Jeez - another multimeter bites the dust...

[holtcl]

This is probably a dumb question Mike but you're not blowing the fuse in the fluke are you? I'm told my fluke has a 10 amp fuse in it (though I've not pulled it apart to look). I guess a bad fuse would blow the entire display out wouldn't it? Just my pre-coffee thinking...

Cheryl
Cinderella
1971 53 MY

[MikeP]

No, unfortunately, it's not the fuse.

In the latest MM failure it just started flashing through various jumbled display data that had nothing to do with what I was measuring. For example, when measuring voltage - ac or dc - it would just randomly throw up different readings. For resistance it would show totally inaccurate readings. When the circuit tester was activated - a "beep" for good circuit - it would beep in a stuttering fashion, whether the leads were touched to each other or not.

I concluded that, as we used to say in the engine building business, "That sucker's broke!"

[spartonboat1]

This thread is starting to get me turned on: Fluke, NewMar, Hickok (whoa!), CE's, Radio Shack (they seem to be degrading), et al. I haven't heard a mention of GardnerBender. Local Ace carries good stuff and has those of which I have one, which is quite decent. I also have Fluke for reading circuit states, but only reads to single volts. I also have a couple 120v sensors that signal/sound out, if voltage is present, Handy for behind wall 120v wire runs; plus I have a plug-it-in polarity checker.

Sears/Lowes/Home Depot venues have been known carry the high brands, but their buyers have now lowered the grade of those brands, or have dropped them altogether. I just had an antique Radio Shack fail, which had a large face swinging needle, old fashioned D'arsonval you might say.

At any rate, interesting thread, since there are serious pro's on this site using those VOM's; me I am a casual user, i.e. as needed.

[jim rosenthal]

did the battery in the Fluke meter go bad? they do act funny when the battery's dying.

[MikeP]

Thought I'd update…

I decided against buying a brace of cheap DMM's and just ordered a new Fluke 87 V. What the heck…

[Avenger]

I don't think you'll be disappointed. I'm extremely pleased with my 88V.

But I'm kind of surprised that a car guy like you didn't go for the automotive unit.

[MikeP]

I didn't realize there was an automotive unit!

[Avenger]

I bought the kit with the tach clamp-on, magnetic hanger and wire piercing probes. Nice case too.:

http://en-us.fluke.com/products/digi...id=hhiJXdAdK7P

Not cheep, but I got a decent deal on Amazon. Make sure you're buying from an authorized seller so you get your warranty and promo items. I think the promo may have ended, but I got a free voltage sensor from Fluke after submitting the paperwork.

[drburke]

Mike, before you hit the trash with the old one, did you do any of this testing?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbOw74XLJrg

DAN

[MikeP]

The last DMM that failed was not a Fluke; my Fluke failed years ago so it was tossed back around 2006. It wasn't a fuse/battery problem.

Actually, I canceled the order for the Fluke 87V (Amazon) before it was shipped and I'm re-looking at the various Flukes to see which one is actually best suited for what I need. I'm now thinking this one might better suit my requirements: http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-EDA2-Ind...M/ref=pd_ybh_1

I don't need to spend more for something with capabilities I'll never actually use.