Ok...so the neighbor checked my horn wiring yesterday with a very basic device which simply lit up to show that power was "there". I have decided that I need to purchase my own voltmeter and I'm looking for recommendations. Please post links whenever possible. I have in my vicinity access to: Advance Auto Parts Auto Zone Car Quest Home Depot Kmart Lowes NAPA Pep Boys Sears Target Walmart Thanks in advance!
I got mine at Lowe's.... Nothing special, volts, ohm's, milliamps.... But mine has a continuity tester built in, which makes a little buzzing noise when a circuit is complete. Quite handy....
Well OK, but it's also down at the shop. Next to my single Hella horn that I can't seem to find a spot big enough to mount it. When I'm down there today I'll snap a quick pic for you..... Not looking forward to pulling off the front bumper skin looking for a spot big enough for the 2nd horn....
I truly appreciate the assistance. Do you recall the approximate price you paid? I'm going to go poke around the Lowes website and post a few images...
Brand wise you can't go wrong with a Fluke... See Digital Multimeter | Digital Multimeters | Digital Multi meters by Fluke Corporation for a guide in selecting the model best for you.
Somewhere around $20 or so.... Several years ago... This is the one.... It also had a temperature thermocouple... It has the "hold" button, which allows you to take a reading and hold it.
Thanks for the link, but the "checkbox" section is way over my head. I want something that will primarily be used for vehicle wiring.
I saw that one on the Lowes website; it doesn't have a lot of positive reviews, though...so I'm wondering if the negative reviews are from people who simply don't know how to care for calibrated tools? Do you use yours on a regular basis? Some of the reviews stated it stopped working after they replaced the batteries...
It's still workin after many battery changes..... They are basically a "throwaway" tool. If it stops working, it goes in the trash. There isn't much to them. Who knows why electrical things stop workin.... They just do.... You know..... Things like..... Horns.....
I may buy one of those just for the hold button. The older I get the harder it is to hold it. A simple test light would work fine too. Not as fancy & it is missing many functions, but I've used one for many years with success.
I like the idea of a hold button, probably just because mine doesn't have one and I'm jealous, but can't remember needing one. Mine is a Sperry DM-4400A. It was cheap but it works well. I've had it for a few years though so don't know whether it's a current model.
Just got home from Lowes and let me simply say that the electrical dept. manager was having a bad day and I didn't realize I had a bulls-eye target somewhere on my shirt or forehead! I killed her with kindness and had to chuckle when an older gentleman who was standing nearby commented that I have the patience of a saint to deal with such a rude person. (Oh, if he only knew! LOL) So, here I am playing with my new Ideal Resi-Pro Multimeter (#61-310) which only cost me $24.95 + tax. A slight rainfall occurred while I was inside Lowes, so I'm playing with my Multimeter by testing various batteries & such so that I can familiarize myself with it. The skies are clearing up, so I'll see how things look in about an hour or so. Thanks, everyone for all the input & suggestions, especially Metalman. (What is your real name, BTW, or is it top-secret?)
Hi, Chuck! The skies are clear and I'm getting ready to head outside; what setting should I use for testing?
Well, that depends..... If you plan to check powered circuits. Set your meter to DC, use the voltage scale that covers just past 12 volts. I'm out walking the dog right now so I can't tell you what it is. Hi Erika.... If you plan to check your brown wire to a good ground you can switch it over to the buzzer setting. Put one lead on a good frame or engine contact and the other on the brown wire. You should hear the buzzer. You can also put it on the ohm setting. That will tell you how much resistance you have. A high number- bad ground. Low number - good ground.