A Fluke 8050A bought on ebay (another sad story) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 06:50:11 pm
content: I have recently purchased a used Fluke 8050A on ebay from USA.It looked almost physically perfect on the ebay page as you can see.But when it arrived I noticed it has a damaged LCD. The item was well packed, the front panel and the LCD screen were well protected with bubble nylon, however as you can see below, it has dark points which stay dark even when the dmm is off.What I can think of is he changed the good LCD with a bad one prior to shipping or photoshopped the pics. But this is a guy with a good record... how come? Otherwise the readings are perfect. I checked with a voltage standard and the "dmmcheck" circuit.Can anybody tell me where I can find a spare LCD for this multimeter? I have found an old thread (of the former member Kiriakos) but when I sent an email to the company he mentions, I got no answer.

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 06:55:15 pm
content: Did you mail the seller, just mail him with eBay mailing system you can also send pictures from there and ask how to solve this problem on his side.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 07:06:32 pm
content: Yes I am trying to solve the problem through ebay. But I find this strange. It must be photoshop... because the slight marks on the LCD on the bottom left also exist on my dmm's LCD so it is apparently the same LCD but the image inside was changed to show as if it was perfect.

author: nixxon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 07:35:42 pm
content: Contact the seller. Take some new photos with the display in focus

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 07:50:02 pm
content: also if he has more than 1 to sell, he can take a picture of one and send you another ?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 09:17:38 pm
content: I haven't bought anything fromhttp://stores.ebay.ca/funkyjunquetechbut I did email him about shipping costs and he took time to send a lengthy response back to me.He does list his phone number (which very few ebay sellers do) and seems to be a honest with 6000 transactions. If you let him know the lcd isn't as pictured in the auction, he will probably respond and hopefully offer you a satisfactory solution.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 09:19:42 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on January 24, 2013, 07:50:02 pmActually he was selling only one: it looked perfect to me:http://www.ebay.com/itm/261145551034?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649I still cannot believe it...I think I shall stop buying stuff from USA especially that I have recently found an excellent seller in Europe who sells quality stuff for cheap, but he has not everything at any time of course...Quote from: nixxon on January 24, 2013, 07:35:42 pmRight:) I may need to buy a digital camera soon! It will be a good pretext.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 09:22:14 pm
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on January 24, 2013, 09:17:38 pmThat's what I thought too.But remember I am very far and sellers may think the buyer will probably not return an item from such a distance.He looks honest with 100% positive feedback, that's why I don't understand.I have contacted him.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 10:11:32 pm
content: Quote from: Rick on January 24, 2013, 09:19:42 pmWhich seller in Europe? Anyway, it seems you got the wrong item. Maybe the seller has more than one and send you the wrong item. Or did you forget to change the line voltage?

author: Spawn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 10:34:59 pm
content: I am not sure if 8050A has a option to change from 110V but I am 100% sure my 8010A from US didn’t have that, I ended up getting a el chepo 220V to 110V transformer, added a cable and molded the front holes with a plastic.This is what I made:

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 10:50:05 pm
content: My HP3466A DMM needed changing some wires on the PCB to make it work on 220V. Maybe its the same for this Fluke DMM.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 11:22:04 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on January 24, 2013, 10:11:32 pmI PM you his email;)No it was a 120V 47-440Hz item so I connected to my step down transformer otherwise there would have been smoke and it would not work properly. It measures fine except that the LCD is bad.By the way out of the box it showed that dark spot on the LCD so before even connecting to the 110V I knew it was bad.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 11:24:49 pm
content: Quote from: Spawn on January 24, 2013, 10:34:59 pmI have 2 step down transformers, at least one of them being an autotransformer.By the way I have chosen especially that one because it works with 47-440 Hz.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2013, 11:58:33 pm
content: This is a very well known problem with these fluke multimeter's.Before you judge the seller harshly consider this:The Fluke 8050 and its sister multimeter's used a organic LCD module that aged very badly and would often suffer very strange failures such as the whole display going dark even when off and of course the common LCD failure of the black death spot that changes shape and grows ! LCD displays of this vintage are on borrowed time. For a period, Fluke were supplying free replacement displays to my employer as it was an acknowledged premature component failure.I have seen LCD displays fail in the same way after transport, especially where a flight is involved. I am advised that air pressure change and very high or low temperatures can initiate an LCD panel failure on these units. It is my belief that the seller is likely as surprised as you. He/she probably shipped a good meter and the LCD failed in transit. Its more common than you may think. The seller will likely offer you a refund on return but in truth it isn't their fault.This is why I have avoided the 8050 series like the plague...decent meter, Cr*p LCD. Of the 10 I had use of, every one required a new LCD during its life. we ditched them as scrap in the end as Fluke stopped supplying LCDs for free.Likely not what you want to hear but please consider my comments before getting cross with the seller.Fraser

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2013, 12:10:37 am
content: Quote from: Aurora on January 24, 2013, 11:58:33 pmI see, in this case those dmm's should not be shipped by air mail.Thank you anyway. That enlightens. I have asked for a partial refund or a new LCD to be shipped for free (what if that LCD also turns bad?).But previously Kiriakos had some LCD shipped without problem apparently...I have also three 8010A's in wreckage state (1 good in full , one good for volts and ohms, one only good as far as ohms are concerned) but the display of the 8010A is not a problem because any 3 1/2 digit LCD with an "LB" sign can be used (in my case there is no battery actually so even one without that LB sign would be suitable). Whereas this thing has 4 1/2 digits and has also "REL" "HV" "dB" signs so it is not easy to replace it with any 4 1/2 digit LCD. Otherwise it would have been fun. I am not eager to use LED's either. I know some people on this forum have done it but.

author: rr100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 09:20:21 am
content: I wanted to post basically the same as Aurora but was too busy at the time; LCDs indeed might have problems in transit.Of course it's not "all LCDs", some sorts are prone to problems while others not, and even from the ones with problems only now and then something happens. To bad it happened to you...

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 10:07:38 am
content: The problem is not the air post, but that it must go in pressurised cargo. If not then it could go unpressurised and be exposed to the 45000 foot altitude. That can cause issues with plasma displays and other LCD displays as well.Best is to ship and mark as pressurised cargo only. Send as that and you have no problems, though it costs more to send as it then goes in a Hazarous Goods pallet in pressurised holds.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 08:35:29 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on January 27, 2013, 10:07:38 amThank you for the advice, I shall do that in the future if I shop again for LCDs.Actually I would have avoided buying that DMM if I was aware of the problem.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 08:55:58 pm
content: A better image which shows what happened.For your info the seller is willing to compensate somehow and send a new LCD for no cost if he finds one.He also provided the following info:"Here is a quote from kyocera (manufacturer of LCDs) site:'The liquid crystal material can be permanently damaged by very low temperatures. Bubbles can form. Molecules can aggregate into solid crystals. Either of these will disrupt the carefully twisted order of liquid crystal molecules when they are transmitting light, resulting in a permanent optical defect.' "May be the real solution to this would be a surface shipping option, right? Well, it may be very cold on the surface of the earth too:)The best solution is to have in mind that the LCD can go bad during shipment and bid accordingly or not to buy such stuff.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 27, 2013, 09:54:23 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on January 27, 2013, 10:07:38 amHow do you do this for your $5-$15 small packet?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 04:23:43 pm
content: You declare that it contains a glass bottle inside, then they will mark it as breakable, glass and fragile. Mark it as Pressurised cargo only and hope that the final packers will do accordingly.Unfortunately the only way to make it go pressurised is to have it declared as hazardous cargo, which costs a lot more to send.Surface mail will always work, though it will take up to 3 months to arrive. Workable for heavy stuff, as the rates are much cheaper, though you will have to send as a well packed parcel with a lot of protective packaging.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2013, 06:25:25 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on January 28, 2013, 04:23:43 pmI shall probably go for surface mail and ask him to ship in summer.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 04:42:22 pm
content: I have had electronics fitted with LCD displays shipped from all over the world without incident. In my experience the LCD panel fitted in these particular Fluke meters was just VERY fragile and failed even when left in the relatively constant temperature and air pressure of a lab ! I have no hesitation in receiving or shipping LCD displays by airmail.Fraser

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 06:31:28 pm
content: Quote from: Aurora on January 29, 2013, 04:42:22 pmThen do you know any good 4,5 digit display LCD available on internet with a few extra segments for things such as db REL HV (even with different signs or names)?There are lots of options for 3,5 digit LCDs but not as many for 4,5 digit ones. The new one will be shipped but if it turns bad I need to find a solution. Because the meter is in excellent condition. It is as accurate as my 87V for example and even more accurate for resistance measurement... I don't know if this is just a coincidence.

author: mamalala
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 07:09:17 pm
content: Quote from: Rick on January 29, 2013, 06:31:28 pmWhat about ripping one out of a broken handheld DMM? There are plenty of cheap 4.5 digit DMM out there, there must be a lot of broken ones as well.Greetings,Chris

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 08:43:17 pm
content: Quote from: mamalala on January 29, 2013, 07:09:17 pmBut the shipping cost is at least $39-$49 because people do not want to ship with 1st class mail. Anyway good advice. Thanks.

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 09:39:14 pm
content: There's a thread on this board about replacing the LCD in a Fluke 8020, you can use a $3.50 display available from Mouser to replace the failed one, but it takes a bit of work. Search on this board for fluke and lcd and you'll find something.Here's a thread that has a link to replacing the lcd with leds:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/fluke-8050a-repair/There's another link I ran across to a German site where a guy used the standard $3.50 LCD. The only problem with those is you have to wire them up; the zebra strips will not work because the displays have pins. I don't have the link handy, but I think I posted it in a reply on one of the LCD repair threads.Lots of options; but fixing it is a couple hour job.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 10:13:53 pm
content: To answer the OP's question regarding good used alternatives to the 8050. I have bought three used Fluke 8840A's and love them. Well built and very accurate. They use a nice bright VFD and not an LCD. I paid around US$75 for each of them (Ex MoD surplus), but prices have gone up since.RegardsFraser

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 11:21:59 pm
content: The 8840As are much newer and nicer than the 8050, but typical prices on eBay were around the $200 mark last time I checked. Not exactly a competitor for the 8050.You can sometimes find an HP 3468A for around the $75 mark. LCD, but I haven't heard of any problems with the LCDs going bad. This is the slightly older cousin of the HP 3478A. The HP 3466A might be another alternative. Uses LED displays. I'm sure there are older manual ranging models, but I don't have the part numbers memorized. Some of the Keithley 17x/19x meters could also be a good alternative. The Keithley 175(A) is 4.5 digit and has auto-ranging, I think I've seen these for $50 used.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 11:33:36 pm
content: New multimeter purchases?... the HP3478A and the Fluke 8840A (and the 8842A?)Ok I have them on my list of things to be purchased. Let me fix this one first. Hopefully the replacement LCD will be fine.

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 11:34:28 pm
content: Then do you know any good 4,5 digit display LCD available on internet with a few extra segments for things such as db REL HV (even with different signs or names)?There are lots of options for 3,5 digit LCDs but not as many for 4,5 digit ones. The new one will be shipped but if it turns bad I need to find a solution. Because the meter is in excellent condition. It is as accurate as my 87V for example and even more accurate for resistance measurement... I don't know if this is just a coincidence.RickIf you are indeed getting a Fluke replacement LCD , then I would not be in too much of a rush to think of another 'fix' straight away.I have fixed a couple of 8050's with 'new replacment Fluke LCD's' some years ago and they are still working fine, (no hint of any failure!).As to an cheapo generic LCD, well I have not found one yet, so LED's is probably your best alternative. Either way its more than just a few hours work!!.So to recap, get your new OEM LCD and just wait and see over time. Besides you may just snag another more capable DMM as time goes on to add toyour line up.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 11:40:49 pm
content: Quote from: PaulAm on January 29, 2013, 09:39:14 pm8020A is a 3,5 digit may be an 8060A would be more suitable... right?

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2013, 11:42:26 pm
content: Quote from: lowimpedance on January 29, 2013, 11:34:28 pmSure I need to wait. Thanks.

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2013, 12:03:58 am
content: Quote from: Rick on January 29, 2013, 11:40:49 pmYup, extra digit makes a difference. Missed that on first reading.

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2013, 05:18:00 am
content: Yes, I think that getting a non-original display to work in one of these is a lot more trouble than it's worth. The 8060A display is 4.5 digits, but quite a bit smaller than the 8050A has.I had an 8050A that was very accurate, but the display was just becoming impossible to read, so I got rid of it. You're probably better off just finding a 4.5 digit handheld; they're not that hard to find and not that expensive these days. Even the 8060A is pretty close in specs (some better, some worse).

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2013, 12:48:42 pm
content: Quote from: grenert on January 30, 2013, 05:18:00 am) I have just bought it!

author: (In)Sanity
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2013, 04:22:36 am
content: I recently purchased an 8050a from ebay that appeared in very good condition. The seller while having a ton of high end gear claimed it was never tested. The photos showed it powered on and the LCD working, so I figure worse the risk. Total cost shipped was under $40. Upon arrival the first thing I ran in to was one of the batteries was stone cold dead, no biggie as I had replacements. I then ran in to complete lack of meaningful measurements, so I pulled it all apart to look around. The contacts under the zebra stripe had completely separated from the copper. That I fixed with a pencil eraser followed by alcohol , flux , solder and finally smooth with solder wick. Another couple contacts that joined boards via a ribbon cable required the same treatment. So now the LCD was supper high contrast but still no readings. Some more digging around showed that R1 and R2 were completely blown. These were designed to be fuse-able links in the meter. After replacing those as well as a transistor (2N3904) and 3 MOV's the meter was up and running. Amazingly it was still well within it's rated specs using my 3457A as a reference. I've since calibrated it closer and use it all the time as a daily bench meter. It works a treat.Jeff

author: PhilNY
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 08:55:00 pm
content: RickI have the LCD and also bezels if they are cracked, haven't used them in years, and found them in a box.The strange thing is the Fluke PN from 98 is 897207 and not the number in the original manual for the 8050, but all I had was 8010, 8012 and 8050's around and it is the only 4.5 digit display that I ordered from Fluke at the time. If you still need one just email me @ framep@sunyocc.edu and I will send you one.Phil

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2013, 09:41:06 pm
content: Quote from: PhilNY on February 28, 2013, 08:55:00 pmHi Phil,Actually the seller promised to send a replacement but he does not rush as he is concerned the cold weather may cause the same problems. So he told me he will send it (he first needs to find one...) when the weather is warmer:)I think he will. However if he does not send I shall contact you.Thank you very much!