Fluke 233 Meter Review - Important Follow-up

Hi Perry,

Thanks for sharing the information on how to check firmware version.

As for the problem definition, I do not know exactly what Fluke did but as you can see from the supplementary manual which I posted Sep 19 above, it appears that there is a difference in how you wake up the meter when it is undocked.

For brand new units, S/N >22500000, you will not be able to wake the meter by just turning the function switch or pushing a button.

For units with S/N <24999999, you can wake the unit by turning the function switch or push a button.

I was not able to get any confirmation whether with the upgraded firmware for S/N <24999999, does the waking up behavior changed or does it remain the same as before; i.e. you can wake it up just by turning the function switch or pressing a button. Please note I am only referring to the case whereby the display is undocked.

Now, if indeed there is a difference between S/N<2499999 and S/N>2500000 in the way the display wakes up when undocked, then I would be inclined to say there is indeed a hardware difference. I'm not saying it is a problem but I think there is a change in the hardware design.

eplanz

Hey Everyone,

Sorry that some of you have had problems with Fluke.  I for one think they are not only the best when it comes to test equipment.   The problem with the meter is not hardware.   It is firmware, the problem is fixed when they reprogram the meter to turn off.   That happens whit firmware revision 2.0   If you want to check your meter to see what revision you have, it's easy.

"Hold down the "hold", turn meter to vdc. After a few seconds the display comes up with V1.00, V1.01 or V2.00. V2.00 has the battery fix."

Let me know if I can be of help.

Kind Regards,

Perry

Sent from my iPad

Thanks for the heads-up on this.

I have tried twice to contact Fluke's customer support concerning this issue. On neither occasion have I received a reply. I don't really fancy spending money on-hold on the phone or sending it off only for there to be 'no fault found', so I think I will just leave it in it's box on the shelf where it is now, and bring it out when I need a spare meter. The real fix would be to increase the current limiting resistor on the IR transmitter. It only has to work over a distance of 1cm or so when the unit is docked. Beyond that, it is classed as undocked and it switches to the RF link anyway.

I get the feeling that this is a result of parent company Danaher's cost-cutting in action.

Regarding Fluke's customer service, I think you're spot on.

They always offer to look into the issues, or take the product in for a check.

Unfortunately the result usually brings little to nothing, and leaves the customers as they were.

I posted earlier in this thread about battery issues with the Fluke 12x series scopemeters.

Same story.

After that I decided to sort the issue myself, and reported back to Fluke how to solve it.

That's like half a year ago by now, but nothing has changed. They keep shipping a product they know is flawed, even though the fix is rather simple and surely easily implemetable.

In this case the fix was to change the type of rechargeable batteries.

Well, I must say Fluke is trying hard. The concept of Fluke 233 is very good and I hope they keep this product alive for a long time like the 87V. I hope they don't think the CNX series can replace this.

Yes, there is a firmware update to improve the battery life. However, I think (I am not able to get confirmation from Fluke), there is also a hardware change for those serial nos >22500000. There is also a slight change in the way you wake up the display when it goes to sleep if it is not docked.

The supplementary manual can be found here:

http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/233_____umeng0009.pdf

"Change #4

On page 13, replace the Battery Saver section with the following:

Battery Saver(Sleep Mode) Units with S/N <224999999

The Meter powers-down (Sleep mode) if there is no function change, range change, or button push for

20 minutes. The lowest power drain occurs when the display module is docked with the Meter base. When

the display is docked and the Meter is in sleep mode or off, a power drain continues from intermittent

communication between the radios.

To wake up the Meter, push a button or turn the function switch.

To disable the Sleep mode, hold down the g button while turning the Meter on. The Sleep mode is always

disabled in the MIN MAX AVG mode.

To optimize battery life, it is recommended one battery be removed from the meter base and display for

extended periods of storage or intermittent use.

Battery Saver(Sleep Mode) Units with S/N >225000000

The Meter powers-down (Sleep mode) if there is no function change, range change, or button push for

20 minutes.

To wake up the Meter, Remate the display or turn the function switch.

To disable the Sleep mode, hold down the g button while turning the Meter on. The Sleep mode is always

disabled in the MIN MAX AVG mode"

Now although I say Fluke tries hard, I think their customer surveys are not up to standard. Either that or they are not telling the customers the entire story such that they get what the customers wanted but at the expense of something greater; just like the case of Fluke 233 and some other product which I prefer not to bring it up.

Regardless, I hope you have some good results to share with us. Thanks.

Regarding the 233 ... At the time, I had just accepted the poor battery life ... then got frustrated and started to research the internet for a solution.  Sure enough ... Fluke will update the firmware at no charge (and provide calibration).  You are responsible for the shipping charges to send the item to them, however.

It is better to call them:  888.993.5853 ... I experienced problems with their website.

The "music on hold" is very distorted (if you call them and are put on hold) .. I brought this to their attention and they just kind of laughed it off ("yeah, I've heard that before").  You would think that a company that is associated with precision measurement equipment would have a more professional telephone system.

I will update this post when I receive the meter back from Fluke.

Gregory

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Thank you for the follow up note.   I must have been tired when I wrote the post.  The battery drain

problem has been fixed by Fluke.  It was not a software fix, it was a firmware fix.   The fix was

was implemented with serial number 138xxxxx.

If you have a Fluke 233 with a lower serial number, I suggest contacting Fluke and seeing if they

will fix your meter and apply the update.   I personally have been very pleased with Fluke and the

products they make and the services they provide.

Please let me know if I can be of help.

Best Regards,

Perry

Hi Perry,

Thanks for sharing with us that there is a software fix for the battery drain issue.

I am still not quite clear after reading your message below what fluke has done to solve this issue.

You mentioned that "Also, the mode for 138xxx and below turns the meter all the way off after the battery get to low." Should it be 138xxx and above turns the meter all the way off after the battery get to low?

Is this specifically the fix?

Also, I'm confused by the following "The lowest power drain occurs when the display module is docked with the Meter base. When the display is docked and the Meter is in sleep mode or off, a power drain continues from intermittent communication between the radios."

Is Fluke trying to tell us to enable or disable sleep mode in order to not let the batteries drain?

Finally and if you don't mind, I'm assuming you already have a unit with the fix. How did you estimate the battery life to be 400 hours? That's presumably several years worth of battery life. This is a sincere question and I am not challenging you.

Thanks for your help.

============================================================================================

"I found that typical battery life is 400 hours using alkaline batteries.   I also found the note below that should be helpful in extending battery life.

Also, the mode for 138xxx and below turns the meter all the way off after the battery gets to low.  Originally, the meter did not turn off and completely drained the batteries and caused them to leak in the battery compartment.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Perry

On page 13, replace the Battery Saver section with the following: Battery SaverTM(Sleep Mode)

The Meter powers-down (Sleep mode) if there is no function change, range change, or button push for 20 minutes. The lowest power drain occurs when the display module is docked with the Meter base. When the display is docked and the Meter is in sleep mode or off, a power drain continues from intermittent communication between the radios.

To wake up the Meter, push a button or turn the function switch.

To disable the Sleep mode, hold down the g button while turning the Meter on. The Sleep mode is always disabled in the MIN MAX AVG mode.

To optimize battery life, it is recommended one battery be removed from the meter base and display for extended periods of storage or intermittent use. "

I got a reply, I was sent to a local Fluke partner.

I didn't send the meter because I'm using it and I don't konw exactly how long it takes the whole process.