How Do You Use A Multimeter?

[Zandy595]

I was given one as a gift and I just can't figure out the manual (64 pages). I was told I could use it to test regular alkaline batteries. Can anyone tell me how to do this.

I have 2 gallon ziploc bags full of batteries I would like to test to find out if I need to buy anymore before Ernesto decides to knock out our power.

This is what it looks like:

 

[maleficent1959]

Simply—

Put the Black cord in the (-) hole and the Red cord into the (+) hole.

Switch the dial to the lowest (DC) spot.

Put the black cord on the bottom of the battery and the red cord on the top of the battery.

If it reads anything below 1 volt, it is likely no good for your needs.

Good luck—

(On another note, not to sound like a “no duh! comment” but you should never, ever put the connecting leads into an electrical outlet with you limited understanding.)

 

[Zandy595]

Switch the dial to the lowest (DC) spot.

Would that be the first setting, VDC V?

 

[Charade]

On that meter there is only one VDC setting. The other is VAC. DC is batteries and AC is the wall outlet that runs stuff like your microwave.

And a mulitmeter is not the right tool to test batteries. You should get a dedicated battery tester. A battery tester puts a load (like being in use in a piece of electronic gear or a flashlight) on the battery while testing it. A mulitmeter might give you a false reading indicating the battery is ok but it might poop out sooner than expected.

 

[stevenpensacola]

A good battery will read 1.5 volts DC +- a tenth or two.