Clamp on AC/DC current flow meter. My new toy.

[J44EAG]

Guys,

I`m chuffed to bits.

I have a conventional multimeter and a drop tester for low voltage DC car and boat electrical testing. What I`ve always craved is a clamp on current flow (amps) meter. There are loads out on the market but most are domestic AC domestic orientated at between £30 and £100 plus.

AC/DC units are available and I was lucky to find two product available on ebay for between £95 and £104. That peaked my interest.

Then I found this for less than £30 delivered and more than adequate for my humble needs. I hit the jackpot with the unit arriving in two days complete with batteries, leads for the multimeter part and a nice protective case. Spot on and doing nicely. Use to check alternator charging and several other functions.

My new toy and a £30 bargain. Has to be my hot tool tip of the year.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271084217607? ... 1497.l2649

Great to be able to take the guesswork out of checking charge rates. A volt meter isn`t enough.

Mike

[oldtimer]

Hi Mike,
Love your new toy, been looking for one for ages. Have found domestic 240v a/c ones but not 12v dc. I see the range is up to 400amps DC, sure thats ample for our needs

Have had a goood look at the link and shall place an order tomorrow. Bit like Christmas, got a new Laser thermometer a couple of days back, that works well too.

I'm realy pleased you put this on the BB

Oldtimer

PS Been on the car all day--- now "nackered"

[oldtimer]

Hi Mike,
Have you tried out your new toy yet, the one that reads DC Amps
P

[J44EAG]

Yes, Phil. I have.

Set the rotary switch to 40a or 400A.
Press the SEL key to DC measurement mode.
Clamp jaw around loaded +ve cable.
Read off amperage from display.

Simple, quick and easy.

Takes all the work out of correct fuse sizing.

This piece of kit is worth every penny. Highly recommended.

Mike

[oldtimer]

What Oh Mike.
I have received my new meter using the methods you posted -excellent

When I opened the packaging I was surprised at the Chinese writing but relieved to find all OK when fully unpacked.

In my eagerness to see if it would work I clipped it around the Kettle cable in the kitchen to see the reading - absolutely nothing. Silly me, of course not, the cable contains the live and neutral .
I made up a short lead comprising separate, live, neutral and earth wires . With the Kettle connected via the test cable I could try again. Yes it worked, but what a surprise 11.5 amps. Iced tea from now on!

After making a very very expensive (but quick) mug of coffee I went to the workshop to take a few reading of 12Volt bulbs

For the benefit of those not so familiar with electrical things
On a 12volt electrical system using a 60watt bulb
12v divided into 60w = 5amps
Exactly the same applies to domestic electrics
250 volts divided into 1000watts one small bar electric fire (1kilowatt) =4amps
electric kettle = 11.5 amps

I selected one 2w bulb and 4x 21watt bulbs and laboriously took a combination of load readings and compared them to the theoretical reading as described above. On average, over five reading the variance was between 0.07 and 0.08 amps. None of this takes into account any variance that may exist in the bulbs. That's certainly good enough for me

How wonderful to be able to open the boot, wait for forty minutes for the boot light to go off, and then clamp the meter on and take a reading to ensure no systems are running. With confidence a volt meter can now be connected across the battery to measure the voltage.

And nothing has been disconnected

I'm really grateful you brought your new toy to our attention

Many thanks P
Oldtimer

[J44EAG]

This unit is cracking value and does everything it says on the box for a bargain price.

Great to be able to see what is charging or discharging without having to dismantle a system to check the circuit out.

Slight anomalies on readings might perhaps be down to economy components or resistance in cables? Anyone have views on this? In any case variance is relatively insignificant at vehicular level. On a space ship, it could be more important......

However, this is the best £30 I`ve spent in a while for a tool. I`ve hankered after for years.

Must apologize for any typo`s now and in the future. Reading specs disintegrated! Must be made from an S-type recycled door card!

Mike