EEVblog #344 - Fluke 17B Multimeter Teardown

[Monkeh]

It was not so good on build quality and if it don't work what does it matter if it "could" do those things when it can't because it is broke. I think build quility and reliability has to come first with just about any tool or you can't depend on the tool to work. But those other things do matter and the price of the UT61E really has my attention for now.

The build quality of the UT61E is pretty good. Not as good as the Fluke, but it's pretty solid. Good case, decent components, the only bodges are fairly minor (honestly, much as I dislike the stacked chip resistors for example, give me a solid reason that they're a problem. So long as the solder is good, they're not going anywhere).

[samgab]

I see they changed the design a little (~2011?) when they changed the model of resistor network they use, and fixed some - but sadly not all - of the bodges in the new layout. Shame they didn't take the opportunity whilst changing the design to fix all the bodges. Why not put a place for both those piggy-backed resistors on the pcb, or use a single resistor of the correct rating? Even though it's not a problem, it doesn't reflect well on the quality; pride in clean design and all that. I would be fine with bodges in a prototype, but in the production board I'd want a clean build. Especially after the 2nd iteration of the board. In some, they use a cap that looks correct with the layout of the PCB, and in others they use a dodgy looking cap, though I'm sure it does the job correctly.

[NiHaoMike]

http://bsd.ee/~olev/FLUKE_17B_schematics.pdf

Looks very useful for designing an open source multimeter...

[FenderBender]

So basically it's just a well built UT60E is what I can deduce based on the schematic.

[FenderBender]

Some guy on on Chinese forum replaced the chip on his 17B with a real QFP chip: http://bbs.38hot.net/read.php?tid=8002

I remember looking at this forum maybe a year ago and I saw a thread with a whole bunch of modifications for the 17b, but I can't seem to find that thread...darn.

[AndyC_772]

Looks like a different version of the main board, which only supports the QFP:

[FenderBender]

Ah so it's possible that the footprint doesn't even match up. Anyway, good catch.

[ToddFun]

Dave, I just watched a two part multimeter review by mjlorton. He reviews a cheap $30 TekPower TP4000ZC meter and I must say it shows off nice. It has way more than $30 in features, form and function. It includes data logging with cable, good software and the rs232 IS opto isolated inside the meter.

I just ordered one through Martin's Amazon store. It currently comes with free shipping if you change the order to 5+ days ground shipping.

I think this $30 meter might bet any of your $50 shootout meters but the above mentioned $56 UNI-T UT61E in this thread would be great for the price as well and maybe better built.

[EEVblog]

Dave, I just watched a two part multimeter review by mjlorton. He reviews a cheap $30 TekPower TP4000ZC meter and I must say it shows off nice. It has way more than $30 in features, form and function. It includes data logging with cable, good software and the rs232 IS opto isolated inside the meter.

It looks almost identical to the Elenco M-2625 from my shootout, but with the RS232 option.
http://www.tequipment.net/ElencoM-2625.html

Dave.

[mjlorton]

Yes, it certainly does look like the ElencoM.

Btw, I hope the show has been a success Dave.

As a follow-up to the TekPower review I will do a comparison with my Brymen TBM251 / BM251 as it has a far better build quality...but costs a little more...less than a Fluke though.

I also have a UNI-T UT61E on the way for review.

Cheers,
Martin.

[T4P]

Cheers,
Martin.

Hey martin! Rare to see you here 
Anyway, i have been scouring for years to see which meter this actually is for the chinese market as apparently searching the name mostly points to a single vendor at amazon.

I saw reviews on it that says like most 200uF cap measurement meters the cap measurement speed is just horribly slow more like 30secs
(1 year ago)

[ToddFun]

It looks almost identical to the Elenco M-2625 from my shootout, but with the RS232 option.
http://www.tequipment.net/ElencoM-2625.html

Wow you're right. How did I miss that? I've watched the $50 shootout about 5 times. Looks like they changed the reset button to an rs232 button. The Elenco was your 3rd pick out of the 5 and for $30 +free shipping off Amazon I had to order one for my 9yr old son. He is building up his tech bench in his room and I wanted something I could replace when he breaks it or it fails, which it might just because its L'cheapo.  Ha! I was planning on getting the Fluke 17B for him but wasn't so hip on that for $99 after seeing your teardown on it and it seems like the Elenco/TekPower would be a better kids meter for the price. I will get him a nice Fluke when he is older if he is still into electronics.

[ToddFun]

I also have a UNI-T UT61E on the way for review.

Cheers,
Martin.

Martin, I'm really looking forward to your UT61E review. I just love test equipment, is there a 12-step-program for my condition? Ha 

[retiredcaps]

He is building up his tech bench in his room and I wanted something I could replace when he breaks it or it fails, which it might just because its L'cheapo.

An used Fluke 27/FM will be in the same $30 price range (via auction + patience) off ebay and nearly indestructible (like the Fluke 28 II video).  If it falls though on your son's foot, it might require a trip to the hospital.

I must have been sleeping on this ended auction ($3.58 for a working Fluke 27/FM)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140840441057

[T4P]

For what it can do it's decent. Really. At least i see a 6.3x32mm fuse on the amps jack and the datalogging software isn't bad at all

[Bored@Work]

Regarding the TekPower, a little bit of digging reveals this Digitek DT-4000ZC http://www.digitek.com.hk/en/cpxx.php?id=697

And previously briefly mentioned here https://www.eevblog.com/forum/suggestions/help-choosing-dmm-with-pc-datalogging/msg2250/#msg2250 It is apparently a rather old model, which would explain the price.

The data format seems to be well known, identical to the DT-9062's data format, which is supported in a number of Linux tools like QtDMM.

It was once also sold as the WIN9689.

[T4P]

Thanks BAW. I went on my cheapest shopping channel (taobao) and instantly i found it ...
22SGD only ..

[iloveelectronics]

Dave, I just watched a two part multimeter review by mjlorton. He reviews a cheap $30 TekPower TP4000ZC meter and I must say it shows off nice. It has way more than $30 in features, form and function. It includes data logging with cable, good software and the rs232 IS opto isolated inside the meter.

It looks almost identical to the Elenco M-2625 from my shootout, but with the RS232 option.
http://www.tequipment.net/ElencoM-2625.html

Dave.

Your Elenco might actually be a Digitek DT-4000ZA under a different badge: http://www.digitek.com.hk/en/cpxx.php?id=699

[iloveelectronics]

Thanks BAW. I went on my cheapest shopping channel (taobao) and instantly i found it ...
22SGD only ..

Funny you were looking this up too. I was on the exact same taobao page yesterday I'm trying to find a more interesting model in the Digitek lineup, the DT-9602R+, but haven't had any luck so far. http://www.digitek.com.hk/en/cpxx.php?id=603

[T4P]

Funny you were looking this up too. I was on the exact same taobao page yesterday I'm trying to find a more interesting model in the Digitek lineup, the DT-9602R+, but haven't had any luck so far. http://www.digitek.com.hk/en/cpxx.php?id=603

Yep. The seller on taobao only has a few Digitek products. Not funny for me, i now buy everything from taobao 
You bet i went searching for the 9602 too ... no luck
And this one looks awesome... 0.2% accuracy for a 6000 count meter
http://www.digitek.com.hk/en/cpxx.php?id=754

Your Elenco might actually be a Digitek DT-4000ZA under a different badge: http://www.digitek.com.hk/en/cpxx.php?id=699

It is!

[Bored@Work]

How do you manage to convince a random seller on Taobao to talk to a foreign devil in English? I have given up on Taobao, because using Google translate to navigate the site is a PITA and the sellers I found never answered any inquiries.

And I haven't found one of these so called Taobao agents that I would trust.

[T4P]

How do you manage to convince a random seller on Taobao to talk to a foreign devil in English? I have given up on Taobao, because using Google translate to navigate the site is a PITA and the sellers I found never answered any inquiries.

And I haven't found one of these so called Taobao agents that I would trust.

...Yeah, navigating taobao can be a PITA but not if you use google chrome to auto translate the page and use some "common-sense" The literal translation is just ROFL, every single thing i search needs to be translated and even so "soldering iron" until a few days ago turned out to be "Welding Stick" but it still worked perfectly
I don't know about the ones in US, anyway. I have tons of agents here and mostly trustable ...

[iloveelectronics]

How do you manage to convince a random seller on Taobao to talk to a foreign devil in English? I have given up on Taobao, because using Google translate to navigate the site is a PITA and the sellers I found never answered any inquiries.

And I haven't found one of these so called Taobao agents that I would trust.

For me Chinese is my native language so Taobao is truly heaven :-)  The vast majority of the sellers there answer inquiries instantly through the real time chat feature on Taobao, as long as you get there in the right time zone. I presume you have to type in Chinese to warrant a response though.

If anyone needs something despararely from Taobao I wouldn't mind offering a little help.

[Bored@Work]

For me Chinese is my native language

I guess that helps a little bit

[mjlorton]

I also have a UNI-T UT61E on the way for review.

Cheers,
Martin.

Martin, I'm really looking forward to your UT61E review. I just love test equipment, is there a 12-step-program for my condition? Ha 

When you find that 12-step program send it my way!
I must say, I really enjoyed the review Dave did on the Fluke 17B you sent him. I did not know it existed.

Cheers,
Martin.