multimeter?

[Leevibe]

Is there one that can measure pF very well? I have a fluke that will just round off to 1n on the auto range, I guess it can't read that low?

the vc97 measures pretty low values, but it still isn't very good.  i think the actual wires coming out of the meter must have some capacitance.  no big deal if measuring 10uF, but for something like 22pF, I've found it to be useless.

the solution many of us have found is to build one of these.  it's pretty good at what it does.

Ooh I want one. I was looking at dedicated cap meter on MCM and was thinking of springing for one but they're like $140 and I don't really need to be able to measure ESR. For $14 + enclosure it will be mine!

Edit: Make that $9.75 at Amazon assuming this is the same kit.

[Haberdasher]

Is there one that can measure pF very well? I have a fluke that will just round off to 1n on the auto range, I guess it can't read that low?

the vc97 measures pretty low values, but it still isn't very good.  i think the actual wires coming out of the meter must have some capacitance.  no big deal if measuring 10uF, but for something like 22pF, I've found it to be useless.

the solution many of us have found is to build one of these.  it's pretty good at what it does.

Ooh I want one. I was looking at dedicated cap meter on MCM and was thinking of springing for one but they're like $140 and I don't really need to be able to measure ESR. For $14 + enclosure it will be mine!

Edit: Make that $9.75 at Amazon assuming this is the same kit.

yeah, you'll probably like it.  it's a brainless build and it works great.  i don't even have mine in an enclosure, although it would be nice to have it that way.

pre-build advice:  read the comments and adjust the resistors like some people suggested.  i can't remember which resistors they are, but the purpose is to make the led readout brighter.  you definitely should do that.

pre-troubleshooting advice:  the thing is center pin pos, so remember that or you'll be scratching your head, lol.  i rummaged around & found an old 12v wall wart for the purpose and it works fine.

[Leevibe]

I was thinking of boxing it and running off board wires to the usual adapter wired center neg. I wonder what else I could enclose with this to make an even more clever tester.

[jighead81]

Just ordered the capacitance meter diy kit off amazon, should be here Monday

[Vallhagen]

That jyetech Cap meter is a great thing. Another hint for the build: I added a 9V battery clip in parallell with the DC jack. Makes it more portable, and a battery "never" runs out in a device like this.

Cheers

[electrosonic]

the vc97 measures pretty low values, but it still isn't very good.  i think the actual wires coming out of the meter must have some capacitance.  no big deal if measuring 10uF, but for something like 22pF, I've found it to be useless.

I have a VC97 - for low capacitance values either make a note of the capacitance with the test leads connected and without the capacitor and subtract that off the measurement or don't use test leads, use  the component connector thing. (in the blue circle)



Of course a dedicated cap meter would be better, but the VC97 is good enough for my purposes.

Andrew.

[h8mtv]

I made one of those kits. It works pretty well. Dremel-Fu in full effect.

[chromesphere]

Mines "up market" but I like it a lot:

http://www.bkprecision.com/products/multimeters/2709B-auto-ranging-true-rms-tool-kit-digital-multimeter.html

I looked into it after watching dave jone's shoot out and he ended up giving this dmm...well...'the thumbs up' Its probably overkill for guitar pedal electronics but its an excellent dmm. 

One thing to look out for is latching on the continuity tested.  It can be DAM ANNOYING have a continuity buzzer that lags by a sec before it latches, particularly when checking etched traces on a pcb and I would go as far as saying, pretty much useless.  The BK precision cont tester is latched (it holds the beep instead of crackles which is 'unlatched') and incredibly fast.  Its just one feature I use all the time I thought I would mention. 

Good luck in your search.

Paul

[raccoondad]

I use this one.  hfe for transistors.  functions perfectly for a stupid low price.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-92020.html#.UxywXU2aO1s

I bought this one as well and find it to be kind of finicky / annoying when testing hfe for transistors. I have to wiggle the transistors around a lot / the reading jumps around / the pins have to go really deep / etc. Is this par for the course with transistor testers or are there better options?

[jtn191]

I bought the vc97 a while back at Keef's suggestion. Totally happy with it! It's as much of a multimeter as I'll need for a while.

[Scruffie]

Another vote for the VC97, fantastic for the price.

[miter53]

For capacitance, I got a Tenma for $26 at MCM. Works great for small values that my Fluke doesn't cover very well. It has a zero adjustment to compensate for lead capacitance.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-8150-/72-8150

[muddyfox]

FWIW, I use this one for quick capacitance/hfe/pin_orientation purposes (especially the latter). ZIF socket makes it a breeze to use. I still use regular dmm for continuity/resistance, it's a really old Voltcraft unit that's out of production so it's nothing to brag about.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171310003614?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

EDIT: forgot to add why I mentioned it in the first place.... 
It's also killer for checking smd components. The bare metal areas are great for testing say 0805 capacitors that have absolutely no markings on them. Also great for doublechecking your SMD BJT hfes. Just hold the component down on the pads, press a button and presto!