Multimeter for dummies!!

[mike690003]

Hello Board, I am looking into buying a multimeter soon. I am really a dummy when it comes to electronics, I can install simple electronics like HID's in my car and basic wiring, but I have no idea on how to use a multimeter. I am not going to let a dealer charge me big $$$ for somethng I can do with a $30 miltimeter. I am really eager to learn how to use one so I can diagnose my cars little "bugs". Does anyone know very simple instructions that I can follow in order to use a multimeter, and what the readouts mean??

[mike690003]

What about reading the "codes" I need a little jump start on how to use one, a lot of you guys have multimeters, share a little knowledge please, we all weren't born with multimeter knowledge in our brains, we all had to learn it, a jumpstart is all I am asking for.

[Botnst]

Mike690003, What is your background? How deep an understanding are you looking for?

A practical understanding of DC circuits is not difficult and learning to use the multimeter with DC will make perfect sense. Just through simple experimentation, after reading the accompanying manual, you'll learn a lot.

AC circuits are a different creature and you'll need additional stuff and either a formal course or a good tutor to do serious work with AC.

The best favor I did for myself years ago was take a self-paced, self-tested basic electricity course followed by a basic electronics course in a local trade school. Classes were small and almost entirely hands-on. I was between undergrad and grad school (classic case of academic burn-out) and took a year off. I took that course, art, and something called, "mechanical drawing" courses. I found that the electricity/electronics course not only gave me a good practical background but that I learned a heck of a lot about real physics that several semesters in college didn't explain. No time in college for anything practical.

If you're highly self-motivating you might try buying several self-paced texts with tests from a local book store. I tried to do that with a couple of courses and found that I was only successful if I had a practical purpose for the course. If no practical purpose was served, it was wasted money.

I'll bet somebody has a web-based, self-paced, basic electricity course.

Also, the US Navy (and probably other branches) produce texts for sailors that anybody can buy. I think the one you'd be looking for would be something like, "Electricians Mate 3&2". Those texts are generally geared to instruct highly motivated, reasonably bright teenagers. Safety is a big issue with Navy texts.

While diagnosing car problems with a cheap mutimeter without TRUE RMS you can easily be baffled by 12v car electronics. Get a lighted $4.00 12v automotive tester at any auto, or hardware store. Send me an email and I would be glad to help you over the phone, I troubleshooooooooooooot electronics for a living and am eager to help.

I purchased a Fluke Multimeter (I don't have model number handy), that auto ranges and auto selects it's modes. All you have to do is touch the leads to what you want to test. It works great as a grab and go meter for basic testing. It may be the best bet for what you describe you want.

[omegabenz]

Try getting a fluke meter on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2541731113&category=25412

in the store they are less than 200 dollars.

I have a couple.