Fluke 289 consuming 48mA when OFF - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 10:46:21 am
content: Hi guys,Just got myself a Fluke 289. It was from eBay but was sold as new from a reputable seller.. It just came as described without the box. But in a genuine Flukecase.. The DMM looks brand new with screen cover etc, and also included were all accessories, leads, croc clips, cd, carry case, user guide and straps .Now I knew these things had a desire for battery's so I stuck in some freshly charged Eneloop's yesterday and the meter performed as I wouldhave expected. Accuracy according to my calibrated Keysight 34465A was fine.I gets up this morning, turned the meter on, and a great big NOTHING happened. Yep Batts totally dead! I've measured the OFF state current drawwhich is showing as 48mA.. Is this the norm for a 289 or do I have an issue here?Thanks guys

author: kg4arn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 11:00:06 am
content: Measured mine yesterday at 117 uA.It started out a little higher then slowly tracked downward making me think a cap was charging.Purchased in USA from Tequipment.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 11:38:19 am
content: Likely a dead supercap, see this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fluke-189-with-leaking-surface-mount-coin-cell/Common problem and easy to fix.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 11:57:24 am
content: @kg4arn.. Wow that is nice and low. What does it consume turned ON, but idle on DC, AC ranges please?@ dr.diesel.. Yea that's what I thought.. My Fluke 289 has a rechargeable battery though as opposed to a super-cap.. I suppose that could be old and dead though.The thing is the battery is bonded to the PCB with Araldite or something and seems like a right bugger to get off.Thinking about it.. Would the 3v 5mAh battery make such a difference to the Fluke 289's OFF power consumption?

author: kg4arn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 01:46:09 pm
content: Sorry I didn't test the power-on current drain.I was replacing batteries and I was just curious.It's easy to test the standby current but I would have to set up some sort of way to hold the unit and turn it on while holding the power to the tabs.I am sure others have measured it.

author: testpoint
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 02:13:21 pm
content: try to desoldering C145, in manual it is a supercap, EECEN0F204, looks likes a small battery, if the power off current back to normal, try to replace the EECEN0F204

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 03:36:02 pm
content: OK so I've just done another little test... It's not the battery or supercap issue. I've disconnected the internal clock battery on my Fluke 289, and in it'sOFF state it's still pulling 48mA ... Anybody else had this issue with the 289?

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 04:24:27 pm
content: check it's not logging in the background or anything like that.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 04:49:58 pm
content: Nope.. Nothing like that.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 05:39:48 pm
content: Quote from: orbiter on July 09, 2017, 10:46:21 am0.49 mA overnight would be in the order of 0.49 mA x 10 h = 5 mAh. This would not drain a fresh set of batteries.Quote from: orbiter on July 09, 2017, 03:36:02 pm48 mA on the other hand is a different issue. That would indicate a serious fault in the meter.So... 0.49 mA or 48 mA?

author: Jwalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 06:53:03 pm
content: Quote from: orbiter on July 09, 2017, 03:36:02 pmBring back the days when equipment had REAL power switches that cut the AC or DC power directly. Who needs this soft power-on crap?You certainly have a problem @ 48mA.Return it (if at all possible after opening it.)

author: mzacharias
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 09:29:23 pm
content: Quote from: orbiter on July 09, 2017, 03:36:02 pmIf it's really pulling 48 mA (as opposed to 0.49mA) when OFF, something should be getting warm. Feel around and find out what.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 09:39:17 pm
content: Ian.. When it's turned OFF it pulls 48mA (0.048A) ..And when ON it pulls about 74mA.. It drained an almost fully charged set of Eneloops overnight, well in about 18 hrs.. Also I've just noticedthat if I remove the batteries for even half a second the internal clock time is lost.. So the clock battery isn't charging either. Or perhaps it is and whateverthe fault is, is pulling that down too.I can't believe it.. The meter works great in every other way as far as I can tell, and as mentioned is accurate too. Pffff. Oh welltime for my money back I guess..I may open it up one more time just to see if anything hot jumps into view.EDIT.... Tried the thermal imager on the pcb, but nothing to report really apart from a couple of larger tantalum capsand the main processor rising to about 35°C, and that's with an ambient room temp of 27°C.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2017, 11:52:43 pm
content: Quote from: orbiter on July 09, 2017, 09:39:17 pmMy Eneloops charged last year, used sparingly, are still giving me 2 battery bars in my 287, something is very wrong with yours.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 01:22:14 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on July 09, 2017, 11:52:43 pmThanks Bravo, and all you guys for the assistance. I did sort of know I'd bought a dud here, but didn't want to believe it.. I was even thinking 'well perhaps one of my Eneloops is faulty etc' .. However I can't argue with the current draw figure. No matter what batteries I chose, a 48mA drain is going to kill'em. Fast!Anyway.. Thanks again fellas.Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 01:45:45 am
content: I read somewhere once that with these meters you need to log the off state current consumption over time to verify whether the super capacitor was causing problems, 20 minutes or so from memory, anyway here are my figures which were also posted in the thread mentioned earlier.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 02:40:24 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on July 10, 2017, 01:45:45 amThanks Muttley.. I've actually packed this meter up now ready to be returned, but I do also remember a couple of current draw figures.Powered off = 48mAPowered on, Ohms range = 72mAPowered on Ohms range, backlight full =107mA.Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 02:49:35 am
content: Note that your subject title and first post still say 0.49 mA. This is confusing if you really mean 48 mA.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2017, 03:54:41 am
content: Quote from: IanB on July 10, 2017, 02:49:35 amFixed