Learning to use a voltmeter (actually usually a volt/amp/ohm aka "multimeter") is within reach of everyone. Here is one tutorial:

http://www.ladyada.net/learn/metertut/

I've bought several inexpensive digital and analog multimeters. On sale they are from $5-10. For those in Canada: Both Canadian tire and Princess auto sells the generic Chinese multimeters. IMHO they work as well as brand name Fluke etc. I somehow couldn't find the particular one I use most on the web as a single item, but it is a part of this package:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374303523048&bmUID=1238881907764&PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524442202191&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true
(Comes up when searching for multimeter in Canadian tire)

For the multimeter alone, Princess Auto charges just over $10 normally and $5-8 on sale. There's also a version with a temp sensor. Lowest sale price I have seen at Candian tire is $12.

Martin (Owner of at least a dozen multimeters...)
(Have at least one in your VW at all times!)

--- On Mon, 8/6/07, neil N <musomuso@GMAIL..COM> wrote:

> From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: LVC: Learning Electricity & Testers
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Received: Monday, August 6, 2007, 1:06 PM
> Hi Anthony.
> 
> You can find an analogue VOH (volt/ohm meters) at Radio
> shack,
> Canadian Tire, or maybe even WallMart. i.e. they're fairly
> common.
> 
> You don't need digital readout for simple tests of DC/AC
> voltages or
> continuity.. I keep an analogue meter in van at all times. I
> make sure
> needle is adjusted to proper rest position.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Neil.
> 
> -- Please send me your Vanagon/Westfalia links!
> � � http://vanagonlinks.googlepages.com/home
> 
> Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> 
> 
> 
> On 8/6/07, Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> > After reading all the posts on solar power, I now
> realize that I know shockingly little about
> electricity.....don't know an amp from a watt from a
> volt.� Can someone who knows about such things please
> recommend a good, easy-to-read book that would be an
> electrical primer.� I want to learn about electricity
> not just for solar applications but also home and auto
> applications.� At some point I'd like to be able to do
> all these vanagon electrical tests myself and even wire my
> future retirement home.
> >
> > Also, can you recommend a good multi-meter or tester
> that may work for 12V systems as well as for home
> current?� Or do you need two different meters?� I
> like to buy Craftsman for serious tools because the quality
> is usually good and you can get them replaced or serviced
> easily enough, but I'll shop anywhere if there is a good
> reason to do so.
> >
> > Really appreciate the recommendations!
> >
> > Anthony
> > '89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
> 

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