheap $10 analog meter to check for voltage and continuity when I am not real concerned about actual reading and only need to see the needle deflect.

 

Dennis