Fluke 287 DMM: Battery Monster? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Astronomer
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 04:18:28 am
content: Hi all,I'm just an electronics, PC computing/networking, astronomy enthusiast. I have a spanking new Fluke 287 DMM that seems to devour batteries at an alarming rate. If I put a fresh set of 6 "AA" batteries in the unit and leave it off for a week or so and turn it on, the batteries are almost run down and I also invariably have to re-set the date and time. Is this normal for this unit? Should I just pop in a set of batteries when I need the unit and remove them after testing? I have several other devices that can sit for months without turning them on and the batteries carry a nearly full charge when I do power them up, so the 287's behavior strikes me as very abnormal. Thoughts? Suggestions?Thanks!

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 04:41:38 am
content: Your Fluke 287 can log data for over 200 hours - and that seems to roughly match the time your batteries are lasting.So my suggestion is that when you think the meter is off, is it in data logging mode?Richard

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 05:00:16 am
content: Yes, if it's not doing any data logging, it should definitely not have a problem sitting off for a week. The 287 does eat batteries pretty quickly when on, but not when off.Are you using rechargeable batteries by any chance? Some have very fast self-discharge rates. If you use rechargeables, you should use low-discharge cells like Sanyo Eneloops.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 05:05:01 am
content: That does not sound normal.What type of batteries are you using?Dave.

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 08:56:17 am
content: I'm in agreement that there may be something up with the batteries that you are using.I was slightly concerned when I saw the title to this post. My new 287 will arrive tomorrowI know that this meter eats batteries for breakfast, but your case is a bit extreme.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 10:18:33 am
content: I have a 287 which is my third DMM, so doesn't get used very often - Must be at least a year since I changed batteries. Are you sure you've not accidentally got it in logging mode?

author: Astronomer
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 02:55:59 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on October 02, 2011, 05:05:01 amI'm using "long-life" alkaline batteries, albeit a no-name grocery store brand. It doesn't appear to be in a logging mode. I ran through the manual's section on that, but I did have it logging a couple of weeks back when I was checking the voltage in my home's server room. I wonder if it could be logging in the background even though there's nothing on screen that's indicating that it is...?

author: Astronomer
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 03:00:02 pm
content: Quote from: Kibi on October 02, 2011, 08:56:17 amYeah, something isn't right. I'll have to take some time later this evening to sit down with it and go through the settings and the manual very carefully. There's either a fault with the unit or there's a quiet logging mode that I accidentally left on. I'll also pick up some Duracells as well. No point on cheaping out on the batteries.

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 04:21:51 pm
content: Do you have another meter and some various leads/clips to measure what the current draw is on your 287 when on and when off? I was thinking you could just measure this from the battery holder.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 04:26:18 pm
content: Quote from: Astronomer on October 02, 2011, 03:00:02 pmJust before you do that, take a look at thishttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=4072.0

author: Astronomer
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 12, 2011, 02:14:07 am
content: Looks like I found the problem, and I'm slapping my forehead for not thinking of it right out of the gate. The meter is new, and new to me - a gift from an EE friend. He used it once for a contract project some months back. When I turned it on the first time, it was dead. We opened it up and pulled the batteries and dropped in a fresh set. I noticed some corrosion on the old set, but was so anxious to see if the new ones would work (fearing an issue with the 287), that I forgot to go back and check the leads. I did that tonight and saw obvious (very obvious...) corrosion on one of them. I took out my trusty glass-fiber sanding pen and cleaned it to a bright shine. I suspect that this new batch of batteries will last a long time.Cheers!- Astronomer

author: Astronomer
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 14, 2011, 12:43:18 am
content: Nope, not solved. Still using up batteries even when off. A google search came up with an archived thread from the Fluke forums where there seems to be a few from this model run that has a glitch that causes this problem. Damn.

author: giubin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2018, 03:30:08 pm
content: Hi man, check this

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2018, 03:40:41 pm
content: We have had a 287 for perhaps 5 years at my place of work.With actual usage, it does indeed eat its batteries.And it is a real bummer that it employs 6 batteries, as most, if not all, chargers are for 4 batteries.However, we have left it off for extended periods of time, (Christmas shutdown) and when returning to work, the unit will still turn on.Your unit could have some stray leakage somewhere.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2018, 03:44:15 pm
content: Quote from: giubin on October 19, 2018, 03:30:08 pmThe date and time resetting point towards supercapacitor problems. Maybe there's a leak current draining the batteries even more quickly than is usually the case. It won't ever be a frugal model.

author: giubin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2018, 03:49:20 pm
content: Quote from: schmitt trigger on October 19, 2018, 03:40:41 pmhow many times you recharge batteries (/usage)? each month, week,... ?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2018, 10:49:45 pm
content: Quote from: giubin on October 19, 2018, 03:30:08 pmI don't think the original poster is going to check, since he hasn't visited this forum since his last post7 years ago.

author: giubin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2018, 12:30:24 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on October 19, 2018, 10:49:45 pmI tried

author: romantronixlab
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2018, 11:43:14 pm
content: Even though the OP hasn't visited I think my 287 is a victim on this issue too. Today I was going to take some measurements and the meter was at 0%it allowed me to do a single measurement it then gave a low battery warning. Batteries lasted only 4 days it being off until today when going to do some real measurements.Edit: 25.4mA consumption in off mode. Could be the super cap was discharged?