what to set the multimeter dial to?!

[Maynard]

Hi there, just finished the crack build, checked it over and ready to start doing resistance checks. Only one small problem...I've never used a multimeter before. Can someone tell me what to set the dial on the meter to?
Thanks!!

[i luvmusic 2]

OHMS reading for resistance and DC reading for Voltage.Hope this help.

[mcandmar]

The Ohms range may be labelled with an Ω symbol instead, and the DC symbol looks like an equal sign with a solid line on top and a broken line on the bottom.

[Maynard]

Thanks for your reply, I've set it to ohms side of the dial  for resistance checks, however there are different settings for ohms ranging from 20m to 2000k and maybe above...don't have the meter with me at the moment though.  which one to use? thanks.

[Grainger49]

When measuring you will have an expected measurement in the resistance and voltage checks.  For instance, if the resistance says zero you will set your meter to the lowest resistance scale.  If you measure under an Ohm it is good.  It will never get to zero.  As a matter of fact, if you touch the meter leads together you will not get zero.

If it should be 220k Ohms set your meter to the next higher scale above 200k Ohms.

For voltages you can always start with the highest scale and then bring the meter setting down till you get a reliable reading.  Say you are expecting 240V DC, start at the highest scale and when you approach the 240V range it might be reading properly.  But sometimes you will have more voltage so don't go below what the meter is reading.

Does this make sense?

[Maynard]

Thanks, for you prompt reply Grainger, this is a great forum. Yes, I think your info will be very helpful. I think I understand it! Oh one other thing, when rechecking all the solder joints I discovered a wire that needed trimming, but was inaccessible due to an overhanging capacitor, so I bent the cap upwards to gain access to the wire and upon doing this I accidentally snapped one of the leads to the cap. I resoldered it back onto the lug, and it seems to have a good connection back into the lug now, definitely stuck in there, but I suppose I cannot be sure. any thoughts?? thanks

[Maynard]

For testing resistances, what position of the ohm dial do you set the multimeter to if it's a * reading on the manual?

[Chris65]

For testing resistances, what position of the ohm dial do you set the multimeter to if it's a * reading on the manual?

On the highest range for those readings is good.

[Grainger49]

    .   .   .    I resoldered it back onto the lug, and it seems to have a good connection back into the lug now, definitely stuck in there, but I suppose I cannot be sure. any thoughts?? thanks 

Easy enough, just put the meter on the lowest resistance range.  Touch one meter lead to the lead of the capacitor and the other lead to the lower hole in the terminal strip.  If you get a very low resistance the repair is just fine.

[Maynard]

Thanks for that grainger! Will do.