I found an old Fluke 37 meter which appears dead. Some initial
measuring tells me that there is some life inside it, power seems to
get where it should etc. but the display is empty at all times. I got
no repair manual for it. Any pointers, links or help in some way?
Digital isn't really my bag but with a bit more info I could perhaps
troubleshoot it. Fluke doesn't list it on their site anymore, so no
luck there.
Thanks for any help.
Martin

"Martin Norberg" wrote in message
...
I found an old Fluke 37 meter which appears dead. Some initial
measuring tells me that there is some life inside it, power seems to
get where it should etc. but the display is empty at all times. I got
no repair manual for it. Any pointers, links or help in some way?
Digital isn't really my bag but with a bit more info I could perhaps
troubleshoot it. Fluke doesn't list it on their site anymore, so no
luck there.
Thanks for any help.
Martin

I don't know where you were looking ... but that statement is incorrect.

The Fluke 37 Operating manual (924 KB Adobe Acrobat)
is on the Fluke US web site (Support - Manuals - 37)
http://us.fluke.com/usen/support/manuals/default.htm

The Fluke 37 has 3 internal fuses as well as a battery inside its case.
Have you checked the fuses or battery to see if they are good?

Battery replacement instructions are on page 10 of Fluke 37 manual
(downloaded from above)

Testing of the 3 fuses is also covered on page 11.

BTW, IF you have a bad fuse - replace it with a properly rated Fluke fuse
(voltage ratings, etc.) These fuses are readily available from WW Granger
as well as Fry's Electronics (Outpost.com)
http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/fluke/fluke37-top.jpg

Tech Recovery still sells used versions of the Fluke 37 for around $100
Sphere has 2 of them for $200 each.
http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/fluke1.html

BTW -- Fluke repair almost every item they made - a few are difficult due to
parts availability. A telephone call or e-mail the Fluke support/repair
department will get an quick RMA number. They repaired a Fluke 87 that was
in bad shape (that I picked up for $ 5 .. for significantly less ( $100)
than buying a new one ($395)

g. beat

I don't know where you were looking ... but that statement is incorrect.

The Fluke 37 Operating manual (924 KB Adobe Acrobat)
is on the Fluke US web site (Support - Manuals - 37)
http://us.fluke.com/usen/support/manuals/default.htm

Well, an operating manual isn't going to get me very far, is it?
I downloaded it and read it but it doesn't say anything about
repairing the unit. I mean like in checking the ICs, where to find
test points and interpreting the results etc.
There were however service manuals for other DMMs. Is there another
model with similar intestines that has a compatible manual?


The Fluke 37 has 3 internal fuses as well as a battery inside its case.
Have you checked the fuses or battery to see if they are good?


Yes on all accounts, as soon as I laid my hands on it...

Tech Recovery still sells used versions of the Fluke 37 for around $100
Sphere has 2 of them for $200 each.
http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/fluke1.html

Interesting, I didn't know it was still this valuable.
Anyone else who has repaired Flukes of this vintage here? Still
looking for tips or maybe a scan of the service manual for Fluke 37
meters.
Thanks,
Martin

Hello, Martin!
You wrote on Sun, 06 Nov 2005 22:40:27 GMT:

MN I found an old Fluke 37 meter which appears dead. Some initial
MN measuring tells me that there is some life inside it, power seems to
MN get where it should etc. but the display is empty at all times. I got
MN no repair manual for it. Any pointers, links or help in some way?
MN Digital isn't really my bag but with a bit more info I could perhaps
MN troubleshoot it. Fluke doesn't list it on their site anymore, so no
MN luck there.
MN Thanks for any help.
MN Martin

I seem to remember something about an issue with the displays on these old
flukes going bad (Loss of contrast) something to do with the actual liquid
crystal . Shine a light on the display and see if you can make out a
reading.

With best regards, 3T39. E-mail:

"3T39" wrote in message
...
Hello, Martin!
You wrote on Sun, 06 Nov 2005 22:40:27 GMT:

MN I found an old Fluke 37 meter which appears dead. Some initial
MN measuring tells me that there is some life inside it, power seems to
MN get where it should etc. but the display is empty at all times. I got
MN no repair manual for it. Any pointers, links or help in some way?
MN Digital isn't really my bag but with a bit more info I could perhaps
MN troubleshoot it. Fluke doesn't list it on their site anymore, so no
MN luck there.
MN Thanks for any help.
MN Martin

I seem to remember something about an issue with the displays on these old
flukes going bad (Loss of contrast) something to do with the actual liquid
crystal . Shine a light on the display and see if you can make out a
reading.

With best regards, 3T39. E-mail:
Good point, the Fluke 87 LCD is no longer made - BUT when they repaired
mine - they replaced it (and its backlight) with the current LCD used in the
87 Series V

The new display is better than the original -- Crisp easy to read.

a-fluke has an eBay store, for a number of Fluke items
http://stores.ebay.com/Multimeters-a...enameZL2QQtZkm

Better yet, call or e-mail Fluke.
Ask for Jim in Fluke's Service Center -- Everett, WA -- should be able to
address your Fluke 37 request.
1.. 1-888-99-FLUKE (1-888-993-5853)
2..

Good point, the Fluke 87 LCD is no longer made - BUT when they repaired
mine - they replaced it (and its backlight) with the current LCD used in the
87 Series V

Ok, well, mine is a 37 - or was it a typo, did you mean that 37 and 87
displays are the same?


a-fluke has an eBay store, for a number of Fluke items
http://stores.ebay.com/Multimeters-a...enameZL2QQtZkm


Thanks, great link.

Better yet, call or e-mail Fluke.

Sorry, forgot to say that I'm in Europe, so US phone numbers are of
little help. I did email the local branch (.se) but no replies so far,
probably because nobody bothered with something this old.

The battery drops from 9,1v to 8,5v or so when I swith the meter on.
This crude test should indicate that a)there is a moderate current
draw and b)the circuitry isn't a dead short - possibly the actual
metering works fine although the display is dead.

So, how does an LCD work? And: *How do I test it and the mystery chip
that drives it?* (I have an old Tek scope and other meters around.)

Martin

I seem to remember something about an issue with the displays on these old
flukes going bad (Loss of contrast) something to do with the actual liquid
crystal . Shine a light on the display and see if you can make out a
reading.

No, no reading. Tried looking from every angle.
I also took the panel apart, cleaned the tinned PCB contacts that the
conductive elastomer sits on, but no go.
(in cell phones however, moisture or dirt gets in, then the display
dies, and this treatment cures it in most cases)

Martin

Mr Test Equipment offers a comprehensive test equipment repair
services.

Unlike some of the manufacturers, we offer a no-charge, no-obligation
evaluation of broken test equipment.

We issue no-cost, no-obligation repair quotations for current,
obsolete and out-of-support test equipment from quality manufacturers
like Agilent (HP), Tektronix, Anritsu, Marconi, Acterna, R&S,
Fluke, etc.

All we ask is that you handle the DHL, FedEx or UPS shipment charges
“to and from”.

Simply send us the broken equipment, and we will offer our evaluation
and repair quote at no cost.

Please contact us for more information at ,
or call 905 274 6200

Kind Regards

Stephen Hopkins
Mr Test Equipment
Phone 905-274-6200
E-mail

http://www.mrtestequipment.com

"Martin Norberg" wrote in message
...
Good point, the Fluke 87 LCD is no longer made - BUT when they repaired
mine - they replaced it (and its backlight) with the current LCD used in
the
87 Series V

Ok, well, mine is a 37 - or was it a typo, did you mean that 37 and 87
displays are the same?

No, referred to 87 (whcih is about the same age)


a-fluke has an eBay store, for a number of Fluke items
http://stores.ebay.com/Multimeters-a...enameZL2QQtZkm


Thanks, great link.

Better yet, call or e-mail Fluke.

Sorry, forgot to say that I'm in Europe, so US phone numbers are of
little help. I did email the local branch (.se) but no replies so far,
probably because nobody bothered with something this old.

No problem Fluke's World Wide web site you can choose region and country for
support.
http://www.fluke.com/default.asp?site=SELECT

Swedish web page
http://www.fluke.se/comx/default.aspx?locale=sesv

Hope these help !

G. Beat

"Martin Norberg" wrote in message
...

a-fluke has an eBay store, for a number of Fluke items
http://stores.ebay.com/Multimeters-a...enameZL2QQtZkm


Thanks, great link.

Better yet, call or e-mail Fluke.

Sorry, forgot to say that I'm in Europe, so US phone numbers are of
little help. I did email the local branch (.se) but no replies so far,
probably because nobody bothered with something this old.

Service och kalibrering av Flukes produkter utföres av Caltech AB.
För prisinformation eller andra service- och kalibreringsfrågor, ring 08-53
470 340 eller skicka ett mail till:



Alternativt skicka in ditt instrument direkt med en felbeskrivning till:

Caltech AB
Fågelviksvägen 7
145 53 Norsborg

"mrtestequipment" wrote in
message ...
Mr Test Equipment offers a comprehensive test equipment repair
services.

Unlike some of the manufacturers, we offer a no-charge, no-obligation
evaluation of broken test equipment.


Good luck with that.

You'll be spending lots of downtime diagnosing all kinds of worthless junk
for which the owner won't be willing to pay your repair quote.
TV shops learned this lesson long ago, ultimately resulting in an
industry-wide policy of up-front, flat diagnostic fees which are refundable
with the repair job. It has a way of keeping the freeloader trash out.

I presume you aren't offering NIST-traceable calibration for USA customers.
Most owners of premium test gear prefer that the manufacturer perform this
calibration, which means they'll likely also have the unit repaired by the
manufacturer first, if necessary.

Sorry if I seem negative, but your type of business is difficult enough to
begin with. It's only made worse by giving away services.