Using a multimeter around the caravan

In this video, i show a very simple example of what a multimeter can do around the caravan.

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[dennisbuckley]

First class. I bought the simplest needle meter from Halfords about a million years ago to help me fit youth bling to my old cars - Goodmans cassette deck, air horns, driving lamps, etc. It served me well into adulthood to check domestic bulb and fuse ‘continuity’ (I didn’t know this was the correct term until now), until it suffered a battery leak and went to the big terminal in the sky. I replaced it with a B&Q digital meter similar to yours and have always found it complicated and a little overkill for such simple checks - I can never remember the correct settings to use! Thank you for your tutorial, I find your thorough approach to explaining things without unnecessary waffle spot on - it all seems so simple now 👌

[stevechurchman]

Excellent. People on forums often give advice which involves using a meter but they never explain what you need to do. Well done.

[HektorBandimar]

Very useful video, good info, well presented, and no pointless music, well done!

[HitchUpAndTow]

Great video and it was nice to see you gave a warning about playing around with the mains, most people don't realize, it only takes 50mA to cause cardiac arrest.

[Griff]

a very good tutorial video Dan, as a gas engineer I use a multi meter a lot and you have provided a great intro to the multi meter.

[qedelec]

Seal of approval from a electronics engineer/electrical contractor. To add, digital meters are preferred these days as they are less intrusive than analogue meters, i.e. they don't draw current, allegedly. Mains voltage (230v) is referred to as LOW voltage, and 12v is Extra Low Voltage, this is often misquoted in literature. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but fairy certain low voltage range goes as high as 399v. Thanks again for a well thought out vid.

[vince_martyn]

Great video Dan. I was expecting you to tell people why they shouldn't put the meter across the battery when it's set to read current, but you didn't. The answer for people that don't know is that the meter will attempt to drain the battery almost instantly and the better scenario is that the fuse blows in the meter, the worse scenario is the meter and leads melt in your hands. As Dan said, be sure you know what you are doing.

[mikeclifton]

This is an excellent tutorial and very useful for those running repairs and projects around the caravan. Nice to hear you using the term 'current' instead of 'amperage' as well. Nicely balanced warning regarding mains voltage too.I have two expensive Fluke testers in my workshop but I have a "China's Finest" one in the caravan, which cost, including postage from

[colinfraser]

Good information in the main for those unfamiliar with multi-meters. One slight error in the video is when checking a battery voltage after taking it straight off charge you have to apply some sort of load for a short time to stabilise the voltage I.E remove the surface charge or ghost voltage left by the charger. It is not possible for your 12v battery to store 13.3v fully charged is 12.76 (6 cells x 2.12v per cell) without removing the surface charge you can have no idea what the actual stabilised voltage of the battery is.

[lindaholbrook]

Thank you for making it very clear. I wouldnt have any hesitation in using one on batteries and solar panels. Very good advice to steer clear of mains electrics too.

[HowardB]

Excellent video as usual Dan, informative without being too techy.

Took me back to my tech college days !- wouldn’t want to cart an AVO 8 around any more tho lol !

I have a small digital meter I carry in my van toolbox - invaluable when I let my car hook up lead drag on the road all the way to my first site and break almost every one of the 13 cables !

[paulfleming]

You must be psychic - just bought a multimeter to check the battery and fuses etc. Well done really useful and practical - finger on the pulse!,

[thomaslacey]

Brilliant....exactly the info I needed to use my multimeter for the shown tasks...thanks a million

[majordamage]

Hi Dan just want to compliment you on an excellent video. well put together, spot on. and hope that it helps out a lot of people with the basics of testing, not just for in caravan.

[paulsingh]

Cheers, needed to see this vid, I now know what’s going on with my solar and batteries!👍🏾

[damiengardiner]

Terrific video again Dan. Really helpful. Thank you.

[paulpringle]

Found this video very useful.thanks Dan

[itroy]

Very handy tips
Have a great weekend.

[markdinmore]

Hi dan fantastic video thank you I will invest in a multi meter

[fat-shotgolf]

Great video. I have no 12v supply in the caravan, no idea why? Multimeter should arrive today and hopefully I'll be able to figure out what's wrong. Thanks 😊