Fluke 87V PCB revision check before purchase - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: dvas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2012, 02:43:43 pm
content: Hi,how can I check the PCB revision of the Fluke 87V when I am buying online? Based on some on-line discussions, both revisions 10 and 11 are coming with the same backside and probes.Any idea?thanks,Sasha

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2012, 08:34:36 pm
content: If you are buying new you have to make sure the serial number is greater than 19470148, if so it will have new generation display and GSM fix installed.

author: arekm
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 25, 2012, 08:48:05 pm
content: Is there a way to check serial number if sticker on back was removed?

author: whatchitfoool
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2012, 09:51:25 pm
content: The S/N and revision are printed on the pcb. only way left to tell.

author: ilikepez
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2012, 06:35:00 am
content: I wouldn't buy one that had the serial number removed.

author: arekm
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 26, 2012, 03:54:15 pm
content: Quote from: whatchitfoool on October 25, 2012, 09:51:25 pmRevision was there on pcb but couldn't locate serial number (didn't disassemble it fully though).

author: little_ear
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 28, 2012, 09:11:22 pm
content: How come that my Fluke has no GSM Bug?Tested with 2G and 3G, and near WiFi Router and DECT PhoneBought in Europe - thats why my english isnt perfectManual Rev. says 08Back of the Multimater says 09PCB says rev. 10Serial Nr.: 1019****Calibrationstatus:- Turn off Fluke 87V- Press and Hold: MIN MAX- Press AutoHOLDDisplay-Output: n001On the EEVblog #185 - Fluke 87V Multimeter GSM Fix! interestingly there were no big changes visable on the PCB, so I was wondering if the BIOS or Firmware were the cause of this issue.Could this be possible? (also found a comment onhttp://www.flukecommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?s=93e2a25ba9bd419b6051adc9fae4ebe9&t=3348&page=4&pp=10,where someone says that Fluke would fix this bug during a calibration process)Could it be possible that they only change the "BIOS or Firmware"?In addition I found something recently, which might show the BIOS or Firmware Version. (I am not sure about that)So could you send me what your Fluke 87 V does when u do the following steps?- Turn off the Fluke- Press and Hold: AutoHOLD- Switch to DC VoltageMy Fluke says: 3.01Maybe this could be another indicator for the GSM Bug?

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2012, 09:21:23 pm
content: 3.01 this is an old one.

author: Marvin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2012, 08:28:34 am
content: I have rev 11 and AutoHOLD+DC volts shows 3.03, bought from Amazon US less than a month ago.

author: little_ear
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 29, 2012, 09:16:12 am
content: Now we need to wait for someone with an older version having problems with the GSM bug.Maybe I am right and versions under 2.xx might be an indicator for having the GSM bug.

author: nack
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2012, 09:58:39 am
content: Mine 87v has pcb revision 10, firmware version 3.03. I have tried it with a European cell-phone but no strange phenomena happening...

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2012, 06:57:34 pm
content: Quote from: zaoka on October 25, 2012, 08:34:36 pmThat serial number rule does not work. The one I have bought on ebay has a S/N much higher than 19470148 still it has that problem.What is interesting is that the ~V range is not affected by that issue. But all the rest are. Unless you point the screen of the cellphone to the fluke 87 and stick it litterally to the multimeter, the display goes back to normal after 1-2 seconds. So I can live easily with that as I saved $250 by buying on ebay, especially that the local distributor refused to give written guarantees that the multimeter would not be affected by the "cellphone issue". Probably their devices had also that issue (as they offered a discount for a limited period of time).Mine is 3.00

author: dvas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2012, 05:59:46 pm
content: In order not to take any chances, I bought the 87V from the local only Fluke representative and importer, after pulling some 'connections' to get a good deal.FW is 3.03 and the serial number is 2205xxxx.I didn't open it to check the PCB revision, but I am almost absolutely sure that it is the latest.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2012, 06:40:48 pm
content: Quote from: dvas on November 10, 2012, 05:59:46 pmYes but if a local Fluke representative does not provide any warranty that your newly bought device will not have that issue, there is no point in buying at the double price. I had the feeling that they wanted to get rid of the old devices by offering discounts for a limited period of time. So I did not buy from them. The cellphone can sit on the table it will not affect measurements unless you purposedly put it right next to the multimeter. Dvas, which country are you from?

author: dvas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2012, 06:43:54 pm
content: I am from Israel.... the price is decent, not half.... the formal importer/distributor is a well-known and reputable, so i am not worrying.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2012, 06:46:13 pm
content: Good for you:)What I meant was, the price I bought on ebay was half of the normal sale price (including VAT) here in Turkey.I knew it would have that probem... that's why they are sold that cheap. It's obvious.Our official distributor is also apparently a reputable one but their attitude was a bit dodgy : "we cannot offer such guarantees (regarding the cellphone issue)" they said. What would you think if someone tells you that?

author: Afmenhem
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 04, 2012, 12:47:50 pm
content: Quote from: whatchitfoool on October 25, 2012, 09:51:25 pmI have bought my 87V in an EBay-like site (http://mercadoliver.com.br) and it came without the serial sticker. The board is revision 10 and the bottom case is identical that Dave showed int the GSM fix video. The unit doesn't present the GSM problem when used close to my iPhone.The internal serial sticker shows a barcode with 8 digits starting with the letter "B" and I noticed that the one Dave tested started with the letter "H" but didn't have the bottom case serial number sticker.My question is if the new models or some of them can have serial numbers starting with letters. One of the practical reasons I want to know is because I would like to print an external sticker so that the unit can be properly receive a calibration certificate.Thanks and sorry if I'm doing a stupid post.

author: dvas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2012, 08:31:28 pm
content: On my new one the SN sticker is 22050xxx (i am not writing the last 3 digits).... I didn't open it to check the PCB revision.

author: Afmenhem
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 06, 2012, 09:59:18 pm
content: Quote from: dvas on December 04, 2012, 08:31:28 pmHave you checked the internal sticker? Is the number printed there identical to the one in the case or it begins with a letter?

author: dvas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2012, 01:26:26 pm
content: there is no sticker inside. My PCB is rev 011.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2012, 12:20:18 am
content: Fluke responded to my GSM rev 11 question:Fluke: - You'll need an 87V with a >S/N 19470148.

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 12:18:09 am
content: Hi all,Just received my Fluke 87V manufactured April 2017 revision 3.03Does it look like it's latest version ?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 12:24:13 am
content: Are you serious?

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 12:34:38 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on May 23, 2017, 12:24:13 amThought there's a later one lol manufactured like May lolIdk

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 02:25:43 am
content: Quote from: PowerNet on May 23, 2017, 12:34:38 amYou resurrected an over 4 year old thread to ask whether a unit manufactured a whopping month ago is outdated?? When all known issues were fixed over 4 years ago?

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 02:31:24 am
content: Does anyone know whats the latest version FW is for the Fluke 87V ?

author: kandrey89
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 03:48:58 am
content: Bought mine several months ago direct from amazon, SN:35130### no FW on the outside, not interested in opening this $300 beastyet.

author: PowerNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 03:50:56 am
content: You don't need to open it. Just follow the instructions to check with the dial.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 06:09:02 pm
content: Just bought a "new" one off ebay - but it is dated March 2015 (on the box) and the firmware is 3.03 which is the same as ones going back to the GSM fix (?) in around 2012 so I suspect the firmware has stayed the same for a while.I'd be interested to know if more recent models have a different value.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 06:39:32 pm
content: My latest 87V is from 2016 and has FW v3.03 installed

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 06:43:13 pm
content: Quote from: PowerNet on May 23, 2017, 02:31:24 amShockingly, I imagine it's the version shipped on your brand new meter.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 07:30:42 pm
content: I have both versions. The 3.01 and the latest 3.03. Cognisant of the issue with the 3.01 but it hasn't caused me any grief. My 3.01 was really cheap too $120 and I knew what I was getting.You can also tell them apart by looking at the backlight hue. The 3.01 version has a more purple/bluish tint to it.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2017, 02:28:47 am
content: Mine is def an old revision 87V and just giggles at me, displaying'LOL'when I try to nuke it with GSM, baby monitor, router, transformer, personal vibrator, old noisy electric drills etcand any other interference I can whip up(for the noisy suss neighbours)i.e. no problemI've given up thinking about it,it works,it's a Fluke,and still gets me into work sites I don't belong at, scoring free crew coffee, biscuits and snacks, just by waving it around at the security entrancesFluke = winner winner vegan dinner

author: eyiz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2017, 06:24:23 pm
content: Mine came a few days ago.FW = 3.03Board = Rev 013Grey Socket EditionMFG: Apr2017SN: 3856XXXX

author: Audiocluster
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2018, 07:26:13 pm
content: Well I really never made sense out of their serial numbers but I defiantly questioned the 9xxxxxxx and 6xxxxxxx series and really didn't want a recent 'grey' issue.So I shot for a serial number between 35xxxxxx and 375xxxxx; took about 2 months to find one in that range on EBay at a good price.Result: 36280xxxPCB Rev 13Firmware 3.03Fluke Customer service emailed back a Manufacture Date ofJuly 15, 2016(my second request (call) gave the same date)Perfect date, exactly in my search window. $182. excellent shape.No grey, nothing other than damn good quality Fluke.Interesting that PCB has what looks like might be a time stamp. 1516.1801.8 (10)15, 16 OK. But don't see how July is coded in that.

author: Corner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2019, 05:55:42 am
content: Quote from: Audiocluster on March 16, 2018, 07:26:13 pmSorry for reviving an old thread, but what's the problem with 9xxxxxxx serial numbers? I've recently bought one and the number starts with 9. It's got firmware 3.00 but doesn't seem to have the RF interference issue.Is there anything I should be concerned about?