Wow! A clamp meter for $29

Submitted: Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 10:39
ThreadID: 60851 Views:3714 Replies:7 FollowUps:10
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I am in the market for a clamp meter / multimeter. I was about to buy one from Disck Smith for $145, which I believe is a pretty good one.

Today I found one from Andrews Electronics on the web for $29. Of course it is made in China, but I suspect the Dick Smith one is as well.

It is at the bottom of the page on this link:
Andrews Electronics Clamp Meter

Anyone familiar with these? I guess at the price, there is not a big risk.

Norm C
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Reply By: A J - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 11:12

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 11:12
Norm C - we have purchased hand held UHF radios from the company - very good quick service - so that part appears OK. Know nothing about the items you wish to purchase.



A J
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Reply By: Best Off Road - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 11:23

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 11:23
Norm,

I had a look and am not sure if it is for DC. There are heaps of 240V clamp meters around at $20-$30, but I've always been told $150-$200 for a 12 volt unit.

I'd love to have one to clamp onto the leads of my solar panel but cannot justify $150.

Jim.

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Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 12:02

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 12:02
Good point Jim. I Googled it on other (US) sites and I think you are right.
So not such a good deal (for my needs) after all.

Norm C
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Follow Up By: Member No 1- Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 12:47

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 12:47
ac only.....and the jaws are way too big......wont be able to get them onto tight spots

you need the mini jaw type
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Follow Up By: Member No 1- Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 16:30

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 16:30
Jim
just recieved the monthly advertising junk mail from Lawrence & Hnaso (assie wide) and they have listed a digital multimeter and clamp head device that does both AC and DC up to 600amps for $199.00....sound like a reasonable price for both items
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thursday, Aug 21, 2008 at 22:27

Thursday, Aug 21, 2008 at 22:27
Jaycar have one for around $119, AC DC Clamp meter, very handy little item. I have TWO of them. One on the table in the lounge room, and the other is some bloody place or another, dunno its not lost I just dont know where it is.......
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Follow Up By: Member No 1- Friday, Aug 22, 2008 at 07:40

Friday, Aug 22, 2008 at 07:40
l bet you find it in the last spot you look
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Reply By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 13:23

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 13:23
Norm,

I have an AC/DC meter from Jaycar: Jaycar QM1563 Works well and is small enough to get into tight spots. Look at not only the maximum ratings but also the resolution at the lower end as this is where you'll be measuring most of the time for things such as solar. Got mine on special before Xmas for $79.95.

Adrian
AnswerID: 321106

Reply By: Mike Harding - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 14:04

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 14:04
Damn you Norm, you just cost me $54.28! :)

As others said; the Andrews meter (Andrews is an excellent supplier btw) is AC only so I went looking on E-bay on your behalf and bought one of these:

Clamp meter on Ebay

for some odd reason this one is $2 dearer than mine? Anyway it looks OK from the specs. but if you want to wait a week or two I'll do some serious tests on it and let you know.

Mike Harding

PS. Make the most of it, cheap Chinese stuff won't last for too much longer.
AnswerID: 321112

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 16:42

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 16:42
looks the goods and certainly cheaper than the one i said Lawrence & Hanson has (above)
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Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 18:32

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 18:32
Mike, I was going to wait till I got a report from you on this clamp meter.
Then I said 'bugger it', I need one now.

So I've just bought one as well.

Hope we have both done the right thing.

Norm C
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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 19:01

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 19:01
>Hope we have both done the right thing

I'll be sending you an invoice if it's no good :)

Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: Steve - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 21:49

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 21:49
hmmmmm............pink, in a cute little "manbag"

just the job for you Tojo boys

lol
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Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 22:01

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 22:01
>Hope we have both done the right thing

I'll be sending you an invoice if it's no good :)

Mike Harding

Don't think so Mike. You were the one who bought this one to MY attention. But not a bad idea though. If yours does not work, expect a bill from me.

Norm C
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Reply By: Member - Jon L (QLD) - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 19:54

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 19:54
Looking at the specks it does not read dc amps.

Jonl
AnswerID: 321177

Reply By: Peter 2 - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 20:38

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 20:38
I bought one very similar to this one ( ebay 290254108018) over 12 months ago and it works well on both AC and DC amps.
AnswerID: 321196

Reply By: qubert - Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 21:07

Monday, Aug 18, 2008 at 21:07
look at jaycar. they have one that you plug into youre current multimetre . about 20 dollars
AnswerID: 321206

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