Multimeter DT830B 19-Range DMM
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.64 You Save: $8.35 (56%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Multimeter DT830B 19-Range DMM
Customer Review: An excellent value - assuming you received the right model
Summary: 5 Stars
There seems to be a lot of confusions about this Sinometer DT830B 20-Range DMM & Battery Tester. For examples, some people complained that it has no battery testing function, while others complained about poor accuracy of this meter. Both accounts are not true - at least for the model I received.
The source of the confusion is that there are two different digital multimeters, both called 'DT830B'. Even when I search for "Sinometer DT830B" and land on the same Amazon product page, it seems to alternatively display two different product images:
- One DMM (see Palm-Size Digital Multimeter, DT830B) has its three probe-sockets arranged in vertical direction. Its ON/OFF switch is integrated into the main dial, and there are no battery testing functions available. Its dimensions are 5 x 0.9 x 2.8".
- The DMM I received (see my Customer Image) has its three probe-sockets arranged in horizontal direction. It has a separate ON/OFF switch on the left hand side. On its main dial there is a rudimentary battery tester function. Its size is smaller at 3.8 x 1 x 2.2".
The battery tester function is nothing to get excited about. It simply pulls 4mA when connected to a 1.5V battery. So suppose you measure an alkaline battery and see a lower current such as 3.2mA, you know that the battery is roughly half-depleted. This is not useful for testing a rechargeable NiMH cell, because its terminal voltage does not change significantly until it is nearly exhausted.
The DMM comes without an instruction manual. The only specifications were printed on the back of the box. I was skeptical about the claimed accuracy (+/-1.0% for DC voltage, for example), so I tested it against a professional DMM (HP 34401A). I was quite surprised by my findings:
- For DC voltage and current, readings of the two meters differ by less than 0.5%
- For resistance, the difference is typically about 1%.
Some other observations are:
- The DT830B's input impedance is 2 Mega ohm for DC voltage (compared to 10 Mega ohm for the HP)
- The maximum resistance value it can measure is 2 Mega ohm (compared to 100 Mega ohm for the HP)
- It takes about 1 second to reach a stable reading (the HP takes less than 0.1 second)
Considering that I paid only $7 for this little DMM, while a professional DMM costs over $500, I really cannot ask for more. But I do wish that it comes with a better instruction manual - just for people who never used a DMM before.
(Hint: Google "How to use a DMM" if you need some general information or tutorial)
Customer Review: Battery tester
Summary: 1 Stars
Poor quality and not well suited for testing batteries. Paid $6.95 and found it locally for $1.95Customer Review: Cheap but cheap
Summary: 3 Stars
As the name of the review says, it is cheaply made but is cheap to buy. It worked well for the first 6 months. Then the voltage started wavering a lot and I had to wonder how accurate it was. I have since lent it to a friend, he says it works fine. I bought another one for $10 more, and prefer it to this one quite a bit. Up to you if you want super cheap or middle of the line for a little bit more. Probably fine for people who don't use it much.Customer Review: Description Misleading - No Batter Tester With Load Setting
Summary: 2 Stars
I am extremely disappointed and feel deceived. Now that I can examine it up close, this is the exact same device I bought at a Dollar Store in a different color. I bought this because I wanted to test batteries under load to get a reading of how much power the battery still had. Old/used batteries can read 1.5 volts when not under load, but will quickly drop once a load is placed on it, hence the need to test them under load to determine if they are still good.
Anyway - as a cheap multimeter, it's fine. As a Battery tester with load - that's deceptive and why I give this 2 stars.
Customer Review: Didnt' Last
Summary: 1 Stars
I received it in with a dead battery...replaced battery and used once.
Next time about 2 weeks later didn't work replaced battery again still no power.
2 days past time to return so I have a new boat anchor!!