Ok, I'll Keep It! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: tony3d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2014, 05:56:58 pm
content: HI All, Received my Fluke 287 yesterday, and have been trying it out for the past day. This is my first Fluke product, and I must say I really do like it! Coming from a $100.00 meter, I can't believe how this thing is built! The rotary knob feels excellent! Even the probes slip in like velvet. Leaky Super cap or not, I don't think I can part with it now. Love the data log trending! Seeing how this meter will never see the field or voltages high than 30, and amps much above 750mA's, it will defenately outlast me. If for some reason the cap does leak, I was assured from Fluke, that it would be covered under warranty. I could never understand how Dave could get excited about the feel of the plastic, now I see. Dave's right, these Flukes are sex on a stick! After one day I'm already getting use to the menus. After spending all this money, I am very p[leased with this purchase. It really does reek of quality! Now if I can only gather enough courage to plug it into my A/C Mains.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2014, 05:58:56 pm
content: Plug that meter into the wall, the distribution panel, even the feed outside to your meter. It will survive.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2014, 08:23:00 pm
content: Congrats! I've wanted a logging Fluke for a long time, but I'm still stuck in the non-logging world for now.But if I did have a 287, I think one of the first things I'd do with it is to plug it into the mains and have it log the voltage for a while.I took an old set of shrouded banana plug test leads and spliced them to an old mains power cord, properly soldered and heat-shrinked, so that I can have my meter watch mains power without having to hold on to test probes . I built it for watching an inverter's output hands-free as I changed input voltage and powered various loads. I have also used it for checking gasoline-powered generators as well as the utility power. Even without a logging meter, I've used the max-min mode of my meter to get an idea of how much the utility power varies at home over a day. I don't mind holding the probes for a quick check, but it's sometimes nice to have a safe, insulated hands-free way to watch mains power. If you ever get the urge to log mains power with your new toy, you might want to build such a device.And yes, the 287 will be just as happy measuring mains voltage as measuring the voltage of an AA cell.

author: tony3d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2014, 09:38:37 pm
content: Now this my sound ridiculous, but I was wondering if there was anything I could use to treat, and protect the yellow boot on the thing? It just looks like it pick dirty finger prints really easy.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2014, 09:47:31 pm
content: Quote from: tony3d on February 04, 2014, 09:38:37 pmA dirty yellow boot is the trademark of a well used Fluke!

author: tony3d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2014, 09:48:41 pm
content: I kinda thought Dave would say that!

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 12:13:24 am
content: Quote from: tony3d on February 04, 2014, 09:38:37 pmI think just wiping it off with an IPA pad would work.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 12:22:36 am
content: Quote from: tony3d on February 04, 2014, 09:38:37 pmbut the yellow boot is there to protect the meter

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 12:41:27 am
content: Fluke makes yellow boot cleaning fluid. I kid you not.....

author: Pasky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 03:40:55 am
content: Goo gone works pretty well. I found 90% alcohol doesn't really get anything off easily.

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 04:01:50 am
content: What about acetone? or hydrofluoric acid? Those would probably work.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 04:29:42 am
content: True, but you would need a new yellow boot rather soon. Just use furniture polish and spray it on a cloth and wipe down the new boot with it, and wipe it down regularly with that. It does keep it clean and reduces the marks from staying.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 04:40:44 am
content: Here ya go:http://en-us.fluke.com/products/all-accessories/fluke-metercleaner-wipes.html#fbid=CvYVedUspa9

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 04:44:08 am
content: If that rubber is ruined, don't think you can order the replacement rather than the whole dmm's case, since it is moulded permanently at a clear & hard plastic case, and it is not detachable say like 87V does.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 05:29:58 am
content: This guy has put together a page on cleaning Fluke and other metershttp://mrmodemhead.com/blog/dirty-multimeter-clean-up/He shows techniques and lists lots of solvents, their uses, and cautions about their side effects.If you keep your meter on a bench, and keep your hands fairly clean when you use your meter, then an occasional gentle wiping with a damp cloth should be more than sufficient. If you use your meter in an industrial setting, for automotive diagnostics or in other situations where your hands are dirty and greasy, I'd suggest letting the meter wear its grimy badge of honor well.

author: tony3d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 07:16:48 am
content: Thanks for the tip guys. Being brand new the meter looks great, so I'll try some furniture Polish sprayed on a scottowel. That should help protect it. I had noticed a slight variation of the bar graph while checking the calibration with Voltage Standars PentRef so I decided to Data log it. Found this fluctuation of +- 1mV. Don't know whether that's just noise being picked up by the leads, or a problem with the PentaRef, either way, would have never known it was there without trending, and the zoom feature! I'll look more closely into it tomorrow. I've gone on a measuring frenzy! LOL!

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 07:22:41 am
content: Suggesting you to log the mains voltage say for 24 hours, it will be interesting to see the fluctuations, or take at least 2 or 3 days log too for the unique pattern.

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 09:38:23 am
content: In 15 years these things will be oscilloscopes.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 10:56:42 am
content: Quote from: scientist on February 05, 2014, 09:38:23 amWell, it is actually very close to a scope functionalities, if the basic scope function is to plot the changes at Y axis while X axis on time, although personally I prefer logger than a scope.But if you want to call it a very low bandwidth but with very high resolution scope (compared to ordinary one), then its fine to me.An example of 8 hours temperature logging I've done last year at my 287 when we installed a new AC in a room, looks like it worked pretty decent at regulating the room temperature, it was set at 25 C.Chart result from 8 hours span zoomed down to 2 minutes resolution, straight from the meter, no need hassle to view it from other device, just like a portable scope does.

author: tony3d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2014, 07:13:35 pm
content: Yes, That's very cool.

author: stuartk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 02:08:26 am
content: Hi Tony,I have a 289 purchased in 2007, which I love.You may however want to read the forum topic:Fluke 189 with leaking surface mount supercap (also Fluke 287, Fluke 289)(Sorry, my browser is malfunctioning and I can't copy URL's)I'm sending mine into Fluke for a Capacitor replacement.Regards,Stuart

author: tony3d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 02:21:08 am
content: Quote from: stuartk on February 06, 2014, 02:08:26 amHi Stuart, Yes i am aware of this issue. Mine is brand new, and I called Fluke to make sure that if/when it does develop the problem Fluke will honor the warranty, they said it was not an issue.

author: ron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 04:32:14 am
content: Naphtha (lighter fluid) is safe and works as well as anything for cleaning. I stay away from IPA as it can cloud the lens. Donotuse acetone as it will remove the tooth of the yellow surface and probably will also attack the lens and face of the meter. I always use a static type screen protector on the lens.Be careful to keep indelible markers and ball point pens away -- they leave marks on the yellow rubber that are sometimes/usually impossible to completely remove.Enjoy your 287--great versatile meter!

author: tony3d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 04:57:45 am
content: Thanks Ron! So far I really like it. Can't believe how accurate, and fast it is. The trending is simply awesome! The build, and finish of these meters are first rate! This will most likely be my last meter. I'm just a hobbyist, so there's not much I'm going to do to hurt it. It will probably never leave my bench. It's kinda embarrassing I know, but this is my little setup I have put together over the past 4 months. It's all the space I'm going to get right now. Very cramped, and tight, but it works. Have just about everything I need now.

author: ron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 05:34:18 am
content: Quote from: tony3d on February 06, 2014, 04:57:45 amYeah, who hasn't said that before. Probably safer to say it's your first excellent meter.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 06:10:30 am
content: Quote from: tony3d on February 04, 2014, 05:56:58 pmQuote from: tony3d on February 06, 2014, 04:57:45 amWell, if you really want to increase the chance that it will outlast you, then DO NOT use alkaline battery, period.Currently I use eneloop and they work very well.See what the shitty & leaky Energizer alkaline batteries had done to the battery terminals.Luckily I spotted before it ate through the nickel plating.

author: tony3d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 11:05:55 am
content: That sucks. Who makes eneloop? Can you buy them in the store? Never heard of them before.

author: gocemk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 11:17:55 am
content: Quote from: tony3d on February 06, 2014, 11:05:55 amThey are made by Sanyo, well known brand. You can buy them just about any place that sells digital cameras or similar electronics.

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2014, 06:07:04 pm
content: They have a nice set of Eneloops at Costco for $20 8xAA, 4xAAA and a charger.

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 03:40:15 am
content: Thought it was Enerloop?

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 04:00:06 am
content: If I remember correctly some of the Duracell pre-charged are rebadged envelop. Look for the Made In Japan ones not the Made In China ones.Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 04:13:41 am
content: A motivational photo for not using alkaline in your precious meter, it was shot last year, and yes, these batteries that caused those damages, and they're still gave full bar at the battery indicator when installed in the 287, not drained nor expired.

author: elex_enthusiast
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 09:13:02 am
content: well my 287 is already one year old and battery life became more shorter than before..i need to replace the supper cap because i found traces of corrosion on it that disappointed me...i cant claim warranty because there no fluke service center here in our country so i have to order the cap online..