Posted: 11/5/2004 3:40:25 PM EDT
| I need one for HVAC school, it needs to handle Temp with probe, Microfarads, Ohms, volt, Amps and AC/DC. Any suggestions? |
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Call them. They're a great company to deal with. Tell them exactly what you're looking for. Don't forget about Keithley Instruments |
I gave my brother in law a Spare 87 Series III when he started HVAC school, he is still using it on teh job, and still thanks me for it every time he see's me. I imagine a 77 would have been fine, but I had three 87's and figured he needed one good meter more than I needed two extras. ETA: In the telecommunications industry, Fluke is the only brand you will see as far as digital meters go. If you are taking measurements frequentlly I would also look into getting a Simpson analog meter eventually as well, there are some jobs where an analog meter is the only way to go. |
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Fluke is EXCELLENT stuff but on the pricey side. I bought a Fieldpiece Meter and I have NO complaints at all. It reads resistance, diode, capacitor, amps, volts, temp all in one handy unit. Not to mention a cool looking cannon on the case.  It also has a clip that holds one of the probes so you can use both hands and have the meter right in front of you. The other thing I like is the "NCV" feature. No Contact Voltage. You press the button and the tip of the clamp meter can detect voltage in the wire without touching the wire. Trust me, 18 years in the business and I have gone through Simpsons, Amprobe, UEI... This is the BEST by far. Fieldpiece Meters BTW... I have the model SC66 Im trying to find the receipt, I paid somewhere about 130.00 for it |
I am an HVAC tech and I use the Model 16. Get the molded rubber probes not the adapter module ones. Then when you have them, get some ice water and then test the ice water for calibration, mark any temp difference right on the probe. You will fiind nearly a two degree difference from probe to probe. The 16 will also allow you to take Millivolt/microvolt readings of thermopile/powerpile and thermocouples. You will also need a meter to clamp on for ammeter readings og fans and compressors as well as electric element heating. us.fluke.com/usen/products/16+322+KIT.htm?catalog_name=FlukeUnitedStates This is the set I work with, dependable and worth the money. Railgun....  |
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The 16 will do the capacitor reading: Microfarrad or uF readings. Millivolt ar DC readings: mV Any questions you can ask here: hvac-talk.com/ Look at the wall of shame! lotza fun! Railgun....
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| In the military communications electronics field, Fluke all the way. The actual model we use, slips my mind currently but I haven't used a multimeter that has come close to the versitility of a fluke. I also have to agree on the Simpson 260 analog. It is the classic analog multimeter, the only problem I am having with mine is distinct problem finding the leads commercially as they are female instead of the normal male. Actually, I will check next weekend to see if any are left as my squadron is shitcanning some perfectly good Simpson 260's. |
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Wingnut116ACW and anyone needing replacement leads, check this outfit. I like their stuff. www.probemaster.com/meter.html#SIMPSON |
| I've been on the Wholesale side of the HVAC/Refr. business for over 25 years now and have seen the whole transformation of the meter business. I still have the very first commercially availble Fluke imported in the US and it still works as good as the day I bought it, well over 20 years ago. I've sold every brand available, and Fluke is still the most dependable. I still prefer to work with a Simpson 260 in some applications since that's what I learned on, but todays electronics are much more durable than some of the older and fragile analog meters. UEI, makes a good product and so does Fieldpiece with the interchangeable heads. If you find a Fluke model you like, and have trouble finding one lcoally, send me an e-mail and I'll see if I can get you a deal on one. (no I'm not on commission) |
Kewl.... Can ya get a set of R410 gauges that are Glycerine filled and have shut off valves on hose ends and low loss fittings. Can this setup be a 4 hose setup with four valves on the manifold? Railgun....
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