Fluke Meters [RE-wrenches]

[Mark Downing]

I have no complaints with my Fluke 87 that I bought at
a Hamfest for $125.  A manual would be nice, but I'm
able to use most of it.

I also however have a Fluke 36 DC clamp meter that I
am not satisfied with.  It has a narrow operating
temperature range that makes it pretty much an indoor
or fair weather meter.  The DC amp readings vary
greatly as it warms up.  Maybe a 50% amp reading
change with just a few degrees when in the lower end
of its operating range.  

The biggest problem is zeroing the meter.  The
adjustment knob doesn't cover enough range.  An
electronic zero function would be a tremendous
improvement.  Fluke's recommended method of getting it
to zero is to repeatedly snap the jaws together to
knock the charge off the Hall effect transistors (or
something like that).  It's noisy, and the mechanical
shock can't be good for the meter.  I usually use it
and just subtract off the error if I'm lucky enough to
get it within 10A of 0.  One more "get it closer to 0"
snap usually takes it beyond 200A and into overload.

It went back twice while under warranty, with no
improvement.

Anyone else have problems with this model?

Mark Downing, Hurshtown Alternative Power

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Calendar - Get organized for the holidays!
http://calendar.yahoo.com/

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

The archive of previous messages: 
 http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

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

To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine: 
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

___________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  http://www.topica.com/t/17
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics