Got a Fluke 87 with leads at pawn shop.  A few questions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: gooseEL34
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2013, 05:01:43 pm
content: Found a Fluke 87 in yellow rubber case with leads at a pawn shop for $55 out the door.I think it is a good deal.A few questions.1. The leads have Fluke embossed on them but unlike the leads on my other Fluke, they do not have CAT III or CAT IV voltages listed on them. Assuming these are original leads, are they CAT III rated?2. Touching the leads together with the meter set to ohms, I get 1.2 ohms. Does this seem normal. My other Fluke is .3 ohms.3. I see ebay Fluke 87s sometimes are listed as 87 III but the pictures don't show the III label on the face of the unit. Is there a 87 base model AND a 87 III model or were all 87s also IIIs?ThanksTim

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2013, 05:08:09 pm
content: 1.2 is really high. You should check with a different set of leads to determine if it's the meter or if it's the leads.55 is a sweet deal. If it's the original 87, the stock leads (and meter) shouldn't have cat ratings. (since you didn't specify version of 87)if it's the meter, the calibration could be off

author: jamesp15
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2013, 06:03:29 pm
content: In addition to what Fsck posted, the 87 comes in 4 (well 3 in "mass production") generations.Original 8787-III87-IV (basically was a 18x series, so it was short lived/spun-off to the 180 series)87-V which is the current generation.Make sure to clean off the tips of the probes with some Isopropyl alcohol or such as well, they could have "crud" on them.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2013, 06:20:37 pm
content: There are also two versions of vanilla 87 to confuse you more, though differences are subtle

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2013, 09:47:42 pm
content: Quote from: gooseEL34 on April 18, 2013, 05:01:43 pmSome ebay sellers are clueless with their picture and/or word description.This guide written by excavatoree explains the differences between the original, III, Vhttp://www.ebay.com/gds/fluke-multimeters-models-and-series-80-type/10000000007491382/g.html$55 is a great price if both fuses are not blown. Fluke HRC fuses are expensive.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2013, 09:50:43 pm
content: Quote from: gooseEL34 on April 18, 2013, 05:01:43 pmI have a set of Fluke TL75s that are labeled 1500V, but with no cat rating. I don't know how old they are, but I bought them from the wife of an retired electrician. This set reads 0.2 ohms.

author: mzacharias
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2013, 01:23:09 am
content: Quote from: gooseEL34 on April 18, 2013, 05:01:43 pmDon't forget to clean the input jacks (they get dirt etc inside).

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2013, 01:03:40 pm
content: Crap. E-bay deleted my pictures again. I think E-bay has abandoned the "buying guides" section - I try to re-upload the pictures, and often, it doesn't let me.As others said, first thing to try is a different set of leads, then suspect the jacks, then the meter. There is a guy selling replacement jacks on e-bay, but he's very expensive. He's good if you don't have a p/n, however. If you do, you can order one from Fluke.

author: Sigmoid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2013, 04:14:35 pm
content: I wonder, I've seen several first generation 87s on eBay... How good are they, what would be the maximum amount of money one should drop into buying one that looks good from the outside?I already have a B&K Precision 2709B (thanks Dave for the review), and am thinking of getting a good vintage one for the second one. Is it a good idea?

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2013, 05:53:56 pm
content: Excavortee, ebay doesn't support the guides; I can't even find yours except via google as there is no search function for the guides.To preserve your good work and make all the photos available exactly as you designed it, consider moving the whole page to a blogger site where there are no restrictions. I don't know if eBay gives you any credit in terms of having a popular review topic [ for example, epinions.com pays cash for popular reviews] but I'd hate to lose your page as I refer people to it often.Quote from: Excavatoree on April 25, 2013, 01:03:40 pm

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2013, 11:42:18 pm
content: Quote from: Sigmoid on July 28, 2013, 04:14:35 pmI currently have one of each generation of 87 in my possession. I will give you my limited take.I don't quite see the point of trying to get a first gen model (the word "Fluke" will not be surrounded by yellow above the screen). I really like my second gen model but it doesn't have temp readings, a feature I have wanted to use.My issue with the first generation model is that I suspect you can get an equally good meter in terms of specs and the rest for less money on Ebay. I believe the first gen was .1%, not .05% basic DC accuracy. The .05% is matched by few meters but .1% is rather common. The 87 is durable but so are a number of other meter. I don't like that you have wait for the backlight to power down and the green backlight isn't as easy to read as the later white light. I don't see anything inherently wrong with having to open the case to change the battery but it's really easy to cross thread those plastic self taping screws when you put them back in. Do that a few times and the screws aren't really holding anymore. The 87-3 added a real battery door. All of that is forgivable when you spend say $50 on the meter. However, I see many 87s go for quite a bit more. I can't see paying $100 for an 87-1 when an 87-3 can be had for the same... perhaps even less.I like the 87-3 in some ways better than the 87-5. I prefer it's backlight and the beeper sounds better to me (really important things right?). The 87-3 seems to go for only a few bucks more than an 87-1. It has the .05% accuracy and 20,000 count mode doesn't require turning off the meter (it does soft reset though). The larger digits are easier to read. The battery door is nice and if you look around you should get one for just under $100 (for example if you skip getting the case).The 87-5 is really nice as well. The 6,000 count and the temp measurements are the biggest plusses for me. It also does a better job with caps but I rarely measure those. However, a low price on an 87-5 seems to be $140+. That becomes rather high in my book. If you can get one under that, go for it but if you don't need temp measurements I might stick with the 87-3.Incidentally, do consider some of the good alternatives. Aglient meters can be had for less than the similar Fluke. I really like my very rare but good BK 5360 and 5390 (see my tear down). The last 5360 I saw on ebay went for $35. For that the buyer got a waterproof .1% 50,000 count meter. I spent $40 on my 5390. That's a .025%+2 count, 50,000 count meter. It has some drawbacks compared to the Fluke and they are rare on ebay. They are also really good meters.Keep an eye out for some of the Textronics meters as well.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2013, 11:42:48 pm
content: Quote from: Sigmoid on July 28, 2013, 04:14:35 pmThe "going" price for an original 87 is around $100. Make sure to ask the seller if both fuses are operational and look for auctions that include the yellow rubber holster.There can be problems with the original 80 series. In particular,- fading digits - easily "fixed" by cleaning the zebra strips/pcb with IPA- missing inner shrouds - DIY fix by modemhead as perhttp://mrmodemhead.com/blog/fluke-banana-jack-repair/Other than those, you get full schematics in the service manual so you can fix/repair it on your own. Calibration is likely to be within specifications. I have purchased used Flukes and all of them are within spec except on a 77 III, but I traced it down to a blown PTC (with generous help from modemhead).If you are patient, try getting a 87 III for $100. It has bigger digits versus the original and unlikely to suffer from the fading digits problem.QuoteIf you don't need true RMS, backlight and 20,000 count, try getting a Fluke 83. These are somewhat unloved and can be had for around $40 to $50 with patience.I think getting an used 80 series is a good complement to your existing 2709B. Maybe after you use one, the 2709B might become the "secondary" meter?edit: Looks like Robomeds and I posted at exactly around the same time.

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 01:06:27 am
content: I agree that the 83 or almost unknown 85 would be a possible low cost option into the 80 series. You can also consider the 88. The 88 loses RMS and the high count mode. However, it does have some automotive specific functions which might be of use.

author: ModemHead
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 01:20:52 am
content: I just recently acquired an 88, and it does have the high count mode. But it powers up with auto-ranging disabled for VDC and VAC, which I find annoying.

author: Robomeds
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 01:53:30 am
content: Quote from: ModemHead on July 29, 2013, 01:20:52 amOops, you are right, it was only .1% vs .05%.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2013, 04:09:38 am
content: Quote from: ModemHead on July 29, 2013, 01:20:52 am@Robomeds. You are not the only to think the 88 didn't have 20,000 count mode.