"brian whatcott" wrote in message
...
I've got a problem. A good problem.

Always wanted a clamp meter - but never wanted to pay the price.
So when the cheapie Chinese models came along, I bought one.
A model DT3266E to be precise.
2A~ 20A~ 200A~ coupla ohms scales and voltage scales
with attached leads.


Anyway, I knew in my head that cheapie clamp ons are only
good for AC - and that's what the range selecter said too.

But still, I bought a way expensive little lead acid battery for a Honda
Recon 4 wheel RV, and filled it with the acid provided then hooked it to a
charger.

I tried the clip on. It read 2.5 A initially.
That seemed about right.
It tapered to 0.9 A in the next few hours. THAT seemed right.

Here's the problem: if it works on DC ( or maybe rough DC)
why is it marked for AC only?

Brian W

Chances are the charger is putting out pulses (half wave or full wave from a
rectifier) instead of filtered DC. The magnetic field around the wire is
building up and falling similar to an AC current would act.
I would not trust the exect values of the meter for the DC current unless
verified by another meter.