Alternator Caught on Fire

[Ecto1]

I have a Fluke 77 meter I bought years ago. I was used to working with the Fluke meters at work and it's hard to find a better meter. Pricey, but high quality and durable. When I saw a "bargain" on this meter in the Sears Catalog I jumped on it. Very satisfied with it over the years. But I can't afford the inductive probes to go with it.

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[Buldawg76]

Initially, the dial was broken so I had to open it up and adjust the dial screw as it wouldn't stay on unless I pressed the dial down. And yes dc amps jumping around a lot when not on a circuit and when around the cable. It started of showing 0 amps when not on anything but moved to 0.45 amps after using for a bit, it does have a set to 0 but even when setting to 0 I would see it bounce around up to 0.1 amps. Thats why I am not confident in the 0.7 amps as it would fluctuate from 1-0.5 amps I just think it sat at 0.7 amps more. The instructions also states that the mode is made to test from 40-4 amps.

Either way as long as it shows there is no other major electrical issues even if I may have some higher-than-typical parasitical draw it gives me enough assurance to replace the alternator and drive it.

The harbor freight multimeter is pretty cheap.

The dial being broken out of the package is not good and would give me some pause on trusting if it is accurate in what it is reading since you had to adjust it. I would send it back and get the HF multimeter if it was me.

I do agree that you likely do not have any dead short or excessive drain and should be good with a new alternator. Just inspect the wiring/connector at the alternator closely to be sure there is no sign of damage or melting visible.

The HF has pretty good accuracy for the price and will get the job done for you.

Function Range Resolution Accuracy AC Voltage 600V 0.1V ±(1.2% + 3 digits) DC Voltage 600mV 0.1mV ±(0.7% + 3 digits) 6000mV 1mV ±(0.5% + 2 digits) 60V 0.01V ±(0.7% + 3 digits) 600V 0.1V ±(0.7% + 3 digits) DC Current 600uA, 60mA, 600mA 0.1µA, 0.01mA, 0.1mA ±(1.0% + 3 digits) 10A 0.01A ±(1.2% + 5 digits) Resistance 600Ω 0.1Ω ±(1.0% + 2 digits) 6000Ω, 60KΩ, 600KΩ 1Ω, 0.01kΩ, 0.1kΩ ±(0.8% + 2 digits) 60MΩ 0.01mΩ ±(2.0% + 5 digits) Capacitance 9.999nF 0.001nF ±(4.0% + 10 digits) 99.99nF, 999.9nF 0.01nF, 0.1nF ±(4.0% + 5 digits) 9.999µF, 99.99µF, 999.9µF 0.001µF, 0.01µF, 0.1µF ±(4.0% + 5 digits) 9.999mF 0.001mF ± 10% Sampling Rate ~3 times/second Storage Temperature Range: 14°F to 122°F Operating Temperature Range: 32° - 104°F Relative Humidity < 75% at 32°-86°F < 50% at 86°-104°F Operating Altitude 7000ft. (2000meters) maximum Fuse Type 10A Jack: F 10A H 600V Fuse Ø6x25mm Battery 2x AAA batteries (included.

BD

 

[Ecto1]

The dial being broken out of the package is not good and would give me some pause on trusting if it is accurate in what it is reading since you had to adjust it. I would send it back and get the HF multimeter if it was me.

I do agree that you likely do not have any dead short or excessive drain and should be good with a new alternator. Just inspect the wiring/connector at the alternator closely to be sure there is no sign of damage or melting visible.

The HF has pretty good accuracy for the price and will get the job done for you.

Function Range Resolution Accuracy AC Voltage 600V 0.1V ±(1.2% + 3 digits) DC Voltage 600mV 0.1mV ±(0.7% + 3 digits) 6000mV 1mV ±(0.5% + 2 digits) 60V 0.01V ±(0.7% + 3 digits) 600V 0.1V ±(0.7% + 3 digits) DC Current 600uA, 60mA, 600mA 0.1µA, 0.01mA, 0.1mA ±(1.0% + 3 digits) 10A 0.01A ±(1.2% + 5 digits) Resistance 600Ω 0.1Ω ±(1.0% + 2 digits) 6000Ω, 60KΩ, 600KΩ 1Ω, 0.01kΩ, 0.1kΩ ±(0.8% + 2 digits) 60MΩ 0.01mΩ ±(2.0% + 5 digits) Capacitance 9.999nF 0.001nF ±(4.0% + 10 digits) 99.99nF, 999.9nF 0.01nF, 0.1nF ±(4.0% + 5 digits) 9.999µF, 99.99µF, 999.9µF 0.001µF, 0.01µF, 0.1µF ±(4.0% + 5 digits) 9.999mF 0.001mF ± 10% Sampling Rate ~3 times/second Storage Temperature Range: 14°F to 122°F Operating Temperature Range: 32° - 104°F Relative Humidity < 75% at 32°-86°F < 50% at 86°-104°F Operating Altitude 7000ft. (2000meters) maximum Fuse Type 10A Jack: F 10A H 600V Fuse Ø6x25mm Battery 2x AAA batteries (included.

BD

Ah ... impressive. If it can measure DC current from uA to 10A via the inductive probe that'll do for a start.

 

[Buldawg76]

Ah ... impressive. If it can measure DC current from uA to 10A via the inductive probe that'll do for a start.

That is just a simple basic multimeter with wired probes not inductive pickup.

The one @tdstuart linked to from amazon I thought would measure from uA to 10A in auto range but did not measure in milliamps at all.

BD

 

[Ecto1]

That is just a simple basic multimeter with wired probes not inductive pickup.

The one @tdstuart linked to from amazon I thought would measure from uA to 10A in auto range but did not measure in milliamps at all.

BD

Thanks BD. Typical for what I've found for budget inductive meters that can even measure DC current. I've only found fairly expensive inductive probes that are good for uA but won't measure Amps. So I need several meters or probes or both to cover the ranges I want to. Given the costs involved the analog DC Ameters are the only solution I can afford. Too bad. But I can always hope.

 

[Buldawg76]

Thanks BD. Typical for what I've found for budget inductive meters that can even measure DC current. I've only found fairly expensive inductive probes that are good for uA but won't measure Amps. So I need several meters or probes or both to cover the ranges I want to. Given the costs involved the analog DC Ameters are the only solution I can afford. Too bad. But I can always hope.

Yea inductive meters are unfortunately not cheap for the average use that DIYers needs.

I have found that my Fluke 87 has served me well over the 40+ years I have owned it. While not as convient as an inductive meter it has done everything, I have needed it to do just a little more time consuming and deliberate in making sure you have it set correctly and connected correctly. It does read uAs as well as mAs/Amps up to max of 10 amps in DC. I paid around 300 for mine back in the early 80s.

They are now 450+ new and 150-200 used from Fleabay.

BD

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