How to Use a 12 Volt Digital Multimeter
Multimeters are used to read current, voltage, ohms, and continuity. Some include an amperage clamp, which is used to gauge amperage. All multimeters consist of a display, a settings dial, and two probes, one red and one black. To test a circuit with a multimeter you touch one probe to a positive and one probe to a negative with the dial set to display the appropriate reading. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Test your multimeter in a normal wall outlet. Set it to AC 120 or higher (AC 200 is a common setting).
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Plug a probe into the left and right terminal slots and you should get a reading around 120 volts. (109-129 are acceptable readings)
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Test a battery by setting your Multimeter to DC and an acceptable voltage (Example: DC12 is good for 9v batteries) and touch a probe to each terminal on the battery. It should read in accordance with the type of battery.
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Test "Continuity" by setting your multimeter to the continuity setting. Touch the probes together and you should hear a sound, this is considered a "positive" reading. Touch each probe to a terminal to check if the circuit is completed, or broken.
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Tips & Warnings
If you get a reading that fluctuates from zero to your reading, you are likely getting a bad contact to one of the probes, so try scratching the terminal with the probe and touching the probe to the scratch to get better contact.
