BK Precision 2709B response issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 01:29:35 pm
content: Hi Dave and fellow readers of the forum,After hunting down for an under 100$ budget digital multimeter, I came across your 100$ shootout video and BK Precision 2709B did appear to be the fine one out of the lot. So I did some digging on my own and decided to buy one. I just received it and after some basic tests the response time is quite miserable. Continuity testing is nothing like:https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3-_dUB8vy8U#t=532No good response, no latching for me. Resistance and other tests are quite similar in fashion, slow to to give the actual value after displaying a bunch of useless values and it doesn't hold on to it. I have to rub the two probes on the measured component or onto each other(basic continuity test) for the values/beep to persist.Do you have any idea what might be going on? David, are you using a separate set of probes for the testing in the shootout video instead of the original ones for each product? They don't like my stock set of probes either. If yes what are they and if they should improve my situation.Ps: Yes I did replace the stock battery with another new one, just in case. No improvement. Measured both batteries then and they're all +9VDC.

author: mjkuwp
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 01:37:01 pm
content: Something that may help... see if you can find a manufacturing date on your meter. I don't think it would be typical - but it is possible that the design changed without a model number change.Also, have you tried with test leads?

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 01:45:42 pm
content: Quote from: mjkuwp on March 29, 2014, 01:37:01 pmCan't find a 100% date. Looking at an SN on the box I could hint 0212 followed by some more numbers, maybe Feb. 2012.. It's manufactured in Taiwan.As for another set of test leads, I don't have any spare unfortunately, it's my first DMM.

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 02:04:19 pm
content: I have worked with cheap under 10-20$ Chinese DMMs before and I must admit, the BK Precision performs worse then those, so there's definitely something wrong here.Not sure if of any importance, but the color tint on the positive red probe tip is of different nuance then the negative black one. It is darker and less polished, like being made of different material.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 03:35:23 pm
content: Quote from: shinnok on March 29, 2014, 02:04:19 pmTry cleaning the probe tips with alcohol (some even go as far as to file them with high grout sand paper). Sometimes there is mold release compound left on the tips. This material can really mess up continuity readings.

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 10:27:09 pm
content: Quote from: PedroDaGr8 on March 29, 2014, 03:35:23 pmTried Alcohol, nothing much improved.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2014, 10:38:15 pm
content: Maybe one of your probes is bad?Try this if you don't have another set of probes. Put your multimeter on resistance setting. Put your red test lead into the V/ohm jack. Put the tip of the red probe into the COM jack. You should get a steady consistent reading of around 0.1 or 0.2 ohms. Do the same for the black lead.

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 08:29:52 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on March 29, 2014, 10:38:15 pmI get quite a bit of jumping with erroneus values until it sets on under 1 ohm(really varies a lot). It is also really sensitive to my hand shaking. Do you think I should just go ahead and buy another set of probes? This would however greatly add to the original under 100$ DMM scope.PS: Maybe I should have gone with the Fluke 115 or 117 for 130-150 on Amazon. Though I wasn't really sure about it's performance with small and discrete hobbyist electronics(embedded).

author: han
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 09:30:04 am
content: Do you have cable? any cable should do, strip the cable, bend the conductor wire and plug to COM and Ohm, measure continuity.If the DMM measure stable 0 ohm, and the original test lead is not.Just buy new one..For replacement you can use decent brand test lead like Pomona(just example)

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 10:19:23 am
content: Quote from: han on March 30, 2014, 09:30:04 amCan anyone suggest me some specific examples of good replacement probes that I should get for this DMM? Something under 30$ would be nice, it wouldn't make sense to spend as much as the DMM itself on a set of probes.

author: han
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 11:01:09 am
content: My suggestion:http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/5898/501-1814-ND/737467orhttp://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/5519A/501-1004-ND/603315

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 11:18:54 am
content: Where are you located? If in the US, Fry's has agreat priceon the Pomona cables (depending on where you are, you don't even need to pay shipping). Some other options are part ofthis discussion.

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 11:46:03 am
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on March 30, 2014, 11:18:54 amThanks for your suggestions, I'll look over them soon. I can purchase from anywhere EU or US, so am open to all variants.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 04:51:57 pm
content: Quote from: shinnok on March 30, 2014, 08:29:52 amHmm, that is odd for both leads to be bad. I have run into case where just one has been bad (internal wiring is frayed).Before buying new test leads, I have some more suggestions/questions.Did you buy this meter brand new or is it used? If this meter is used, do you have access to another multimeter for troubleshooting?Did you try cleaning the input jacks with a qtip dipped in IPA?Are DC voltage readings stable and steady?Have you examined the COM and V solder joints on the pcb?Are there any obvious signs of damage on the PCB?

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2014, 05:35:30 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on March 30, 2014, 04:51:57 pm1. New. No access to another MM for the next few days. Sending this one back for warranty is not an option for me atm.2. Tried cleaning with alcohol.3. No for most of the time.4-5. Didn't pop the case open yet.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2014, 06:05:40 am
content: If DCV is not stable, then you could have a defective meter or something internal is wrong?You may want to read this thread and try contacting BK?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/no-support-from-bk-precision/

author: Vzylexy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 05, 2014, 12:24:37 am
content: Same thing is happening to me, put together a video to demonstrate what's going on.

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2014, 01:14:32 am
content: I've had my BK2709B for a couple of months or so and the probes are really nice and the meter's been great. No problems at all. If it's new they have a 3 year warranty so why complain instead of getting a replacement? It sounds like you may have bought from a questionable source.@Vzylexy, did you get yours replaced?

author: tinhead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2014, 01:15:08 am
content: Quote from: Vzylexy on April 05, 2014, 12:24:37 amthese original leads are maybe good to measure mains, but honestly not for electronics.I (almost always) using Hirschmann stackable test leads (farnell 934059102) with Hirschmann small probes (farnell 973368101).If really necessary (e.g. too deep somewhere hard to contact) then i use Pomona 6341 (farnell 4135775).

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2014, 01:21:24 am
content: Quote from: tinhead on April 05, 2014, 01:15:08 amHow are they not good for electronics? They seem fine to me. What is the deficiency?

author: Vzylexy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 05, 2014, 01:23:29 am
content: Quote from: GiskardReventlov on April 05, 2014, 01:14:32 amThe probes? Yes, I had them replaced with the BK TL37s, and they still don't latch properly. But it's not a problem with the meter, at least I don't believe it's a problem with the meter, as using the Radio Shack probes yields far superior results.

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2014, 02:36:16 am
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on March 30, 2014, 11:18:54 amI bought this set a month ago and I like my BK probes better, but I do like the clips in this set.http://www.frys.com/product/6894426?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PGI doubt the probes are at issue here, the OP has a new DMM with a problem, return it, stuff happens.

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2014, 06:09:06 am
content: Quote from: Vzylexy on April 05, 2014, 12:24:37 amRegarding your comment about the plastic on the probes, I saw this onhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_connectorA typical design is now required (IEC 61010) on digital voltmeter test leads and several other measurement and laboratory equipment. In this design, the metal banana plug is entirely sheathed in plastic and presses into a deep recess in the DVM. Alternatively, the equipment has the male part of the banana plug and it is deeply recessed; the test lead contains a sheathed banana jack. And the test lead's wire is specified for higher voltage isolation.

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2014, 06:45:25 am
content: Quote from: GiskardReventlov on April 05, 2014, 01:14:32 amNo questionable source, bought off of Amazon US directly. However the DMM is with me in another part of the world right now. Thus quick returns are not an option for me.I contacted BK Precision for support using the following link:http://www.bkprecision.com/support/contact-technician.htmlLet's see how that goes.PS:I went ahead and orderer the Pomona cables from Frys anyway, it will be good to have a spare set of test leads at hand.

author: shinnok
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2014, 06:57:20 am
content: Quote from: Vzylexy on April 05, 2014, 12:24:37 amPoint on! Mine behaves exactly like that only a bit worse and it really messes with measurements too(ohms, DCV).It's interesting how the "cheapo" leads work way better then these ones(my stock ones are B&K PRECISION TL35A).

author: emartine
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2016, 12:55:08 pm
content: I have the same issue explained in this topic.I believe the probes might have changed during the years to accomplish IEC61010-1.Can anyone confirm this?About the probes, can anyone suggest a pair of probes that works well with this unit?Thanks!

author: jayjr1105
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 05:31:10 pm
content: I just ordered my first "real" DMM (2709B). I hope they cleared up this issue in the past few years. I know this thread is old but maybe people can update on their 2709's?