Old Fluke 77 multimeter
- Thread starter wazzabie
- Start date
Beerhippie
Well-known member
You'd be much better off to get a clamp-on amp probe to go with it. The fuse blows if you look at it wrong. 10A just isn't much.
The fuse is inside the case and a bit of a PITA to access. If the meter is used, the fuse is probably blown already. Change the battery out while you're replacing the fuse.
The fuse is inside the case and a bit of a PITA to access. If the meter is used, the fuse is probably blown already. Change the battery out while you're replacing the fuse.
GreenIron
Well-known member
Yes. Insert the RED lead into the 10amp socket. Be aware that the max testing is for 10amp or below.
Wrench97
Well-known member
Fluke is a good meter.
For amp testing with that type of meter I use a lead with a 7.5 amp fuse holder in it much easier and cheaper to change that then the one inside the meter.
For amp testing with that type of meter I use a lead with a 7.5 amp fuse holder in it much easier and cheaper to change that then the one inside the meter.
Wrench97
Well-known member
No you would need a amp clamp, is the circuit DC or AC voltage?
Yikes $800 for the Fluke 289.
I still have my Fluke 77 that I bought new in 1985/6 when I was going to a tech school. Still works fine. IIRC it was about $180 new way back then with a school discount. That was a lot of money for a VOM back in the day. I also had Realistic meters that were under $20.
Steve W.
Well-known member
I got mine from previous employer when they were upgrading to the then-new 80-series meters. That was 30 years ago.
Since changing jobs in 2008, the shops where I have been working have had all the test equipment calibrated by a third party NIST-traceable company. My 77 has passed with flying colors every single time.
Is it a good meter? Yes.
Is it the best? No.
Is it adequate for about 98% of what I need a meter for? Yes.
I have other meters, too, but if the 77 will do the job, it’s the first one I grab.
.
Since changing jobs in 2008, the shops where I have been working have had all the test equipment calibrated by a third party NIST-traceable company. My 77 has passed with flying colors every single time.
Is it a good meter? Yes.
Is it the best? No.
Is it adequate for about 98% of what I need a meter for? Yes.
I have other meters, too, but if the 77 will do the job, it’s the first one I grab.
.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
I’ve got 2 of the Fluke 77s. They work fine for what I use them for.
c39er
Well-known member
My dad worked at Fluke and gave my brother and me both Fluke 77's in the late 70's or early 80's. I still have mine...it still works fine.
I have a lot of Fluke instruments.
I have a lot of Fluke instruments.
Wrench97
Well-known member
I you look at new meters make sure they state they read DC current, most will not.
jmarkwolf
Well-known member
I have two Fluke 77's that I've owned for some decades. I use both frequently and both work perfectly.
NHtoolguy
Well-known member
That sounds like a great idea! What manufacturer makes those fused leads? I've never seen one.
You can also use a shunt resistor for more than 10A if needed. A clamp meter is easier but you can usually buy a resistor for about $10. Note with a shunt resistor you measure the voltage across resistor and do the math (V/R) to calculate amperage, not the Amp measurement on meter.
Wrench97
Well-known member
Home made with a inline fuse holder crimped into a cheap lead.
A 77 is a decent meter but just doesn’t have many features. I had one years ago and broke it and I got my company to replace it with something newer. The lack of capacitance is a feature many people need.
Another guy I work with had a 23 and I swear they were the same except for the color.
Another guy I work with had a 23 and I swear they were the same except for the color.
richfinn
Well-known member
Great quality meter from another era.
The lack of a backlight/capacitance/min-max and the low count make it a little old fashioned nowadays, but still very useable as a basic meter
The lack of a backlight/capacitance/min-max and the low count make it a little old fashioned nowadays, but still very useable as a basic meter
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Merica 
I was issued one in January of 1990 at work. Used it for the next 25 years, almost daily, I til I retired.
I was an auto mechanic.
As others have said, it doesn’t have some features but it is still the meter I grab first for 99% of what I do in retirement.
I was an auto mechanic.
As others have said, it doesn’t have some features but it is still the meter I grab first for 99% of what I do in retirement.
tiredoldironworker
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2024
- Messages
- 243
I have a half dozen of them spread around from my shop to my company's shop to my brother to my niece to my nephew in law and keep one for a spare. I think it was the best basic MM of all time. I have much superior meters but only use them in the uses where they are necessary. I bought every one of them for less than 40 bux.
Are these old Fluke 77 multimeters any good? I got one at a garage sale made in USA. newbie question. to measure amps do I insert the red lead into the 10A fused and keep the black lead where shown.
I bought a Fluke 77 around 1985. I used it for a few years, then needed an amp clamp meter and gave it to my dad. May dad passed away in 2021 and I found the 77 in his tools with a good battery in it, so he was using it yet. Today it sits on a shelf in my garage with the rest of my meters.
Fluke meters are good tough meters. I would challenge anyone to abuse a meter for forty years and still work!
To the OP, you want a clamp meter, but be aware the most of them only test AC amps. DC amps clamp meters are a bit rare. a Fluke 301D should do what you want.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
An AC/DC current transducer can be added to your 77 to take that reading through the mV/V side, but they are pricey and one really needs to be aware of the pros, cons, and how-to's of using it.
I used a 77 Series II for several years before upgrading. Very durable and reliable.
I used a 77 Series II for several years before upgrading. Very durable and reliable.
Last edited:
It may COST that much, but it’s WORTH far more. It’s a bargain at $800.
I've got 2 model 77's, one at work and one at home. Yeah they dont have a lot of features, but they are tough and reliable. One of the things I like is the stable readings it gives. I have used other cheap meters and the display rolls around like a slot machine. For basic ac and dc work I think its about bullet proof. I bought a separate capacitance meter from the jungle to test capacitors and it works great.
jayemm
Well-known member
Here's a DC amps clamp meter.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
With the resolution of the Fluke 77, you can only read to the nearest amp. You'll need another decimal place right of the decimal point to read tenths--like comparing draws across the windings of 3-phase motors.
I'd say that 99.9% of the time I'm using a multimeter, the 77 would do everything I need.
Willie Makeit
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2013
- Messages
- 906
I have 2 of that very make and model ... been giving it their all for over 20 years. Work horses.
NHtoolguy
Well-known member
Thanks for the description. I have an inexpensive test lead set that would be a good candidate for modification. Does your inline holder use the automotive tubular glass-bodied fuses? Or, the newer flat blade type?
Wrench97
Well-known member
Flat blade, easier to find these days.