Mine happens to be an old model (Appa 23). Besides the usual DMM functions, it has tach (high and low, both useless IMO) and dwell (in both
o and %). Helas, no temperature function. It has been with me for some 20 years now and has travelled where ever I went. It has also been used by friends and always worked well. So far replaced the 9v battery twice and it's fuse after a mistake I made (warning: after using hi amps mode, do not forget to bring the probes back to the VΩ socket before you start measuring voltages!). It's water resistant and for me rugged enough.
BTW, it's funny the american way of measuring dwell in % (duty cycle so to speak) seems to have disappeared somewhat. IMO it's still the best way as you only have to switch to % and you can forget about the number of cilinders.
For those that prefer the dynamic procedure and use a dwellmeter, here is a tip.
Years ago I have attached two ‘blind’ extra wires on my coils (12V-) both with a female connector at their end. I had them lying aroud, so why not? Once you have set your timing correctly, these wires allow quick diagnoses later on.
Remember or write down your dwellangle (1&4 and 2&3) for future reference. Almost all changes in ignitiontiming originate at the contactbreakers. When the dwell changes, so does the timing. When you suspect the timing is off, simply connect the dwellmeter to the extra lead 1&4 or 2&3 and you can verify if dwellangle is still the same or has changed. You can now set the timing by adjusting the contactbreakers till your dwellmeter reeds the same digits as you had before. Less screws to work on, less screws you can ruin.
It’s important that those female connectors are well shielded to avoid groundcontact.
I have had these wires attached for years now. What I like is that I can check really quick without even to remove the ignitioncover.
