$3 DMMs again....

[Doug Owen]

Friends,

For those in need, Harbor Freight is once again offering 'em, and just in time for Christmas!

$3 DMMs (sale)

Several are recommended to one and all.

Doug Owen

 

[PaulW]

Thanks Doug. I ordered a couple. I also got one of their 1x123 lights and a few seasonal gifts while at it. They have some interesting scopes (tele & micro) on sale.

Paul

 

[paulr]

$3 for a DMM is great, but yikes, add another $3 for shipping and $6 for handling, and it's $12 to get it out of there! Anyone want to do a group buy? There's some other Harborfreight stuff that I might also be interested in.

 

[eluminator]

No sense buying one. Better get a few. When you try to measure voltage and forget it's set up for current, you don't replace the fuse, you replace the DMM.

And if you've never done that, you haven't been around long.

 

[LED_ASAP]

[ QUOTE ]
eluminator said:
When you try to measure voltage and forget it's set up for current, you don't replace the fuse, you replace the DMM.


[/ QUOTE ]

In those days when I used the old mechanical multimeter, a distinct ding sound was given off when the needle hit the stopper lug hard---a clear reminder that something is wrong in the selection /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[BatteryCharger]

Hehe...I ruined a $100 power inverter with this meter that way... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif

 

[V8TOYTRUCK]

Are these prices good at the retail store as well?

 

[eluminator]

[ QUOTE ]
LED mods As Small As Possible said:

In those days when I used the old mechanical multimeter, a distinct ding sound was given off when the needle hit the stopper lug hard---a clear reminder that something is wrong in the selection /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Measuring 240 VAC with the probe of the DMM plugged into the current jack will give you a "fumpf" sound. The flash of light and the smoke curling up from where the tip of the probe used to be is another clue.

A fuse replacement cured the DMM. I didn't need the sharp probe tip anyway. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[vcal]

[ QUOTE ]
Doug Owen said: $3 DMMs (sale) Several are recommended to one and all.Doug Owen

[/ QUOTE ]
Not to be a wet blanket but, check those specs on the D.C. current function.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

-Limited to 200mA -according to what the ad copy says.

When I was in our local store a few years ago, I asked the clerk about this particular meter, and he said-"it's just junk..buy our better $6.99 one and you'll be a lot better off". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Doug Owen]

[ QUOTE ]
vcal said:
[ QUOTE ]
Doug Owen said: $3 DMMs (sale) Several are recommended to one and all.Doug Owen

[/ QUOTE ]
Not to be a wet blanket but, check those specs on the D.C. current function.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

-Limited to 200mA -according to what the ad copy says.

When I was in our local store a few years ago, I asked the clerk about this particular meter, and he said-"it's just junk..buy our better $6.99 one and you'll be a lot better off". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Not to worry, they have a ten amp range (it's next to the 200 mA), however it's a non switched shunt (switch resistance is too big a problem at these currents), you need to move the plus lead (which is why there's three jacks).

Don't sweat the copy, sometimes it claims two amp ranges for these rascals, for instance this month's offering from MPJA (different color, $4) this month:

MPJA $4 DMM

OTOH, I'm frankly shocked at the actions of the clerk who's supposed to be helping you. Tells you the boss is selling junk, but then (with nary a nod or wink) sets sharp guys straight. .....

Doug Owen

 

[milkyspit]

Anyone know if the brick & mortar Harbor Freight stores offer this pricing as well?

And if so, anyone with a store close to them care to buy a bunch of the $3 DMMs and sell them to members who don't have one?

At Doug Owen's suggestion, I had included half a dozen of these in my Harbor Freight order months ago, and now I've sold all my extras at cost to other CPFers who presented themselves. I'm out!

Harbor Freight blows for those who just want the DMM but need to mailorder it. They charge shipping AND a separate "handling" charge, so the $3 DMM ends up somewhere in the $12 range. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[milkyspit]

All, a little while ago I posted a feeler in non-lights B/S/T about coordinating a group buy on these cheap DMMs. If anyone's interested, please post your interest over here.

 

[Eric_M]

How about a coupon for:

Free Shipping
Free Attache
$5.00 off

Merchandise total must be $39.99 or more.

#723-874-961

Enjoy

 

[DrJ]

.

 

[Doug Owen]

[ QUOTE ]
DrJ said:
WOW...thanks a bunch, I just placed my order for a few DMMs and some rechargeable lanterns....

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool. That's how it's supposed to work...

So, tell us about the lanterns? Sounds like a prefect excuse to me (although the on 123 cell light has possibilities).

Doug Owen

 

[DrJ]

.

 

[milkyspit]

Doug Owen, I bought one of those single 123 lights, and it's pretty wimpy. The only way to make something good out of it is to put a Luxeon in it, and then you'll probably want to use some kind of boost circuit, such as one of the dat2zip sandwiches. The build quality and styling of the light are both fair, meaning not unacceptable but not great either. Just wanted to offer a heads-up, and sorry for straying off-topic.

 

[gadgetboy]

I got mine in-store here for $3.99. Maybe the $2.99 price is online only.

The sales clerk said that when they go on sale the NMSU engineering dept comes down and buys them by the 80 pc. case!

 

[reviewum]

Hey all,

FYI: You've inspired me (well at the request of my wife to "clean house" to sell my Fluke DMMs. Here is a pic and a link:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB29&Number=424278&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

 

[LitFuse]

No offense, but cross-posting is a no-no. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Peter