Fluke 287 DMM: Battery Monster?

[Astronomer]

Hi all,

I'm just an electronics, PC computing/networking, astronomy enthusiast. I have a spanking new Fluke 287 DMM that seems to devour batteries at an alarming rate. If I put a fresh set of 6 "AA" batteries in the unit and leave it off for a week or so and turn it on, the batteries are almost run down and I also invariably have to re-set the date and time. Is this normal for this unit? Should I just pop in a set of batteries when I need the unit and remove them after testing? I have several other devices that can sit for months without turning them on and the batteries carry a nearly full charge when I do power them up, so the 287's behavior strikes me as very abnormal. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!

[amspire]

Your Fluke 287 can log data for over 200 hours - and that seems to roughly match the time your batteries are lasting.

So my suggestion is that when you think the meter is off, is it in data logging mode?

Richard

[grenert]

Yes, if it's not doing any data logging, it should definitely not have a problem sitting off for a week.  The 287 does eat batteries pretty quickly when on, but not when off. 
Are you using rechargeable batteries by any chance?  Some have very fast self-discharge rates.  If you use rechargeables, you should use low-discharge cells like Sanyo Eneloops.

[EEVblog]

That does not sound normal.
What type of batteries are you using?

Dave.

[Kibi]

I'm in agreement that there may be something up with the batteries that you are using.
I was slightly concerned when I saw the title to this post. My new 287 will arrive tomorrow
I know that this meter eats batteries for breakfast, but your case is a bit extreme.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I have a 287 which is my third DMM, so doesn't get used very often - Must be at least a year since I changed batteries. Are you sure you've not accidentally got it in logging mode?

[Astronomer]

That does not sound normal.
What type of batteries are you using?

Dave.

I'm using "long-life" alkaline batteries, albeit a no-name grocery store brand. It doesn't appear to be in a logging mode. I ran through the manual's section on that, but I did have it logging a couple of weeks back when I was checking the voltage in my home's server room. I wonder if it could be logging in the background even though there's nothing on screen that's indicating that it is...?

[Astronomer]

I'm in agreement that there may be something up with the batteries that you are using.
I was slightly concerned when I saw the title to this post. My new 287 will arrive tomorrow
I know that this meter eats batteries for breakfast, but your case is a bit extreme.

Yeah, something isn't right. I'll have to take some time later this evening to sit down with it and go through the settings and the manual very carefully. There's either a fault with the unit or there's a quiet logging mode that I accidentally left on. I'll also pick up some Duracells as well. No point on cheaping out on the batteries.

[grenert]

Do you have another meter and some various leads/clips to measure what the current draw is on your 287 when on and when off?  I was thinking you could just measure this from the battery holder.

[bilko]

I'll also pick up some Duracells as well. No point on cheaping out on the batteries.

Just before you do that, take a look at this https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=4072.0

[Astronomer]

Looks like I found the problem, and I'm slapping my forehead for not thinking of it right out of the gate. The meter is new, and new to me - a gift from an EE friend. He used it once for a contract project some months back. When I turned it on the first time, it was dead. We opened it up and pulled the batteries and dropped in a fresh set. I noticed some corrosion on the old set, but was so anxious to see if the new ones would work (fearing an issue with the 287), that I forgot to go back and check the leads. I did that tonight and saw obvious (very obvious...) corrosion on one of them. I took out my trusty glass-fiber sanding pen and cleaned it to a bright shine. I suspect that this new batch of batteries will last a long time.

Cheers!

 - Astronomer

[Astronomer]

Nope, not solved. Still using up batteries even when off. A google search came up with an archived thread from the Fluke forums where there seems to be a few from this model run that has a glitch that causes this problem. Damn.

[giubin]

Hi man, check this

[schmitt trigger]

We have had a 287 for perhaps 5 years at my place of work.
With actual usage, it does indeed eat its batteries.

And it is a real bummer that it employs 6 batteries, as most, if not all, chargers are for 4 batteries.

However, we have left it off for extended periods of time, (Christmas shutdown) and when returning to work, the unit will still turn on.

Your unit could have some stray leakage somewhere.

[Mr. Scram]

Hi man, check this

The date and time resetting point towards supercapacitor problems. Maybe there's a leak current draining the batteries even more quickly than is usually the case. It won't ever be a frugal model.

[giubin]

We have had a 287 for perhaps 5 years at my place of work.
With actual usage, it does indeed eat its batteries.

And it is a real bummer that it employs 6 batteries, as most, if not all, chargers are for 4 batteries.

However, we have left it off for extended periods of time, (Christmas shutdown) and when returning to work, the unit will still turn on.

Your unit could have some stray leakage somewhere.

how many times you recharge batteries (/usage)? each month, week,... ?

[tooki]

Hi man, check this

I don't think the original poster is going to check, since he hasn't visited this forum since his last post 7 years ago.

[giubin]

Hi man, check this

I don't think the original poster is going to check, since he hasn't visited this forum since his last post 7 years ago.

I tried

[romantronixlab]

Even though the OP hasn't visited I think my 287 is a victim on this issue too. Today I was going to take some measurements and the meter was at 0% it allowed me to do a single measurement it then gave a low battery warning. Batteries lasted only 4 days it being off until today when going to do some real measurements. 

Edit: 25.4mA consumption in off mode. Could be the super cap was discharged?