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From: Jim Fidler (no email)
Date: Fri Jan 02 2004 - 00:41:12 EST
Early in December Gary Brobst wrote about a Sears clamp on DC ammeter
he bought for $120 or so.
Last week I bought a Craftsman Model No. 82062 Pocket-Size meter for
about $50. The clamp on feature measures up to 400 amps AC or DC
to the nearest tenth and claims 3% accuracy. It also measures voltage
and tests for continuity.
It seems to work just fine and appears to be relatively well built for a
cheap digital meter. I think it might rival the cheap Radio Shack
infrared thermometer or the "Kill A Watt" for the best cheap gadget to
have on a boat just for DC amps measurement without disturbing
the wiring.
It seems easy to understand how a clamp on device can measure AC
amps but I don't know how in the heck it is possible to detect DC
current this way. But so far I've been able to verify proper operation of
my oem alternators and discover that, for some reason, one of my
starter motors is drawing significantly more amps than the other. I
probably need to find out why before it causes me a problem.
Thanks Gary.
Jim Fidler "Fiddlesticks"
===================================================
snip
The second meter is the high end Sears digital with clamp on ammeter
capability (approx $120 as I recall). I use this if I need accurate readings
of resistance, voltage, frequency, etc. However, the most important feature
of this meter is the ability to clamp it around the wire and measure dc
amps.
This has proved very useful in knowing what is happening electrically on the
boat. After using it for a couple of years, I wouldn't leave the dock
without
it.
Just my opinion.
Gary Brobst
m/v Waypoint
49' Defever RPH
Currently at OakHarbor Marina
Slidell, LA
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