Fluke 867B LCD issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: leppie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2014, 08:04:34 am
content: HiI picked up a Fluke 867B quite cheaply recently. Everything is working well, and the meter is still spot on (within a single count of my chinese voltage reference).The only probably I have is with the LCD (and what to call this issue, Google leads one down a very deep rabbit hole here).I found some pics online showing the issue, and perhaps this is how all of them work? Note the dark areas.The best description I can think of is "fading lines". What causes this? Could it be a flaky bypass cap?There is a proper service manual and schematics for the meter online.Any ideas?Thanksleppie

author: sotos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2014, 11:51:57 am
content: I had the same issue when I bought a new one some time ago. They couldn’t fix the problem so they removed it. I sold mine.

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2014, 12:09:42 pm
content: I have seen something similar on monochrome LCD displays where a soldered ribbon cable had failed. Re-heating the cable with a soldering iron or hot air was enough to reflow it and fix the problem.

author: mzacharias
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2014, 01:38:32 pm
content: I had one with this problem. Only had it a few months after buying it on eBay. Another problem came up where it would not enter set-up mode. Can't say for sure the problems were related. All the functions worked but you couldn't change defaults etc. Tried replacing all the internal electrolytics - no good. Sold it "as-is" on eBay. Probably could have sent it to Fluke for an out-of-warranty repair, but the thing was 15-year old technology, and I figured that if I wanted a "scope-meter" then that is what I should have bought, anyway - the graphical display is pretty limiting in that regard.

author: leppie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2014, 02:00:09 pm
content: Thanks for the replies. So it seems this is a common 'feature'...I picked it up pretty cheap, and just like it for the accuracy (not many handheld scopes of today can better it).The scope part is toyish and the trigger modes are completely useless ;pI will probe around the LCD power supply caps (dont really feel like removing it for testing ;p).

author: leppie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2014, 12:09:32 pm
content: Does anyone know what this effect is called?

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2014, 04:29:44 pm
content: I'm not sure that this is really a "problem". I've had a 867b that I use almost daily since they first came to market and it's always looked like this. However it's never bothered me becasue when viewed from a few feet away it's not noticeable at all. Also, it has not gotten worse over the years. You're right that the o'scope feature is toyish but I love the waveform Combo display and just about every other thing that this meter does. The calibration is spot on vs my Fluke 8846A and has never needed to be adjusted. The only service it's needed is to replace the rechargeable battery pack -- which you can find, cheaply, on Amazon.

author: leppie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2014, 06:30:50 pm
content: Quote from: kwass on December 11, 2014, 04:29:44 pmThanks, I'll just leave it be, and get used to it.I also got a new battery pack from eBay, original completely dead.

author: glicos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 31, 2015, 06:33:20 am
content: Though this topic is old, but related to my current problem. My 867B lcd when adjusted to a minimum brightness display a blotch at the center screen. First i thought some liquid enters the LCD but when i disassemble it, don't see any watermarks inside, though can be compensated by adjusting LCD contrast. Im just worried it may soon fade

author: harrimansat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2020, 05:38:55 pm
content: Quote from: sotos on December 10, 2014, 11:51:57 amDo you know the reason for the DC offset in graph? I just have bought one, and it has the same problem.

author: harrimansat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2020, 11:20:35 am
content: It seems a "bug" in firmaware, switching from text to graph page. May be isa problem due different response speed in 867 and 867b. It seems thant isn´t a bad o defective LCD. The efect is only visible when there is a moving graphic section in LCD.

author: MadTux
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2020, 01:47:27 am
content: Someone with new firmware for Fluke 867, pleaseHave FW 1.1 and the rotary knob for function selection is bitching around. I know it's that stupid voltage divider in the back, because if I pull the input of ADC with current from Keithley 2010 diode tester, that stupid meter sometimes jumps into the right measurement range.Schematic is page 100 here:https://dam-assets.fluke.com/s3fs-public/863_867_smeng0000.pdfVoltage divider makes like 10 different voltages that go to directly into 10bit ADC of Renesas H8/510 microcontroller.My hopes are that the guys at Fluke made wider ADC voltage window for each range in newer firmware versions.

author: ErikTheNorwegian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2022, 11:29:04 pm
content: Plenty of used LCD`s on Ebay for the Fluke 867B...Also used meters for insane prices.. 995 Eur.https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313&_nkw=Fluke+867B+&_sacat=0

author: Ma1kel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 20, 2022, 12:55:09 pm
content: Same problem here.Found this thread to late. I bought a lcd on Ebay and replaced it. Unfortunately the problem isn't fixed.Either the issue is not on the lcdboard, or i bought a evenly broken oneFor reference i run on fw1.4Maybe as desperate attempt i will change the U13 > SED1335FOB chip if the sun and moon align just right.

author: harrimansat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2022, 12:13:11 pm
content: Please, let us know if you have any progressThanks

author: harrimansat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2022, 06:17:38 pm
content: I have discover a bad connection between carbon coatting and cooper traces in mine.

author: harrimansat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2022, 06:40:11 pm
content: From a internet forum:"I had similar problem some time ago with SED1335 and 160x160 display. Therewere also some lines moving around. The problem was with refreshing theLCD(writing data to its RAM). It's not god to write to RAM at the same timethe SED is reading it. I think there is some signal LP(latch pulse), whichtells you, when the SED is not accessing RAM and that is when you shouldaccess the display memory data. I think this is described in "Display ScanTiming" chapter of the datasheet.I'm not sure that is the problem in your case though.Best regards, Tomaz."https://www.electronicspoint.com/forums/threads/sed1335-flickering.22335/