Author Topic: Old DMMs  (Read 6512 times)

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Online Fungus

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #25 on: May 06, 2021, 11:24:24 am »
The original Fluke 87 has almost the same features as the 87V. The 87's manual is dated "August 1988".
But that meter lacks capacity and temperature.

It has capacitance:


I didn't realize "temperature" was a requirement now.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2021, 11:37:53 am by Fungus »
 
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Offline HKJ

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #26 on: May 06, 2021, 11:34:50 am »
It has capacitance:

I missed that.

I didn't realize "temperature" was a requirement now.

It depends on what you use the meter for, in electronic it is useful to check the temperature of components and heatsinks (Today A thermo camera is sometimes better).
 

Offline Caliaxy

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #27 on: May 06, 2021, 12:06:56 pm »
Now the timeline is getting close to the Fluke 189 or 89-IV. I do not now when the 89-IV was released, but the third revision of the manual is from 1999 (The 189 was released around that time and was basically a rebrand of the 89-IV).
And that meter do not look old compare to a modern DMM:


IMO Fluke 189 looks much better (and it’s much more ergonomic) than the Brymen on the left. Just look at those rotary dials. Too bad Fluke discontinued it...
 
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Online Fungus

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #28 on: May 06, 2021, 01:07:12 pm »
IMO Fluke 189 looks much better (and it’s much more ergonomic) than the Brymen on the left. Just look at those rotary dials. Too bad Fluke discontinued it...

The Fluke 87IV was really "peak Fluke".

That's the point where people started screaming and Fluke had to go back to the 87III (with a couple of mods) and call it the 87V. They've been stuck there ever since. They can't touch the 87V in any way and they can't make a meter that competes with it in price or features.

I recently got a pristine 187 for 200 bucks (still had the screen protector on it). It's the same as a 189 but without the internal data-log RAM and leaky supercap. I didn't need it but it seemed too good to pass up. All the measurements agree perfectly with my 50,000 count BM857s (to within a digit...) I guess I've now got all the meters I can possibly use for the rest of my life. :-DMM

(I'll leave the others to fight over the 87Vs, I don't want one...)

Here they are measuring my 2.048V reference:


The Brymen screen is much more contrasty than the Fluke though.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2021, 01:43:35 pm by Fungus »
 
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Offline TraderTopic starter

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #29 on: May 06, 2021, 01:08:17 pm »
My contender: Protek/HungChang/Voltcraft 506. MAX134-based 3 3/4 digits, true RMS, dual display, bar graph.

Pretty decent contender, maybe one of the best low-budget at that time.

Now the timeline is getting close to the Fluke 189 or 89-IV. I do not now when the 89-IV was released, but the third revision of the manual is from 1999

Even today several people consider the Fluke 189 or 89-IV better than Fluke 289.

Yes, Fluke 89 IV and Fluke 87 IV become 189 and 187. The 187 don't have the Supercapacitor Leaking/Corrosion Issue, excellent choice.

http://userequip.com/files/specs/1220/87_89iv_User_Manual.pdf

The original Fluke 87 has almost the same features as the 87V. The 87's manual is dated "August 1988".

Maybe first release was in 1996: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/i-need-to-know-the-history-of-fluke-87-(-1998-2010-)/
 

Offline TraderTopic starter

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #30 on: May 06, 2021, 01:12:13 pm »
The original Fluke 87 has almost the same features as the 87V. The 87's manual is dated "August 1988".

But that meter lacks capacity and temperature.
Other features of the 187/189 was Autohold, AC+DC and computer connection

You can see the picture, has capacitance.

https://dam-assets.fluke.com/s3fs-public/87______umeng0800.pdf



AC+DC is a very handy feature.
 

Offline TraderTopic starter

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #31 on: May 06, 2021, 01:25:37 pm »
Now the timeline is getting close to the Fluke 189 or 89-IV. I do not now when the 89-IV was released, but the third revision of the manual is from 1999 (The 189 was released around that time and was basically a rebrand of the 89-IV).
And that meter do not look old compare to a modern DMM:


IMO Fluke 189 looks much better (and it’s much more ergonomic) than the Brymen on the left. Just look at those rotary dials. Too bad Fluke discontinued it... (Attachment Link)

I missed this for a couple of hours, some people have no idea what they have at hand.
 

Offline BeBuLamar

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #32 on: May 06, 2021, 01:36:49 pm »


I missed this for a couple of hours, some people have no idea what they have at hand.
[/quote]

Well but the fuses are quite expensive. Would cost you around $25 for the 2 fuses and 4 AA batteries!  :) :) :)
 
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Online Fungus

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #33 on: May 06, 2021, 01:37:12 pm »
The original Fluke 87 has almost the same features as the 87V. The 87's manual is dated "August 1988".

Maybe first release was in 1996: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/i-need-to-know-the-history-of-fluke-87-(-1998-2010-)/

The manual says 1988: https://manuals.solidsignal.com/87-5.pdf

 

Online Fungus

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #34 on: May 06, 2021, 01:38:35 pm »
I missed this for a couple of hours, some people have no idea what they have at hand.

FWIW my guy also has a 189 that's missing one of the spring contacts in the rotary switch but otherwise works perfectly.

If anybody's interested in fixing it or has a 189 that needs a new PCB then let me know...
 
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Offline BeBuLamar

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #35 on: May 06, 2021, 01:40:19 pm »
I had my 87 in 1989 so the introduction date of 1988 is about right not 1996.
 
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Offline Shock

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #36 on: May 06, 2021, 01:52:55 pm »
The transition with Flukes was the Fluke 27FM then the Fluke 80 series with capacitance. Both had optional temperature probes, a 6kV and 40kV high voltage probe and LoZ adapter.

I have the Fluke 77, 27FM, 87, 87V, 112, 117 and 189 among others. The 87V though is the best Fluke for most people in my opinion (as a modern daily driver). If you like military layout and can live with fewer digits then the FLUKE 27FM . Eventually you'll get an LCR, leakage or ESR meter, so testing capacitance on a multimeter is not so important. Measuring low and high resistance will also become fairly redundant, it's mostly for portability and troubleshooting convenience.

As a newer model, something with everything, the Brymen BM869s is a great option.
Soldering/Rework: Pace ADS200, Pace MBT350
Multimeters: Fluke 189, 87V, 117, 112   >>> WANTED STUFF <<<
Oszilloskopen: Lecroy 9314, Phillips PM3065, Tektronix 2215a, 314
 
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Online Fungus

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #37 on: May 06, 2021, 02:03:59 pm »
The 87V though is the best Fluke for most people in my opinion (as a modern daily driver).

Problem: I can buy 3xBM857s for the same price.
 

Offline Shock

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #38 on: May 06, 2021, 02:21:07 pm »
I didn't necessarily mean new. But if you were looking for new and to optimize your dollar, Brymen for sure.
Soldering/Rework: Pace ADS200, Pace MBT350
Multimeters: Fluke 189, 87V, 117, 112   >>> WANTED STUFF <<<
Oszilloskopen: Lecroy 9314, Phillips PM3065, Tektronix 2215a, 314
 

Offline BeBuLamar

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #39 on: May 06, 2021, 02:36:21 pm »
The Fluke 87V I use daily (in fact it's the second one, the first one someone stole it) was paid by my employer but if I have to pay for my own meter I think I still use an 87V. I have the 189 and 289 but I don't like using them for everyday use on the production floor.
 

Offline TraderTopic starter

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #40 on: May 06, 2021, 03:34:20 pm »
The manual says 1988: https://manuals.solidsignal.com/87-5.pdf

You are right and the manual says "Rev.8, 4/97", which could be even before 1988.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2021, 03:37:08 pm by Trader »
 

Offline TraderTopic starter

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #41 on: May 06, 2021, 03:39:47 pm »
I have the 189 and 289 but I don't like using them for everyday use on the production floor.

Why, not sturdy enough?
 

Offline BeBuLamar

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #42 on: May 06, 2021, 03:57:42 pm »
They are about the same toughness as the 87V (because it's only the 87V and not 87V Max) but the 189 battery life is too short although it doesn't have the problem with the super capacitor but a battery life of 70 hours are short. The 289 is better in this respect but still significantly shorter than the 87V. The 289 is also slow to turn on and slow to autorange on resistor. The contrast is poor so that I almost always have to use the backlight which shorten the battery life. Also being used to other Fluke meter whenever I tried to turn on the back light I hit the power button and turn it off and then I have to wait for it to boot up again.
 
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Offline HKJ

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #43 on: May 06, 2021, 03:58:20 pm »
You are right and the manual says "Rev.8, 4/97", which could be even before 1988.

Look at the list of copyright dates below
 
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Offline HKJ

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #44 on: May 06, 2021, 04:00:33 pm »
the 189 battery life is too short although it doesn't have the problem with the super capacitor but a battery life of 70 hours are short. The 289 is better in this respect but still significantly shorter than the 87V.

I have used both 189 and 289 with a computer to log data, my experience was that 289 had the shortest battery life.
 

Online Fungus

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #45 on: May 06, 2021, 05:27:53 pm »
the 189 battery life is too short although it doesn't have the problem with the super capacitor but a battery life of 70 hours are short. The 289 is better in this respect but still significantly shorter than the 87V.

I have used both 189 and 289 with a computer to log data, my experience was that 289 had the shortest battery life.

The 189 has an optional battery compartment extender to let it use C cells.
 

Offline HKJ

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #46 on: May 06, 2021, 06:19:43 pm »
The 189 has an optional battery compartment extender to let it use C cells.

Not really a good option, C cell usually cost more than AA also when comparing capacity.
I have later updated to a pair of 34461A, no battery changing with them.
 

Online Fungus

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #47 on: May 06, 2021, 06:38:13 pm »
Not really a good option, C cell usually cost more than AA also when comparing capacity.

It's bulky too. I don't think it's for desktop use, more for if you need to leave it logging data for a month.

(but what would you do for a whole month without your Fluke 189?)
 

Offline HKJ

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #48 on: May 06, 2021, 07:04:17 pm »
It's bulky too. I don't think it's for desktop use, more for if you need to leave it logging data for a month.

(but what would you do for a whole month without your Fluke 189?)

I had the 189 & 289 logging for more than a year nearly 24/7. I have lot of other meters I can use.
 
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Offline TraderTopic starter

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Re: Old DMMs
« Reply #49 on: May 06, 2021, 08:02:51 pm »
It's bulky too. I don't think it's for desktop use, more for if you need to leave it logging data for a month.

(but what would you do for a whole month without your Fluke 189?)

I had the 189 & 289 logging for more than a year nearly 24/7. I have lot of other meters I can use.

How long the batteries last during logging?

Do you keep 189 and 289 logging the same DUT to be able to keep one working while replacing the batteries from the other?

Maybe this can help you: 
 


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