Doctorbass said:I would go with a FLUKE !!
Solid reputation
Accurate
Well built
That's a one-time buy!
Doc
Kiriakos GR said:BCTECH said:what do you guys use ?
Just say how far your are willing to go regarding cash.
wb9k said:Well my problem with you is that you do not make the right questions.
Volt meter is a single meter usually for panel mounting in analog or digital (format).
Therefore you are seeking for a multimeter, which is an multi-talented instrument.
Nowadays modern even for DC volts is considered the one which is fast at making five measurements in a single second and by display them identically fast on the LCD screen.
Slower meters than three times per second measurements, are considered as 20 years old technology, and is not appropriate for ebike measurements because the voltage changes fast and the meter is unable to measure something that moves faster that the meter it self.
Volts - Ampere - resistance are the set of primary electrical parameters, there is additional parameters as for example measuring capacitance - temperature - frequency - and even digital pulses.
You mentioned ... one-time buy voltmeter = advanced enough and even more than needed so you to advance with it.
The ones with highest performance = value for money are just two in the beginning of 2015.
BRYMEN BM257 & HIOKI DT4252 ( all of them at the price range of 120 - 140$ or close enough ).
When you shopping for such tools at the specific price range, you are buying medium range robustness , performance, reliability, and modern technology in a single package.
At 350$ price range you are finding the true high performing meters, that every professional will love to have.
And at 450 to 600$ you are buying special features as for example 100% waterproof meter, or super large LCD screen for displaying five or more measurements useful for data logging.
BCTECH said:... as I mentioned this is my first time , so I don't know what I will be needing more down the road.Kiriakos GR said:...Any meter at lower price range is going to come crippled in some of the criteria which mentioned above, and therefore will be imperfect and it would belong in the category of cheap toys.
when I looking at some of the specs, what kind of range I should be looking at for ebike use?
+1Ykick said:I say get a cheap DVM to start.
...
In other words, why go "Pro" if you're not even sure what you want from your test tool?
Kiriakos GR said:BCTECH said:when I looking at some of the specs, what kind of range I should be looking at for ebike use?
DC
Volts 0V - 120V
Ampere 0 - 500A
resistance ?
AC
Volts 0V - 300V
temperature up to - 300degree
I did pass to you all ready two recommendations, both have everything needed and it would even please a professional when seeking a small in dimensions true tool.
I admire your interest so to gain knowledge so to form your very own buying decision, a real thinker and a trained consumer is expected to act that way.
But the test and measurement sector is a science which you can not touch with out school training and years of experience.
If you have a difficulty to trust an opinion of one 45 years old active industrial electrician, then start reading the users manuals of several multimeter so to form your very own opinion.
I don't like that style because it has attached/non-upgradable probes and you are paying a premium for the small size. I like big controls, a case heavy enough to stay where I put it, standard probes, optional backlight, big digits, loud continuity signal, auto-off.tomjasz said:If you had a limited budget and only use the device on your ebike,
what would you purchase. $120 is to much for me.
Why not something this simple. Hioki 3244-60 Digital MultiMeter
http://www.amazon.com/Hioki-3244-60-HiTester-Multimeter-Resistance/dp/B008S0CFDE
An honest question.
Exactly the discourse I was looking for. Thanks!teklektik said:So - just some thoughts...
Well, gee - let's look at those "words":Kiriakos GR said:.... your are just not tall enough to understand my words, the few which are special and talented they do.
Kiriakos GR said:Slower meters than three times per second measurements, are considered as 20 years old technology, and is not appropriate for ebike measurements because the voltage changes fast and the meter is unable to measure something that moves faster that the meter it self.
Kiriakos GR said:I did understand that this hub-wheel based ebike application, is so complex which if you really wish to seriously get in the bottom of the problems, you can not do that with out a modern oscilloscope of 1000 EUR at hand,...
+1 Ykick!Ykick said:You don't need to spend the cost of an eBike kit or battery pack to get a DVM that's "good enough".
Ignore anybody who attempts to convince otherwise. Utter bullshit attempting to "justify" a ridiculous expenditure for an end user.
Kiriakos GR said:If you have a difficulty to trust an opinion of one 45 years old active industrial electrician,...
:lol:Kiriakos GR said:My complain is that as electrician & Blogger working at evaluating professional test and measurement equipments, is that fellow bloggers self called electronics gurus...
If the unit is garbage, why did you praise it?Kiriakos GR said:And Yes, I am also banned from this paradise forum in which your UNIT garbage shines as God just in there and nowhere else.
Are you still laughing ?
Ya - spot on.spinningmagnets said:the apropriateness of a given tool is often indicated by the job that it is given.