V G wrote:
> Update: I'm pretty sure my multimeter is messed up. I measured the
> current my flashlight is taking and I get different values every time
> I touch the leads to the light. I get anywhere from 0.2 A to around 1
> A. I don't think it's *how* I'm touching the leads to the light
> because no matter what the reading is, I see the same brightness of
> the light, at a 0.2 A reading as well as a 1 A reading.

There is a internal problem in the meter.  The 200mA reading is probably
right.  There is a bad connection somewhere in series with the current
shunt, but between the points where its voltage is measured.  If the meter
rotary switch is in series with the current shunt, it is the first suspect.
Better meters have a separate plug for the high current range just for this
reason.  Sometimes working the switch back and forth a few times with the
meter off wipes off some of the crud.  In your case, the crud probably got
there when you abused the meter trying to measure the short circuit battery
current earlier.


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