Question about multimeter

[Melcin Powell]

well i just recently bought a Digital MultiMeter but when i try to read resistance i get the infinite resistance sign or it bounces everywhere and then goes back down to zero. What is happening? What am i doing wrong? The leads are not touching anything other then the resistor.

[blackbeard]

well there's the usual:

-try a different resistor
-change your batteries

and if neither of those work you should probably return it.

[Melcin Powell]

Ya well i did that but it is till freaking out. Thanks for the advice though

[waltr]

Touch the two probes together and it should show a few readings before settling to read less than one Ohm.
If this does work then first replace the battery as Blackbeard suggested.

[Melcin Powell]

Well thanks waltr, but i already returned it haha. So what digital multimeter would ya'll recommend i buy now?

[blackbeard]

Well thanks waltr, but i already returned it haha. So what digital multimeter would ya'll recommend i buy now?

if you have lots of money then get a Fluke. they're the best and they last a very long time!

[Melcin Powell]

Well i found one for only 60 bucks but i don't know much about them what do you think?

http://www.amazon.com/Mastech-MAS345-PC-Interfaced-Digital-Multimeter/dp/tech-data/B0006430ZM/ref=de_a_smtd/002-5032486-3423210?ie=UTF8&qid=1184724525&sr=1-1

[blackbeard]

seems ok. a bit pricy for what it is though.

[Melcin Powell]

Well crud i sure don't want to buy anything pricey.

[waltr]

I have a couple of inexpensive DMMs that were made in Korea. One cost about $40 25 years ago and the second about $15 10 years ago. Both still work.

Any of these should be ok:
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDrillDownView?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&freeText=DMM&search_type=jamecoall

Maybe someone else has a suggestion of a DMM bought recently.

[Admin]

Make sure the multimeter can measure frequency Hz - its invaluable for measuring PWM and servo signals.

[tmoney68]

I have an Extech model 430. It measures everything including frequency and capacitance. I don't remember what I paid,but it was quite reasonable otherwise I wouldn't have bought it.