fluke 189 housing problem - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: crvz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 02:52:26 pm
content: greetings all, first post here. I've got a Fluke 189 that I bought about 7 years ago. About 6 months ago I started getting intermittent power, and after looking more closely yesterday I noticed the battery housing portion of the back case is cracked (so the battery contacts are moving around). I took the case apart and disturbing it resulted in bits falling off, further incriminating any hope of consistent power. I called Fluke, they told me they don't have any parts for the 189 anymore, but for the low, low price of $300 (!) I could trade in my 189 for a 289.I'm not hoping to spend the $300. I use this multimeter at the hobbyist level, building control boards for various projects around the house (christmas light displays, aquarium controllers, etc.) and for car repairs and improvements (i install remote starts, alarms, audio equipment stuff for friends, as I used to do so professionally). I hate that a mundane, $20 part is driving me to need a new unit.So I am asking those with much more exposure to this industry than I. What are my best options? I would love to get a back case, used or new, but I don't know where to go for that now that fluke and the google searches have failed me. Is it worth the money to spend the $300 for my use, or better to get a cheaper unit should I fail to secure the part I need?

author: Groucho2005
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 03:11:53 pm
content: I suppose you checked ebay for replacement parts or possibly a non-functional DMM where the case is still OK? Can you post pictures of the damage? Any chance super glue could fix it?

author: Smith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 03:24:49 pm
content: Try to ask them if you can send it in for repair. We had some parts we couldn't order (189 display module, it was cracked) but we could send it in so they could replace the part. After some time we did manage to get some displays. Kind of stupid, they finally helped us after we asked why we couldn't get spare parts for meters that where still being sold.

author: crvz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 03:26:36 pm
content: yeah, i looked around ebay but anything that had a case was still a functional unit that had a ~$200 asking price. superglue may be employed, but it would be a relatively expensive repair and I worry about the long term viability of that as a fix. I'll try to get an image that shows the damage, but it might be a day or so.regarding sending it in, I called Fluke and asked about that. They said it was no longer serviced, and the only option was the $300 trade in for the 289.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2015, 11:24:55 pm
content: Try sending an ebay PM to seller a-fluke. I have no affiliation with him, but I have seen past auctions from him offering 187/189/87IV/89IV parts. He may have one not listed on ebay?This is his auction for a 289 back ...http://www.ebay.com/itm/331656778269

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 03:00:17 am
content: Also keep an eye out for the high capacity "C" battery holder. It will make the meter bigger, but it will work. Plus you will have much longer running time.

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 12:47:10 pm
content: Post a picture of the damage- it may be possible to repair it even if only on a long-term temporary basis until you find a replacemant part.I have had much success over the years with rebuilding/repairing cases and parts. Recently I repaired the battery case for a Fluke DC clamp meter using epoxy, stainless wire and a cut up sim card carrier (plastic credit card), and it won't break again !A small PC drill <1mm and some tinned copper wire can be used to stitch parts back together, and decent 24 hour epoxy can then make the repair stronger than the original. 'BluTak' or 'Plasticene' can be used to make 'dams' to retain the epoxy or even cast new parts. Remember- the Dremel is your friend !Regards, BT

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 12:50:30 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on September 30, 2015, 11:24:55 pmI have messaged a-fluke before. They do seem to have parts that are not always listed on ebay. Unfortunately they will only ship within the US.

author: crvz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 02:46:37 pm
content: I appreciate everyone's response, I'm avoiding a diy fix it I can, but I may be back to that if nothing else pans out.Quote from: retiredcaps on September 30, 2015, 11:24:55 pmThis was a good tip, thanks. That user said they may have some in a week or so, I'll hold out for a bit to see if they get posted.

author: Timur Born
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 04:11:03 pm
content: Is your unit covered by Fluke's life-time warranty? Even with the 189 being end-of-life that warranty includes a 10 years minimum warranty time, at least that is what I remember.