Volt / Amp meter Solar charged?

[motorbiking]

Is anyone aware of any test meters that either don't need an internal power cell or have a solar power panel (e.g. like a solar calculator). Or can be usb socket charged?

I need a test meter that can be used in an emergency kit bag, but it can't have batteries in. It only needs to do the basics like DC volts, DC amps (nice to have). I was tempted to use a standard LCD volt meter that you can buy on ebay for £1 and add some crocodile clips.

I Just wondered if anyone had come across anything better.

 

[endecotp]

Analogue meters should only need the battery for resistance, so try e.g.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Analogue-...367028?hash=item1c517f1434:g:~ZcAAOSwvzRX0FMb
or anything else that searching for "analogue multimeter" finds.

p.s. how can it be "usb charged" and not have a bettery in it?

 

[motorbiking]

Sorry I meant USB powered/charged, it can have a built in cell.

 

[JohnW2]

.... Or can be usb socket charged? ... I need a test meter that can be used in an emergency kit bag, but it can't have batteries in.

What is the problem with batteries? If you would be prepared to have a meter whose rechargeable battery had to be periodically recharged via USB, why would in not be acceptable to periodically replace non-rechargeable batteries? If (as you imply) very rarely used, a decent brand of non-rechargeable battery should last for at least a year or three. I hate to think how old the batteries in some of my meters might be!

Kind Regards, John

 

[Iggifer]

A lot of the Fluke meters, maybe not DVMs but 'voltage indicators' will always indicate voltage, even with a completely depleted battery - my T5-1000 currently has flat batteries. Keep meaning to change them

 

[motorbiking]

it's for use while ocean sailing the salt in the air seems to destroy anything with regular batteries.

in rough weather it's handy to have all the tools you need taped inside the compartment rather than having a toolbox.

 

[JohnW2]

it's for use while ocean sailing the salt in the air seems to destroy anything with regular batteries.

Fair enough. I don't find that hard to believe, but, given that, I am rather surprised by your implication that the same is not correspondingly true of rechargeable batteries.

Kind Regards, John