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Multimeter for boiler testing

  • 27-11-2016 03:42PM
    #1
    beantins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 87 ✭✭


    Just wondering what multimeters use boys are using for burner testing? Was pricing a new fluke bt they seem crazy money!! Any good alternatives or suggestions? Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    K.Flyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,560 ✭✭✭K.Flyer


    beantins wrote: »
    Just wondering what multimeters use boys are using for burner testing? Was pricing a new fluke bt they seem crazy money!! Any good alternatives or suggestions? Thanks

    What tests are you looking to carry out with a multimeter on a burner?


  • #3
    beantins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 87 ✭✭beantins


    Solenoid, capacitor. Motor etc, incoming power


  • #4
    OldMrBrennan83
    Closed Accounts Posts: 26,611 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    This post has been deleted.


  • #5
    beantins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 87 ✭✭beantins


    Patww79 wrote: »
    I bought an Amprobe AM-530 the other day, has pretty good reviews but only a fraction of Fluke price.

    Cheers pat mst check it out


  • #6
    agusta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,590 ✭✭✭agusta


    Extech 430, also comes with a probe for checking temperature.


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  • #7
    Wearb
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,678 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    My weapon of choice is Voltcraft VC521. About €100 the time I bought it a few years back.
    I had a cheap one, but felt I needed capacitance measurement which that voltcraft has. Rarely use the capacitance function. I have found capacitors still working away well outside their rated value.
    If you are just starting, and already have one, make do with it for a while.


  • #8
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 12,944 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    I have an expensive fluke that's cool as fcuk and has all the bells and whistles. I also have one I bought in Argos ten years ago for about 20 euro. I can honestly say I have no preference and probably use the cheaper one more often. End of the day what we use them for is basic electronic testing. There's no need for anything fancy.


  • #9
    beantins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 87 ✭✭beantins


    Cheers folks


  • #10
    jimf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭jimf


    Wearb wrote: »
    My weapon of choice is Voltcraft VC521. About €100 the time I bought it a few years back.
    I had a cheap one, but felt I needed capacitance measurement which that voltcraft has. Rarely use the capacitance function. I have found capacitors still working away well outside their rated value.
    If you are just starting, and already have one, make do with it for a while.


    if I find a cap 10% down on its value during service out she comes and customer is advised why

    if you get a callback 2/3 weeks later its hard to charge a customer again

    just me wrong or right


  • #11
    Wearb
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,678 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    jimf wrote: »
    if I find a cap 10% down on its value during service out she comes and customer is advised why

    if you get a callback 2/3 weeks later its hard to charge a customer again

    just me wrong or right

    Your way is probably best, but I rarely get a callback due to a cap. I used to be more particular. But after regular testing and finding them running happily at up to 20% below rated, I don't even test anymore, unless there has been a starting problem.


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  • #12
    jimf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭jimf


    if your happy with your way why change

    I had 1 a few years back which meant a 30 mile round trip lesson learned for me


  • #13
    Wearb
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,678 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    jimf wrote: »
    if your happy with your way why change

    I had 1 a few years back which meant a 30 mile round trip lesson learned for me

    I suppose that I will do it the way I'm doing it until something similar happens to me.
    What is lowest that you come across still working ?


  • #14
    jimf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭jimf


    had a four reading 2.8 you could just hear a slight hum at the start but it did kick into life

    maybe bearing / pump/ motor condition has a lot to do with it as well


  • #15
    agusta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,590 ✭✭✭agusta


    jimf wrote: »
    had a four reading 2.8 you could just hear a slight hum at the start but it did kick into life

    maybe bearing / pump/ motor condition has a lot to do with it as well
    What multimeter do you check the capacitors with jimf ;)


  • #16
    jimf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭jimf


    a top of the range fluke which I didn't buy

    none at the moment as I stood on mine as well you know you **** stirrer


  • #17
    Wearb
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,678 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    jimf wrote: »
    none at the moment as I stood on mine as well you know you **** stirrer

    Tongue :eek:


  • #18
    agusta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,590 ✭✭✭agusta


    jimf wrote: »
    a top of the range fluke which I didn't buy

    none at the moment as I stood on mine as well you know you **** stirrer
    oh :eek:, I though you were over that,i guess it was an expensive service


  • #19
    jimf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭jimf


    just to update extech 430a


  • #20
    jimf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,049 ✭✭✭jimf


    agusta wrote: »
    oh :eek:, I though you were over that,i guess it was an expensive service

    it was for the customer


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