Draper Digital Multimeter with Backlight -

People used to joke about Japanese/Chinese equipment instructions, mainly for the English, but at least they mostly described all aspects of their products...First, Missing Steps in Drapers DMM1A 60792 Instructions:You get: Multimeter (Cased in plastic/rubber 'boot' Leads (Black & Red - with plugs on connector end - plugs do not fit over tips and they're not rubber - as mentioned by one reviewer 1 x PP3-9v Battery Instruction BookletThe Instructions nor the separate sheet (How to remove outer casing 'boot') mention Installation of Battery until it's time to replace the battery that hasn't been installed (Under Maintenance at end of Instructions before Notes (blank) with Fuse Replacement) The only other mention of Battery is in Specification (Battery Type - 1x9v PP3)Preparing for use:Remove the light blue rubber cover (it has a stand/flap at the back - don't try and remove that - it won't reveal a battery compartment) as per leafletThere is a screw (or more than one) - Remove with smallish Phillips screwdriverOpen Back and you'll find a standard PP3 Battery connectorAfter connecting (only connects one way) press bottom of battery into plastic 'sponge' in battery compartment - tight fit (don't remove spring that's bouncing around, probably earths circuitboard to tin foil shield)Replace back and screw, fit casing/coverPush Test leads connectors in firmly, otherwise they may appear 'loose'The 'dial' - function selector - is normally set in OFF position, so you will be met with a blank screenIf you purposely or inadvertently press the 'hold' button before switching to any function, you will be met with a blank display apart from a shifting decimal point as you go round the dial (was on the point of returning this item as non-functioning)The clue is the small D-H block in left hand corner - No mention of D-H or Data-Held in Instructions (Required a call to Drapers Help Line) The diagram illustrates '7' as the 'Hold button'- Missed opportunity there...So hold button is activated, once the battery is connected, and storing a 'blank' value without indicating that's it's done so, with the meter in the 'OFF' positionSimply press hold button and the 000's you've been waiting for will appearMaybe the fault in the logic is why it's so cheap, happy with that, once idiosyncrasies have been uncovered1.49v (in 20volt range) for half spent AA battery49v (in 200volt range) for Telephone Line DC - good enough for me, so far... (despite the aneamic buzzer)

I'm on my second one of these in 3 years. I blew my first one up by surging it accidentally with a generator. I really like these multi meters. I think they're great and incredibly simple to use. They have a maximum voltage input of 600. I think I killed my other one with around 3000 hurrhurr. At first these multi meters feel a little cheap, but after use they tend to smoothen out a little. I use mine almost daily when I'm on the go with projects and they never let me down. They have a built in fuse for protection and are packed with features if you know how to use a multi meter to it's potential. I've heard of these models having loose solder joints which after comparing my old one to my knew one I can believe. the PCB's have random amounts of solder applied to different internal components. They do seem to be a little cheaply made internally. When you receive a new one of these you have to put the battery in yourself by taking the unit apart, so if you see any dodgy soldering work upon doing so you can send it back for another or a refund I would imagine. Simple as that.

OK. I am an electronics newbie, learning the hard way.I got this multimeter. It works nicely... It has many modes, as it says, voltage, resistance, current... etc.One thing I didn't like is that it doesn't come with a selection of leads. A finer point and a grabber would be nice options.Anyhow... I blew this one. I used my amp reading mode in parallel with a 12V circuit, no resistance across my multi-meter. Now, my multi-meter only reads 0A :( No matter what mode.I asked on an electronics forum, and they told me to try replacing the fuse. I did. The old fuse was blown. But this didn't fix the problem. The new fuse is fine, but no matter what I do, I cannot get an amp reading.I USED to be able to get amp readings out of this when using it in series.I guess we can say this device is not foolproof :)I'm not sure I can get it returned as I did use the device incorrectly. Now I have to look for a more foolproof ammeter, that can withstand 12V and no load.

I have been looking around for a replacement multimeter and this is the best I have seen for the money. For my application (battery, charging system and continuity tests on my Motorcycles) I only need a cheap one. They are all as accurate as each other (0.5%) as the actual circuitry is more or less the same (I have tested this one agains others and it is accurate).The Draper Multimeter cost me £12.88 but I have spent more on worse kit before. I got a 'lazer' multimeter from Halfords that cost £16 and is very poorly built by comparison. The 'lazer' one does the job and is accurate, but it is very flimsy (would not stand to be dropped), has no hold function (useful when you run out of hands), has no continuity test function, no backlight and only tests a maximum current of 5 amps (so I can't do an 'ignition-on' current draw test on my Bonnie, as that will (or is supposed to) take around 8 amps).I have since found out from reviews on other sites that the RRP for the Draper multimeter is ~£20 which makes sense. The quality of this kit is what I would expect (and have seen in shops) for £20-£25; that makes it about half the price you would reasonably expect to pay for a multimeter of this quality in the shops. It is an extremely good deal!

Item itself is very good. The meter sits within a robust rubbery casing.The pull out prop on the back is a bit feeble so the meter doesn't really stand up - you can sort of prop it.The backlight doesn't stay on long enough for my liking.and there isn't much by way of instructions - no frills just bare essentials, but then I was new to using a multimeter and probably expecting too much. I was able to find advice and help via the internet though not on the maker's site. I've used it on the car battery & fuses, not yet used on the home electricts, nor on my PC, though this meter is capable of all these..And not forgetting, this was one of the cheaper multimeters, a very good product.