Fan not working

[bullfrog]

Turn the meter on. Put it in the largest ohms position. Touch the black lead to the red lead. It should read 0. Separate the leads it should read maximum ohms for the scale or infinite. Put it back on usually 20 volts DC as you always want to be able to read the maximum voltage you expect to see with out going over the maximum of the scale. You have verified the leads are good and are now ready to measure battery voltage. Put the red lead on the + post and the black lead on the - post of the battery. If you get nothing on the screen or scale take it back and get it repaired or replaced. Harbor Freight usually has a coupon for a free one with a purchase. If you can please post pictures of your components and their connections with any information tags on them.

 

[bullfrog]

Sometimes new multimeters have a piece of clear plastic to prevent the battery from discharging while on the shelf that must be removed before using. If the screen has never shown a reading I would check the multimeter’s internal battery connection as well as the fuse.

 

[bullfrog]

One of the rules of electrical trouble shooting Direct Current is to check all fuses and connections first. Next the power source and work your through the circuit insuring the power is the right amount and where it needs to be all the way back to ground.

 

[Tom_M]

I would guess you had it set on DC and checked the AC terminals which would blow the fuse.  Meters need to be set above the voltage expected and for AC or DC.  You can range it down after determining the voltage for a more precise measurement unless the meter is self ranging.  Setting it for AC or DC is the most important setting.

This will not blow a fuse in the meter or the circuit being tested. Setting the meter to AC or DC is important but will cause no harm to meter or circuit. It sounds like the OP tried to measure voltage with the meter leads plugged into the 10 amp socket of the meter. This puts the leads across a very low resistance shunt and will act as a short if put across a voltage source. If trying to measure voltage of the battery this will blow the fuse in the meter. If trying to measure voltage of a circuit it can blow a fuse in the circuit and cause damage to the circuit. The OP states that he never saw a display on the meter so it sounds like the meter is not working. The OP needs to first get the meter working and then learn how to use a multi-meter. Here's a link on YouTube that explains how to use a multi-meter:

 

[B and C]

I stand corrected as I haven't experienced a fuse blowing with a digital meter. I set them carefully now after destroying an analog meter years ago

 

[SprinterFreedom]

This will not blow a fuse in the meter or the circuit being tested. Setting the meter to AC or DC is important but will cause no harm to meter or circuit. It sounds like the OP tried to measure voltage with the meter leads plugged into the 10 amp socket of the meter. This puts the leads across a very low resistance shunt and will act as a short if put across a voltage source. If trying to measure voltage of the battery this will blow the fuse in the meter. If trying to measure voltage of a circuit it can blow a fuse in the circuit and cause damage to the circuit. The OP states that he never saw a display on the meter so it sounds like the meter is not working. The OP needs to first get the meter working and then learn how to use a multi-meter. Here's a link on YouTube that explains how to use a multi-meter:

Thanks. So if this caused a short in my circuit this would explain why nothing is turning on anymore and my bms monitor is dead. Did I damage the system or is there a way to reset it?

 

[B and C]

I don't have any recommendations until the batteries voltage is confirmed. Everything else is just guessing and will get nowhere.

 

[bullfrog]

Patience is a virtue Brian. Understanding you start trouble shooting from the source of power is difficult for many but is just part of the “magic” of electrical circuits. Somewhere I saw a canister of Electrical Smoke for sale, I believe Lucas sells it. Guessing, usually leads to a surplus of it. Please make sure your meter is working correctly and you understand how to use it then check your battery’s voltage at the lugs. If you are unable to do this take your battery to the seller and have them check it for you.

 

[SprinterFreedom]

So I watched the guide and tested on an electrical circuit and still only shows 0.00 on everything, so I don't think this thing is working.

I bought the batteries slightly used so can't take them anywhere. They were working fine before I tried using this multimeter. When the voltage side didn't work I switched ti to see if it would work on the 10A side and that's when things stopped working. I guess I caused a short, I just hope it can be fixed.

 

[bullfrog]

Most battery stores will check them for you as well as any automotive stores as far as a voltage reading, load testing at somewhere like Batteries+ might be a small charge but they figure if your battery is bad they might sell you a new one, heck the clerk on a slow day may even check/fix your meter (they sell fuses as well).

 

[SprinterFreedom]

So fixed my multimeter and found the problem that my crimp connectors are a bit small so it's not giving good contact. Gonna order better ones online and replace them all, but for now everything works!

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[bullfrog]

Good to hear, keep that multimeter handy. Now you have it you will use it a lot!

 

[B and C]

Great. Feels good to troubleshoot and fix a problem doesn't it.