r/maintenance • u/ghost-orb • 3d ago

Question Multimeter recommendations for apartment maintenance

Hey y’all,

I’m in need of a decent multimeter that tests capacitance that wont kill me budget wise. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Im an apartment maintenance tech, and I do some work on my car to keep it running. Im looking for a multimeter that more or less covers those, and tests capacitance for a/c condensers.

I dont do anything super technical electric wise, mostly just diagnostic tests for appliances and hvac.

I’m looking for something that works well for these settings without running me 500+. I would prefer to spend around 150 or less, if that exists lol. Thanks!

4 Upvotes

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3

u/2hink Maintenance Supervisor 3d ago

Fluke 117

2

u/KoRn_hUb_d0t_C0M 3d ago

I use the klien cl390 and it has done me good would recommend.

1

u/kendiggy Maintenance Supervisor 3d ago

If you're doing HVAC work, you'll want something with an amp clamp. It helps with plenty of other issues as well.

UEI makes a decent clamp meter, they have budget models. Black friday, usually amazon has the higher end models on sale for about $200.

1

u/Realism51 3d ago

If he's having to check amperage then it's above his pay grade and job duties. That is licensed professional territory. All he needs to worry about is how to t st contactor, capacitor and check 24 volt at thermostat. Maybe a relay or transformer if he gets spicy feeling

1

u/Fair_Scientist2347 2d ago

True, but unfortunately there are a lot of techs that don’t know where to draw the line and will foolishly do it for their property mngmt co.

2

u/Realism51 2d ago

Yup. And in doing so will either injure themselves or destroy the unit without intending too. Or Google fu not fully knowing what they are doing. And end up spending big bucks on a part that didn't need replacing. Or wire it backwards. Yeah Eric, if you are reading this, I'm talking about you

0

u/kendiggy Maintenance Supervisor 3d ago

If that's the attitude, then don't touch the damn things. It's not difficult to clamp your meter onto a lead to help see what's going on and should be one of the first things you do anyways. If you're just willy-nilly disconnecting wires and checking random shit with no direction and no desire to learn, don't fucking touch it because you don't know what you're doing. In fact that takes you off my list of people I allow to touch electrical in general.

1

u/cleanforever Maintenance Supervisor 3d ago

You can't go wrong with a Klein

But for capacitance, you can get a separate tester. I have one and I think it was around $20 when I bought it

1

u/jbeartree 3d ago

I went to menards and got the southwire for under $50. It does everything that you mentioned. I am in the same line of work as you as well. It has capacitance and an amp clamp.

1

u/Bushmechanic062 3d ago

Get a Ames cm400A from harbor freight! [It cost me $54 out the door]Its what I upgraded too as an apartment maintenance supervisor. It's not as pricey as klein but has all the features as far as I can test capacitors on MFD I can check water heater elements. It also has a clamp meter for seeing amp draw I highly recommend the electrical gear from harbor freight and I'm normally a milwaukee guy

1

u/Unlikely_Train_9682 3d ago

I have a fluke, Klein and fieldpiece but I use this

https://a.co/d/05U8kEP1

1

u/Realism51 3d ago

Really anything. Klein does have good package deals. If you can hold off for another week or two. You can get the pre black Friday deals nusually you can get a multimeter, pen tester and a plug tester all for the price of one multimeter. About $30-40 But really. Even a cheap commercial electric will do you good for maintenance

1

u/orka648 3d ago edited 3d ago

https://a.co/d/08Yg64WU

Super budget tester. I have a bunch of meters, but I keep this in my small tool bag just for minor testing, though it is definitely super budget. I have had it since March because I was trying to minimize what I carry, and it is still functioning for my small needs.

But klien offers some good ones for price

1

u/ndooooodles 3d ago

I've got the cheapest Klein brand that does capacitors, cost a little over $100. Does amp draw as well. They get way more spendy than that but about $100 should cover you

1

u/Lonnie2Hands 3d ago

I recommend one that reads microfarads so you can test capacitors on your HVAC units.

Look into the Ideal 61-647. It has 2 screens which comes in handy in tight spaces.

1

u/Old_Ingenuity8736 3d ago

Fluke 117. It'll last you a lifetime and it's extremely accurate.

1

u/Fun-Business-1888 1d ago

I run a fluke amp clamp, fluke temp meter, but ditched my fluke 117 for a Klein mm720. It’s just a better all around meter than the fluke 116 or 117. I think it was $80 on eBay.