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How old is this Fluke 88?

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wildgoose

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Jun 4, 2012
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I am looking for a used Fluke meter for hobby use. Saw this on craigslist:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/tls/3128800046.html

It just says 88, without the -V. The color scheme also looks different from the current 88-5. The seller send me pics of the back as well, doesn't say anything about a manufacturer date.

When did the Fluke 88 came into existence? Was there an 88-4, 88-3, 88-2? If so, then this meter is really old... ;) Would something so old still be accurate?

I am just looking for an approximate age, ie, 5 year, 10 year, 20 year..

Thanks.
 
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wildgoose

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Jun 4, 2012
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The guy selling it doesn't really know much about it, as he claims he's selling for a friend who don't speak English. I do have an old radio shack multimeter. Thinking about getting an fluke without spending the $$ for a new fluke.

All I've really done with my old meter was measuring volts (DC/battery, AC), and continuity. Took some auto classes recently so I might be using it on my car more.

I'll probably pass this one as $130 is not cheap, and this one is at least as old as my radio shack meter.
 
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Davefr

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About 10+ years. This model probably doesn't measure true RMS.

Price seems kind of high but it is a Fluke.
 
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Harix

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Feb 21, 2010
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I does true RMS. And it was over $400 back in the day. So this is a true bargain.
 
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marnav1

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I have the Matco tool version of that. I bought it around 97-98 I think. Price seems fair to me. Mine was the automotive kit version, it was probly $425 or so off the truck. The 88 has been changed since then, but IDK the details. I traded a yellow Fluke 29 plus cash for it. Hard to find a 29 now. Offer him $100, he may take it. If you buy it you'll want the rubber shroud for it. Also, open the back up and make sure the 9v battery hasn't leaked.
 
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redwrench60

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I didn't think the Fluke 88 was true rms, the Fluke 87 is for sure but the 88? Maybe the very latest series 5 88s are but the older ones I didn't think were. Anyone have proof?
 
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mark40sw

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Nov 1, 2009
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Roanoke, IN
redwrench60 said:
I didn't think the Fluke 88 was true rms, the Fluke 87 is for sure but the 88? Maybe the very latest series 5 88s are but the older ones I didn't think were. Anyone have proof?
Click to expand...

You may be right. From the 88 service manual-
"1-4. Specifications
Specifications for the Fluke 88 follow.
Accuracy is specified at 18 ° C to 28 ° C (64° F to 82 ° F) with relative h
for a period of one year after calibration. AC Conversions are ac-co
responding, and calibrated to the RMS value of a sine wave input."
 
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BigGMC

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Jun 6, 2012
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Land of Confusion - NY
Random thoughts:
Most Flukes that I've seen will say "True RMS" somewhere on the face of the meter if they are.
Does it really matter for the average Joe, I dunno...... It'll still be a fine meter. Looks like this is the Automotive version, so it's geared more toward the 12VDC environment, hence not being True RMS.
Price seems resonable, as always try for less. Can't tell if it's backlit or not, a nice feature to have.
Not sure those are Fluke leads, I like the leads with interchangeble tips so I'd swap them out anyway.
More than likely, the low range mA fuse (and possibly even the hi range one) are blown - they pop the minute you try to measure amps while in the voltage range to protect the meter - people do that by mistake all the time. The low range fuse is an oddball, something like 44/100ths but are availible.
 
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