Manual for Original Fluke77 from 1980

[Yorkie]

I’ve e-mailed the manual to Kevin, but for anyone else’s benefit, Fluke manuals can be downloaded FOC from here:

http://www.fluke.com/Fluke/usen/support/...efault.htm

I know that Kevin collects old test gear, and no doubt that's why he's come by the Fluke 77.

I've answered Kevin's query, but the mention of Fluke prompts me to say that whenever anyone asks a general question on forums (not so far on this one AFAIK!), along the lines of "which digital multi-meter would you buy?", it's a guaranteed cert that several people will respond by eulogising about Flukes, which I’ve never quite understood. Bought new, they’re a ridiculous price when you can get excellent, robust, fully featured, accurate digital multi-meters for well under £20. Furthermore, Flukes are notorious for their digital displays going on the blink after some years of use, as in this example (which also looks as though it’s been taken apart and reassembled as the 'range' and 'hold' buttons are upside down):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLUKE-77-III-M...ltDomain_0&hash=item336e8e111a

It’s honestly described as having a defective display, but the logic of buying a secondhand a Fluke for over £50 which needs repairing when that price would buy five of the excellent Toolzone EL060s, with more ranges and more features eludes me. It does however, show the strength of the Fluke brand and the mythology that surrounds it.

The faulty display in the one at the above link is by no means uncommon, which is why new displays to repair them are offered for sale, as from this supplier, (who only supplies within the USA):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-77-4-77-lV...ltDomain_0&hash=item564268ab5b

Fluke spares can also be had from Fluke at this link:

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/service/...efault.htm

I’ve had a Toolzone EL060 for about 18 months now, and use it most days and it’s never skipped a beat. It was an impulse buy for a tenner and offers me more features than a Fluke.

I’ve mentioned the spec before, but here it is again:

• Auto Power Off (15 minutes)
• Big Liquid Crystal Display 3.5 x 6 cm
• Low Battery Indicator
• Continuity bleep
• Overload Protection
• High Impact Rubber Case with stand
• Probes and Leads included
• Standard 9v Battery Supplied
Specifications
• DCV: 200mV-20-200-1000V ....................+/- 0.5%
• ACV: 2v-20v-200 to 700V .......................+/- 0.8%
• DCA:2m-20-200-20A................................+/-0.8%
• ACA: 20m-200m-20A................................+/-1.2%
• Ohms:200-2k-20k-200k-2M-20M-200M......+/-0.8%
• CAP: 200Pf-20n-200n-20Mf...................+/-0.2.5%
• Transistor Tester NPN/PNP
• Diode test

I've said before that I'm not sure I'd trust the leads at 20A, but I'm never going to be attempting to measure 20Amps. Much more useful is the 200M Ohm range.

There's a pic and description of it here, though shop around for cheaper prices:

http://www.auntiesatticonline.co.uk/tool...-653-p.asp

I've got several cheapo digital multimeters of the Maplin 'two for a fiver' type scattered around the house, garage, workshop and cars, and true, the leads leave something to be desired for high voltage or current but that's easily remedied. Anyone who says they're cheap tat and not to be relied upon is talking to the wall. They all read the same, so if anyone thinks they're not to be trusted and may be innacurate, they must all be!

The bottom line is that I could afford a Fluke new, but why would I want one? If I had a thing about 'badges' I'd have joined the Scouts long ago:D