Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-26-2015, 01:16 AM   #1
Always Learning
 
ependydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,890
Bad multimeter?

With fresh batteries, my multimeter doesn't seem to start up when it is cold (30-40 degrees). It shows a random number that then slowly fades away.

Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1427350600.698462.jpg
Views:	167
Size:	271.4 KB
ID:	72216

Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByTapatalk1427350611.150523.jpg
Views:	170
Size:	317.9 KB
ID:	72217
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
ependydad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 03:40 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 196
Does it do the same thing inside a warm house? If so, then the liquid crystal display is probably shot. Fortunately these things are relatively inexpensive now.

Good luck,
Don
__________________
Don and Michele
3 Adult Children - 5 Grandchildren
Present campsite - future homesitehttps://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg119/dmdrj5/lake/dividingcreekviewfromhouselocation.jpg?t=120311985  4
dmdrj5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 06:06 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
B and B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
Send a message via AIM to B and B
My money is either the display frozen or dead replacement battery. Look for a Fluke maybe even a clamp on then you can check current.
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
B and B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 07:11 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
rattleNsmoke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Western Connecticut
Posts: 1,587
Either let the meter warm a bit, or replace it. Not much else you can do.
__________________
2010 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel 34SATS "The Beast"
2006 Ford F350 Lariat 6.0L Diesel
2003 Harley Heritage Softail "Hogzilla"
1986 Marriage to "Wifey" (patience of a saint)
rattleNsmoke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 07:20 AM   #5
Campfire Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South East Michigan
Posts: 437
Oddly enough, I had the same meter and it did the same thing. I tossed it out and bought a Fluke. It does just fine, even in temps below zero.

John
AVid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 07:35 AM   #6
Always Learning
 
ependydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,890
I've gone through 5 or 6 batteries in the thing just trying to get it to work. "Funny" that AVid had the same issue.

It's still within its warranty period so I think I will just exchange it at Sears (their is one like 2 miles from my place).

Does anyone have a link to a Fluke one?
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
ependydad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 07:44 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
rattleNsmoke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Western Connecticut
Posts: 1,587
Try this Doug....

Fluke Digital Multimeters
__________________
2010 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel 34SATS "The Beast"
2006 Ford F350 Lariat 6.0L Diesel
2003 Harley Heritage Softail "Hogzilla"
1986 Marriage to "Wifey" (patience of a saint)
rattleNsmoke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 07:52 AM   #8
Always Learning
 
ependydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,890
Those prices made me pee a little...
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
ependydad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 08:04 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Jerry01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Valencia, Ca
Posts: 200
I bought this one off Amazon. Works great. Hard to beat the price.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000EV...=AC_SY200_QL40



Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD, Duramax CC/SB
2022 Rockwood 2613 BS
Jerry01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 08:14 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
offroad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SW Missouri
Posts: 357
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry01 View Post
I bought this one off Amazon. Works great. Hard to beat the price.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000EV...=AC_SY200_QL40
Just bought that one as well, the meter seems nice but the leads are a bit cheap.
I agree though, great for the price.
__________________
2017 Open Range - Light 297RLS, BX1 Gooseneck
2014 Ram 2500 4x4 CCSB 6.7L 68RFE
offroad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 08:40 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
mcnabbwr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lower Michigan
Posts: 1,471
Look at this meter, it's very good and reasonably priced. I also own a Fluke but prefer this one.

Klein Tools, Digital Multimeter, MM1000 at The Home Depot - Tablet
__________________
Bill & Pam
2014 Trilogy 3650RE
2015 F350 PSD
mcnabbwr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 09:11 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
fonzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 4,167
Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad View Post
With fresh batteries, my multimeter doesn't seem to start up when it is cold (30-40 degrees). It shows a random number that then slowly fades away.

Attachment 72216

Attachment 72217
Your black lead is not connected into proper socket, you have it in the "amps" and you have your dial on 20 volts DC, so you probably blew internal fuse of your meter........need to have black lead into "com" socket
__________________
Fonzie
2011 Rockwood 8319SS with ProPride 3P hitch/GoodYear Marathons/TST TPMS 507
2019 F350 Ruby Red 6.7l diesel 3.31 axle electronic locker
Yamaha 3000iseb generator:Progressive Ind. EMS-HW30C : Eastern Ontario
Nights Camped: 2014 (18) 2015 (18) 2016 (36) 2017 (32) 2018 (42) 2019 (28) 2020 (35)
fonzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 09:28 AM   #13
Always Learning
 
ependydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,890
Quote:
Originally Posted by fonzie View Post
Your black lead is not connected into proper socket, you have it in the "amps" and you have your dial on 20 volts DC, so you probably blew internal fuse of your meter........need to have black lead into "com" socket
Really? Hmm... I'm shocked this thing works at all with me at the helm!
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
ependydad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 09:46 AM   #14
Always Learning
 
ependydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,890
Quote:
Originally Posted by fonzie View Post
Your black lead is not connected into proper socket, you have it in the "amps" and you have your dial on 20 volts DC, so you probably blew internal fuse of your meter........need to have black lead into "com" socket
Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad View Post
Really? Hmm... I'm shocked this thing works at all with me at the helm!
Which is why I always chuckle when I read that a multimeter is a required tool for RVers. You all don't know how bad some of us really are...
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
ependydad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2015, 09:51 AM   #15
Dazed & Confused
 
M&K Hoffman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NW PA
Posts: 380
Working in the industrial electrician field for 41 years I blew the fuse in my Fluke 87V many times. It never affected the LCD display, only the ability to read current. And BTW anyone replacing a fuse in a meter, be sure to get the same type! The voltage rating is higher than average fuses.

That being said, I love the Fluke 87V for professional, full time work. (In the analog days it was the Simpson 260.) But, for the average Joe, the Klein Model:# MM1000is a good choice. I personally would avoid the real cheap units.
__________________
~Mike & Kim~
2014 Rockwood Windjammer 3008W Diamond Package
2020 Ram 2500 6.4L Crew cab 4WD, 4.10 Axel
M&K Hoffman is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:02 AM.