Fluke PM97 dead  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Liteace
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2017, 07:08:46 pm
content: Title:Fluke PM97 deadContent:Hi all it's my 1st post here, looking for a little bit of help I've just picked up a PM97, the battery pack was dead so I got some normal non rechargeable for it but it dead. I've opened it and it's all clean inside, no leaky caps and looks in good order, I've checked power up to when the battery connects to the PCB Is the anything common. On these or am i waisting my time Thanks

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 01:06:22 am
content: A little background may help. You would be a much better person to answer if its a waste of your time.Guessing you have found the service manual and have check all the solder joints for fractures and connections. Have you started to go through it and have a specific question?In general, do the supplies power up? Clock is running? State of reset?If it is something you decide to pass on, you may want to offer it for sale here. Depending where you live, condition of unit, I may even be interested. I could use some good plastic and rubber boot.

author: Liteace
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 07:56:47 am
content: Thanks for the reply, I have opened the unit and had a quick look inside but only a quick look.I have got the service manual downloaded and will be printing it out at the weekend. I was just asking to see if there are any common points on these ?I would like to get it up and running but if it gets to involved, like changing smd's I will sell it

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 12:49:34 am
content: Right. I was really thinking more of what sort of skill set you have and equipment you have available to attempt to troubleshoot and repair it. The service manual I found was a pretty poor scan. Another member had offered me a better copy. Maybe they will post it for you. I have not seen where people were posting common problems with them. One of mine had a few damaged diodes on the front end and a bad connection. EL is weak on the same unit and of course batteries. Charger connectors were also bad. All fairly minor problems.Not a bad little scope for it's age.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 07:17:53 pm
content: I've got one of these with an intermittent fault that's getting worse - meanwhile it rarely will work at all. I was able to track down the problem to one signal that's supposed to be supplied by the digital ASIC. Soldering is sound and under the microscope I won't find any evidence of shorts or cracks, so I guess it's all pointing in the direction of an internal fault of the ASIC (maybe a broken bonding wire or joint). This renders my PM97 broken beyond economical repair.If somone's interested in the remains and is willing to pay shipping from Germany, I'ld be glad if it serves as a spare parts unit. Analog/PSU board is okay and the enclosure is also still in decent shape. EL backlight is weak, though. With a good digital ASIC to swap in from an otherwise defective PM97, the unit should be repairable. I won't have a go at that since I've got enough handheld scopes...Cheers,Thomas

author: Liteace
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 10:55:33 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on February 03, 2017, 12:49:34 amSkill set, I'm very good with soldering, ive changed / repaired a few components in vehicle ECU's in the passed.I have another scope I can use for testing, it's an automotive Pico, I hope it'll be ok for this jobWould need help with location and names of some of the components that would need testingThanks for all your help up to nowThanks

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 11:02:53 pm
content: I guess my broken PM97 already found a new home...

author: Liteace
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2017, 10:29:28 am
content: Little update.I've had a little bit of time, after a closer inspection I did find one leaking cap on the LCD PCB, I've replaced all 4 caps but still no life as yet. Also I see a few components on the lower PCB have been replaced at some stage.When I have more time I'll check further as it would be nice to get it up and running, using a USB scope is sometimes a pain on the quick check jobsThanks