Fluke 189 with leaking surface mount supercap (also Fluke 287, Fluke 289)

[BravoV]

Is there any significant change on the battery's life after the replacement ?

[SoundTech-LG]

Besides my personal 189, we have one here at work that is used in the RF Lab daily. I inquired as to it's history of battery life, the main user says he thinks it typically lasts over one year. We have not however done an inspection of this one yet . I'm a bit confused on the exact purpose of the SuperCap. Does it's usefullness only come into play during battery swaps, when there is no other voltage present to maintain the memories? Mine is without one now, but if I just power off, and back on, it still seem to retain memory.

[BravoV]

That cap's purpose is just to retain the dmm clock during batteries replacement, according to Fluke.

[SoundTech-LG]

Thanks...   that's good to confirm,  I was coming to that conclusion. I think I'll just leave it out. Obviously it caused more problems for Fluke, than it solved.

[tony3d]

According to CDI The life expectancy seems to be 2.8 years. That is dependent on several factors, one humidity must remain below 50%. Kinda strange for a meter meant to last 10 years!

[stuartk]

I cracked the case on my 289 purchased in 2007 and found the leaking capacitor. It was giving me intermittent loss of timekeeping.

I sent it off to Fluke Canada. Apparently they have a lifetime warranty up here in the frozen north.

They have replaced the cap, changed my scuffed up battery cover, changed the batteries and re-calibrated it, with a certificate and documentation.

All for free. 

Kudos to Fluke Canada and thank you.

Stuart

[Excavatoree]

Has anyone found the Fluke part number for this capacitor?   When one has a meter repaired under warranty, is this information given?  I'd expect not, but since these aren't available in the US in quantities less than 2000, I was considering ordering from Fluke.  However, Fluke will do no parts research - one has to know the part number.

[stuartk]

No they didn't. They only said replaced capacitor C145...

[dr.diesel]

Has anyone found the Fluke part number for this capacitor?

Search back a few pages, I replaced mine with a $2 part from Digikey.

[Excavatoree]

Has anyone found the Fluke part number for this capacitor?

Search back a few pages, I replaced mine with a $2 part from Digikey.

I saw that.  It looks like that's the only alternative for a non-warranty unit.

My 189 has the larger capacitor pictured earlier in this thread.  It seems to be OK, but I didn't unsolder it to look underneath.

[BravoV]

I cracked the case on my 289 purchased in 2007 and found the leaking capacitor. It was giving me intermittent loss of timekeeping.

I sent it off to Fluke Canada. Apparently they have a lifetime warranty up here in the frozen north.

They have replaced the cap, changed my scuffed up battery cover, changed the batteries and re-calibrated it, with a certificate and documentation.

All for free. 

Kudos to Fluke Canada and thank you.

Stuart

Stuart, closeup photo of the newly replaced cap please.

[retiredcaps]

I sent it off to Fluke Canada. Apparently they have a lifetime warranty up here in the frozen north.

All for free. 

Hi Stuart,

Are you the original owner of the meter and did you purchase it from an authorized dealer?

edit: The other advantage of sending it back to Fluke for repair, especially if you owned the meter for a few years, is that you might get calibration thrown in for free.

[SoundTech-LG]

I cracked the case on my 289 purchased in 2007 and found the leaking capacitor. It was giving me intermittent loss of timekeeping.

I sent it off to Fluke Canada. Apparently they have a lifetime warranty up here in the frozen north.

They have replaced the cap, changed my scuffed up battery cover, changed the batteries and re-calibrated it, with a certificate and documentation.

All for free. 

Kudos to Fluke Canada and thank you.

Stuart

Stuart, closeup photo of the newly replaced cap please.

Probably would void the calibration

[stuartk]

Yep,

I'm the original owner. I was going to crack the case, but they put the calibration sticker and a tamper sticker over the case.

I think they were trying to send a message to me after I sent them a picture of my leaking cap!

I suspect I might mess up the calibration if I crack it in anyhow....

Stuart

[retiredcaps]

I'm the original owner. I was going to crack the case, but they put the calibration sticker and a tamper sticker over the case.

Well, thanks for reporting back.  I wouldn't break the seals either if it were my meter.

[BravoV]

+1 , thanks for the update.

I guess we'll have to wait at least until next year to be able to peek the replaced cap in Stuart's 289. 

[SoundTech-LG]

One, or two things seem pretty certain. One funky Super Cap does not ruin the Fluke reputation. Fluke equipment holds it's value, particularly the handhelds. They get re-sold for quite respectable sums on a regular basis. This, in contrast to the junk meters that you toss in the trash.

[BravoV]

Agree, apart from the ultra-cap problem, have to admit this 28x series build quality is excellent.

I was very impressed when seeing Martin tested his 287 in freezing cold in the chill box, the measurement result was still spot on with it's spec at operating temp -20 °C to 55 °C. 

[elex_enthusiast]

hi guys..
i have a 1 year old fluke287 and it consumes battery much faster..i opened the case and i saw the same cap corroding.. i wonder if a 0.06F supercap i have could be a good replacement?

[kaz911]

hi guys..
i have a 1 year old fluke287 and it consumes battery much faster..i opened the case and i saw the same cap corroding.. i wonder if a 0.06F supercap i have could be a good replacement?

Don't fix them. I just handed a 289 and a 287 into Fluke and they will be repaired on warranty despite being quite old Fluke has "Limited World Wide" warranty on them - and they have a list of serial numbers for which repair is free of charge. As I only paid $200 for my 289 since it was not perfect - I'm now very happy that has been fixed on warranty as well.

And to quote the Calibration girl - 287/289's are really well made apart from the Cap issue - so they are usually in spec/calibration even after 6+ years - they have so far not seen a working 287/289 that was NOT within spec if it had not been "mishandled"

[elex_enthusiast]

Don't fix them. I just handed a 289 and a 287 into Fluke and they will be repaired on warranty despite being quite old Fluke has "Limited World Wide" warranty on them - and they have a list of serial numbers for which repair is free of charge. As I only paid $200 for my 289 since it was not perfect - I'm now very happy that has been fixed on warranty as well.

And to quote the Calibration girl - 287/289's are really well made apart from the Cap issue - so they are usually in spec/calibration even after 6+ years - they have so far not seen a working 287/289 that was NOT within spec if it had not been "mishandled"

well the problem is i cant find any fluke service center here in Philippines ..so im thinking the best thing to do is to replace the cap myself just like others did..i love my fluke but i hate the way it consumes the battery

[dr.diesel]

well the problem is i cant find any fluke service center here in Philippines ..so im thinking the best thing to do is to replace the cap myself just like others did..i love my fluke but i hate the way it consumes the battery

Are you sure the cap is bad, the 28x is a battery hog even with a good cap? 

Mine was drawing something like 10mA when powered off, if you have the means you might test yours.  If you look back in this thread there is a spec, in the uA is what it should draw when working correctly.

[kaz911]

Don't fix them. I just handed a 289 and a 287 into Fluke and they will be repaired on warranty despite being quite old Fluke has "Limited World Wide" warranty on them - and they have a list of serial numbers for which repair is free of charge. As I only paid $200 for my 289 since it was not perfect - I'm now very happy that has been fixed on warranty as well.

And to quote the Calibration girl - 287/289's are really well made apart from the Cap issue - so they are usually in spec/calibration even after 6+ years - they have so far not seen a working 287/289 that was NOT within spec if it had not been "mishandled"

well the problem is i cant find any fluke service center here in Philippines ..so im thinking the best thing to do is to replace the cap myself just like others did..i love my fluke but i hate the way it consumes the battery

I handed mine into a distributor - not Fluke direct. So any distributor can verify warranty recalls

Mine has been off to Holland for repair as the local guys does not do any repairs. All at no cost to me.

[kaz911]

and the quick way to check CAP problem - put in new batteries - check time and date is fine. Leave on for a couple of minutes. Shut it down. Remove the batteries - count to 10 - plug batteries back in. If it asks for time/date - you have a super-cap issue.

[elex_enthusiast]

yes it does ask to reset the time/date..

Mine was drawing something like 10mA when powered off, if you have the means you might test yours.

unfortunately i have no other reliable meter i can use to measure its current draw but im pretty sure the cap is bad..