Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 45 replies
  • Subscribers 2759 subscribers
  • Views 13977 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

Fluke 233 Meter Review - Important Follow-up

Zad

I have had my Fluke 233 just over 4 months now, over which time it has  had pretty light use. Which is why what I am about to say is a bit of a  surprise.

In my review I wrote:

Batteries.  400  hours  estimated life is  excellent. That probably works out at 3 to 4  years  usage for me. But,  when they go, it does mean potentially 5  batteries  have to be replaced.

I have used it for maybe 5 hours use  at the outside, and not at all for the past month or so (sadly, my  engineering has mostly been on paper or PC recently). That doesn't sound  much, but it adds up to quite a few voltage and resistance  measurements.Anyway, I came to use my Fluke 233 today and this met me:

 

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/Zadpics/FlatBattery.jpg

 

Pretty much running on empty! Removing the remote head results in a BATT  warning and no measurements are possible. If I am going to be  installing a new set of 5 batteries every 4 months then it becomes a very expensive meter! I had thought that using high energy density AA  cells was a good idea (the cells it came with were brand new Duracells  with a very long use-by date), but maybe Fluke are covering up some  nasty quiescent current use. Swapping out the batteries allowed me to test  the off-load voltages, which were all around 0.95-0.96 Volts, so that rules out a rogue cell failure. My investigations with my trusty Fluke 77 (battery age 4 years) revealed the following:

Body power consumption, power ON = 3 to 6mA
Body power consumption, power OFF = 0.9 to 1.1mA
Display unit, power ON = 3 to 3.6mA
Display unit, power OFF = 1mA

 

Looking at http://www1.duracell.com/oem/Pdf/new/MX1500_US_UL.pdf the nominal capacity for <5mW drain is 1600 to 2300mAh (to 1 volt). 2300mAh at 1mA, is 95.8 days...

 

You  will note that an "on" life of 3mA is 766 hours, and 6mA is 383 hours,  which averages close to the specified taget of "around 400 hours".  Presuming you use your meter 24 hours a day, and don't actually switch  it off...

 

Given the recently found RF vulnerability in the Fluke 87 V, it does   make me wonder if Fluke are taking their eye off the ball. It surely cannot be right that a   meter eats a set of 5 cells in 4 months, especially given such light   usage. This is certainly not the sort of meter to leave in your tool case, because chances are that the batteries will be flat when you need it.

 

If any other Fluke 233 owners have experienced any similar failures, please let me know!

 

If any Fluke reps see this: Is there a known fault with the 233? Because this does look like a bit of a killer design issue.

 

Mike

Parents

  • Hello Mike and everyone else who wrote about the problem with the Fluke 233 using up batteries.   I contacted Fluke and they also know about the issue.  It is underwarranty and they will either fix your meter or give you a new one and a free calibration as well.   Contact them, give them the serial number of the unit and they will tell you where to send it.   I sent my to Everett, WA.

     

    Also, I want to let everyone know.  I service and sell Fluke hand held test equipment.  I live in Elkhart, IN, USA.   Let me know if I can be of service

     

    Best Regards,

    Perry

  • in reply to e14 Contributor

    Hi folks new here

    Fluke 23 for 28 years

     

     

    Thanks Perry,  I've also emailed Fluke re battery life.

    I have also gone to rechargables Nimh, will probably end up with the more expensive eneloops to minimise self discharge.

     

    ====

     

    A couple of points that would be good and may assist with the Fluke 233 mk2

     

    1. If I walk out of range with the head in my pocket, say to the bathroom once back in range I have to reattach the head for it to read again. I havn't gotten around to figuring how long / far I have before the link is lost.

     

    2. Wish it had the faster updating bar graph along the bottom of the display as I use this for checking speaker output from audio devices alot. This would save me having to carry two meters.

     

    3. When the magnetic clip is attached the head is a hassle to remove and re fit. I've tried re configuring the strap velcro.

     

    4. When I select auto off disabled, I'm unable to figure out how to also select backlight to stay on.

     

    5. If longer battery life is not a easy option without it getting crazy expensive then a inductive charge mat / holster would be ok for me.

            As a plug and socket with dust cap to eventually fall off then foul up or my screwdriver jiggle into and short out as my meter can get dirty.

            e.g like my Braun toothbrush would be just fine.

     

    Still a great product as it saves me a man, I'm still feeling the lucky vibe image

     

    Regards

     

    Don NZ

     

    =========

  • in reply to e14 Contributor

    Hey Guys,

     

    I got to looking back over some emails and found the one that talks about the battery drain issue.

    If you have a meter that has a serial number below 138xxxxx  it will have the problem.  The fix

    came after that.

     

    Let me know if I help.

     

    Best Regards,

    Perry

  • in reply to e14 Contributor

    Some confusion with serial numbers here.

    I have just purchased a 233 with serial number 2911XXXX. that is 8 digits.  On their supplement data sheet it refers to serial numbers 249999999 & 250000000, these are 9 digits!  Do you think this is just a printing error, or are all our test meters old!

Reply Children
No Data