Analog vs Digital meters

[Red Iron 1]

I'm not going to pick what meter you should use for trouble shooting

electrical problems, just going to assist those choosing one.

Digital meters are nice for giving you that voltage reading without

guessing the scale and "figuring" the actual reading of a pointer used

on analog meters. Digital meters are NOT as quick to display the

fluctuations in the tested voltages, some are almost 1/2 second later

to show the change in voltage. Analog meters are much better for the

little dips & peaks in voltage variations, that little pointer will instantly

move in response to changes- a plus for finding loose wiring when wiggling

them while meter is hooked up.

The accuracy difference is nil, both will be quite satisfactory in the work

we do on our tractors (or what else you may be working on). A 5% accuracy

is plenty good for most purposes, higher cost models have better accuracy and

usually are for professionals who work on electrical or electronics for a

living. We are just working on tractors (or keeping them going for that matter!)

and does the "Fancy Stuff" matter? In my case, it doesn't.

Unless, you work in a factory as maintenance (I do), a 300v max range

is plenty for homeowners, tho' 600v is almost mandatory in factories.

A "good" meter would test AC/DC voltage and read Ohms, fancier ones

read all that plus amperes, temperature and decibels. Up to you

and your wallet to decide digital or analog- both are nearly same price for

the features. Analog meters will break easily if dropped, digital ones can take the

abuse better. A strong manget will ruin an analog meter, digitals aren't

bothered by those magnetic screw drivers in the tool box. Digital displays

go black (LCD like cell phones) if left in car on 90

[HorseFixer 2,012]

Jer good info, and there is another benifit of a digital meter, many have peak voltage setting for like checking highest voltage on a generator and to adjust voltage regulator. They both have their advatages. :scratchead:

[Save Old Iron 1,563]

Excellent summary.

Having worked with all types of meters for the last 40+ years, this one caution ---

meters will end up finding themselves in all types of harsh environments. I would caution users to stay away from the sub $20 range of meters ( analog or digital).

I have meters I have used since the ealry 70's (Simpson 260) and it still works today. Fluke meters from the 80's , still work flawlessly today. $20 stuff I bought last year routinely gives me the red a$$. They are the tool equivalent of a $3 nutcracker - maybe one good use and usually the nuts that end up getting cracked are not attached to the tool.

I figured I would purchase a few of these $20 meters to "keep in the car, barn, etc.

They NEVER fail TO DISAPPOINT me! It seems the quality of the meter leads, wiring and lead connection to the meter are all less than reliable. You end up wondering why your readings are erratic when tracing the tractor wiring and find out that after reseating the meter leads back into the meter - now the readings are steady - your end up troubleshooting the meter more than you do your project.

When you are trying to measure the primary resistance of an ignition coil and expect a reading of 1 - 3 ohms and your meter will not zero out to less than 1 ohm, thats not good, When you rotate the meter leads in the meter body and the reading then changes down to .1 ohms, you just witnessed the quality issue that can cause a 50% error, never mind the 5%.

The one big difference between analog / digital is the sensitivity of the meter.

An analog meter must use a much higher internal voltage and forces much more current thru the device your testing to obtain a reading. If you check carefully, most analog meters will warn against their use on "modern highly sensitive transistorized devices". Read electronic trigger modules and electronic interlock switches here.

[Red Iron 1]

Thanks guys for adding your little bit, it seems that while we all get

something on our minds, a little detail is sometimes overlooked. I have

to agree with the troublesome banana jacks, they are not durable as

the Horses we work on! I've taken a digital meter apart, to resolder

the jacks onto the circuit board (some are held with nuts & star washers).

The time some people spend "twisting" the banana plugs in the jacks does

loosen them internally or twist the strands of the plugs too. They sure

don't make them like they used too!

BTW- old digital meters that "died" can be recycled with cell phones.