Just picked up this one from Harbor Freight for $5, i thought it will be a handy and useful tool but the problem is i dunno how to use it.....instructional manual doesn't tell me anything, and i tried google and youtube it's all about other kinds of multimeter, so i need experts to teach me how to use this....to make the lecture simple, i just want to learn how to test my battery and alternator for now....http://www.harborfreight.com/interes...ter-90899.html
u can actually zoom in the pic to see the exact buttons..
thanks in advance

 

to use a multimeter to its full potential you need to have at least a basic understanding of electrical engineering. think about it, if you are trying to measure voltage, where should you place the pins? the definition of voltage is the DIFFERENCE in electrical potential, so you place one pin on the positive wire and one on the chassis for reference(ground). also, make sure you switch the pin connection to measure current and voltage. now for current, to measure it, you need to somehow break the connection, and connect one end of the wire to one pin and the other end of the wire to the other pin. And for resistance, you measure the two separate ends, but I doubt you need to measure resistance for your needs. one more thing, there are a lot of settings on the multimeter to read different levels of voltage and current and can be displayed in different units.

 

Actually the instructions aren’t too bad as you’ve got to learn the jargon or basics first.
Just a quick overview:
Car 12V DC to check voltage e.g. battery, black in common, red in center VΩmA, set meter to DCV (Direct Current Volts) 20. Place red on positive, black on negative and read meter for voltage present. If the car is off @ 12-12.5 or running @14 or so. This is how you’ll check voltage at any location, black to ground and red probe at location to be tested.

Continuity of a circuit, or to check for an open circuit, uses the Ohm (Ω) area. Power off and red to one end of circuit black to other.

ACV (Alternating Current Volts)-Check House current

You'd be better off using google to research each area specifically e.g.:
Checking voltage with a multimeter
Checking continuity with a multimeter

It's a start.

 

It will take a little bit to get used to, my dad gave me one when i was only 12, so i had a bit of experience before i went to be a mechanical/electrical engineer for the Navy. Just do small things first, like, place the meter on A/C volts(~) an put it into the two flat holes of a power outlet in your home. Then place the meter on DC volts and check the battery of your car. For resistance or Ohms (Ω) just take a piece of wire and test it and the continuity (resistance should be as close to zero as possible). Test a switch for the same thing. Make sure there is no power on the switch. Voltage while testing for resistance will cause false readings due to how the Meter works to measure resistance. With the switch have it in the off position, it should read O.L. (out of limits) when the switch is placed in the on position, it should read as close to zero as possible.

Start out with these, once you get the hang of them, you can start working your way around other items. For now I would stay away from current readings. For those, you need to break the circuit and put the meter in between the two sides. Just start wiht the basics.

 

thank you, that's exactly what i wanted to know.