Bought a cheapy multimeter, how do I read it? (searched, HELP!!)
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Bought a cheapy multimeter, how do I read it? (searched, HELP!!)
I bought a cheap 12$ Actron multimeter today to peform a test on my TPS. I am trying to measure 0.5 volts at idle and 4.5 voltages at WOT. My question is, what DC setting do I set the multi meter to (2.5, 50, 250, 1000) and what am I looking for on the multimeter face? I know Im looking at the black numbers.
Theres 3 sets of black #'s, the top set with a range from 0-250, a middle set with range from 0-50, and a bottom set from 0-10 (I just now saw these numbers). I assume I'd be reading the bottom set of numbers that range from 0-10?
If someone can help me out I'd greatly appreciatte it!! Oh yeah, do I connect the negative terminal of the multimeter to the negative battery terminal?
Theres 3 sets of black #'s, the top set with a range from 0-250, a middle set with range from 0-50, and a bottom set from 0-10 (I just now saw these numbers). I assume I'd be reading the bottom set of numbers that range from 0-10?
If someone can help me out I'd greatly appreciatte it!! Oh yeah, do I connect the negative terminal of the multimeter to the negative battery terminal?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Winnetka, Calif, USA
Re: Bought a cheapy multimeter, how do I read it? (DamageInc73)
Please don't take this recommendation wrong!
Multi-meters vary slightly and without seeing it, it's not easy to say how you should set it up.
Go by your local High School or Junior College and find somebody to help you out. If you stop by a High School, ask for help from one of the science teachers. If you go by a Junior college, ask for help from one of the science department techs.
Schools are paid for with your tax dollars and they are there to help out. It's a community service, use it.
I'm 52 years old and wouldn't have any problem with asking a High School teacher for help if the need came up.
The big thing I'm trying to get across is that there is somebody local that knows how to do it and they would most likely be more than willing to spend some time with you.
Wes
Multi-meters vary slightly and without seeing it, it's not easy to say how you should set it up.
Go by your local High School or Junior College and find somebody to help you out. If you stop by a High School, ask for help from one of the science teachers. If you go by a Junior college, ask for help from one of the science department techs.
Schools are paid for with your tax dollars and they are there to help out. It's a community service, use it.
I'm 52 years old and wouldn't have any problem with asking a High School teacher for help if the need came up.
The big thing I'm trying to get across is that there is somebody local that knows how to do it and they would most likely be more than willing to spend some time with you.
Wes
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,611
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From: Severn, MD
Re: Bought a cheapy multimeter, how do I read it? (drewboy)
You need to set the meter to the scale that is just higher than whatever it is you intend on measuring.
If you're confused on which scale to read, do this: You know the battery puts out 12-14v - set the meter to the 50 scale, hook up the meter across the battery and look at the scale that indicates a reading of 12-14v - then you'll know which scale to read when using the '50' scale.
If you're confused on which scale to read, do this: You know the battery puts out 12-14v - set the meter to the 50 scale, hook up the meter across the battery and look at the scale that indicates a reading of 12-14v - then you'll know which scale to read when using the '50' scale.
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