Almost lost fluke serial number?

[cobalt232]

i have a fluke 376-fc that i got from someone online.
the serial number is completely worn out . . . or removed deliberately.
but . . . there was a slim line of barcode that was still there that i was able to scan with my phone.
it gave me:
code 128 and then an 8 digit number.
am i able to reconstruct the serial number from that? i'd like to know if it's one of the recall units.

thanks

[james_s]

I would be more concerned about the possibility of it being stolen. I think I would contact Fluke regarding the serial number and possibly contact the local police to confirm it is not on a list of known stolen property. I don't think there's anything anyone here can do for you.

[J-R]

Looking at some photos online the serial number seems to be either two letters followed by 8 numbers or 8 numbers followed by two letters depending on the age.  So I think you are on to something with your phone scan.


The comment about it being stolen is a bit much since the serial number appears to be nothing more than a cheap sticker so it's very possible it just got worn off.

By that logic if the serial number sticker is in mint condition or the item is new-in-box then it would NOT be stolen???

Either way he still needs to figure out the serial number!


More research and it seems the included loop clamp typically has the same serial number as the main unit, so do you have that?

[bdunham7]

All the information you need is here.  If the serial number is worn off, they cover that issue here as well.

https://www.fluke.com/en-us/support/safety-notices/37xfc-902fc-recall

They appear to be repairing these, but it is possible for a recalled (replaced) product to reappear on the market because they were not properly disposed of due to the malfeasance of a contractor or employee.

[Arhigos]

You can just sync with your cell-phone and it will show you the serial number in fluke connect app

[cobalt232]

sorry about that mislabeled title, but it's just a regular fluke 376. but that idea could help someone else.

[cobalt232]

thanks for the suggestion.
the serial number on the loop clamp is the same as the one my barcode reader displayed.
it's the same 8 digit number with no letters.

i just checked and it said that my clamp meter is not involved in the recall.

lots of good advice and help here, even though someone said nobody would help.

[james_s]

The comment about it being stolen is a bit much since the serial number appears to be nothing more than a cheap sticker so it's very possible it just got worn off.

"the serial number is completely worn out . . . or removed deliberately"

Really? He suggested himself that the serial number might have been removed deliberately and you don't think it's reasonable to check whether it may be stolen? If the sticker is just worn that's no big deal, but if I think it has been deliberately removed then I'm going to assume stolen. I'm not saying call the FBI and make an accusation, but a simple check of stolen property records is not unreasonable.

[Bud]

Do you US guys call FBI about some clamp meter ? Really? Just asking.

[J-R]

In my opinion, except for firearms or getting paid for a reward, it's really not in the best interest of the good Samaritan to go around constantly checking to see if a purchase was stolen.  But if that is something you want to consider your calling in life, then I guess go for it.

I bought a classic car at a local swap meet many decades ago and it turned out to be stolen (the seller had the title but a fake matching ID).  The police confiscated it as evidence, so I was out thousands.  I eventually tracked down the owner and he said he never got it back either because it was involved in a drug deal.  The police ultimately sold it at auction and got to keep the proceeds.  We were told if we wanted any money we'd have to sue the thief but good luck with that because he will be in prison for at least the next 10 years...

[Arhigos]

Yeah, calling police about purchasing old tool without serial number sounds absolutely ridiculous.

We had toolbox full of tools stolen from truck on parking lot and police just said if you find something let us know  . So even if this meter is stolen nobody will care anyway

[james_s]

Do you US guys call FBI about some clamp meter ? Really? Just asking.

Of course not, it would be ridiculous to call the FBI, why would you even think somebody would do that? Maybe you should go back and read my comment again if you think that's what I was suggesting doing.

But the local police, sure, maybe they don't everywhere but they certainly care here, when you file a theft report for a valuable item they will ask if you have the serial number, and then if it turns up in a pawnshop, ebay, etc they will make use of it. If I purchased something that had the serial number deliberately removed I would absolutely give them a call, otherwise I could be charged with a crime for accepting stolen property. I can't think of any legitimate reason to deliberately remove a serial number.

[Arhigos]

otherwise I could be charged with a crime for accepting stolen property.

Charged with crime for buying a used $200 tool ? 

[Fungus]

This thread is useless without pictures.

[cobalt232]

it looks like this.
but as i said, the serial number was on the loop as well.

[Fungus]

Looks like normal wear to me.

If somebody deliberately wanted to remove the serial number they'd just peel the sticker off IMHO.

[james_s]

Charged with crime for buying a used $200 tool ? 

Absolutely. It isn't a felony but people can and do get charged with a crime for dollar amounts less than that. In my state that would be Third Degree Theft, punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. If it went unpunished there would be no incentive to not steal things that people worked hard for.

[james_s]

Looks like normal wear to me.

If somebody deliberately wanted to remove the serial number they'd just peel the sticker off IMHO.

Agreed, that's just normal wear, after seeing the picture I have no reason to suspect that was deliberately removed.