Which of these units would be better for general testing and troubleshooting?
Anyone with experience with one or both, could you please help contrast their features?
Are they the sme thing just one is digital and one is solenoid?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Webby
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Replies
First of all those appear to be download web pages.
I can't open them. All you need to do is to copy and past the URL.
I would normally convert these using ShortURL, but wanted to
show the whole URL.
And log URL's make the text hard to read. So I putting the
rest in a 2nd message.
I think that these are the 2 that you are refering to.
http://www.idealindustries.com/products/test_measurement/electrical_testers/vol-con_voltage_tester.jsp
http://www.idealindustries.com/products/test_measurement/electrical_testers/solenoid_voltage_tester_xl.jsp
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I have not used (or seen) either one.As far as I can tell they both have similar indication for voltages. That is a light bar graph.Neither of those are will "measure" voltage, just used to indicate it it is present or not and if it is 120 or 240 (for AC).The "digital" is marketing hype.And they are low enough impedence that they won't be affected by phantom voltages.But the Volt-con is 1 meg ohm impedence so it might be tricked by think like lighted switches, but those are not too common.The volt-con and the -086 has continuity tester.The Vol-con also has a non-contact tester also. But I don't know how sensitive it is.But of those 2 options I would get the Vol-con.But I would check out Fluke and Greenlee and Extech also.I don't know if any have one with all 3 functions. And the non-contact testers are fairly inexpensive and some have adjustable sensitivy and the pen size is easier to probing down into boxes when needed.But one of those other also have similar unit with a digital voltage read one on it inaddition to the bar graph. That is handy for neasuring exact voltages which is handy some times, but most of the time you only need the rough indicator.And of course I want it to have a dozen other features and sell for $9.95.But going back and looking at the prices and not seeing a data sheet on the -086 I think that I would get that and a separate continuity tester with sensitive adjustment. But it is close call.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Ok thanks for the info.
I have a no name clamp on meter, and a couple of the fluke pen testers, but I thought I might be missing something without having one of these.
Sorry about the links I just wanted someone to be able to see a general pic. I figured someone would probably have used one.Webby
Dad got me this one when I was 12, in 1975. Still use it, even did today on the model train power supply.
View Image
Forrest - them new-fangled digital ones got no "feel"
Dude! I have the same meter. Used it when I used to install rail road signals. It's the only way you can measure signal relays. Digital can't keep up. Wouldn't want to pack that beast around all day looking for a problem though. LOL
That is one fine meter.
Whoomp there it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2u2tRlKHpo&feature=related
Ever watch a newbie try to figure an old Simpson? ( Boy wonder fails basic meter test is always good for a few grins)
Do they even teach them in the trade schools now?
Still got mine from 24 years ago.
It is pretty funny to watch. Probably the only time you see them in trade schools is when the teacher is being nostalgic. Or when they are playing. "What is it?" LOL
"Certainly it's nice to have some sort of "due process" with regard to moderator decisions (not that any law requires it), but (to borrow from another thread) there are "extremists" who cannot fathom why they are being censored, even though it's patently obvious to the rest of the peanut gallery, and they will, given a chance, drag out an argument forever, making the forum tedious for everyone else." DanH to Bill Hartmann August24 2008
which one tester would U suggest for all around remodeling?
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
this one has a LOT of features ....with a tic tracer as a kithttp://us.fluke.com/usen/products/Fluke+TPRO-1AC.htm?catalog_name=FlukeUnitedStates.
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As I said earlier I had not used either one.Happened to be at Lowes yesterday and saw the -086. It is a true solenoid tester. And it has a duty cycle limit.And CAP has used the Elite and say that the non-contact tester part is a lot more functional that I though.Based on that I change my recomendation to the Elite.The Fuke T+ Pro & non-contact testers kit is a real sweat package. But now you have 2 parts and have ratched the price up and other notch or two.For remodeling1. killing a circuit before starting demo.
2. Making minor fixes after the electrican such as one receptacle not working or the 3-way switch not functioning right.
3. Moving one receptacleAnd things of that sort and not puting in a new panel or trouble shooting flickering lights or the sort.I think that the Elite is a "best" unit based on a good combination of features and price.To that I would add a a 3 light rectacle tester. You can do the same thing with the Elite, but you need to make 3 measures and remember which the 3 readings should be.And a cheap circuit breaker finder. I know tht the cheap $29-39 dollar units don't work in pin pointing a breaker. But buy flipping breakers unit the receiver stops beeping it "works".And when you are working alone and something like using a radio is not practical I would rather flip a dozen different breakers to find the right one rather than runing up and down 3 stores a dozen times to find the right one.I have heard reports that the $60 units work better..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Depends on what you want it for. My everyday knock around meter is a Fluke 322. Fits any need I have as far as electrical goes. I have a Fluke 77 for more serious stuff but this is the one that stays in my tool bag.
http://www.valuetronics.com/Details.aspx?Model=Fluke_322&ProdID=8134
Whoomp there it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2u2tRlKHpo&feature=related
a clamp-on ammeter is all you need. Ideal makes the one that I see the most, and I believe the most popular ones read up to 200A. More than suffecient for residential work. A sniffer (pen tester) is also a must have, they can save your life. GFI plug tester/tripper is a good thing too. The Ideal will cost you $100+.
I recommend the volcon elite w/shaker.
It's a great all-around electrical tester.
I use one every day and find that the non-contact voltage feature is real handy. You can use the red probe as the non-contact probe (not just the nub at the top of the tester), and positively identify the hot lead of K&T wiring where no ground is available.
The replaceable leads (w/standard banana plugs) allow you to use one test lead w/ an alligator clip on it and that's handy sometimes.
Arcflash is right, a good amp-clamp is real useful, however, having a low impedance voltage tester (so as not to be fooled by ghost voltage) is very important. I've never seen an amp-clamp/DMM that's low-impedance.
You also might look at the Fluke T+ pro or the Fluke 117 or 113 testers.
Cliff
I think I read all post and did not see what you wanted to do other than general...
Are you talking for your home use, occasional work use, frequent use by you and or crew?
For the first level of use HF has a small clamp-on amp/Dig. MM. (Do not tell Arcflash(:-) ). It is around $14 or less. Would not use it for critical work but seems fine for general stuff.
I have a Sperry solenoid type from Lowes or HD, a Fluke version with continuity that came with a non-contact that I got new in package at a sort of pawn shop (cash converters).
Both are very useful and reasonable. I second (not that I would add any level of credence)BH for one of the three lt gf testers round out what most dabblers would need to have.
I HEARD THAT! Just kidding. I found out the other day that HF has a lifetime warranty on hand tools. With a lifetime warranty, quality just doesn't matter all that much anymore. Upon hearing that, I bought some Pittsburg hand tools and am actually quite surprised at their performance. Harbor Freight may have just redeemed themselves!
I bought a plug tester from them as well. No warranty, but it looked identical to the name brand testers I have to replace five times a year (tool thieves anger me).
For remodeling, a pen tester (sniffer) is all you really need. Find one that does not rely on a battery, the battery might be dead and you dont even know it. I can't remember any name brands, but they are out there.
Agree. I have a couple of the flukes with batteries and there are two (at least ) versions. The first two I got you tap it against something and it lights if the battery is ok. The other one has an on/off button and flashes routinely to let you know it is on and working.
I bought a Greenlee at HD once and took it back.
About the hand tools, I was in a store once and said basically what I first said to you about occasional use tools from HF and the guy said his some had a garage and used them almost exclusively. I have looked at some of their wrenches and they look well made.
I have 1/4 and 3/8 socket sets with the offset rachets and feel they are tool box worthy.
I guess one of the biggest concerns is what sort of damage can a tool inflict if it fails. You know, rounding off a cyl head bolt on your Lamborghi always irritates me (;-).
Cheers, Bob
For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Amazing!In just 17 posts we get from the OP's question about what meter to buy to concerns about rounding off the bolt heads on a Lamborghini. :)
BruceT
Thats okay, I enjoy the conversation usually as much as the answer.
It sounds like I am covered in the test department. the old guy I work with has a shaker he might have one of those simpsons too. He just uses a shaker for most work. I thougt I might be missing something without one.Webby
webby
I like audible tone. That way I can watch what I'm contacting untill an audible tone tells me I've got contact then take my eye off the probe to see what the numbers are..
I work for a remodeler. I sometimes get into basic rough in and demo, with device removal and device installation.
I have:
I said it was a no name, but it is a craftsman, digital readout true rms 200A clampmeter.
A couple digital Harbour freight multi meters. (they are about 3.00 on sale.)
A couple fluke non contact pens.
About four of the 3 bulb receptacle testers handy for mapping out what receptacles a circuit kills in a room or adioning rooms.
A thee bulb receptacle / gfci tester.
The clampmeter is kind of bulky I was looking for something a little smaller for more general use.
Something like the Ideal volcon elite or the fluke.
Thanks for the replies. Webby