Best batteries for Fluke 189, 287 and 289 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2024, 07:59:32 pm
content: I have the 189, 287 and 289 and they all take AA batteries. As you know alkalines leak so which is better to use in these meter NiMH or Li-Ion AA rechargeables? The Li-Ion has somewhat less capacity but has a rather constant 1.5V throughout the discharge cycle but is this of any advantage to a DMM? Also I am not sure if Li-Ion would have a lower or higher self discharge rate compared to good NiMH like the Eneloop?

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2024, 08:49:29 pm
content: lol the 289 chew through batteries I think NiMH is the way to go but the low battery alarm trips out because the cell voltage is low. i would be pissed if I had to keep paying for lithium to run that thing.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2024, 08:54:36 pm
content: for 187 189, try to find the rare BP-189 battery pack with 4x "C" cells you could put some rechargeable cells etc ....

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2024, 09:02:10 pm
content: I use for the 187 four Eneloops AA NiMh the last ten years.Only have to charge them once a year but I don't use it that often.Still the same batteries.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2024, 10:12:42 pm
content: My question is whether the Li-Ion AA rechargeable like thesehttps://www.eblofficial.com/collections/li-ion-battery/products/aa-li-ion-rechargeable-batteriesare better or worse than the Eneloop?I don't mean the disposable lithium.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 02:38:38 am
content: I have no experience with the EBL brand of batteries, but I would imagine that the Li-Ion cells are going to be safest in terms of leakage.They may not be safest in terms of fire... but unlikely any event that would lead to a fire would happen while installed in a DMM (overcharging, puncture, short, etc).The downside is that those ones seem to require a special charger (unlike the models with a microUSB connector).Their discharge curve (or internal regulator) will likely also mean that the battery low warning on the DMM won't work, and worst case the DMM could misbehave when the batteries are near end of charge before shutting off completely.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 05:33:15 am
content: I run my 289 on Turnigy NiMH LSD or NiZn, and it seems happy on either. Having many handhelds and multiple sets of batteries means it's never a serious problem if I pick it up to find they need charging...

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 07:48:00 am
content: I'm a fan of the extremely low self-discharge white Eneloop's with the 10 year, 70% rating and use them in my 287 and other equipment where possible.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 10:41:39 am
content: I got some EBL Li-Ion AA and put them in the 189 to see how well it works.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 11:50:23 am
content: I use Eneloops in my 187.I wouldn't ever let Alkalines anywhere near it.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 04:44:26 pm
content: Agree with Fungus. NiMH Eneloop Pros also the newer grayish Ikea Ladda 2450 (which I own). Made in Japan are the best ones. These NiMH are low self discharge so fine to leave in for prolonged periods.Alkalines suck, just had a large packet of Varta completely leak 4 years before expiration. They had a German flag on the packet so thought they might be ok, highly likely chinese rubbish. I should have looked closer at where they were made. No more money for Varta from me ever. I enjoyed your old fast charge NiMH rechargables but can't trust you anymore.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 04:55:39 pm
content: yes, go to Ikea and get the Ladda 2400's - i use those in pretty much everything.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2024, 05:27:29 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on July 31, 2024, 04:44:26 pmI had alkaline batteries leaked several times and all involved made in USA batteries. Yes I did check where the batteries were made before I bought them. Sometimes it's real difficult as Duracell only labels where it's made on the battery not on the package. So I had to find the made in label looking thru the bubble pack hoping that the right side facing me. So it's not Chinese rubbish the problem. I think the law requires them to change the formulation which perhaps better for the environment but more likely to leak.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 02:33:07 pm
content: I don't accept formula change as a valid excuse nor your argument over having owned different brands. I don't own those brands so it won't change my opinion that my Varta batteries are highly likely chinese rubbish. Note I was talking about mine, not yours.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 02:41:09 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on August 01, 2024, 02:33:07 pmIt's not an excuse but I found newer batteries 5 years or less (made in USA and from Engerizer, RayOVac and Duracell the 3 popular brands in the USA. Although these brands do make their batteries from China I carefully picked the ones made in USA before I bought them) leak more often. I even had some leaked in their bubble pack and tested with good power but leaked.Also when I called the manufacturer and complained they didn't seem surprised but rather quickly process my claim for replacement batteries and for the damaged device. I feel that the know the leakage is the matter of course that is why I now looking for non alkaline solution.Years ago like 20 or more years ago I only had batteries leaked if I left them in the device for very long time and the device drained them beyond death. Now I had leaked battery in that still have good charge.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 02:44:24 pm
content: Again this has nothing to do with my leaked batteries and that they were highly likely chinese rubbish.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 02:48:04 pm
content: While I avoid buying stuff from China but I found Chinese products especially those that are made for name brand companies like Varta are of good quality. The Chinese nowaday makes products ranging from the worst the the best.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 02:50:25 pm
content: Quote from: stj on July 31, 2024, 04:55:39 pmAnd grab some of their phone chargers while you're there, they're the best.(for powering 5V USB-powered gadgets)

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 02:52:24 pm
content: Quote from: BeBuLamar on August 01, 2024, 02:48:04 pmYou can argue this all day long but there's no way I'm putting Alkalines in ANYTHING valuable.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 04:36:30 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on August 01, 2024, 02:50:25 pmConclusion based on a teardown somewhere ?

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 04:38:09 pm
content: Quote from: Kjelt on August 01, 2024, 04:36:30 pmBig Clive has done one, not sure if DiodeGoneWild has

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 05:28:16 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on August 01, 2024, 02:52:24 pmYou missed my point. I am saying that today alkaline will leak regardless of who made them unlike years ago. So I think it has to do with some kind of goverment regulation requires them to use a formula that is more likely to leak.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 05:30:30 pm
content: Not all of the Ikea chargers were as good as each other when I recently checked, so you have to look at what model in what specific country. Some of them were also only suitable for low current devices.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 05:32:43 pm
content: Quote from: BeBuLamar on August 01, 2024, 05:28:16 pmNoone cares about your point, we only care about what works properly to spec and doesn't leak. The fact you keep exerting that narrative doesn't help you any.I won't be using EBL NiMH ever either, some not so positive reviews of large capacity losses which can be as bad as 15% after a few charges and 50% after a year. As well EBL lithium's having different capacities and outright failures (doesn't inspire confidence). Their 9V isn't a 9V except in name, it's basically a 7.5V battery according to their own discharge curve and as these are often over exaggerated I'll take that with a grain of salt.No idea if it's just rebranded crap. They say on their page the brands registered in the UK, however that company also comes back as a chinese company. So seems a bit chicken or egg or chicken poop to me.Edit:Your mileage may be totally different on the ones you got. I'm just saying it has the hallmark of chinese rubbish already. I'd do a charge/discharge cycle about 30 times and check before vs after discharge capacity between each battery. In other words establish a trend, and if you see a significant change or outliers blame it on the formula and government (just kidding, return them of course).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2024, 06:23:01 pm
content: Quote from: Kjelt on August 01, 2024, 04:36:30 pmBig Clive's done some.The little one is rated at 1A and specifically says it's designed for continuous use.Edit: I should mention they'recheap! Only 3 Euros for the small one and 8 Euros for the three port version.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 10:31:59 am
content: Thanks! interesting alternative.I currently often use MeanWell 15W PSU's like the SNT RS 15 5 for small projects like the one in the picture for instance.But if you don't have the room for it or want to make it smaller, this could be a great alternativeSorry for the offtopic, back to Fluke batteries

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 04:32:44 am
content: Quote from: Kjelt on August 02, 2024, 10:31:59 amI use those MeanWells too. The main problem is their size when you're making trying to make small stuff.I find myself putting USB C connectors on most stuff I build these days, it's just a really easy way to power things.I haven't really looked at ripple, etc., on those Ikea chargers but they're ideal for "Arduino" projects where ripple doesn't really matter.Quote from: Kjelt on August 02, 2024, 10:31:59 amI think that's been fully answered - "never alkalines".