How’s this thing work???

[Mr. Jones]

Bought this one at HF after burning up an more expensive Sears version....I’ve been running on battery for the last month, never leave home without cables and charger.....how do you set this thing up to check the alternator and voltage regulator....and what contact things do the black and wires go to for each...,
Thanks
Dan

[My wife's nightmare]

The dial should go to the VDC section and at 20. It appears the black lead will go to the bottom jack labeled "COM" and the red should go to the middle jack. If you don't read somewhere around 12 VDC, move the red lead to the top jack. Hope that's what you were asking

[04sd]

The top jack is for measuring amps only and is not needed to test voltage. Putting the two leads directly on the battery with the truck not running you should read real close to 12V if the battery is charged up. With the truck running you should measure around 14V output from the alternator if it is working. Try the meter on a working car/truck first to get an idea of what the readings should look like.

[Mr. Jones]

Ok,that’s a good starting point.....now does it matter which of the two lower holes the red and black leads go into....and on the alternator I assume the large terminal is where you check???

[LM14]

Black is negative or common. Red is positive.

The large terminal on the back of the alternator is where you check the output of the alternator. red wire there, black to ground.

SPark