Fix of Fluke 87V DVM - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Craig Sawyers · 24th Aug 2023, 10:01 am

I powered up my trusty Fluke 87V, which had not missed a beat in a decade or more.

This time it was flashing "LEADS" and the sounder was going beep each time.

Now because YouTube is your friend, it seems that there are two causes. First is a blown fuse; that was not the case.

The second was leakage around the current terminals, fooling the meter into thinking that leads were in the current sockets while other functions are selected. This seems to happen because the current sockets don't get used so often, so collect slightly conductive grot.

Two solutions. Either desolder the old sockets an buy a new one from Fluke (risky and expensive), or extreme clean the current sockets and surrounding shroud.

That is what I did. It took a lot of cleaning with IPA soaked buds and pipe cleaners - they were surprisingly dirty. But the meter is back to full working order now.

Craig

Outrun_uk · 24th Aug 2023, 10:10 am

Another cause is the pins snap on the terminal panel, uses a split 4mm socket arrangement for lead detection. Some of terminals are now obsolete so it’s either attempt repair with some TCW or write the meter off…

Craig Sawyers · 24th Aug 2023, 11:34 am

Fortunately the 87V is still a current Fluke product (around £700!), so the terminal strip is still a spare part.

But since the Chinese knock off terminal strips are over forty quid I shudder to think how much a real Fluke spare part is!

I'm relieved I fixed it by extreme cleaning of the current terminals!

Craig

24th Aug 2023, 10:01 am	#1
Craig Sawyers Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 4,876	Fix of Fluke 87V DVM I powered up my trusty Fluke 87V, which had not missed a beat in a decade or more. This time it was flashing "LEADS" and the sounder was going beep each time. Now because YouTube is your friend, it seems that there are two causes. First is a blown fuse; that was not the case. The second was leakage around the current terminals, fooling the meter into thinking that leads were in the current sockets while other functions are selected. This seems to happen because the current sockets don't get used so often, so collect slightly conductive grot. Two solutions. Either desolder the old sockets an buy a new one from Fluke (risky and expensive), or extreme clean the current sockets and surrounding shroud. That is what I did. It took a lot of cleaning with IPA soaked buds and pipe cleaners - they were surprisingly dirty. But the meter is back to full working order now. Craig __________________ Doomed for a certain term to walk the night

24th Aug 2023, 10:10 am	#2
Outrun_uk Heptode Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 684	Re: Fix of Fluke 87V DVM Another cause is the pins snap on the terminal panel, uses a split 4mm socket arrangement for lead detection. Some of terminals are now obsolete so it’s either attempt repair with some TCW or write the meter off… Last edited by Outrun_uk; 24th Aug 2023 at 10:10 am. Reason: Autocorrect

24th Aug 2023, 11:34 am	#3
Craig Sawyers Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 4,876	Re: Fix of Fluke 87V DVM Fortunately the 87V is still a current Fluke product (around £700!), so the terminal strip is still a spare part. But since the Chinese knock off terminal strips are over forty quid I shudder to think how much a real Fluke spare part is! I'm relieved I fixed it by extreme cleaning of the current terminals! Craig __________________ Doomed for a certain term to walk the night