Need help with my DMM.. :(

[Jd377 6]

I just went and bought a Digital Multimeter because I will be getting a stinger voltmeter soon.. plus I just needed one, and well.. I have no idea how to use it!!! I tried my best and got a spark and some awfully hot wire thingys... ouch. First off there are 2 different red plugs and 1 black plug slots at the bottom of the dmm.. I wasn't sure how to know which red one to plug into, and obv. the black went into the only black slot. After that i went over to DCv and scrolled the wheel over to 20.. I assumed you go higher than the voltage you are going to read.. which for cars is around 12v.. Then I stuck my red probe onto my + on my amp and black onto my - on amp.. and.. spark?.. just tiny spark but scared the shizz outta me. So now here I am begging for help as this stupid DMM has nothing of instructions to help me check the voltage at my amp?.. ugh PLEASE HELP.

[CrazyKenKid 64]

interesting!

for starters what is the make and model of your DMM (digital multi-meter)

also where is the RED plugged into? which RED hole?

I assume there are symbols above the red holes!

[CrazyKenKid 64]

here is what my DMM looks like!

please note there are also 2 red holes

one is clearly marked with a big A on it (which refers to amps)

and the other one has the ohm symbol, the volts symbol and the diode symbol and some kind a continuity test thing!

http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-117-Electricians-True-Multimeter/dp/B000O3LUEI

and of course the black which is refereed to as the COM , or common or ground!

[Jd377 6]

This is mine:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equus-3300-Hands-free-Digital-Multimeter/14644665

Dude yours is freakin sexy, Mine is cheapo depot..

I plugged mine into the left red slot.. because dc was on the left.. lol. And I set it at 20 out of the options like 2, 20, 200 and something else.. I just dont want to make *sparks* on my amp geez i almost cried, that sundown amp is my baby

[CrazyKenKid 64]

I know how you feel! lol!

well you did in fact plug your dmm into the amperage side which is what i thought you did and you might have blown the fuse in it but! but all that aside fuses can be changed! all you need to do now is put the red wire into the red hole on the right hand side where it says V=volts since you want to measure volts right! and not DC amps (left red hole)

and remember a dmm just simply measures nothing else it can't kill your amp! but a light show is always awesome!

[CrazyKenKid 64]

and no your DMM is a nice DMM don't bash it. just once you learn how to use it you will be good to go lol!

at any rate switch holes and report back! (lol that sounds bad)

and I purchased my DMM on ebay for a good 60$ used lol! it does me well! it has auto range, which means it will find the range that works best for my situation, in your case you have to pick 200m,2,20,200 mine does it for me.

[Jd377 6]

Ok awesome! thanks for your help. I wish instructions came with it lol.. as I am not randomly a pro the first time a touch a DMM. And there are so many numbers to select haha.. but awesome I'll test it out in the morning using the correct red slot ! and this time hope for no sparks.

[Jd377 6]

aw crap, I saw one for $25 bucks that was auto ranging, but this one was on sale for $12.. I was like umm half price sounds good to me. ( plus at the time I had no idea what auto ranging meant tbh )

[CrazyKenKid 64]

glad I could lend some advice! and yes dmm should always come with instruction manuals, mine didn't because it was used, I just got lucky because in school I use a DMM all the time and that is how I learned!

also good idea on getting a stinger volt meter they work super awesome the only down side to the stinger meter is it is SUPER SUPER bright at night, I actually made a night time filter for mine, as I placed my stupidly on the dash so it nearly blinds me at night! the way I made my filter/screen was simple take a double mind gun packaging(the not the stuff around the gum but the case around all the gum pieces) and cut a piece out to fit the window lol! it is ghetto but it works amazingly for me!

and be sure to set the stinger voltage meter once with the car off (well key in first click so stuff turns on) then turn the car on and make sure the voltage is good! to set the stinger meter you have to remove the front cover and turn the yellow Philips screw!

enjoy and good luck!

[Jd377 6]

Awesome! I always use the tips!! I am super excited to install it after I order it later in the week

[CrazyKenKid 64]

awesome be sure to post a pic here! also if you notice in my pic i posted if you look in the top right, after the stinger word, you can see the adjusting Philips screw!

[shizzzon 461]

You could go with the ones i have.

They are bigger but better..

Around 3" wide, 1" thick, 1.5" tall.

What's good about them is they change brightness at night so u don't go blind.

also, they are calibrated at the factory.. there is NO pot on these meters, they are very precise.

Accuracy- 0.15% first 3 minutes, 0.08% accuracy after 3 minutes.

Resolution- 4 digits.

These got real popular because these voltmeters can work with 12,14,16,18 and 24v systems.