Comments on: Dealmonger: A Digital Multi-Meter And AC Voltage Detector For $12

By: Old Donn

Old Donn — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 02:29:35 +0000

Bought this for the AC stick, didn’t need the multimeter. Besides, I’m an old timer and prefer an analog scale multimeter, (like to see that capacitance kick). The tester fits in your pocket. It ain’t perfect, but it ain’t bad either.

By: KB

KB — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 19:10:12 +0000

I have one of these that I use to check out unknown connections in our lab, since some of the test setups use high voltage or high amp setups. If I burn one of these by accident, then it’s no big deal compared to the more expensive ones that are considered ‘professional’.

These are also better to have student’s learn on if there is a mistake involved.

By: Donald Bradshaw

Donald Bradshaw — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:48:18 +0000

Using a multimeter just to check if a cable is energized is a pain compared to using the voltage tester. I used to only use the meter, then I got the tester. I only use my meter to check for proper voltage/current levels and look for problems like voltage drop or a high impedance short.

The voltage tester is the perfect tool to just see if a cable has energy in it, or to make sure you hit the breaker right. Mike’s right, you do have to get used to the false triggering, as we can’t make the static electricity go away. If you place it next to an energized cable, you’ll know the difference immediately.

I prefer to call mine the “hot stick”. My “hot stick” gets used constantly when I’m doing electrical work, it’s one of the most important tools I have.

By: Nate Bezanson

Nate Bezanson — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:23:41 +0000

Of course they’re all useless around radio transmitters or certain kinds of unshielded data cabling, which turn the whole area into a false-positive. They also don’t detect DC, which is stated on the package but bears repeating, lest you absentmindedly try to use one while working on a car.

I luuuurve my Fluke LVD1, though nothing beats a real multimeter for being totally sure. (Holding the probes like chopsticks in one hand, and the meter in the other, is my usual technique.)

By: Mike M

Mike M — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:56:49 +0000

Hey I’m an electrician.. a volt tick will respond from 50VAC - 600VAC on average. It will chirp when held to a wire @ 1st because it is “cutting” the magnetic field produced the flow of current in that wire… for example running the volt tick back and forth over your arm will chirp since you are creating static electricity.

The simplest way to avoid getting shocked is double check with the volt tick… seperate the individual feeds and hold it steady right next to the wire and you WONT have any problems

By: Brian H

Brian H — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:36:52 +0000

I found the AC voltage detector pretty valuable this past weekend while remodeling my kitchen. It only took one time tripping a breaker with my screw driver (I was so sure I’d turned that breaker off) to realize the value of this little tool. I’ve used it more than the DMM it came packaged with.

You can get a false positive with these detectors however if you bump the wire you’re testing. But you’ll quickly learn to recognize the difference with a little use (a single chip vs. a rapid repeating chirp).