smoke alarms & Flukes [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar]

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jumpstart your love life at AmericanSinglesR.com.  
Meet someone in your area today. Millions of member profiles. 
Create a profile, post photos and search for free.
http://click.topica.com/caaemrrbz8Qcsbz9JC9a/Spark Network
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Nick,
We ended up with a Fluke 337 only because one of our Fluke 36 clamp-on
meters got weird and replacement with the 337 was Fluke's
"repair"--basically an out-of-warranty repair got us the new unit for around
1/2 of retail, or $180, as I recall.

I would listen to others before I'd listen to me, here, but I know of
nothing that beats a Fluke 87 III, except for price. Note that one meter
doesn't do everything; each field tech should have at least an 87; the 337
goes out with the service truck, mainly because for some PV things you need
two meters. But I could see the 337 as a good solo tool, too.

Don't be afraid to use eBay for meters; we have, and it's been OK. My 87 III
was about $125-150, as I recall, and has been fine.. Right now on eBay is a
36 closing in 2 hours at $16 for parts; buy it and send it to Fluke for
service...

The Fluke is expensive, but it has two things in its favor. 1) Nobody has
ever questioned a measurement when I say "measured with my Fluke 87". Of
course, that might have applied equally well if I had said "measured with my
Radio Shack P.o.S.", I dunno. 2) They last in the field, forever, with
normal abuse. Just keep a few of those 11A KLKD fuses around, for when you
accidentally measure the short circuit current available in that battery
bank. I bought my first Fluke 87 from Bob-O in 1991, and that puppy still
works just fine. Call him; he might have another, and it has a certain
legitimacy that Grainger just can't match.

Take everything I just wrote with tongue planted firmly in cheek. It's late
on Friday, and time to go home.
Allan at PosE

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nick Lucchese" <nickl at sierrasolar.com>

-- 
Greetings Wrenches,
   Also, which Fluke meter do I want? I've heard a few of you talk
about the 337 which seems to be the one I had my eye on. Just
wondering though, where do the test leads plug into? From the
pictures of similar models it appears they plug into the front but I
don't see any when looking at the picture of the 337, perhaps I need
to look further than the Grainger catalog.

Your free subscription is supported by today's sponsor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shopping for a new car? 
Pay 2-3% below invoice on a new car of your choice. 
Save thousands with our free car discount finder service!
http://click.topica.com/caaemrqbz8Qcsbz9JC9f/Dealix
-------------------------------------------------------------------

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------