Multimeter service life?

[dsimatt]

Something I've wonder is do you guys upgrade or replace your meters after a certain amount of time or use till they are junk?

The reason I ask is I had a mid grade Mac meter for about 7 years and served me well but noticed it was somewhat erratic at times even with new leads and battery. My dealer had a new SO meter he was trying to move so was able to bargain it to a good price and picked it up.

 

[eschoendorff]

My multi is an old craftsman that stil works as new. Replace only as necessary... and in your case it sounded necessary.

 

[Rabid Badger]

If you want a quality, long-lived meter tool trucks are not the place to get them.

What features do you need in your meter?

 

[Bert_]

I have a couple of Fluke 77's that have been riding around in a service truck since the 90's. I still use one as my go to meter if I don't need an amp clamp. Although I do have the amp clamp attachment for the 77 but it's a little clunky.

Replace the leads as necessary but a good meter should last a long time.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have a couple of Fluke 77's that have been riding around in a service truck since the 90's. I still use one as my go to meter if I don't need an amp clamp. Although I do have the amp clamp attachment for the 77 but it's a little clunky.

Replace the leads as necessary but a good meter should last a long time.

Same meter I own! In fact I have 2 of them!

 

[dsimatt]

If you want a quality, long-lived meter tool trucks are not the place to get them.

What features do you need in your meter?

Just your normal diesel tech needs, volts, ohms mostly...nothing special really.

I really wanted the detachable fluke meter but the price was just to high to justify, with trade in and dealing it got the SO for $100.

 

[dsimatt]

I have a couple of Fluke 77's that have been riding around in a service truck since the 90's. I still use one as my go to meter if I don't need an amp clamp. Although I do have the amp clamp attachment for the 77 but it's a little clunky.

Replace the leads as necessary but a good meter should last a long time.

I replace leads every other year, even installed new ones and the ohms were jumping everywhere, borrowed a coworkers and it settle quickly.

Fluke is definitely superior but with other expenses not in the budget, I didn't feel right diagnosising expensive parts with a questionable meter.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Sounds like you have a meter issue.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFHMR0/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Load pro leads and my preferred meter ends (backprobe pins), are suggested as "frequently purchased together". I've got 5+ years in mine. Been used hard, amp fuse has been blown for who knows how long. I just use an amp clamp and the modis anyways. It's been dropped, stepped on, exposed to my filthy hands. I'm happy.

 

[dsimatt]

Sounds like you have a meter issue.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFHMR0/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Load pro leads and my preferred meter ends (backprobe pins), are suggested as "frequently purchased together". I've got 5+ years in mine. Been used hard, amp fuse has been blown for who knows how long. I just use an amp clamp and the modis anyways. It's been dropped, stepped on, exposed to my filthy hands. I'm happy.

I've got the load pros and they are awesome, not a backprobe fan.

 

[n8n]

I'd still be using my old Simpson 260-7M if my roommate hadn't dropped something right on the face of it. Now using a self-repaired 260-8P and several old Flukes. Also a couple other meters salvaged from the recycling. I do always check them against each other but nothing has failed yet. Had a beat to hell old Fluke 77? I think? that was still kicking when I gave it to my girlfriend's son as a starter. The one thing that I always do is check the fuses, it's amazing how many wrong or bypassed fuses I find in old meters, those big sand filled fuses are there for a reason!

 

[RedneckWelder]

I’m not planning on replacing my Fluke 87V until it fails. I try to take pretty good care of it and my other electrical diagnostic tools. I think I read here that Fluke considers the life of their product to be 10 years.

I have a 30 year old Fluke 27FM in my closet at home. Military surplus. I expect it to last my lifetime the way it is overbuilt.

 

[Rabid Badger]

https://www.eevblog.com/product/bm235-multimeter/

That's an excellent all-around meter for a reasonable price.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I had a Craftsman meter that was probably 15 years old but used lightly go wonky on me. Consistently read 1.5V low. Tried new batteries, different leads, no difference. I binned it. FIL gave me an old Fluke he had kicking around after retiring. He used it daily as an industrial maintenance man. Doesn't look too pretty, but it works like new. I'll use it till it dies.

 

[Citation]

My Fluke 27's warranty ran out when Bush was in office (just after Regan). Still works nicely but it's not a typical meter.

In general meters should last a long time if not abused. If you are in an environment where metallic or semi-conductive dust/oils can get into teh terminals you might just need to clean the jacks with a Qtip and some alcohol.

 

[belvedere]

Bought my Fluke 179 in the mid-to late-90s and still use it frequently.

 

[Farmall450]

I have a NAPA in my truck that's from ~2014 and a Craftsman in my box from ~2010. Both are doing just fine, same leads, maybe new batteries in the Cman. I always figured the NAPA has the rough life in the bumpy and hot/cold truck cab, but it seems good.

Has saved my friends a lot of money over the years.

 

[f121]

If youre doing a lot of modern vehicles/tractors, diagnosing can bus issues etc, you will probably need to replace every few years because accuracy matters. (Or at least check accuracy - would be very interested to see how a 20yo fluke compared to a new one).

For most of what most people do, accuracy isn’t critical, ‘about 12v’ ‘about 14v’ ‘less than 12v’ ‘conducts’ ‘doesnt conduct’ is good enough, and at that point almost any meter that isn’t total junk would do it.

When I bought my fluke, it was very much ‘because i can’ rather than ‘because i need a fluke’

 

[dsimatt]

If youre doing a lot of modern vehicles/tractors, diagnosing can bus issues etc, you will probably need to replace every few years because accuracy matters. (Or at least check accuracy - would be very interested to see how a 20yo fluke compared to a new one).

For most of what most people do, accuracy isn’t critical, ‘about 12v’ ‘about 14v’ ‘less than 12v’ ‘conducts’ ‘doesnt conduct’ is good enough, and at that point almost any meter that isn’t total junk would do it.

When I bought my fluke, it was very much ‘because i can’ rather than ‘because i need a fluke’

We have a company come in every summer to check meters and gauges and mine always passed whatever tests they do. I don't get to into can bus troubleshooting to much but yes with everything getting more complex i need it to be accurate.

You're right about buying fluke I'd have rather bought their detachable display model but it's more than I'd like to spend.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X7ZX00/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't think this is to bad of a meter and if anything will be a stop gap for a couple years till I get the fluke meter I'd like.

https://store.snapon.com/Automotive...ue-RMS-and-Backlit-Color-Display-P834529.aspx

 

[6PTsocket]

I'd still be using my old Simpson 260-7M if my roommate hadn't dropped something right on the face of it. Now using a self-repaired 260-8P and several old Flukes. Also a couple other meters salvaged from the recycling. I do always check them against each other but nothing has failed yet. Had a beat to hell old Fluke 77? I think? that was still kicking when I gave it to my girlfriend's son as a starter. The one thing that I always do is check the fuses, it's amazing how many wrong or bypassed fuses I find in old meters, those big sand filled fuses are there for a reason!

I have an even older 260. I think it is series 2. It originally used pin tip jacks that I converted to banana plug. There is a lot of epoxy holding the bakelite case together but it still works fine. I seldom use it and keep it around because it is an antique but it does not come close to to the features of my modern DMM.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[nmantas]

Has anyone sent a high end meter off for calibration? My fluke 787 has a calibration sticker on it like a torque wrench from Transcat labs from 1998. Wonder what a calibration service charges to certify a meter? It doesn't really matter to me because it is way too much meter for me and seems right on the mark for what I do (in order): continuity, voltages, and resistance. If it wasn't a gift from my father I'd probably sell it quick and buy a decent replacement in order to pocket the difference.

 

[MBfreak]

I have a Fluke 87 which I have used a lot. Excellent instrument.
After many years it started to be erratic.
Disassembly showed that the socket was broken, the lugs soldered into the pcb had broken off. Easy to repair, but again shows the futility of soldering in of a connctor without a flex.


Ola

 

[RPH]

Every couple of years our flukes get replaced. It was cheaper to replace them than recertification. Also allows them to update to newer models. Scopes, current probes, hipots all get recertified.

 

[bonneyman]

Digital: I still have my original Johnstone clamp meter (minus the clamp) that I use with my temperature adaptor. Go it in 1988ish. My second one (pictured below, which I got in 1993ish) is still whole and functional. Replaced my newer Fluke 12 already. My daily user MAline clamp meter has gotta be approaching 20 years old and is also still going strong.

Analog: My Realistic voltometer from 1985 while in school still works, and I've accumulated several vintage analog meters of various types (Simpson, Amprobe, Triplett, Chicago, etc.) that still work fine. I actually prefer my analog meters as they're less likely to get "borrowed" (i.e stolen) because of the manual trans syndrome.

I think meters are like everything else. They used to be designed and built for a lifetime but now they're planned for obsolescence at a certain point.

 

[dsimatt]

I have a Fluke 87 which I have used a lot. Excellent instrument.
After many years it started to be erratic.
Disassembly showed that the socket was broken, the lugs soldered into the pcb had broken off. Easy to repair, but again shows the futility of soldering in of a connctor without a flex.


Ola

Now I wonder if that may have been something mine was doing, not gonna lie it had hit the floor more than a few times over the years.

I like the new one because 2 troubleshooting jobs I was going to use it were corroded pins and broken wire so I didnt get a chance to use it.

 

[smalltown]

I have a couple of Fluke 77's that have been riding around in a service truck since the 90's. I still use one as my go to meter if I don't need an amp clamp. Although I do have the amp clamp attachment for the 77 but it's a little clunky.

Replace the leads as necessary but a good meter should last a long time.

X2 on the Fluke 77 meter. Can't remember when I purchased it, but it has been rock solid. I will only replace it when it won't do the job.

 

[Knotgoalie]

I have a couple of Fluke 77's that have been riding around in a service truck since the 90's. I still use one as my go to meter if I don't need an amp clamp. Although I do have the amp clamp attachment for the 77 but it's a little clunky.

Replace the leads as necessary but a good meter should last a long time.

Bought my 77 in the 80s when they were introduced and it is still going strong!

 

[greg13]

I think Fluke has been living on it's name for some time now. I personally think they are over priced.
The reviews on Southwire's meters are very good and at about half the price of Fluke. they have a bluetooth meter for $140. I have a Snapon, Mac and a cheap $25. southwire clamp meter that has been through hell in the back of my truck.

https://www.protoolreviews.com/tool...ce=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=w

 

[6PTsocket]

Digital: I still have my original Johnstone clamp meter (minus the clamp) that I use with my temperature adaptor. Go it in 1988ish. My second one (pictured below, which I got in 1993ish) is still whole and functional. Replaced my newer Fluke 12 already. My daily user MAline clamp meter has gotta be approaching 20 years old and is also still going strong.

Analog: My Realistic voltometer from 1985 while in school still works, and I've accumulated several vintage analog meters of various types (Simpson, Amprobe, Triplett, Chicago, etc.) that still work fine. I actually prefer my analog meters as they're less likely to get "borrowed" (i.e stolen) because of the manual trans syndrome.[emoji38]_hitti

I think meters are like everything else. They used to be designed and built for a lifetime but now they're planned for obsolescence at a certain point.

I have an ancient 260-2 that works, a Triplett 310 pocket meter that is beyond repair and an Amprobe like yours. The pivots for the clamp were long skinny shouldered nylon screws that broke. Terrible design. I made brass spacers with a different thread on each end. The bottom end is 6-32 male, that now holds the pivots and capped them with short nylon 8-32 screws for insulation and the head just fills the recess so there is no metal on the outside. Could only find white. It is just an old AC analog meter but I will try to fix anything rather than chuck it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Negen]

Questions like this always seem to me that the answer is " it depends ".

Movements and vibration seems to be a cause of failure at my work. Also the 250-500v volt testers seem to wear out faster than the 5-24v DC testers.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[exmaxima1]

I'd still be using my old Simpson 260-7M if my roommate hadn't dropped something right on the face of it.

Yep, my Simpson 260 was dropped about 10 years ago and I tossed. My uncle bought it in the 50's, so it had a long life...

 

[CR888]

I like my China special true RMS M/M with thermocouple. I bought some decent leads & for well under $20 I have a unit I'm very impressed with. Its done everything I've asked.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

Just your normal diesel tech needs, volts, ohms mostly...nothing special really.

I really wanted the detachable fluke meter but the price was just to high to justify, with trade in and dealing it got the SO for $100.

I went through several of the 233’s in a couple weeks time. The first was DOA, screen didn’t work at all, 2nd one would take forever to get a reading and the 3rd one the screen went out a week after first use. I had to battle them every time for replacement/refund. Also they only warranty the 233 for 3 years.

The Snap On meters are good, I think it will serve you well. 7 year warranty also isn’t bad.

 

[dsimatt]

I think Fluke has been living on it's name for some time now. I personally think they are over priced.
The reviews on Southwire's meters are very good and at about half the price of Fluke. they have a bluetooth meter for $140. I have a Snapon, Mac and a cheap $25. southwire clamp meter that has been through hell in the back of my truck.

https://www.protoolreviews.com/tool...ce=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=w

That Bluetooth looks really nice and I can think of a lot of times it would have come in handy plus that's a hell of a good price IMO.

Fluke from when I went thru tech school till even now has been the benchmark brand and their stuff is good but like you say it's spendy. I was helping one of our gen techs and he had his fluke setup out and very impressive but easily over a grand for a couple of the items.

 

[c39er]

I have several Fluke meters.... they last almost forever.
I did have to clean the LCD display contacts on my 88 a couple years ago. Free fix.

 

[dsimatt]

I went through several of the 233’s in a couple weeks time. The first was DOA, screen didn’t work at all, 2nd one would take forever to get a reading and the 3rd one the screen went out a week after first use. I had to battle them every time for replacement/refund. Also they only warranty the 233 for 3 years.

The Snap On meters are good, I think it will serve you well. 7 year warranty also isn’t bad.

Far as I know the guys at work have had good luck, I can see where it has possibility of having issues, now with Bluetooth that's a different option to look into.

I'm pretty happy with my purchase and will use it for a few years and maybe upgrade if it's needed.

 

[metaldad]

i have and still use (2) fluke 27 from the early 80's.
and a fluke 27 from abouts 2002
bought a fluke 233 2 years ago, and a 381 last month
among others

 

[Fly YX]

I have a Extech from 1996 or so. My work pays $65 for it to be calibrated every year.

 

[tool_scrounge]

When I compare readings fro. vintage Fluke 27 or the 8026b predecessor to more recent Fluke 87 meters, I read the same value with both (to the limit of the meter resolution). Just this week my coworker was complaining of strange fluctuating DC voltage readings from his non name Asain import meter. So he borrowed an 8026b and read a stable value of what was expected. But it is the size of.a brick.

 

[98ssuck]

I carry a t5-600 daily at work. After about a year the plastic or screen gets a crack in it. Next the screen will fade out in temperatures above 120F. They are stock items so at that point a new one gets ordered. My DMM’s 87, 179 and 3000 that get used a couple of times a month will last my career. But will probably be supplemented in a decade as meters evolve.

 

[bonneyman]

I have an ancient 260-2 that works, a Triplett 310 pocket meter that is beyond repair and an Amprobe like yours. The pivots for the clamp were long skinny shouldered nylon screws that broke. Terrible design. I made brass spacers with a different thread on each end. The bottom end is 6-32 male, that now holds the pivots and capped them with short nylon 8-32 screws for insulation and the head just fills the recess so there is no metal on the outside. Could only find white. It is just an old AC analog meter but I will try to fix anything rather than chuck it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Oh yeah, I've discovered that wonderful design with the nylon posts.

I've got three of the Amprobe's. That old black "beetle meter" - as I call it - is fine for most ACV work I do. And most people don't recognize it (or know how to use and read it), so, I can usually get them inexpensively.
My last one was bought off the classifieds here, guy had several meters on sale. Sent him a PM saying that his beetle meter was a beaut and hoped it found a good home, but I already had two so I wasn't asking for it. He replied that everything else he had was sold, and not one peep about the Amprobe. He said he sell it to me for a fantastic price shipping and all, and I couldn't refuse.