What mult-meters and clamp on *ammeters do y’all prefer for RV chassis/house/solar?

Fluke multi-meter is my favorite but there's no such thing as a clamp on Ohmmeter. You probably mean clamp on ammeter.

Prices range from $10 at Harbor Freight (possibly free with a coupon) to over $200 for a Fluke. I don't see any need in buying the best money can buy. The $10 meters aren't bad and work just fine. If you loose it, drop it or burn it up, you're not out that much. Doing the same with a high dollar meter will ruin your whole day for weeks!

For most RV and household repairs/checks, you don't need anything fancy at all. A basic inexpensive analog multimeter is adequate for most things I can think of other than medium to high current measurements. It may be a bit imprecise for battery state of charge voltage checks, but that's better done by measuring specific gravity anyhow. I have a simple analog meter in my RV (in addition to some panel meters permanently installed that show the AC and DC voltages and currents).For clamp ammeters, be aware that a fair few only measure AC current with the clamp, and that's decidedly less useful for RV use where DC currents are quite often what one wishes to measure.My favorite/primary multimeter is a Fluke model 73 series II that I bought decades ago. It isn't the fanciest model, espeically by modern standards, but it is accurate and sturdy enough and has good protection circuitry to prevent its being damaged by operator error in most circumstances. Not all multimeters are specified as withstanding without damage 300V applied when in resistance mode, but it is...and I've demonstrated it once or twice.

pauldub wrote:Fluke multi-meter is my favorite but there's no such thing as a clamp on Ohmmeter. You probably mean clamp on ammeter.yes, i blame autocorrect...:S....I meant ammeter...

I have the Uni-T B4Q094 UT210E True RMS AC/DC Current Mini Clamp mostly for use at home, but it works great everywhere. It's a true multi-meter, but I use it mostly for AC and DC current readings. It was one of the few I found that would check DC amperage. It was around $30 when I bought it 3 years ago, still working great.I keep a couple of the free HF multi-meters in the RV.

Favorite multi-meter for RV / Solar | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2019
Clamp on DC current probes are great, particularly for trying to diagnose issues with solar backs. Just be sure to get one that reads to relatively low (<10A) levels.

If you have nothing, start off with a Hazard Fright cheapy and a Kill-A-Watt. The HF will do you well for nearly all the DC work, and the KAW will diagnose AC issues faster than anything else.

I have a stable of Fluke stuff. I started buying it with the introduction of the 70series and have added as needed over the years. I would never have amassed this collection if it were not deductible. You don't need what I have so do not buy it and don't worry about what you have.

Matt
Tom_M1
Explorer
Jul 04, 2019
DFord wrote:
It's time to upgrade your lights to LED to prevent things like that.
I was using the lamp for a load to check the condition of a battery. Unfortunately the battery was in good condition.
BFL13
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2019
I went through some $10 meters that have the DC 10 amp limit, frying them. ( I am a spaz) I then got the same sort of meter only with a fuse in it for the amps. I have replaced the fuse a couple of times, which "paid" for the extra cost of the fused meter over the basic one.
DFord
Explorer
Jul 04, 2019
Tom_M wrote:
This was my favorite until an incandescent lamp fell over on it. Didn't notice until something smelled hot. I also have a DC clamp-on that I use a lot.

It's time to upgrade your lights to LED to prevent things like that. I've been burned for the last time with trouble lights and incandescent bulbs. I've made the switch. The LEDs are equivalent to "rough service" bulbs when it comes to dropping them - another plus.
Tom_M1
Explorer
Jul 04, 2019
If you can find a Sears store, they have a sale on their DC clamp meter for $44.99.

Craftsman Clamp Meter
Tom_M1
Explorer
Jul 04, 2019
This was my favorite until an incandescent lamp fell over on it. Didn't notice until something smelled hot. I also have a DC clamp-on that I use a lot.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jul 04, 2019
I like the new Ames series of meters from HF myself. Not quite Fluke but close.
DFord
Explorer
Jul 04, 2019
Sign up for Harbor Freight's mailings and you'll get their catalogs and emails with coupons for free stuff - often they give away meters with another purchase and it doesn't have to be much. I keep two or three around on my MH - I either need it inside and it's in a compartment or I need it outside and it's in a draw inside. I don't bother to take the spare out of the package till I need it or I run across a newbie and give it to them. They work fine - 12 volt isn't rocket science and I'm not sending anyone to the moon. I haven't put a battery in my Simpson 260p in so long it's feeling dejected.
Iraqvet05
Explorer
Jul 04, 2019
I bought a cheap $20 multimeter from Amazon after my Craftsman died. The Craftsman was bulky but built like a tank and lasted me for several years. The "DApril" brand I got from Amazon works but the display will shut off when it gets too cold and the leads are very cheap.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2019
My solar controller with remote tells me all I need to know.