GMCforum: GMCnet » Johnny's Peak Meter

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Johnny's Peak Meter

Show: Today's Messages :: Polls :: Message Navigator

Johnny's Peak Meter [message #327793]

Fri, 05 January 2018 00:30

Ken Burton

Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana

Karma: 10

Senior Member

This is an informal and not complete review of the Peak Meter.

A month or two ago Johnny Bridges posted a GMCnet entry about "the last meter you will ever need". Based on Johnny's posting I looked at what he was recommending. I have enough multi-meters around here from expensive Flukes, to Sears Craftsman, to $5.00 Harbor Freight ones. I certainly do not need any more.

I looked at Johnny's recommended Peak Meter PM890C. I also looked at the PM890D and another pair that looked like the same thing. (the PM18C and PM18D)

The first thing that I wanted to understand was the differences in the 4 models. My reason for looking at these was to recommend, or not recommend, them for use by the non-electronic person in maintaining or trouble shooting their GMCs. Gene Fisher has recommended the use of the Harbor Freight free to $10.00 multi-meter. Yes, it definitely will do the trick. I am not trying to discourage it's use.

So here is what I have found:

First, the above 4 models are almost identical.

The models that end in C have a temperature probe and temp scale included. The models ending in D do not have the probe or scale.

The PM18 models have an added LED on the back the will illuminate the area where you are trying to attach probes. The PM890 models do not have this neat feature.

Other than the above differences, the following applies to all 4 models.

Pluses:

1. ALL 4 MULTI-METERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR UNDER $20.00 (including shipping) on Ebay and Banggood. The PM18C, right now, with the added back light is actually cheaper than the PM890. I initially bought a PM890C from China for $17.38 on Banggood. Later I bought PM18C for $18.03 on ebay which added sales tax.) You can not have too many multi-meters. I saw this same meter at Home Depot for $97.00.

2. They have a simple easy to use single rotary dial that the inexperienced user ought to be able to master is under 1/2 hour.

3. Additional features like capacitance, FREQUENCY FOR SETTING ONAN SPEEDS, and temperature are available for the more advanced user.

4. They come with a nice impact resistant case.

5. Nice high voltage pointed probes and a temperature probe are included.

6. Nice back-light on the screen that times out in 15 seconds to save battery. I really like this feature when looking at voltages under the GMC hood near the isolator, battery boost relay, fan relay, and battery(s).

7. Automatic Power off. I'm always killing batteries by forgetting to turn off meters when I'm done. I found a meter in my hangar just last week that I left on for 2 days. I tested the Peak Meter and it went dormant after less than a minute of non-use but left the display on. I let it sit and at exactly 15 minutes. It completely shut off. Turning the rotary dial to off resets it for normal use again. During it's dormant period (under 15 minutes), pressing any key makes it active again.

8. Most scales are in multiples of 6 rather than 2. Example: The 2nd lowest DC voltage scale is 0-60 volts. On most other multi-meters it would be 0 to 20 volts.

9. It is powered by four double A batteries rather than the normal wimpy 9 volt ones used on other meters. Even my Fluke is a single 9 volt battery. The batteries can be replaced without removing the impact resistant cover. Battery life ought to be very good in this meter.

Minuses:

1. No alligator clip adapters. I do not like the alligator adapters that are available for this type of probes. They always seem to loosen up. I have modified several of these clips by adding solder to the sides where the pointed probe goes in. That stiffens them up. My suggestion is to buy or make a second set of probes with alligator clips on the ends (and banana plugs on the other ends). Pre-made ones are available on Banggood for a couple of dollars. I did not check ebay.

2. No carrying case for meter and probes and adapters. I use to buy small camera cases from Walmart when I had a need like this. My local Walmart no longer has them, so I got a couple of small zipper cases from the local hospital that they hand out for free to new mothers with product samples. Harbor Freight also does not give you a case. I have not looked on ebay because I'll find some more at the next hamfest.

3. The PM890C that I bought from Banggood came with a Chinese only manual. An English manual is available on the Internet for download. The PM18C That I bought on ebay and was shipped from the US came with an English manual.

In summary. There are many more features that I did not review and that I, and probably you, will never use. I checked the AC and DC voltage calibration against my oscilloscope and it was right on. For less than $20.00 I would strongly recommend this meter for use in your GMC. You do not need to be an electronics nut to use it and many of us here can help you if you get are new to them and get lost. I think for the price it can not be beat.

Ken B.

Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana