O.T.: HFT Multimeter... So Cheap?

[tomzarbo]

Hey, so how do I change this fuse anyway?

I'm not knocking Harbor Freight Tools here, just offering a glimpse of one of the things they do to save a few pennies so they can give some of this stuff away.


Yeah, I did fry this one, but it quit working anyway, so no loss.

TomZ

P.S. Fuse is still good too!

[Steve Lee]

You should try to salvage that fuse!

[dynamo]

I’m sure they know they are throw away items. We always get them free with the coupons. I bet we have ten laying around, not even worth putting a battery in when it dies.

OTOH, how did you cook it so nicely?

[tomzarbo]

Ahh, frying it was easy. Just put the plug into the wrong (DC voltage) socket on the tester and plug it into a wall outlet. *P*O*O*F* I actually felt it go "Whumpa" in my left hand.
It wasn't reading DC correctly on either plug so it was kind of toast anyway which was why I was testing it in the wall out let... but at least it went out with a 'bang'!

TomZ

[Psycoacoustics]

I'd solder a wire across it! Just for the fun of feeling it blow up again!

YMMV. Mark

[Millstonemike]

I recently purchased 2 of these units. They have clips that hold the 10 amp fuse. Guess how I know

Several features above and beyond the HF models:

- Auto ranging
- Auto off
- Measures Capacitance up to 1000 uf (one of the two units was a little less accurate)
- Measures AC amps in addition to DC amps
- Display back light button
- Display hold (e.g., it will hold & display the last reading after the probes are removed)

I can recommend this unit for anyone interested in a budget DMM. And it ships from California so you get it in a couple days instead of waiting weeks for the "Slow Boat From China".

[tomzarbo]

I like that display hold feature.
My other HFT meter is getting wonky too. Basically use them for testing batteries. I think I have another somewhere in the house as well still in the pkg.

TomZ

[Millstonemike]

... They have clips that hold the 10 amp fuse. Guess how I know

I just received my AliExpress order for fuses (5 mm x 20 mm) to replace the blown fuse in my new meter's 10 A function. Best deal on AliExpress was a ten pack for a buck two-eleven or so.

I guess they made a mistake shipping the order. I'm now the proud owner of 50 fuses.

Tom, need a couple?

[PWR RYD]

I've been working with industrial electronics (robots, servo drives, VFD's, PLC's, etc.) for over 30 years. I would never use one of those pieces of sh!t DMMs for anything, ever, period. Their lack of accuracy and safety are just not worth it. Not even for hobby work IMHO. Buy a real DMM (Fluke) and have it for life.

[djg]

Tool snob.

[djg]

Triplett at Parts Express, quality brand.

https://www.parts-express.com/brand/triplett/212

[PWR RYD]

Tool snob.

[6thplanet]

Yup, seriously, buy Fluke. Even used ones are out there.

[tomzarbo]

I just received my AliExpress order for fuses (5 mm x 20 mm) to replace the blown fuse in my new meter's 10 A function. Best deal on AliExpress was a ten pack for a buck two-eleven or so.

I guess they made a mistake shipping the order. I'm now the proud owner of 50 fuses.

Tom, need a couple?

Thanks Mike, I have amassed a pretty good assortment of fuses at this point with my big-fingered 'clutzery' so I'm good. Thanks though!
My 'other' HFT meter did have a fuse holder in that one. I think that same basic meter comes in several model numbers, so there may be slight differences on the insides of several of them.

I see the point of getting a good meter for important or critical stuff, but I really don't see the problem with having a cheap meter for testing batteries or simple stuff.

For instance, I like to keep a cheap meter at work to test batteries and other simple things from time to time, I don't want to spend $50 on something for that, and it's nice to have one in the garage for simple automotive testing out there too.

Since I got them for free with a coupon, I like to leave them here and there... I like to leave them everywhere!

I do have a decent 1101-B that I purchased from PE some time ago based on Tech Talk recommendations that I like pretty good... (it does tend to fall over when on it's stand with it's 'tripod' type pointy bottom, but otherwise it's good.)

TomZ

[kenrhodes]

Try the ANENG an8008. The capacitance meter and function generator built-in make it perfect for this hobby. Use DATS as your inductance meter. cost is about $20.