Should I buy this Multifunction tester?

HappyHippyDad · Mar 15, 2012

Hello,

After looking around lots I have decided on Alphatek (Metrel) Easiplus MI3000

[ElectriciansForums.net] Should I buy this Multifunction tester?

I have reviewed this tester and like it. My only concern is that the seller is saying that it is an older version and has said it is '16th ed' (see pic above, this is the actuall one for sale).

I am new to electrics and will not be finishing my course for sometime but wish to buy a MFT that I can sign off work with. Once I get this one calibrated could I use this one to do that? Its just his use of the word '16th ed' that worries me.

Many thanks,

Happyhippydad..

telectrix · Mar 15, 2012

worry not. as long as it performs all the tests. i'm not familiar with the model. i would check to see if it will preform auto RCD and ramp tests.

edit: just had a brief look at the spec. on test-meter ( forum sponsor) seems it does all the tests. £335 + VAT, brand new from them.

oldtimer · Mar 15, 2012

It depends what you are trying to do if you are starting up on your own then fine buy a tester but if you are working for a company dont buy one

So once you decide to get on then yep do your homework get feedback see what your budget is now I could say buy a Fluke or a Megger but to be honest in my view Fluke have been trading on their name and Megger have had "teething" problems with their new 1700 series. Me I opted for the Megger 1553 I like it but the secrt to having a good tester is to look after it ie its not there to hammer nails into a wall with.

telectrix · Mar 15, 2012

its not there to hammer nails into a wall with.

so that's why mine's dented.

oldtimer · Mar 15, 2012

Remember Trigger Look after your broom.............................................................

HappyHippyDad · Mar 15, 2012

Thanks for that telectrix. Could you tell me where to view this one for £335, I cant find it on the metrel site or on this site?

Thanks..

telectrix · Mar 15, 2012

test-meter.co.uk

firemanowl · Mar 15, 2012

If you are in no hurry keep an eye out on Ebay for a good second hand tester. I picked up a Fluke 1653 for £400 which had been used twice and still had the plastic on the scene. My advice would be go with what you are familiar with especially if you've got no one around to show you the ropes.

oldtimer · Mar 15, 2012

Yep I got my PAT tester at test-meters it was a bundle offer and I got a good deal but I bought my Megger 1553 at ISSWWW because of cost

HappyHippyDad · Mar 17, 2012

I have now bought this tester for £225 on ebay from a retired policman! With my limited ability at testing (restricted to continuity/IR/polarity) it seems to work fine, looks as new and comes with all accessories and carry case so I'm very happy.

The £335 you mentioned telectrix was without VAT at 20% or £10 delivery so I thought the almost £200 saving worth it, although I will have to get it calibrated!

The only very minor down side is that its been on charge for 20 hours and only seems to get to 50% battery charge as the chap hadn't used it for around a year. I'm assuming its just normal rechargeable batteries rather than anything fancy?

Thanks again for all the advice..

Happyhippydad

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

firemanowl said:
If you are in no hurry keep an eye out on Ebay for a good second hand tester. I picked up a Fluke 1653 for £400 which had been used twice and still had the plastic on the scene. My advice would be go with what you are familiar with especially if you've got no one around to show you the ropes.

i got mine of ebay....just come back from the callibration house....and it sailed through.....but this isn`t always the case......ebay=lottery.....might not pass callibration...might be pinched.....if you do decide on the second hand/ebay route though....treat it to some new test leads as the callibration house will use the test leads that come with the instrument in order to callibrate it....and its often the case that an otherwise perfectly good tester has failed callibration....because of the leads.....

Sparky Ninja · Mar 17, 2012

I am a little late to this thread mate but make sure you look after the leads. They are very prone to becoming useless. We had a stock of 8 of these for learners and we are down to two. All the tips fell off and the clunky lead port seems to offer variable resistance levels. It is likely most of these factors result from guys not respecting equipment that doesn't belong to them, but just treat yours gently.

As for the rechargeable battery, all of ours need to be recharged before each days use, can be annoying.

Otherwise, when its all working and charged it is a good piece of kit.

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

widdler said:
I am a little late to this thread mate but make sure you look after the leads. They are very prone to becoming useless. We had a stock of 8 of these for learners and we are down to two. All the tips fell off and the clunky lead port seems to offer variable resistance levels. It is likely most of these factors result from guys not respecting equipment that doesn't belong to them, but just treat yours gently.

As for the rechargeable battery, all of ours need to be recharged before each days use, can be annoying.

Otherwise, when its all working and charged it is a good piece of kit.

absolutely widd.....and it will usually be low ohms where problems manefest themselves as regards leads.....

D80 · Mar 17, 2012

Its a nifty little tester that does a few things, like Phase rotation. Test Meter may have been worth the extra (you get 5% forum discount) and when I got mine from there I got a multimeter and a breakout box free with it to. When you add in that you need yours calibrated and that you won't have the 3 year guarantee or the free goodies, the savings seem like a bit of a gamble, quite a lot of nicked stuff ends up on Ebay.

The tester can also test time delayed RCD's (not sure how general a function this is with MFT's?)

D80 · Mar 17, 2012

happyhippydad said:
I have now bought this tester for £225 on ebay from a retired policman! With my limited ability at testing (restricted to continuity/IR/polarity) it seems to work fine, looks as new and comes with all accessories and carry case so I'm very happy.

The £335 you mentioned telectrix was without VAT at 20% or £10 delivery so I thought the almost £200 saving worth it, although I will have to get it calibrated!

The only very minor down side is that its been on charge for 20 hours and only seems to get to 50% battery charge as the chap hadn't used it for around a year. I'm assuming its just normal rechargeable batteries rather than anything fancy?

Thanks again for all the advice..

Happyhippydad

If I remember correctly the battery pack is AA rechargable cells, I haven't looked in the back of mine too often but pretty sure this is the case rather than it being something better. That long a charge is a little worrying, from nearly dead to full charge I get overnight on my unit which is about 2 years old now.

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

D80 said:
Its a nifty little tester that does a few things, like Phase rotation. Test Meter may have been worth the extra (you get 5% forum discount) and when I got mine from there I got a multimeter and a breakout box free with it to. When you add in that you need yours calibrated and that you won't have the 3 year guarantee or the free goodies, the savings seem like a bit of a gamble, quite a lot of nicked stuff ends up on Ebay.

The tester can also test time delayed RCD's (not sure how general a function this is with MFT's?)

i think that most of the newer MFTs will test s type RCDs now D80......its just the ancient stuff like the old robins that wont.....

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

D80 said:
If I remember correctly the battery pack is AA rechargable cells, I haven't looked in the back of mine too often but pretty sure this is the case rather than it being something better. That long a charge is a little worrying, from nearly dead to full charge I get overnight on my unit which is about 2 years old now.

and this is an issue with some MFTs as well.....the use of AA batterys......my boss`s tester is a metrel and the way it drains the batterys......i used to have an old robin 1620 that uses AA batterys as well......that used to drain em n all.....

D80 · Mar 17, 2012

GLENNSPARK said:
i think that most of the newer MFTs will test s type RCDs now D80......its just the ancient stuff like the old robins that wont.....

Does the Megger MFT 1552?

In fairness its not a test I do often, and I used the MFT 1552 for years and don't even know if it does or now lol!

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

D80 said:
Does the Megger MFT 1552?

In fairness its not a test I do often, and I used the MFT 1552 for years and don't even know if it does or now lol!

well lets face it....for domestic situations the only time you`l encounter s type RCDs is on a TT system....where you are feeding a sub board in an outbuilding and you need 2 RCDs in series......in order to acheave discrimination.....

D80 · Mar 17, 2012

GLENNSPARK said:
and this is an issue with some MFTs as well.....the use of AA batterys......my boss`s tester is a metrel and the way it drains the batterys......i used to have an old robin 1620 that uses AA batterys as well......that used to drain em n all.....

The MI3000 isn't too bad on them if I'm honest. It's got about 8 batteries in it and doesn't eat through them, but at the end of the day AA batteries are pretty **** for anything. I'm over run with rechargeable batteries, the Brother label machine has them, the MFT has them, the keyboard and mouse has them - then when it comes to my daughters toys we just go through them for fun lol!

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

to the o/p.....try before you buy.....go and have a look at the various test instruments on offer....see how they feel to use......base your purchase on this....not on how it looks alone....it has to feel `right` when you are using it....dont forget that its something you will be using for some time so it has to be right for you......

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

D80 said:
The MI3000 isn't too bad on them if I'm honest. It's got about 8 batteries in it and doesn't eat through them, but at the end of the day AA batteries are pretty **** for anything. I'm over run with rechargeable batteries, the Brother label machine has them, the MFT has them, the keyboard and mouse has them - then when it comes to my daughters toys we just go through them for fun lol!

i think that half the problem though with leigh`s metrel....is he doesn`t bother to charge it up on a night.....so it conks out half way through testing..lol....then and only then will he bother to put it on charge.....i even had to ring him up once to remind him that it was flat and we had a load of testing to do the next day so it needed charging up otherwise he would have just left it in the van..lol......

Should I buy this Multifunction tester?

HappyHippyDad

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telectrix

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oldtimer

telectrix

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oldtimer

HappyHippyDad

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telectrix

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firemanowl

oldtimer

HappyHippyDad

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GLENNSPARK

Sparky Ninja

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GLENNSPARK

D80

D80

GLENNSPARK

GLENNSPARK

D80

GLENNSPARK

D80

GLENNSPARK

GLENNSPARK

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