Problem with Draper 61023 auto ranging digital multimeter

Galman

Hi all and I hope all is well.
I have a problem with a Draper multimeter and I would really appreciate some help with this.
The problem is basically this. When the meter is not connected to any circuit it still displays readings. For example if the meter is set to read voltage and the leads are not connected to anything, i.e. just left hanging loose the meter still reads anywhere between 0.01v and 0.03v. The same goes for current readings. When the leads are not connected to any circuit it reads anywhere between 0.01A and 0.03A.

Should the readings not be zero? Is there a way to set the meter to zero before taking readings?

I was told that if the instruments test leads are shorted together (tips touching each other), the reading in the display should go to zero. This quick test confirms correct instrument zero on its voltage range. I tried this but this does not happen. So, I'm wondering is the meter defective?

Also, I just wondering what this particular symbol means on the display....it's a circle with a square in the middle of it. It is displayed on the top left hand corner.

Again, thanks for any help or suggestions. Really appreciate it.

anthony4335

Change the battery, Also check the leads by shorting them on ohm range, they should read zero.

pred racer

Galman wrote: »

Hi all and I hope all is well.
I have a problem with a Draper multimeter and I would really appreciate some help with this.
The problem is basically this. When the meter is not connected to any circuit it still displays readings. For example if the meter is set to read voltage and the leads are not connected to anything, i.e. just left hanging loose the meter still reads anywhere between 0.01v and 0.03v. The same goes for current readings. When the leads are not connected to any circuit it reads anywhere between 0.01A and 0.03A.

Should the readings not be zero? Is there a way to set the meter to zero before taking readings?

I was told that if the instruments test leads are shorted together (tips touching each other), the reading in the display should go to zero. This quick test confirms correct instrument zero on its voltage range. I tried this but this does not happen. So, I'm wondering is the meter defective?

Also, I just wondering what this particular symbol means on the display....it's a circle with a square in the middle of it. It is displayed on the top left hand corner.

Again, thanks for any help or suggestions. Really appreciate it.

Its normal! It would be very rare for a multi meter to read zero. .01 is not gonna throw off any normal voltage or current reading. You can get it calibrated, but I wouldnt bother.

Lucifer

If you manually set the range it shouldn't do it. Mine does the same thing when on auto. It's normal.

Galman

Thanks very much guys for the fast reply...much appreciated.

Why it sort of had me flustered was because I was trying to carry out a parasitic battery test on a friend’s car. I’m told that that the ECU and other electronic units will always be drawing a certain amount of current from the car battery. I then read that anywhere between 0.01A and 0.035A in the car is nothing to worry about but that if it passes 0.05A that there’s something else draining the battery in the car.

So when I connected up the multimeter to the car the ammeter kept flicking between 0.01A and 0.03A when it wasn’t connected to anything and when I connected it across the negative pole of the battery and the negative battery terminal it just kept flicking between the two same values…again like it was connected to nothing. So that’s why I thought there was something up with the meter.

I told him that probably everything was fine with it. But he told me that there was definitely a drain somewhere as it was a new battery and he even charged it up a bit after buying it.

Thanks again guys for the reply.It's much appreciated.

stimpson

Has he got an aftermarket alarm? I had one that would drain the battery when I was on holidays. Replaced the alarm, problem solved.

ARGINITE

Galman wrote: »

So when I connected up the multimeter to the car the ammeter kept flicking between 0.01A and 0.03A when it wasn’t connected to anything and when I connected it across the negative pole of the battery and the negative battery terminal it just kept flicking between the two same values…again like it was connected to nothing. So that’s why I thought there was something up with the meter.

The batter acts as an open circuit hence the same reading as when having the two leads connected to nothing.

Run the same test again and set the meter to Voltage and the meter should give you a reading for the voltage being drawn from the battery of the car.

To check for current disconnect one of the battery leads. I will use positive as an example, then connect the red lead of the meter to the positive of the battery and the black lead of the meter to the positive lead of the car, this should give you the amount of current (Amps) being drawn from the battery of the car.

Depending on the scales on the meter setting the scale to a finer value mA or mV will give you better accuracy just take into account the expected current or voltage that is lightly to be in the circuit as to high a current or voltage and having the meter set to to fine a value could damage the meter.

pred racer

Did you connect the meter in series??
Just connecting across the batt (paralell)will only read voltage.
Really sorry if thats a condecending question, but its a common mistake.

Edit: too late. As above.

Galman

No, It's a very basic 2000 Punto.

The problem seems to be with fuse F39 which according to the Haynes manual controls the audio system, boot light, interior light and the diagnostic socket. We think that the problem maybe with the radio . Just have to narrow it down a bit more today.

He said that he put recently put in two new speakers so I was thinking that that there might be a bit bare wire left exposed somewhere on one of the speakers and that this could be causing the battery to drain.

Thanks for replying.