All good answers on the multimeter. Big thing is get one.
The digital hunting around is an annoyance. It can also be hard to
read the LCD numbers in certain lite conditions. But a digital
with its one decimal volt scale is indispensable in monitoring
your battery condition. You can't see a .2 (that's point two) volt
drop on a analogue.
Small thing, but the audible continuity alarm on a digital is
sometimes handy when u got your head stuck under the hood or
instrument panel and can't see the multimeter.
Mike L.
60A,67E,59Bug
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Hunt <paul.hunt1@virgin.net>
To: Phillips, Frank <fwp@ufl.edu>; <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: June 9, 2000 5:29 AM
Subject: Re: Multimeter
> You need dwell, tach and a low ohms range of about 10 ohms as
well as the
> usual voltage ranges. Personally I don't have much use for
current ranges,
> it is all to easy to damage the instrument. Digital meters give
absolute
> readings without having to interpret the position of a needle on
a scale,
> but with varying voltages e.g. ignition it may continually hunt
between
> several readings none of which make much sense. On an analogue
meter
> varying voltages are displayed as a more or less steady average
which is
> more useful. If you cannot get an analogue with a 10 ohm scale
get a
> digital with one and get a test lamp as well. In fact get a
test lamp
> anyway.
>
> When looking for bad connections measuring voltage on a wire or
component
> that isn't under load is no good, the meter will always show 12v
unless it
> has pretty-well a full disconnection. Either the circuit must
be under load
> when you measure the voltage or use a test lamp in place of the
meter - the
> test lamp will indicate a bad connection by glowing dimmer than
it should.
> However even a test lamp is no good on the heavy current
(starter) circuit
> because resistances too small to affect the test lamp will cause
slow or
> non-cranking, you have to use a voltmeter and measure the
volt-drops *along*
> the circuit.
>
> *Never* look for a drain by connecting a meter on a amps scale
in place of
> the battery ground cable, if the drain is bigger than you expect
you can
> damage the meter. Use a test lamp to indicate a significant
drain (if it
> glows at all it is significant) or a meter on a *12v* scale to
show very
> small drains. If the meter shows less than 12v it is very
small, it it
> shows 12v it could be a significant drain.
>
> When you get round to sorting your car you might like to have a
look at the
> web site below - select 'Spanners' and 'Electrics' where you
will see a
> number of options including 'Bad Connections'.
>
> PaulH.
> http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Phillips, Frank <fwp@ufl.edu>
> To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Friday, June 09, 2000 3:48 AM
> Subject: Multimeter
>
>
> > My new 68B has several electrical problems that I need to
correct. I plan
> to
> > buy a multimeter ASAP! What features are a "must have" for MG
electrical
> > work? Anyone have a Sears Craftsman they like? I would like to
keep the
> cost
> > under $60. Thanks...
> >
> > Frank Phillips
> > 68B
> >
>
>
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