Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

[retiredcaps]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

Damn, more competition for me on ebay now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKuvmoW0AZQ

[rxtxau4]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

I'm just adding a few comments on the Fluke 27/FM.

I bought 2 which were sent in a single large black case that they are often supplied in ex-military. Both easilly fitted in the single case & that saved on postage while giving me one case.

NOTE: Only the earlier grey/green colour unit with Fluke 27/FM on the bezel above the LCD has true RMS.

These things are built like bricks & use HRC Cartridge fuses about 1/2 inch in diameter. I put both of my meters across a variac & slowly ramped up the voltage. They agreed within the final digit over the full voltage range on all ranges. The same test on DC gave the same result. This is well beyond specs. One online seller stated that they tested a large number for Calibration & didn't have one fail.

I can tell you that you will NOT see that with Chinese meters.

I was fortunate to get two different military & a civilian manual. The military operators manual is very comprehensive. I would like to get the military calibration manual: TB 9-6625-2190-35 Calibration Procedure For Digital Multimeter AN/PSM-45A

The following is some info I compiled from various sources. Please note the information about the LCD missing one segment. I only have the True RMS version so I don't know if that segment is missing on later versions. The actual Fluke manual doesn't even mention that segment is missing but the military manual does.

Model 27/FM Early Model Display Test

When the function switch is moved from the OFF position to any other position, the instrument performs a power-up self test. All LCD segments in the display are switched on while the test is in progress, then the instrument commences normal operation. This automatic self test verifies that the instrument is functional and that all LCD segments are functioning.

The top left vertical segment on the first digit is missing. (Technically the missing segment is the f segment of the first digit)

Fluke 27FM Multimeter

Military Designation: Multimeter, Digital, 3 1/2 Digit AN/PSM-45A NSN: 6625-01-265-6000
Alternate Part Numbers: ME328USM238, AN/PSM-45A, B61014PB, B61014U, FLUKE-27/FM, 012656000, 260, 27 W/ACCE, 27/FM W/ACCE, 6625012656000, 666R

The Fluke 27/FM is a military only designation of the Fluke 27. The first version in a dark grey case with "Fluke 27/FM" printed on LCD surround was made with a True RMS chip. Later yellow versions, & the most recent yellow & grey dual colour versions of the Fluke 27 sold to the military have a 27/FM sticker on the back but only have "Fluke 27" printed on LCD surround & are NOT True RMS.

Although no yellow True RMS versions were made, online posts state the True RMS PCBs & LCD bezels can be fitted to a yellow case.

The normal model 27 has an 11A fuse for the 10A range & 440mA fuses for the mA/μA ranges while the 27/FM has a 15A fuse to protect the 10A current range & 1A fuse to protect all the other current ranges. The 27/FM fuses are 600 volt cartridge HRC fuses inside the battery case.

The military TB 11-6625-3263-25 Test Equipment Modernization (TEMOD) Program Guide and Replacement Lists states that the AN/PSM-45A (Fluke 27/FM) was introduced due to a shortage of the AN/PSM-45 Simpson Model 467 digital multimeter. The AN/PSM-45A is functionally equivalent to the AN/PSM-45 & did not replace it, but was issued to users who required the AN/PSM-45 when there were stock shortages of the AN/PSM-45.

The military Fluke 27/FM was supplied as a kit consisting entirely of Fluke components in a large black Hard Case: a 27/FM Meter & Operator's Manual, 80K-6 (6000 Volt) High Voltage Probe & Instruction Sheet, & TL-70 Test Leads with slip on Red & Black Alligator Clips. Some later sets with yellow or yellow & grey meters appeared to also have included an 85RF Probe.

Fluke 27/FM Manuals

Original Manuals Held: Fluke P/N 828558 27/FM Multimeter Operator's Manual Aug1987 22pg including diagram inside cover, TM 11-6625-3199-14 15Dec1988 75pg including blanks, TM 11-6625-3199-14 C1 – Changes Sheets 1 15Jun1990 8pg, TM 11-6625-3199-24P-1 15Dec1988 19pg including blanks, TB 11-6625-3263-25 TEMOD (electronic version).

Fluke P/N 828558 27/FM Multimeter Operator's Manual Aug1987

TM 11-6625-3199-14 Operators, Unit, Intermediate Direct Support, and General Support Maintenance Manual for Digital Multimeter AN/PSM-45A (Reprinted W/Basic incl C1 – Changes Sheets 1.)

TM 11-6625-3199-24P-1 Unit, Intermediate Direct Support, and General Support Maintenance Manual Repair Parts and Special Tools Lists for Digital Multimeter AN/PSM-45A
http://www.nj7p.info/Common/Manuals/Comp_Manuals.php

TB 11-6625-3263-25 Test Equipment Modernization (TEMOD) Program Guide and Replacement Lists
supersedes TB 11-6625-3263-25, Dated April 1995


TB 9-6625-2190-35 Calibration Procedure For Digital Multimeter AN/PSM-45A
Department of the Army dated 13 April 2004
supersedes TB 9-6625-2190-35, dated 16 April 2001.

Model 27/FM Testing Fuses

1. Turn the function selector switch to the Ohms position.
2. Connect a test lead from the volts/ohms/diode-test input terminal to the A input terminal.
3. The display should indicate between 0.1 and 0.3 ohms. This tests F2 (15 A, 600 V fast).
4. Move one end of the test lead from the A input terminal to the mA/μA input terminal.
5. The display should indicate between 4.5 and 6.5 ohms. This tests F1 (1 A, 600 V fast).
6. If either of the above display indications is OL (overload), replace the appropriate fuse.

Model 27/FM Replacing Fuses

1. Disconnect test leads from any live source, turn the rotary function selector switch to OFF position, & remove test leads from the input terminals.
2. Lift the Instrument Stand on the back of the meter , then remove the four (#6 x 32) screws from the Battery Cover.
3. Pull the Battery Cover straight up from the back of the meter. A coin slot on the side of the Battery Cover may be used to assist removal.
4. Remove the defective fuse using a screwdriver to pry it sideways.
F1, the mA/μA current range fuse (1 A, 600 V fast) is at the bottom of the compartment.
5. Replace the defective fuse with a new fuse of identical size & rating.
6. Reinsert the Battery Cover in the back of the meter. Restart the four screws removed earlier. Press firmly on the Battery Cover while tightening the screws in a diagonal pattern.

Model 27/FM Fuses

Fluke does not make their fuses, but uses BUSS (Cooper-Bussmann), Limitron and LittleFuse as their primary suppliers. There are eBay sellers that sell these at reasonable cost.

Littelfuse Fast Acting Fuse KTK-15 or KLK-15 15A 600 VAC
Buss Fuse BBS-1 1A 1A 600V

Fuse dimensions:
KTK-15 / KLK-15: 0.406 Dia. x 1.490" Long (I.R. 100,000A 600V)
BBS-1: 0.406" Dia. x 1.370" Long (I.R. 10KA 600V)

[jetadm123]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

some sellers on ebay charge a large shipping fee so they make more profit off the sell

Actually, ebay now charges a fee on BOTH the selling price and shipping fee. This was to discourage sellers from selling items at a super low price with high shipping, since at the time ebay only charged a fee for the selling price and not shipping. With the new policy, there's no incentive to overcharge for shipping. Of course, now the sellers are crying ripoff.

[retiredcaps]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

The continuity tester is a real dream compared to my old meters, it's fast and not scratchy sounding.

Have you tried the touch hold yet?

The next time you are in an awkard position to measure something, try it. Touch hold will allow you to concentrate on making good probe contact and it will beep when you get a stable reading.

[Alohamora]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

some sellers on ebay charge a large shipping fee so they make more profit off the sell

Whenever I deal on ebay, I always add in the shipping and consider the total delivered cost. With patience, these meters can still be found at good prices.

I'm really happy with the 2 Fluke 27/FMs I bought. I got both within a week from the same seller and they did combine shipping so my average per meter was $35 (including shipping). One looks nearly new and the other does have some minor wear markings.

The meter is slow to power on, I'll flip the switch and have just enough time to see the blank display and think "oh, no,it's broken!" and then the meter comes to life. Measurements are fast enough compared to what I'm used to. (Older Craftsman/Extech, Mastech and Fluke 15b). The continuity tester is a real dream compared to my old meters, it's fast and not scratchy sounding.

It's big and heavy, it feels like a brick. Built like a tank, I'm sure. My biggest complaint is the LCD, it's a little hard to see in poor lighting, it doesn't have the contrast of a modern LCD. however, it is fine in good lighting. (It is 20 year old technology after all!).

Thanks to retiredcaps for starting this thread and pointing these out.

[retiredcaps]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

some sellers on ebay charge a large shipping fee so they make more profit off the sell

Actually the $15 to $20 shipping fee is reasonable IMHO. The Fluke 27 weighs 1.6 pounds according to the manual. Some sellers include the case, high voltage probe and that adds to the weight and box size.

When I first got my Fluke 27 I was surprised by the size and weight.

PS. It is also up to the buyer to show discipline and not overpay.

[swgaspidey]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

some sellers on ebay charge a large shipping fee so they make more profit off the sell

[tom66]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

Many T&M used stuff on eBay comes from closed laboratories who was performing all sorts of experiments, some projects were for military use, and others for medical.

Yeah, I doubt a Fluke 27 would be used in a medical environment. It's not safe for that type of use.

It will not harm you, to be also alerted about this scenario.

Also in the ARMY they use the most toxic lubricants and radio-active substances in their ammunition, think twice when you buy stuff coming from old military stock !!

Again, radiation doesn't contaminate things. These meters are not intended to be used with haz-mat suits, so I can trust that buying one will not pose a hazard to myself. Both of my scopes are ex-MOD; but they were likely research lab scopes, not used in the battlefield!!

[Kiriakos GR]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

Many T&M used stuff on eBay comes from closed laboratories who was performing all sorts of experiments, some projects were for military use, and others for medical.

It will not harm you, to be also alerted about this scenario.

Also in the ARMY they use the most toxic lubricants and radio-active substances in their ammunition, think twice when you buy stuff coming from old military stock !!

[tom66]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

Please, you do not understand radiation. The only damage radiation can do to non-fissile elements is knock electrons or proton+neutron (2 of each) from the atom. This will change its properties of course but unless it is fissile it will not lead to a reaction further than this. And you would have to expose a device to a LOT of radiation to do this.

If it were fissile (for example, made of U-235) you would have much bigger problems!!

[Kiriakos GR]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

Radiation doesn't contaminate things... It could damage a semiconductor though.

I will just disagree.
Unfortunately many medical equipment are also sources of significant amounts of radiation.

This subject, about contaminated items sold on eBay, is something that many sellers are closing their eyes, due the fact that most of them just hunts the profit.

Any way, my advice to all is to watch out, and buy your goods from sources which looks to have experience about what they doing.

I got my first Fluke 87V at sparkling condition from one DJ in Hawaii,
not a great deal but a safe one, in the worst scenario the meter would be contaminated with cocktails of Martini

The old bench type multimeters are a bit as more safer bet, even so all three that I got from ebay ( 2 from USA & 1 from UK) , I did took them apart and washed out the exterior covers with strong cleaning agents in a mix with chlorine.
This an standard thing that I do as decontamination from the existence of chemicals.


It is interesting viewing people to care about getting items from "smoke free homes " and to not get alerted about the possibility of those items to were in extremely unhealthy places prior getting them.

[tom66]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

One of them is the device to was in some sort of factory and exposed to dangerous chemicals or radiation.

Radiation doesn't contaminate things... It could damage a semiconductor though.

[Kiriakos GR]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

Personally I feel less excited about the "great deals" when it comes to old industrial items.

If the seller is not a home user, and item as first hand of ownership, then there is several risks.

One of them is the device to was in some sort of factory and exposed to dangerous chemicals or radiation.

Once, I did found a "great deal" about one 27 covered with some chemical that was looking like varnish, which the seller no matter of how many cleaning agents and solvents he tried to use on it (so to clean it up and get a better price) he failed to succeed.

If those "great deals" translates to " Dangerous and unhealthy devices" which will enter in your home !! Then they are not "great deals".

[retiredcaps]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

got a fluke 73 III for $5 last week.battery dead.

Man you find some real great deals. The 4 AA nimh packs for $1 and now the Fluke 73 III.

[momaka]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

So China can make high quality goods.

Yes, it's pretty much you get what you pay for (if you're lucky).

If I see something of interest in the $30 range with a Buy It Now price, I'll send you a PM. However, you will have to act fast to get the deal.

Well, I already bought the RS 22-812 meter, so I'm set for now. I may later end up buying a cap meter for about $13 and/or an extra temperature meter with probe for $5, but will see. Next week or so, I might go MIA for a few weeks so I probably won't be buying anything.
Thanks for the offer, though.

[kc8adu]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

hell you can do better at yardsales if you watch.
got a fluke 73 III for $5 last week.battery dead.the guy said its cheap for a reason no returns.reason was a dead battery!he gave me a clean htx-202 that is "dead"
battery pack rebuild brought it to life.
given a choice i will always go for old school quality stuff even if i have to give it tlc.
those old flukes are a steal!

[retiredcaps]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

Most of the Fluke 113/114/115/117 that I saw went upwards of $50 very quickly.

The Fluke 110 series is Made in China, but Dave Jones did a review and teardown of the Fluke 117 and found the build quality just as good as the Made In USA Flukes. So China can make high quality goods.

http://www.eevblog.com/2010/02/08/ee...-and-teardown/

Six Fluke 113s sold for less than $40 in the last 2 weeks. If I see something of interest in the $30 range with a Buy It Now price, I'll send you a PM. However, you will have to act fast to get the deal.

And yes, it does take patience and time. I find bidding on ebay with those 2 aforementioned traits helps my investing in stocks for the long term. I make way less errors when I know I have a big margin of safety.

[momaka]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

Yes, but for $30, you have lots of choices in the used market from big name brands like Amprobe, Meterman, UEI, Extech, Ideal, Fluke etc.

True.
But the real question is, do you want something "brand new, high quality" made in China or something used and very high quality not made in China?

In all seriousness, it all depends on how much time you want to spend waiting/looking for a good deal. Sometimes there can be lots of good ones, other times not so many. When I was looking, I couldn't find that many. Most of the Fluke 113/114/115/117 that I saw went upwards of $50 very quickly.

I forgot to mention that I managed to buy a working Fluke 117 for $28.

That's a very good deal! Worthy candidate for the Best Free/Cheap Scores thread.

[retiredcaps]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

By the way, I wonder how those Chinese VC97 meters are like. You can often find them for $30 on ebay and they pack a lot of functions. They look very much like those Fluke 113/117 meters.

I forgot to mention that I managed to buy a working Fluke 117 for $28.

So again, with patience, $30 gives you a lot of choice.

[retiredcaps]

Re: Fluke 27 possibly for $10 on ebay

PS. You have a huge advantage living in the USA wrt to ebay bids since most sellers won't ship outside the USA or charge insane shipping prices.

For others around the globe, they may have no choice but the poorly made 830s or Vichys like brands for a number of reasons. For American's though, there are so many options, choices, and supply, you can get a better built multimeter for not much money.