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Post by rosiemoto on Jul 20, 2016 21:54:40 GMT -6
Well it's about time I get myself a multimeter, and I really only haven't gotten one already because I'm scared of zapping myself or shorting out my bike if I touch the poles to the wrong spot. I've got a few questions, maybe you all could help me begin to understand it. Basically just trying to figure out if it's foolproof or if you must be careful where you touch the poles!
- Is it possible to hurt the bike or bike's battery by touching the multimeter poles in wrong spots?
- Can sparks ever come out when I do multimeter tests?
- Can things become "active" when the multimeter poles touch it? Like could it make my brake light turn on, or make the starter spin?
Thanks!
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Doc's Anything Goes
Currently Offline
Say no to scooter abuse
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Post by jct842 on Jul 20, 2016 22:09:05 GMT -6
Hard to quickly explain all the uses of a digital multimeter. When set to measure voltage you can not hurt any thing with the probes. When set to measure current if you go across the battery as an example you will hurt the meter or blow the fuse in it. Setting to measure resistance and putting probes on a source of voltage can hurt the meter again. I don't know if there is a tutorial in the library or not but there will be guides on the net if you search.
Some voltages you may want to measure on a scooter would be ac as in the output of the stator. The dc voltages might be the output of the regulator or the battery. When a light does not light you can trace it back to the source of the voltage with a meter and looking at the electrical diagram to find where to go next. Rich has some excelent explainations of checking the electrical of scooters in the library.
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Post by olivertwisted on Jul 20, 2016 22:23:20 GMT -6
Hiya Rosie! As most in here know, I'm no expert to electrical circuits but want to encourage you. I've had meters for many years and have never incurred or created a danger or, shorted anything out. It's just a matter of using the selector for what you are testing. Watch a few tutorials on youtube, I still do when my head gets turned around about it. I'm sure some peeps with experienced , clear minds will chime in to give you trustworthy direction but, here are some vids that set me strait when my thinking needs it  THE BEST Multimeter tutorialThe red one in this vid is the "free with coupon" meter from Harbor Freight and does most of the basic functions. I have a few of them... link |
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Post by cyborg on Jul 26, 2016 18:43:43 GMT -6
I know this is an old thread I somehow missed,,, Oliver you live close to Rosie,,, go over there and hit her with something,,, I'll pay you $50
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Post by olivertwisted on Jul 27, 2016 13:34:39 GMT -6
LOL, me no toucha da rosiemoto , cyborg ! Besides, me thinks, she's in Florida ?! |
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Post by rosiemoto on Jul 29, 2016 17:02:47 GMT -6
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Post by cyborg on Jul 30, 2016 8:25:28 GMT -6
I'm only goofin on you,,,,go to harbor freight grab one of their mid priced meters,,,read the instruction pamphlet that comes with the unit and you're good to go,,,
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Post by cyborg on Jul 30, 2016 8:25:40 GMT -6
I'm only goofin on you,,,,go to harbor freight grab one of their mid priced meters,,,read the instruction pamphlet that comes with the unit and you're good to go,,,
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