Author Topic: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..  (Read 56940 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Its all about sharing happy moments, than bragging ..

I am the winner  of my first broken, bench top DMM   ;D  
Fluke 8012A bench meter

The price that I got it, was better than an Lotto ticket , and I feel more than capable ,
to repair this " oldie but Goody " .

The display are ok , its does not power on .. and no one ever tried to repair it !!
This is very important , if you buy dead ones , with the plan to repair them..

Here is a picture of my preview pile ,  and the " New "  child of my  ;D  

Now I have to re-vote at the DMM Poll   :D
 

Offline saturation

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 4787
  • Country: us
  • Doveryai, no proveryai
    • NIST
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2010, 02:24:44 pm »
I'm sure you'll enjoy fixing it.  Keep us posted with your progress, if possible take pictures of the procedure. 
Best Wishes,

 Saturation
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2010, 10:17:23 pm »
Thanks friend, I will do post pictures, as soon I receive it, and start the repair ..

Even so , Now I need to collect any resources about it , schematics and stuff.
 
If any one have any useful links about the Fluke 8012A bench meter ,
feel free to add them ..  :)
 

Offline saturation

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 4787
  • Country: us
  • Doveryai, no proveryai
    • NIST
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2010, 10:37:49 pm »
Users manual and more from Fluke:

http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/8010A___umeng0200.pdf

http://download.siliconexpert.com/pdfs/2009/5/10/7/53/45/fluk_/manual/8012a.pdf

http://us.fluke.com/Fluke/usen/Support/Manuals/default.htm

Calibration manual:

http://www.tpub-products.com/subscribers/Electronics/Electronic_Calibrators/TB-9-6625-2277-35.pdf

Declassified US Armed Forces version:

http://www.tpub.com/content/electroniccalibrators/TB-9-6625-2277-35/TB-9-6625-2277-350002.htm

Enjoy. 


Thanks friend, I will do post pictures, as soon I receive it, and start the repair ..

Even so , Now I need to collect any resources about it , schematics and stuff.
 
If any one have any useful links about the Fluke 8012A bench meter ,
feel free to add them ..  :)

« Last Edit: June 18, 2010, 10:40:11 pm by saturation »
Best Wishes,

 Saturation
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2010, 10:43:05 pm »
Users manual and more from Fluke:


Enjoy.  

Faster than lightning  ;D  
Thanks  mate ..

The TPU needs password ..  :(


« Last Edit: June 18, 2010, 11:08:25 pm by Kiriakos-GR »
 

Offline saturation

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 4787
  • Country: us
  • Doveryai, no proveryai
    • NIST
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #5 on: June 18, 2010, 11:07:18 pm »
Interesting, the TP link was open and free when I read it; sorry I aborted the pdf download.
The military version is HTML and still free and open.  Get it while you can!

Users manual and more from Fluke:


Enjoy. 

Faster than lightning  ;D 
Thanks  mate ..

The TPU needs password ..  :(
Best Wishes,

 Saturation
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
 

Offline Excavatoree

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 900
  • Country: us
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2010, 04:39:44 pm »
Be careful.  That's how I started.  ;D
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2010, 05:31:06 pm »
The point is how you ended  !!  :D  did you had a happy end ?  

I assume that I will not have issues with the display , as the issue are  " No power "

By the book of Fluke ... " No power "  =  Problem at the power switch .
I have to admit , that Fluke  haves lots of faith  to it ...
so to report this solution as the only possible damage. ;D

I would feel much better, if i had some pictures of the internals of it ,
plus the inner look of the power switch ..
« Last Edit: June 23, 2010, 05:36:53 pm by Kiriakos-GR »
 

Offline Excavatoree

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 900
  • Country: us
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2010, 05:33:22 pm »
So far, so good!!

 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2010, 05:37:42 pm »
I would feel much better, if i had some pictures of the internals of it ,
plus the inner look of the power switch ..

Can you help ?  ( pictures )
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2010, 09:05:40 pm »
Well today I got the meter from UK , I do not know If I can be called as unlucky , or lucky ,
because one confused story happened .

By unpacking the meter , the display was injured ... I can not tell if I had fall as victim in a scam .
All that I can tell was that I had freak out ... was the only damage that I was not expect to see.

The meter was the model  001 , with the rechargeable batteries in it,
the condition of them was " empty " .

The meter was not power up at all ,  I open it up , found the batteries , and I started to charging them with external PSU ..  By miracle ... as soon the two NICAD batteries got some charge ,
by connecting them back on the meter ,  the meter came to life !!  
And the charger of it , started to charge them by it self !!  its  2X1.2 Volts 2.200mA medium size batteries.
Charging voltage 2.8 Volts

The meter as soon it got alive , it tested by the Fluke 87-5 ,
and it works accurately in all the DC volt scales.

Its an Fluke made in Holland , all fuses inside was original , and no signs of any preview repair .

I tested continuity , and amperes , everything looks ok .

I notified the seller about the display damage , and I got refunded on the spot ,  getting back about 19 EUR of the total of 23 EUR , and lots of apologies from the seller .

Now that I have bring to life the meter , I need to find one good display for it,
even if the one that it has , are partially working .

I truly need some help here , I need some one from US, to locate for me one healthy display,
used or new , and we will sort out the details , by PM or email ..

Here is some pictures of the meter damaged , of the meter functional  ;) ,
and the Fluke display it self .
I found the LCD display pictures , from an old sale on ebay.


.

 
    
« Last Edit: June 25, 2010, 09:13:09 pm by Kiriakos-GR »
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #12 on: June 25, 2010, 09:06:29 pm »
And the display part code ...

 

Offline CDA

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 4
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #13 on: June 26, 2010, 11:36:31 am »
The LCDs on that series of Fluke bench meters just don't stand the test of time.
The same can be said of the Fluke hand-helds with the push buttons down the side.
Replacement is likely to cost more than you paid for the meter.
you could try Sphere: www.sphere.bc.ca/test/flukeparts.html
 

Offline david77

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 934
  • Country: de
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #14 on: June 26, 2010, 11:38:12 am »
Very nice meter!

Have you tried contacting the official Fluke servicecenter in Greece?

Intracom S.A. Defense Electronics
Defense Electronics Systems
Repair and Calibration
Address 21 KM Markopoulou Ave.
Koropi, Attica GR-194 00
Greece
+30-210-667-8000
+30-210-667-8001
ttsir@intracomdefense.com

I would think they could help you with that display.  :)

David
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #15 on: June 26, 2010, 02:24:16 pm »
Currently,  Fluke Europe in Holland , keeps any stock of products.

All ready , I had send one query on a company called as " Sierra IC " .

And did one contact with one local store ,
who has one major Greek contact about Fluke parts at north Greece ,
that possibly could help.


I am doing some thoughts about "  How hard is to convert one LCD circuitry ",
so to operate with LED display ?

Or better said ... Adding one new LED display on a multimeter .




  

 
« Last Edit: June 26, 2010, 02:27:03 pm by Kiriakos-GR »
 

Offline david77

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 934
  • Country: de
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #16 on: June 26, 2010, 05:22:17 pm »
Changing to LED display sounds good, I much prefer LED on bench equipment anyway.

It's also probably a much cheaper alternative :).
 

alm

  • Guest
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #17 on: June 26, 2010, 07:38:13 pm »
I agree that LED is superior (not sure why they thought LCD was an improvement in the eighties, possibly because it's easier to do alphanumeric and complex symbols). The main disadvantage for this application is power draw, the battery life will probably be worse. But I don't really see the point in batteries for these bench-style meters these days, you can get similar performance in something like a Fluke 87, which is much smaller (but much more expensive).

I believe the interface will be different, especially if they use a direct interface to the LCD (as opposed to a controller like the HD44780). LCD control signals need to be modulated to prevent 'burn-in', and probably has different voltage/current levels. So I doubt that it'd be a drop-in replacement, but it may not be too hard. Didn't they offer similar meters with LED displays? Although these might use a completely different circuit.
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #18 on: June 26, 2010, 09:26:06 pm »
Well  thats what it looks like ...  Picture ..

I did try to remove and inspect the display , and now the problem become worst .. the display does not function any more .
The liquid crystal had become totally damaged .

I had just contact and another company for the spare part.
looks to have five in stock. o2xygen.com

This display are originally made by the Japanese OPTREX part code 871126 .
But its not available as part from them .

.
 

Offline david77

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 934
  • Country: de
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #19 on: June 27, 2010, 07:24:12 am »
Who would have thought to find a Intersil IC in there?
They were the guys who originally brought out the ICL7106/7107 3,5 digit DVM IC's that used to be used in nearly every cheap meter and still are often used in panel meters.

This is obviously a custom numbered IC for Fluke, but could it be.... ?

I did a quick google and came up with this:

Andrew July 4th, 2009 at 02:28

Fluke is not new to off-the-shelf parts and using refence desigsn.

Models from the stone age, like the Fluke 8020, 8022A, 8024 have a main IC called 429100. That one happened to have the same pin configuration as the Intersil ICL7106. The circuits of the meters are very much Intersil reference designs. And not surprising, the 429100 is supplied by Intersil. Guess what IC it really is, just with a magic Fluke custom number …

And guess where I found it? Right here http://www.eevblog.com/2009/06/29/eevblog-15-part-2-of-2-fluke-189-289-multimeter-review/  ;D


If he is right, I don't feel bad about the fact that I'm currently building a special panel meter with 4x 7107's instead of the more modern approach of using some micro ;D.

If it is a 7106 it should be possible to replace it with the 7107, wich drives a LED display.
But it is not a drop-in replacement, you will need to check supply voltage, you will need a +/-5V supply for the 7107. Those IC's prefer their inputs floating with respect to the supply, that can be a bit of a headache.
You would probably have to make your own small board and put the 7107 and some othe stuff on it. But it sounds feasible and quite fun.
« Last Edit: June 27, 2010, 07:47:08 am by david77 »
 

alm

  • Guest
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #20 on: June 27, 2010, 09:35:04 am »
I would carefully check if the ICL7106 is actually 100% compatible with the Fluke 429100. They may have a common heritage, but it's possible Fluke asked for modifications or selected for tighter specs.
 

Offline NiHaoMike

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 8973
  • Country: us
  • "Don't turn it on - Take it apart!"
    • Facebook Page
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #21 on: June 27, 2010, 01:05:42 pm »
In at least one design (Fluke 8021B), it isn't. One of the pins has been changed to select scaling factor or something.
Cryptocurrency has taught me to love math and at the same time be baffled by it.

Cryptocurrency lesson 0: Altcoins and Bitcoin are not the same thing.
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #22 on: June 27, 2010, 02:48:05 pm »
I like to thanks you , for the current findings,  all of you   :)

About the IC , all that I can Imagine as deference from the "regular" version , are the B = Battery indicator.

Other than the " B "  sign addition, its one common design  4 digits  4 scale points and the Minus dash.

About the IC 7107 , It sounds good as idea , but I do not know if it worths as solution , time and money.


Currently I am offering about 30$ , as ultimate price, for finding the Fluke display,
even as used in a good shape.

I will try to find the schematics of both IC's , and see how they looks like.

But I do wonder ,  I am the only one who came at this point ?
All the others what they do with their meters ? they damp them ,trashing them !!
« Last Edit: July 05, 2010, 10:02:53 pm by Kiriakos-GR »
 

Offline Kiriakos-GRTopic starter

  • Super Contributor
  • ***
  • !
  • Posts: 3525
  • Country: gr
  • User is banned.
    • Honda AX-1 rebuild
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #23 on: June 27, 2010, 03:18:59 pm »
And some more pictures for you all ..  ;)  (attachments)


 

Offline david77

  • Frequent Contributor
  • **
  • Posts: 934
  • Country: de
Re: Just got my "new" multimeter ... the family become larger ..
« Reply #24 on: June 27, 2010, 04:22:39 pm »
Is the 8012A a 2000 count meter or more?  If it is more you can't use 7106/7107 IC's as they're only 2000 count. You said the original LCD has 4 digits and a separate minus dash, so does it count to 10000?

Why not try it another way? You could just go and get a standard 4digit LCD Display and wire that in there. These things are cheap (<5 EUR) and should easily fit instead of the original. The only thing you need to find out which pin on the IC represents which segment. Easy.

I would certainly try and fix this meter, a nice meter is always worth some effort :D.

David
 


Share me

Digg  Facebook  SlashDot  Delicious  Technorati  Twitter  Google  Yahoo
Smf