Prema support running out... (maybe)

[Nixfried]

I recently bought a broken Prema 6047 on ebay, fixed it and got in contact with the manufacturer to ask a few questions. (Which were answered competent and quick, even got a replacement part for free!)
But in the process of asking i got the information that the service technician responsible for fixing/calibrating these meters leaves the company mid november, and it is unknown if they continue to support these  devices. (They stopped selling meters in 2002).
So just a heads-up for every Prema voltnut here, if you want your device calibrated by Prema(inhouse) you should arrange an appointment ASAP!

Let's hope they hire another service technician which will service these wonderful meters...

[maginnovision]

Maybe I'll ask them then. Apparently nobody in NA can calibrate my 8017.

[mjhvanvliet]

Thanks for your reaction. I would like to have my Prema 5017 calibrated by Prema because I think they know the multimeter best (last time I had a different company but wasn't completely satisfied). I had the calibration form already printed out on my desk a few months, but because of your reaction I send my multimeter to Prema today. 

[maginnovision]

Well I emailed for a quote(also looking to see if they have a scanner card/backplate even though it'd be $800 or more). As long as my house doesn't burn down(Big fire couple miles away) I should be able to get it sent in.

[Nixfried]

I just received an e-mail.
The Prema management decided to continue their support!
Another service technician will be trained!!!

 

[maginnovision]

Excellent. I feel like maybe they're going through this every 6 months as it was a similar situation not long ago. Maybe I'll see about getting the 5017 calibrated too just in case.

[MarcX]

Does anyone know if PREMA really hired a new service technician? I‘ve already written 2 E-Mails to PREMA because i Need a replacement part but haven‘t got an answer until now.

I want to repair a defective PREMA 5001 i‘ve got free, replaced already a bad electrolytic capacitor which shorted the -15V rail of the power supply and discovered a bad PREMA ASIC which prevents the 6502 to start (PREMA Pr CD4). But i think i will open a new thread because it seems to have another fault, which i can‘t identify with my knowledge.

[maginnovision]

I know they were waiting for cal equipment to come back and then their service guys was sick for weeks. I'm still waiting on a parts quote myself. So I suspect they did hire someone as otherwise they probably would have just stopped servicing altogether.

[MarcX]

Hello maginnovision, thanks for your reply. Good to hear that PREMA hasn‘t stopped their equipment support.

I really like their multimeters and I hope, i can fix my 5001. Unfortunately i‘m not very familiar in repairing old measuring equipment. But i‘m proud to say  that i have already fixed the Power supply and the microprocessor circuit. But I‘m not able to do further research if i don‘t have the correct ASIC for the 5001 (replaced the Pr CD4 with the Pr CD2 from my 5000 at the moment)

Maybe there isn‘t any fault except the Pr CD4 because my 5001 is displaying only zeros on every measurement range because the ASIC is not the right one.

[MarcX]

Today i received an answer from PREMA, they will write an offer for a replacement part if they still have the required part.

[branadic]

I'm not very happy with the calibration service by Prema. I've sent in our 5017 in december 2019 and received it in the middle of february. First the guy performin the service was sick, then the calibrator was out for calibration, then the guy had holiday. Service was perfect at times when Mr. Stricker did it.

By the way, if someone is interested in a signal generator ARB1000, there is currently one available at the bay:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Prema-ARB1000-Arbitrary-Function-Generator-100-Hz-bis-20-MHz/254491381565

Manual can be found here:
https://www.prema.com/index.php/de/service/messgeraetewartung/item/download/115_c056189a5c691744cf42e3e8137e3433

-branadic-

[essele]

Hi branadic,

After much consideration I sent my 6048 to Keysight in the UK ... the cost was ok (£180 + VAT) but they took two months to figure out how to calibrate it (despite it being a 7-day service!) I suspect it was the first time they had seen one, so hopefully next time will be more standard.

Other than the time taken, and the guy delivering it uncovered in the rain, it's seems to be ok ... that was for a cal and adjustment with full measurements before and after.

Lee.

[MarcX]

Today i’ve got an e-Mail from PREMA, they will send me the required replacement part for free.

Maybe we only had bad luck, i think they will improve their service, they‘ve got a new service technician and he will learn, but it takes some time to achieve the same skill and knowledge as Mr. Stricker had. I‘m happy because PREMA didn‘t discontinue their support.

[Nixfried]

Damn it!

Just read the following on their website...

PREMA Semiconductor GmbH does not offer these services after July 2020.
https://www.prema.com/index.php/en/service-en/maintanance-of-measuring-instruments

Well i got the next 2 weeks vacation so i will try to get some of my meters calibrated.

[Villain]

Very unfortunate that they discontinue the service for these models!