As a science teacher for many years, I always taught the practical use of a multimeter and familiarization with electricity. The meaning of “volt”and “ampere” was critical. Knowing that a volt is energy per charge makes for understanding that only a tiny current is needed to measure the voltage so the meter on an appropriate voltage range can be simply connected to across a battery or load to measure the voltage. Measuring current of course requires that the thing to be measured must flow through the current meter so the circuit must be disconnected to insert the meter so the current flows through it. Usually someone in the class connected a meter set to current As if it was set on voltage, burning out the current range of the meter. This made for an excellent lesson. The current meter allows all available current to flow in order to measure it. It must be connected into a circuit with a current limiting load and please start with the meter on a high current range to safely get a reading that can be used to set a more accurate current range. I believe everyone should be familiar with electricity to this extent before graduating from high school but it doesn’t always happen. If you have this skill, pass it on to your children and anyone you know with a multimeter.
I am grateful to my father and mechanic friends who took the time to teach me how to do oil changes, brake pads, etc. Things that need to be done multiple times are most worthwhile to learn. Girls often miss out on these practical skills and end up worrying and fearing taking a problem to a garage because they have no idea what needs to be done and it’s reasonable cost.
A senior lady visiting last night was telling me how she looked after her car battery, problematic due to too many starts for very short trips. It was a Dodge Journey with battery hidden behind the wheel well. She knew exactly what to do and said her now deceased husband had got her to help when he worked on the car with the excuse that she had small hands, making easy work of reaching into tight places.
