Got an 87V, dissappointed with probes. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: aXit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2010, 07:56:03 am
content: Hey guys,So I just got an 87V (<3) but there's one problem, the probes.I think they've been damaged, the black probe is perfect, down to a tiny point, but the red tip is flattened on top.Looks to be about .5x.7mm flat surface on the top of the probe.Surely this can't be the quality that's expected?I'll post pics in a bit, but for now, should it be this way?Thanks.Cam.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 29, 2010, 08:04:02 am
content: No, that's not normal, someone has killed it.Dave.

author: aXit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2010, 08:11:54 am
content: Sold as brand new. -_-Seems as if the seller and I have an issue to discuss.Thanks.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2010, 11:31:38 am
content: Post a pic please.

author: aXit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2010, 12:07:14 pm
content: Not the best of pics, but you can see the difference.Now, I'm starting to doubt myself, considering nudging it back into shape. At the same time that seems like a very very bad idea.

author: aXit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2010, 12:13:18 pm
content: Another two comparing them.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2010, 12:21:15 pm
content: Thanks. Pics worth a 1000 words.It looks used, the tip is filed down. It also has scratches.I've seen probes also flatten out like that during a heavy short, the tip melts little at the contact point.

author: aXit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2010, 12:39:29 pm
content: Camera battery is dead, I'll post more tomorrow morning.There was a meter, probes, alligator clips, thermocouple all in a egg carton-like box. Inside the main box there was a heat-wrapped manual and a few bits of paper (yet to be opened) and two other pale yellow bits of paper.This is from memory, I'll check all that in the morning.

author: aXit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2010, 09:55:10 pm
content: This is everything:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4994030/P1010146.JPGThere's no damage or signs of use to any other part of the meter (including the clips on the stand) and the screen protector is still on. Although there is a lot of dust, mostly sticking to the black rubber of the alligator clip, seems to be fibrous, like the packaging carton, so I'm not worried about that.

author: MrPlacid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2010, 03:08:03 am
content: I think you got unlucky. There is no way something like that is used, though; because even if someone used it, they aren't gonna put it on the grinder. Someone must have missed it during the quality control check. They're only human.If you bought it from the store, you can return it and let the store deal with the company. Or you can call up fluke and explain the situation. You can always threaten them that you're gonna return the unit. It'll be more hassle for them this way and sending you a new probe would be much easier. Of course, they're gonna be suspicious but the receipt should back your claim.

author: aXit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2010, 04:44:17 am
content: Bought off ebay, I'll see what I can do.Anyone know of the materials/plating that go into the tips? I won't be grinding... But maybe squash it into shape with a vice....

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 30, 2010, 06:23:16 am
content: I think it's nickel plated brass, you can probably find it in the Pomona catalog (Pomona makes these, owned by the same company as Fluke), they usually specify materials in their datasheets. And I wouldn't rule out a user grinding it back to a smooth surface after arcing damaged it.

author: MrPlacid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2010, 03:46:25 pm
content: Quote from: alm on July 30, 2010, 06:23:16 amI second that motion!

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2010, 11:15:50 pm
content: Quote from: aXit on July 29, 2010, 07:56:03 amCheck and for an second problem ... the Fuses .. are they alive ?? ( Both )

author: aXit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2010, 07:32:23 am
content: Yeah, both fuses are fine, was one of the first things I checked.I'm sure it is in new condition, it really does seem like the probe just got through quality control. I'll look into getting a replacement, or reshaping it.I'll probably just end up keeping these to use for most things, a maybe a set like dave showed in the 189 review for my fine work.Thanks guys.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2010, 11:01:16 am
content: I have an better Idea ... let them as is ... for generic use are ok .http://www.tequipment.net/FlukeTP88.html

author: RayJones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2010, 11:18:43 am
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on July 31, 2010, 11:01:16 amAfter attempting to probe a 0.5mm quad pack (testing for solder shorts) with the standard fluke probes the other day - these tips addons are just what I need.Thanks Kiriakos, Good One

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2010, 11:40:35 am
content: no worries. but if you do? consider yourself unlucky. if returning the probe for a replacement is not feasible, just buy another probe, and... as everybody suggesting, from a reputable seller. but not certainly like the one in the picture below.

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2010, 01:43:31 pm
content: Quote from: shafri on July 31, 2010, 11:40:35 amI laughed, I've got almost the exact same thing on my bench.Instead of soldering them I used heat shrink tubing and two different diameters of stripped wire insulation. The wire I use is bent on the end and I can slide down the wire insulation to cover both ends, so it's like a poor man's grabber probe.Frustration begets innovation.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2010, 12:51:29 am
content: Quote from: RayJones on July 31, 2010, 11:18:43 amYou should Thanks my 87-5 (V) seller (Honolulu )I got the DMM with them , and later on I discover and my self how useful they are ,for the tiny stuff .Basically every one that does mini SMT work, needs them ,Or Olympus cameras " hacked cables "

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2010, 04:47:25 am
content: I remember an article about making really thin probes. He took some sewing needles, soldered wires to them, and encased them in epoxy. Worked quite well.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2010, 10:38:23 am
content: I love " home made " patent's , my father was a king to that ( cars electrician, died at 1985, I was sixteen at that time )Even so , because I started working with him, from the age of ten ... ( I was the successor of the business) The golden rule are " perfection ".Never build or make something, that just works in sort term.Cars electricians , needs the most thin and hardened leads , they need to pinch wires all the time.The TP88 , its the most successful " ready to get " solution , it has hardened metal , so pressure or force its not an issue.They are balanced ..aka centered ... isolated ... and funny enough I have see the same part from Fluke to be marketed for more than 60V 3A = Higher voltage !!I believe that the most proper way for this product, so to be marketed correctly,are to be measured , and suggested in Watts ..The common leads are made by soft copper , nothing in earth can help them,so to maintain the sharp ends , for long time ..The good news are the compatibility , the TP88 will hook up on any standard 2mm test leads,and it will protect the original test leads from mechanical damage .. For ever !! ( when they are used, properly )

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2010, 04:40:54 pm
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on August 01, 2010, 04:47:25 amthis is how exactly are done by DIY'ers, and.... in the FACTORY! except in the factory, we'll have alot of room sized machineries that can do it alot neater!you dont believe me?! crack that "factory made" probe open, take it aparght! except... the difference is, if we DIY... we can decide between durability, aestheticity, or... simplicity and "cheapobillity", for factory made... the money will decide for that

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2010, 05:33:31 pm
content: Quote from: shafri on August 01, 2010, 04:40:54 pmI like that word too, but since the time that I payed the price for my new TL71 ... this word got banned from my lexicon .So, paying 10$ in order to protect the tip of the expensive set, it had become an need.