DC clamp meter recommendation

Batteries
If it uses a nine volt battery a lithium battery really extends shelf life

I have the Fluke 336 Look here

I have had it for several years and thanks to Murphy's Law I can't find it, and of course it was a little pricey

railrode1 wrote:
I have had good results with this one from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SQ4UETO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For $40, The reviews are pretty good.

i have that same meter
down to the MS8201 number
same color everything, EXCEPT the name at the top
mine says Master Tech instead AMIO

i'm happy with it, gets the job done
i have one of the sears meters, worked well for years, but about two years ago the DC amp readings got Wonky, way off,new battery didn't help, so i bought this one from Amazon to replace it

Harvey51 wrote:
I have a Uni-T 204A and am very happy with it.
Be careful when buying a cheap clampmeter - some say "AC/DC clampmeter" when in fact the current range(s) are AC only. A "magic" Hall Effect device is necessary to measure the steady magnetic field around a DC current carrying wire and having that name in the description guarantees it can measure DC current. This one clearly shows high current DC ranges.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-120V-100A-Battery-Monitor-State-of-Charge-Remaining-Capacity-AMP-Voltage-AH-/182147916411?hash=item2a68dca27b:g:gWUAAOSwyQtVz1vp

The accuracy is indicated in that description, too. Mine is not all that great at low currents but I can tell a parasitic draw from a battery within 100 mA without resorting to opening the circuit to run the current through a multimeter. The advantages of the clampmeter are not having to open the circuit and no risk of burning out the current range on your meter.

And just a tip for those that are using a Fluke, Triplett, or other good multimeter that has a a fused circuit to protect the 10 amp ammeter circuit: You don't need to buy those expensive fuses from Fluke. I found standard fast blow fuses that work well. In fact, I blew them again so will try to get a picture and description up here in the next couple of days.

I have a Uni-T 204A and am very happy with it.
Be careful when buying a cheap clampmeter - some say "AC/DC clampmeter" when in fact the current range(s) are AC only. A "magic" Hall Effect device is necessary to measure the steady magnetic field around a DC current carrying wire and having that name in the description guarantees it can measure DC current. This one clearly shows high current DC ranges.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-120V-100A-Battery-Monitor-State-of-Charge-Remaining-Capacity-AMP-Voltage-AH-/182147916411?hash=item2a68dca27b:g:gWUAAOSwyQtVz1vp

The accuracy is indicated in that description, too. Mine is not all that great at low currents but I can tell a parasitic draw from a battery within 100 mA without resorting to opening the circuit to run the current through a multimeter. The advantages of the clampmeter are not having to open the circuit and no risk of burning out the current range on your meter.

I have had good results with this one from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SQ4UETO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For $40, The reviews are pretty good.

mchero wrote:
"The best ones do ACrms, DC or ACRMS+DC current."
Is this typically specified in the specs?

Thanks for all the reply's.

'

you would be able to tell by the selections on the meter. and it should be in the spec's and manual.

for most RV applications DC and ACRMS will cover almost all your needs. AC range needs to be 0-50A at least, DC depends on your needs, but 0-50A min, and if you have an inverter or anything else drawing a heavy load 0-400A in several ranges.

it is nice to have a peak hold function. that way you can see what peak currents are, like starting a AC unit.

I have had a Craftsman AC DC clamp-on meter for many years and it has always worked fine for me.

"The best ones do ACrms, DC or ACRMS+DC current."
Is this typically specified in the specs?

Thanks for all the reply's.

Wild Card wrote:
Never known of a clamp style dc amp meter. Check dc amperage by running through meter leads. Am i wrong?

there are lots of DC clamp on amp meters available. the measure current using a hall effect device. I've been on the design teams for many such current probes. Decades ago they were very expensive. today good ones are pretty readily available.

The best ones do ACrms, DC or ACRMS+DC current.

A good one will also have a peak hold function to record peak currents, as well as min max delta currents.