ALDI Multimeters

ALDI has multimeters this Saturday, for the princely sum of $20. Now you have no excuse to not get one to carry on your bike. generally you will not need it, but you will be able to help others out.

I'll be getting one to replace the one that just died, and it'll be good company for the "Stop & Go" tyre repair kit and the mini compressor in my tail bag.

At this price you really have no excuse.

Great idea,

Just be aware that at that price it may NOT be suitable for 230-240Volts, even though it may have the range for it. (if you decide to do some home testing with it as well)

Stick to 12-48V and you'll be sweet.

If you need to do work in your house get a Sparky!
At least the only shock you'll get is their bill!

I have a "certified" Fluke for home use, so a fair warning. I only suggest for use on bikes and as MrGPZ said, stick to 12-24-48V range and all should be sweet.

Yes leave elektrikery, especially at 115V/230V to the experts - this stuff bites when cornered - the lucky ones survive.

Copy.
F.A.B.

Purchased one yesterday CE certified to CATIII 300V. So the warning about not for use on mains is a good one - 240V mains peaks at 339V so don't use it there. Ideal size for you bike tools though.

The leads are a bit on the ordinary side, but I have a good set of leads which will be used with this meter.

Wish we had Aldi in Tas, guess we are just not important enough .....

My wife is devastated that there is no Aldi is Tassie. We used to shop there regularly but since the move that ain't going to happen anymore.

The only time I needed a multimeter/volt meter was the ride I diddnt take it.... I also carry a smal one tucked in the same bag as my air pump and plug kit.

Bulldog9 wrote:

 I also carry a smal one tucked in the same bag as my air pump and plug kit.

This IS the best place for it! And why I posted in the first place.

I don't know if your cheap meter can measure a significant current, here's how you can measure high current using the millivolt range, the starter current for instance is about 150 Amps, a 16 AWG shunt can measure that for the time it takes to start, a 12 AWG would be good for all day. And No, you won't find that in your Ampacity tables.

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However a 16 AWG will have different characteristics to the 12 AWG (ie lower apparent current due to higher resistance of smaller csa wire). Better to stick to the specs as stated.

If you really want, try some disposal type places and get a shunt (designed and calibrated as a shunt) and play to your hearts content.

WARNING - DO NOT USE THIS ON MAINS WIRING - YOU MIGHT END UP DEAD!

Oz1200Guzzi wrote:

However a 16 AWG will have different characteristics to the 12 AWG (ie lower apparent current due to higher resistance of smaller csa wire). Better to stick to the specs as stated.

If you really want, try some disposal type places and get a shunt (designed and calibrated as a shunt) and play to your hearts content.

WARNING - DO NOT USE THIS ON MAINS WIRING - YOU MIGHT END UP DEAD!

No, the resistance is the same because the 16 AWG is shorter, it will get hot quicker however with little change in the reading.
If you could find a "Designed and Calibrated" shunt it will be relatively large. then you have to insulate and terminate it.

What I offer is a simple reasonably accurate shunt that anyone can make.
You can even tap into an existing wire on the bike, for example if you want to find out how well the charging is working.
The millivolt meter can be 2 inches or 10 feet from the shunt because the current in the leads is very low.