Can it measure DC current by placing the leads in series in a circuit (like a non-clamp meter), or only via the clamp? The manual only mentions clamp
2034021
No, it cannot. In order to use the probes for a current measurement a shunt would be provided across the black and red terminals which would make the voltmeter useless. If your looking for a clamp-probe type meter that will also perform inline current measurements, look for a meter that has three probe terminals. The third terminal is used with a built-in shunt thus allowing current measurements using the supplied probes. Hope this helps.
1557672
Sure, but it will only measure the AC side of things. If you want to measure the entire RV, you'll need to attach it to the main feed wires going into the distribution panel where it will see power from any source (generator, shore, inverter). To measure power going to/from your battery bank, use meters designed for DC (with an appropriately sized shunt) and place them for either incoming (charger, solar panels, etc.) or outgoing (to the inverter or the DC breakout panel) power. For simple DC voltage measurement in my RV, I use one of these http://www.amazon.com/VoltMinder-Digital-Volt-Meter-Batteries/dp/B001IQ1XW4
2022240
40 ma is a current, not a voltage. It does not measure current, but yes it can measure 40 mv. if you want to measure current, get a 1 ohm resistor add it to your circuit and measure the voltage across it and it will be equal to the current.
1826729
*** AC and DC current ranges (clamp): 40A, 400A *** *** AC and DC current ranges (leads): 400A, 2000A ***
1687912
I've used the MS2108 to measure 12vdc parasitic current on my RV. Not sure of the overall accuracy (don't have another meter to compare with), but it did seem to be reasonably stable down to 100ma (only used the clamp-on function). I didn't make any measurements less than 100ma, so I can't comment on measurements less than this.
2163879
It will measure current well under 5A DC. I've been told clamp on meters aren't very accurate and I think this is compounded at lower currents when the coil is influenced by other stray fields. When I went outside and did a little testing with my trickle charger (and leadtype multimeter in series) I found that it's quite accurate (within 10%) down to 0.5A but when I got to the 0.05A it was out by up to 75%. I think your results will vary depending on environment.
530941
Steve, I just discovered the adjustment pot for zeroing (or at least get it close to spec) the DC clamp current. Turn the meter over, then open and remove the battery cover. On the back you will find two holes to the left of the center chassis screw. The hole closest to that center chassis screw locates the adjustment pot for the DC clamp current mode. Turn the pot clockwise to decrease the value towards negative, counter-clockwise to increase the value towards positive. Use a miniature Phillips #1 (3mm Ø shaft) screwdriver.See the photo I uploaded.
544569
Yes. If you put the meter in the circuit so current will flow through the meter.
480903
I don't think any clamp-on inductive style ammeter is going to be that accurate. Even the really top end ones are probably +-0.2 amps or so. You need the type that has actual wire connections.
1465016
It gives a running digital reading of amperage AC current, not DC. It has no capture capability for highest amperage event, your eyeballs have to do that. It does give quick readings however on a continuous basis if amps are selected, or watts, or volts or cycles per second or kwh.
2250729
Yes. You can search amazon for a current transformer, sometimes called a current tap. There are closed types that slip over the wire (usually cheaper) and open types that can be snapped around the wire like a regular clamp on ammeter. I don't know the ratio that you need for this meter. I suspect that it is a 100:0.1 ratio. This means that when the wire you are measuring is running 100 amps ac, the output from the current is 0.1 amp ac. If you are planning on switching between current sensors so that you can use one meter to measure multiple wires, you do need to be careful. The open circuit voltage on the current transformer can be dangerously high. I've been tempted to do this but have decided against it.
1472533
This type of tool can sense a hot circuit through both the individual leads's insulation and the sheath insulation. However, I don't know if this particular product will reliably do so. I have had to spend more time and effort than I would like getting a result that I was certain I could trust. Please note Trina Buchanan's response, too; she has the credentials. A different model or brand might be better for you.
1697167
No idea. I never had a problem on a 15 amp circuit. Who goes around measuring current on whatever devices they plug in? Kind of a pain, what?
603200
Hi, Yes, you can use the meter power it and monitor it when connected to the same source. You can also have it be powered by another unit to measure something else. The input voltage ranges from 4.5 to 30 volts. Just make sure to not wire the unit backwards as there is no reverse voltage protection. Note that the brown (or black in some models) wire is the main (common) negative wire and the red wire is the positive power wire. The other color yellow (or white in some models) is the positive voltage measuring wire. For example, you would power the volt meter by connecting it to the brown wire to the negative terminal of the voltage supply and the red to the positive terminal of the voltage supply. You then would connect the yellow white to the positive terminal of whatever you are measuring to it and the brown wire to the negative part (you'll need to solder another to it to make a "Y" connection lead). Last remark, the little screw on the back of the unit allows you to calibrate the unit, you might want to compare and make changes to the unit with another volt meter you already know that is accurate as mine was off by 0.2 volts. I hope this helps!
1818973
Yes you can measuretrue power but you cant measure current and volts at the same time
1936720
The meter must have its own, separate power supply. I use a 12vdc transformer plugged into my inverter and it works great. I am able to monitor amps used by the inverter and other DC loads connected to my batteries as well as switch to see battery voltage. If you already have a separate power supply, you may have a bad meter.
1207557
It will read DC Amps but accurately, I was reading a 3Amp load. I would suggest with all cheap meters to replace the probes and spend a little money $15/20 on a decent set of probes. Then it will read DC amps accurately once I replaced the probes.