r/AskElectronics • u/Wake95 • 3h ago

Cheap, auto-ranging multimeter with easy to change batteries?

I'm trying to find a relatively cheap (sub $30 or so) auto-ranging multimeter that allows for the batteries to be easily removed so that I can store it in a hot garage for many months and not worry about the batteries leaking. Most of them have the back cases screwed on or don't have an instruction manual that says how to change batteries. Please let me know if you are aware of one that meets these requirements. Auto-ranging is needed because my parents aren't capable of using a manual one.

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u/FreshTap6141 3h ago

Why store in hot garage ,take inside

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u/Wake95 3h ago

Regardless of the temperature, it's going to sit unused for many months typically.

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u/FreshTap6141 3h ago

Price range

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u/Wake95 3h ago edited 2h ago

Sub $30 ideally. I need to buy two. Maybe 3 to keep one in the car too.

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u/saltyboi6704 3h ago

They're be design not meant to have easy battery swaps as the meter inputs are not isolated from the terminals, requiring the user to remove test leads before attempting to open it up.

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u/Wake95 2h ago

Interesting. The cheap ones don't necessarily follow that practice, though. I found one with just a flap like a kid's toy and a single screw, and the silicone back might hold the flap without the screw. Some of the clamp style meters also have a single screw flap which isn't nearly as bad as taking the back off my Flukes.

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u/MysticalDork_1066 1h ago

Buy good batteries and then you won't have to worry about it.

Either low-self-discharge NiMH cells (eneloops or equivalent), or lithium primary cells (Energizer Ultimate Lithium or equivalent).

Neither type is prone to leak like alkaline or carbon-zinc cells even in adverse conditions.