Need soldering iron and mutimeter advice.

kbyrd · 09-06-2005, 01:39 PM

I know jack about soldering and testing wiring and circuits. Actually that's not quite true, I've read a bunch and I understand the basics, I've just never soldered anything or used a multimeter very often.

So, can I get some advice on what to purchase for someone new to this?
The immediate uses are for my carPC project, but it's probably safe to say that I'll be working almost always with DC from around 3-18V, probably no more than a 50amps. As for the soldering iron, I want to do things like hack a 1/8" stereo jacks to wiring, putting capacitors and voltage regulators inline. I don't imagine needing something very powerful.

I'm looking for cheap, but not if it means busted/unreliabel. What are the brands and models people tend to flock to?

thanatos106 · 09-06-2005, 01:48 PM

I use the brand PACE . very releable and I like it 'cause the range in temperature that works.

Thanatos.

antimatter · 09-06-2005, 04:25 PM

I use the cheap radio shack crap. Weller is a good brand (soldering iron) but i suggest learning on the cheap stuff then upgrading to the more expensive higher end stuff.

I have always used multimeters that have been handed down to me. Just be sure to get one that will measure volts amps and resitance

kbyrd · 09-06-2005, 04:46 PM

Sweet. I've got a friend who is going to loan me a soldering iron. What should a multimeter cost? Also, I saw a thread about measuring the actual load of a car PC from the output of the DC power supply. They talked about being able to do this without making electrical contact (stripping the wires), how is this possible, what does that cost?

antimatter · 09-06-2005, 05:05 PM

well i dont know about that. If someone else can explain i am all ears

you should be able to get a decent one for under 40 bucks

thanatos106 · 09-06-2005, 05:16 PM

I don't know the name in English but is call pinza voltiamperimetrica in spanish.

Thanatos.

thanatos106 · 09-06-2005, 05:19 PM

I used this at electronic school 1000 years ago.

Edit:

Digital Clamp Meter is the name in english.

thanatos106 · 09-06-2005, 05:27 PM

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...ce&s=hi&n=1000

HHdesign · 09-06-2005, 05:43 PM

I use a cheapo cold heat.

kbyrd · 09-06-2005, 05:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HHdesign

I use a cheapo cold heat.

I thought about that (mostly because I seem to find advertising for it EVERYWHERE), but a quick look around the net seems to indicate that's it's actually junk and not very useful.

HHdesign · 09-06-2005, 06:03 PM

It works for what I use it for, I'm not soldering anything over 12 or 14 gauge. I would reccomend something differnt if you were using more often than 3 or 4 times a week. I only use it when I need it, which isnt too often now-a-days.

kevinlekiller · 09-06-2005, 06:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HHdesign

I use a cheapo cold heat.

Mine broke after the 3rd time i used it , the first 3 times it didnt do a good job.

Mad Ad · 09-06-2005, 07:19 PM

multimeters are judged by the ampage it can measure- the all do sufficent ac/dc voltage etc but the cheap end only read like 10A if your lucky and the more you pay the higher As itll deal with. Also, auto ranging is handy to have, u only realise that once you get something where your using 11 fingers and clips to hold everything together and find your on the Ohms range when you should be on Ks.

old_lou · 09-06-2005, 07:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by thanatos106

I used this at electronic school 1000 years ago.

Edit:

Digital Clamp Meter is the name in english.

Not sure if a clamp meter will work on DC? Think there only for AC. Not sure though been years since I used one.

monger · 09-06-2005, 07:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by thanatos106

I used this at electronic school 1000 years ago.

Edit:

Digital Clamp Meter is the name in english.

this would only work if the puter was being powered by an inverter. clamp meters only measure AC current. the only way for DC is to put something inline.

EDIT:
Damn Lou, you beat me to it..

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