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Date:         Thu, 19 Aug 1999 14:30:27 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@IBM.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@IBM.NET>
Subject:      Re: Which Voltmeter to use?
Comments: To: jeff_gilbert@PEOPLESOFT.COM
In-Reply-To:  <OF1082ADA7.ED29AB7C-ON882567D2.0059F884@peoplesoft.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 16:26 8/19/99 +0000, Jeff Gilbert wrote: >Hi, > >Im new to all this diagnosis stuff and was wondering if someone could shed >some light on what would be a good voltmeter to aid in the diagnosis of a >never ending, son of a bitch, fuel injection problem. Bently suggests >using the VW meter...is this necessary, or will any good quality meter do?

I would suggest a meter with at least ten megohm input resistance on DC -- most digital meters will meet this, while cheap analog meters may have only a few thousand ohms resistance on low volt scales. Accuracy of +/- one per cent is plenty. Desiderata include:

Removable test leads with banana plugs -- there is a wide assortment of leads available with clips, interchangeable tips etc.

Separate connections for volts and amps -- this is a nuisance but sooner or later will save you blowing a meter fuse or worse.

Ten amp range -- actually you can build a shunt to measure any conceivable current but it's a pain.

Bar-graph meter display which reacts faster than the numerical display.

If auto-range, switchable to manual

Diode-check voltage of three volts -- this isn't common, but it will let you check most LEDs. Usually it's 1.5, which is fine for regular diodes. Not a biggie...

Continuity beeper -- these vary widely as to what the consider "continuity" so read the manual. Some are as high as 1500 ohms, which isn't very useful in an automotive setting.

Low DC volt scale that lets you measure ten millivolts or less -- most digital meters have this.

Peak Hold -- holds peak reading until you release it. Handy, but not common.

Differential Reading -- once you designate a reading, meter displays difference btw that and the current reading. Handy, but not common.

Ohms scale ten megohms or more. This is common, but the cheapies sometimes only go to 1 megohm; acceptable but not desirable.

Things that don't matter:

True RMS reading -- this is only for AC. It's a good thing, but no help with the van. Capacitor testing -- good for electronics, but seldom useful with the van. It will show the value of a cap, but won't show whether it breaks down at operating voltage. Transistor testing -- only electronics Super accuracy -- nice to have, but it costs out of proportion.

david

David Beierl - Providence, RI '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage" '85 GL "Poor Relation"


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