Repair 9 volt connector on Older Fluke 87 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: dylanmitchell
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2020, 08:24:07 pm
content: Have an older late 80's or early 90's Fluke 87. Connector on 9-volt battery harness has pulled off. What type of 9-volt harness can I use? I haven't found a Fluke replacement harness or part number. Looks like "I" or "T" type connector are available.It's old but I got it from a family member that bought it new and would like to keep it working. Normally just use my Fluke 117 and recently picked up an Amprobe Amp 25 to measure current.https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cn9KHN1iwJMVCz3B7Fluke 8757790218

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2020, 08:28:31 pm
content: It's just a standard 9V battery snap with flying leads, you can get those anywhere, even Radio Shack stocked them when they were still around. Mouser, Digikey, Farnell, Arrow, countless ebay sellers, even Amazon. I'd have to check my 87 to confirm but I think it's the style where the wires exit on the narrow end.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2020, 10:11:43 pm
content: That meter is in really nice condition.As james_s says any 9V battery snap will work. I ordered 10 off ebay using sort by lowest price + free shipping to repair one of my Fluke 8x.For reference, it's a T snap, but it doesn't have to be.I attached a picture from modemhead's website.http://mrmodemhead.com/blog/fluke-80-series-jack-assembly-rebuild/The Fluke 17x series also uses T-snap, but connecting end to the pcb is actually a plastic 2 pin connector.

author: Gregg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2020, 11:57:00 pm
content: In a pinch, you can make one by using the terminals from an old 9 volt battery and soldering leads to it; observe the polarity and if needed, insulate the back side of your new adapter with whatever you might have on hand.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2020, 11:59:21 pm
content: Quote from: Gregg on November 30, 2020, 11:57:00 pmI remember seeing that trick mentioned in an electronics magazine back in the 80s. I think I did it once too, take apart a dead 9V battery and you can extract the little card with the terminals on it.

author: dylanmitchell
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2020, 01:46:30 am
content: Thanks for the info and help. I got two of each style snap clip with leads and will put the extras with the other spare parts I keep around.It's the kit with meter, hard case, and current clamps. Meter is in gread condition, mostly kept in the case and pulled out for larger projects and higher current. Clamps had leaking batteries but worked after cleaning up the terminals. Amazing 30 year old meter and clamps still work.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2020, 04:23:56 am
content: Quote from: dylanmitchell on December 01, 2020, 01:46:30 am"30 years" ... It's barely broken in.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2020, 05:56:44 am
content: Quote from: dylanmitchell on December 01, 2020, 01:46:30 amNot really. Fluke meters are top notch, when the 87 came out it had essentially no competition and the 87-V is still a current product. Frankly I'd be surprised if it wasn't still in perfect working order, especially if it hasn't been abused. There are lots of Fluke meters from the 80s that are still around being used.

author: fordem
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2020, 01:35:58 am
content: Quote from: james_s on December 01, 2020, 05:56:44 amI bought my first Fluke (an 8020a) in 1979, and it still in tip-top shape - the 9V battery snap is one of three parts that has been replaced, and it was replaced with the card from a 9V battery, exactly as described earlier - the other two parts were fuses and LCD displays.Fluke had a problem with the original LCDs "bleeding" when used in high humidity areas, and I replaced the LCDs at the rate of one a year for the first four or five years I had the instrument, at Fluke's expense, even though it was a one year warranty - when they changed the LCD they were using to the later design, they told me it was an improved design, and that would be the last one they would be shipping, they were right - I haven't needed another one since.