FLUKE 289 Crooked display - Easy fix (you may not like it) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Elliotsk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 24, 2021, 01:29:57 am
content: Just ordered a SPANKING NEW Fluke 289 from TE Equipment. (Great company BTW).Three issues as follows:1. Display was visibly crooked counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise for Queen’s English speakers)2. Continuity test was terrible. Intermittent resistance measurements were all over the map. Clean the probes with scotch-brite or very fine sandpaper and they are 100% good. There is some kind of coating on the new ones for some reason. GO FIGURE!3. Big chunks of dust behind the plastic lens on the display.First meter returned because this is just not OK on a higher end Fluke. TE Equipment replaced it immediately.Second unit arrived today! UNBELIEVABLE!! The display was terribly crooked again!The solution came out of complete frustration but it worked and I am OK with it. My display was rotated a few annoying degrees to the left. FIX: Holding the meter at the bottom with my left hand, i gently swung and whacked the palm of my right hand with the upper right corner of the meter and BAM! It straightened right out! Bad fixture i guess. When I open the meter someday I will put a small drop of hot glue in just the right place to keep it from happening again. I hope these help someone else in the same situation. Cheers from Colorado USA.

author: AmnevaR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2021, 09:25:00 am
content: Wow...It's like fixing an old fridge door. Unbelievable!P.S Glad you fixed it

author: dcac
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2021, 10:57:36 am
content: I just hope possible measurement misalignmentcan'tbe fixed in the same manner.Anyhow, these 289's seems like good candidates to fail Joeqsmith's drop test.

author: Ground_Loop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2021, 11:30:41 am
content: Something else to watch out for: Be very careful when pulling out the battery carrier, it's easy to break and expensive to replace.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 11:53:41 am
content: My co-worker broke the metal spring clips in the battery holder of the 287 twice. First time Fluke fixed it for free under the limited lifetime warranty but the second time they refused. They said the the warranty doesn't cover it. He had to order a new battery holder.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 01:07:56 pm
content: Like the jukebox in Happy Days. You gotta do the Fonz for the music to start.Aaaaaaaayyyyy.

author: Black Phoenix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 01:53:54 pm
content: Quote from: Ground_Loop on April 24, 2021, 11:30:41 amQuote from: BeBuLamar on April 25, 2021, 11:53:41 amCosts here in China around 200RMB each from a seller in TaoBao. It is the version 287C/289C so the writing on the back is in Chinese, but it is exactly the same as the International 287/289. The difference is mainly the paperwork in Chinese and the warranty is only valid in China.

author: Ohm
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 02:28:31 pm
content: I bought a new battery case from these guys! FYIhttps://www.jensentools.com/fluke-2824477-fluke-28x-201-battery-assembly-door-for-fluke-287-289/p/593-410

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 11:12:20 pm
content: Quote from: Black Phoenix on April 25, 2021, 01:53:54 pmWell the company that we work for would pay for the cost because the meters are issued to us. I just don't like it because Fluke claimed a lifetime warranty then do not warranty it.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2021, 12:31:30 am
content: Quote from: BeBuLamar on April 25, 2021, 11:12:20 pmWarranties usually don't cover "user caused damage" - even if it is a weak part.

author: Black Phoenix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2021, 12:59:04 am
content: Quote from: BeBuLamar on April 25, 2021, 11:12:20 pmDid breaking the contacts should be honoured in Lifetime Warranty scope and not consider user error? I have a 289, when I don't use it for a while I take out the batteries from it, so I can account since I own it (2007 when it was launch) more than 50 times at least and my contacts are still springy and in good condition.Lifetime warranty doesn't cover misuse, even if it looks like a blanket warranty that covers everything. Mind it I'm not meaning that it was user fault, it could be even a problem that happens because of how they were manufactured, and even could have a defect but the rate is still low to be considered worthing a recall of the part and provide replacement/fix for it. See the Super Conductor Issue on the PCB of the 87IV/89IV/187/189/287/289 for a general replacement and calibration, no questions asked when the symptoms are present.But is also not to discard the fact that lack of care when replacing the batteries should be account too. I take extra care with my equipment first because it is a tool I sometimes depend to earn my income and also because it was bought with my own money, not given to me by a company. And we know perfectly well how some people treat their stuff if they bought it with their hard earn money of if it was given by the company they work. Again mind it that I'm not defending Fluke or the end user, I'm just trying to see both sides.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2021, 01:37:08 am
content: I just wonder how the guy broke that spring twice. He didn't have to change the battery that often.