Fluke 233 with Battery problems

[mauric]

Hello Everybody
Today I dug up my Fluke 233 again, unfortunately with the known battery problem.

I saw that this was already discussed here. And here I would like to take a moment to join-in
I've read a few times that it needs a board replacement and a firmware update. But I'm not
sure whether the board has to be changed here.

after contacting the local service center he was not entirely sure of this question.
The series no is 1856xxxx, and the version of installed firmware is 1.01.

its here enought to update this device only to version 2.0, and the Batterie-problem are gone?

Also are possible to receive from a running 233 picture from boards? so possible
maybe a boardserial nr can provide a little more information here ?

I would be very grateful for some help
thanks and best regards
Mauri

[mauric]

Please this are Picture from the mainboard's, any know if the Serial Nr. 233-3002 Rev 007 (2611 - B1) are this from the newer release?
or its this from the old one?

If installing on this firmware 2.0, possible the Batterie Failure are gone?
thanks for any possible update!
Regards
Maur

[mauric]

yes, I know that this topic is certainly not from yesterday. But please don't write all together..... 

[Arhigos]

How do you planning to install new firmware? There is no option to update it by yourself. First you will need programmer for msp430 chip. Second you will need firmware file (which is not available online) and third you will need calibrator to calibrate your unit.

[mauric]

Hello Arhgos
first, thanks for your Answer!

No, I didn't want to program or flash it myself!
I heard from Fluke there had been several diffrent Fluke 233 versions of boards to fix this problem about Battery leak.
My question would have been whether my serial number is from the new series or whether this is still an old series
number. Whar Serial Nr its your board, More less as mine??

the firmware update to Version 2.0 costs me 200 CHF, I want to get some little security and not just play roulete.
If this are clear, that it's from old version "Serial Nr" then i need to buy for this money a other one.

I hope that I could bring some clarity to this
For any possible help iam still happy
Regards
Mauri

[Arhigos]

Serial number does not tell you anything, board revision does.

One option to tell if your board new or old is to look at C106 and C107 caps (they are under the shield). If they are bigger then board is older. If they are smaller board is newer.

I have new meter(board rev019) and my board looks same as yours. So i believe that software update should fix your problem because i don't see any other difference.

[mauric]

Hello Arhigos
Thanks meny time for your Answer.... Please let my know are this the Big or Small one ??
Please watch this Picture.
Thx

[Arhigos]

this is old capacitor, as expected because you have old revision of board. New is flat and does not have any markings on it

[mauric]

you think here a Firmware update will help to nothing about batterie-leak ?

[Arhigos]

I don't know anything about this problem. What is the current draw on your meter right now in standby mode?

[mauric]

I dont have a other Multimeter by me... but every 3 Weeks i need to buy other Batteries, if i forget this to remove from device.

[Arhigos]

Mine having 0.03 mA in standby.  ( i measured only head part)

3 weeks seems to be way too fast. Try to find somebody with same meter and same firmware and compare his current to yours