Advice on Fluke 289 (hasty second hand purchase) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: slackie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 07, 2021, 09:21:21 pm
content: Long story short - I got a little feeling the other night and bought a second hand Fluke 289 for what now seems to be a quite steep price of 300 EUR. It is cosmetically in good shape and does not seem to have any damages on the PCB. Functionality is also OK (from what I can currently throw at it) however it does have the notorious supercap issue and it is a first gen unit from 2007 (board rev1, firwmare 1.0/0.84).Now, I am mechanical engineer who is looking to deepen understanding of electronics through eevblog videos, various tinkering with Arduinos etc. and troubleshooting of e.g. faulty power supplies and other home appliances. Should I just go with the purchase and have the supercap replaced (as part of my learning curve) or ideally return the unit due to its age and possible other (known?) issues?The reason I went with this unit first place was because I like tocry oncewhen purchasing tools and equipment - this is however another domain and I am not sure whether if my argument holds up.Grateful for your input

author: kcbrown
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2021, 09:53:25 pm
content: Quote from: slackie on September 07, 2021, 09:21:21 pmIs that really a steep price? Most of the ones that are for sale on eBay have asking prices near $500 (422 EUR).Given that, and presuming it's indicative of the actual price most of them sell for, I'd keep it and replace the supercap (and then only if necessary).You might even be able to get Fluke to replace it under warranty. No idea.

author: slackie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 07, 2021, 09:57:36 pm
content: Thanks for the quick reply. I was under the impression that units on ebay were of later revision.About the supercap, am I wrong in concluding that I am better off replacing it do eliminate risk of further leakage and possible short (reading through the various threads)?

author: kcbrown
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2021, 10:43:19 pm
content: Quote from: slackie on September 07, 2021, 09:57:36 pmI don't know how you'd tell. I'm sure at least some of them are.QuoteI haven't read through the threads on that. A preemptive replacement might be wise in the face of the possibility of it leaking in the future. Your message implied that the one you have isn't leaking, so I thought you might have had some time to use it before you have to replace the supercap.If it's not leaking now, then Fluke probably wouldn't replace it under warranty. If it is leaking now, Fluke might replace it under warranty. Can't say. You'd have to ask them. They might even do a preemptive replacement for all I know, so if it were me, I'd contact them just to see what they say.Either way, 300 EUR for a handheld meter of that caliber seems pretty reasonable. I suspect that even if there are other units that are available for less, the price difference wouldn't be very much and it's likely they'd be in worse condition. It sounds like this one is in excellent condition, and if that's the case then I wouldn't sweat the price you paid.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2021, 11:04:13 pm
content: How long will it retain its memory and date/time with the batteries removed? Overnight?In the US I would be fairly confident Fluke would simply service it for you, but I'm not sure in your locale. The supercap is readily available and if you are at all proficient with SMD soldering, it looks easy to replace. However, if you aren't yet proficient, get some practice elsewhere before you try. Also, it is entirely possible that it has already been replaced.300EUR seems a lot to me, but things are just cheaper here I guess. You should update the firmware to prevent the issue with light on the IR window causing it to malfunction.

author: ADJohnson
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2021, 08:59:27 pm
content: I bought a used 287 off eBay that was ‘working perfectly’ - this was a couple of years ago, and was a 2010 model for £180 or so. Of course the toe rag who sold it neglected to mention the super cap problem it suffered from, and the damaged, but functional, battery compartmentI did think of changing the super cap but these things have a lifetime warranty so I called Fluke, raised and RMA and posted it to them. 10 elapsed days later I was in possession of a brand new one. That’s brilliant customer service in my book and I’d pay extra for that type of service. They didn’t ask if I was the original owner or not and I just explained the problem in simple terms - batteries only lasting a week or so.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2021, 09:43:01 pm
content: Quote from: ADJohnson on September 08, 2021, 08:59:27 pmThis illustrates perfectly one of the reasons why I'm happy to pay the premium price to get a Fluke. Good luck getting that kind of service with any of the lower cost brands.If it were me, I'd replace the supercap and call it good. $300 may not be a bargain but if it's in good shape otherwise I wouldn't say it's outlandish either.

author: Xandinator
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2021, 10:06:31 am
content: In EU not so much, I guess. Same problem, same inquiry, sent me a repair quote almost the same amount as the buying price. They didn't ask if I was the original buyer either, though...

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2021, 04:11:55 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on September 08, 2021, 09:43:01 pmYou don'tneedthat kind of service when you pay 1/3 the price. You can buy another one all by yourself and still have money left over. Probably in less than 10 days too, and no need to spend any time on the phone explaining anything.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2021, 05:18:00 pm
content: Would be better if people tried to reduce e-waste rather than blithely encouraged increasing it.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2021, 05:43:19 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on December 10, 2021, 04:11:55 pmThe OP paid $300 for it and I think Fluke would fix it for free (Fluke did fix several meters I sent them. Somehow they wouldn't fix it a second time though) can you buy an equivalent meter for $100?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2021, 10:38:13 pm
content: Quote from: BeBuLamar on December 10, 2021, 05:43:19 pmYes, but the original owner paid Fluke a lot more than that.Quote from: BeBuLamar on December 10, 2021, 05:43:19 pm$300 isn't the retail price of that meter.If you can get a broken 289 for $300 and live in a place where Fluke will replace it with a new one then that's a happy thing. Fluke isn't losing any sleep over it though and they'll be the exception, not the rule.Quote from: BeBuLamar on December 10, 2021, 05:43:19 pmSo it's possible to buy a broken $300 meter and Fluke won't fix it? Is there a way to find out before handing over the money?

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2021, 02:24:21 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on December 10, 2021, 10:38:13 pmI don't know but in my experience when I sent in a Fluke meter for the second time they always find a way that they refused to fix it.