Let us know what they say, I've got one with the same issue, had it a while now and it's had the issue from beginning. Haven't got round to calling fluke yet.
Let us know what they say, I've got one with the same issue, had it a while now and it's had the issue from beginning. Haven't got round to calling fluke yet.
- Feb 6, 2012
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- Lapsed trainee ( was doing stage lighting 30yrs ago),
+ father of Trainee -who has recently jacked it in !
a) Do batteries get flat extra quickly ?
( Has meter suffered a bad fall - got worst from then on == Cracked capacitor -draining extra power == Or more expensive part )
b)--Do also check battery compartment for any residue -causing an occasional poor contact
--So it receives poor power -- Indictated battery voltage moves about if tap meter gently
--(I suspect) Low ohms continuity ,draws the most current from the batteries - Possibly showing signs of a weak "single-bat" / dirt / or fault.
- Sep 5, 2010
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- Lapsed trainee ( was doing stage lighting 30yrs ago),
+ father of Trainee -who has recently jacked it in !
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- Lapsed trainee ( was doing stage lighting 30yrs ago),
+ father of Trainee -who has recently jacked it in !
Apparently a lot of money on ebay !
(for a universal -Plug-Nuller)
--that fits few well--
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- Sep 5, 2010
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just as a hijack, a lot has been said about how accurate MFT's are on no-trip Zs. doing a EICR yesterday and just out of interest i tried my Megger 1553, 11 years old, on both. (at the same socket outlet). hi current 0.25. no-trip 0.26. good enough for me. probably the 0.01 is due to the hi current test warming the cables and thus making a slight increase in resistance... 
.
.
M
Monchichak
I've reasoned the low battery message maybe a design fault since everything else works fine.
Checked the unit is genuine which it is & still has 2 years warranty.
I figured it maybe something to do with the high current continuity test, my thinking being:
High current continuity test underway - Meter is providing a regulated high current to carry out the test. Probes disconnected quickly (scenario which occasionally shows fault) so circuit suddenly becomes open circuit, meter attempts to regulate it's high current by increasing test voltage which would suddenly draw additional current from the battery to do so. This surge may cause the battery voltage to dip or perhaps the internal psu can't support it causing a low batt warning message?
Checked the unit is genuine which it is & still has 2 years warranty.
I figured it maybe something to do with the high current continuity test, my thinking being:
High current continuity test underway - Meter is providing a regulated high current to carry out the test. Probes disconnected quickly (scenario which occasionally shows fault) so circuit suddenly becomes open circuit, meter attempts to regulate it's high current by increasing test voltage which would suddenly draw additional current from the battery to do so. This surge may cause the battery voltage to dip or perhaps the internal psu can't support it causing a low batt warning message?
- Jun 10, 2012
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- Lapsed trainee ( was doing stage lighting 30yrs ago),
+ father of Trainee -who has recently jacked it in !
Do throw some decent ,Duracells in it before condemning it due to a
batch of stale batteries !
(re reading manual --ERROR-5)
Is all about noise ,poor contact.
So maybe you are confusing it!
Make a good connection
-before TEST !
batch of stale batteries !
(re reading manual --ERROR-5)
Is all about noise ,poor contact.
So maybe you are confusing it!
Make a good connection
-before TEST !
Last edited:
M
Monchichak
First thing I did
I've not condemned it, just possibly found a quirk (non issue fault)
I've not condemned it, just possibly found a quirk (non issue fault)
B
Big jj
Hi just joined the forum. I have a number of testers and my main one is a Fluke 1664FC. I have just tried to get the same results as you. Mine does not do that at all. My battery pack is tight in on the clip, not loose at all. I would suspect that you are getting v drop from the battery connections when drawing a bit of current from the batteries.
M
Monchichak
Hi Big JJ
Thanks for your input, that's interesting you're not seeing the same issue.
Batteries are in tight with good contacts but I've done experiments pushing them in tighter & purposefully causing them to be loose to see what the results are & it did not shed any light.
I've since just cracked on & used the meter & not noticed any other issues.
Hi Static Zap,
Just noticed your response a while back - good info, unit it not damaged & hasn't been dropped.
Thanks for your input, that's interesting you're not seeing the same issue.
Batteries are in tight with good contacts but I've done experiments pushing them in tighter & purposefully causing them to be loose to see what the results are & it did not shed any light.
I've since just cracked on & used the meter & not noticed any other issues.
Hi Static Zap,
Just noticed your response a while back - good info, unit it not damaged & hasn't been dropped.
Useful information on Fluke meters, having had several and also several communications with Fluke technical.
1.) turn meter to volts press test button this will tell you voltage of batteries, from Fluke if under 7.2 volts change/charge batteries.
2.)if you have an ERR code, use the up/down buttons this will then give you the reading the meter has obtained.
1.) turn meter to volts press test button this will tell you voltage of batteries, from Fluke if under 7.2 volts change/charge batteries.
2.)if you have an ERR code, use the up/down buttons this will then give you the reading the meter has obtained.
M
Monchichak
Update:
Returned my Fluke 1664FC for calibration/repair along with a video of the consistent fault occurring.
I think it's safe to say this is a design quirk/fault.
Fluke response:
Dear Customer,
Thank you for getting in touch and letting us know about your concern with this unit.
We would like to assure you that in this instance there is no fault with the operation of the unit, and there is no concern with continuing to use this unit in its current state.
As the intermittent shorting of the connection is being made on the 250mA range, the significant intermittent fluctuation in current draw may occasionally cause a battery low message on screen.
Error 5 also correctly indicates noise, which is being simulated by the non-standard operation of the test in question.
The specification of the unit is not affected by the findings you have shown.
I hope the above covers any concerns you may have,
Regards,
Fluke Industrial Service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Should you get a Fluke?
Fluke service response:
Unit arrived with Fluke on 3rd for calibration/repair
4th received invoice for calibration & note saying no fault found
4th I responded with E-Mail including video of fault & requested a re-check & explanation of symptoms.
-----Silence-----
11th I requested an update
-----Silence-----
15th I requested another update
16th Fluke finally responded with an explanation
Not impressed with the service time but hey ho.
So - that clears that up.
Thanks for all your support.
Chris
Returned my Fluke 1664FC for calibration/repair along with a video of the consistent fault occurring.
I think it's safe to say this is a design quirk/fault.
Fluke response:
Dear Customer,
Thank you for getting in touch and letting us know about your concern with this unit.
We would like to assure you that in this instance there is no fault with the operation of the unit, and there is no concern with continuing to use this unit in its current state.
As the intermittent shorting of the connection is being made on the 250mA range, the significant intermittent fluctuation in current draw may occasionally cause a battery low message on screen.
Error 5 also correctly indicates noise, which is being simulated by the non-standard operation of the test in question.
The specification of the unit is not affected by the findings you have shown.
I hope the above covers any concerns you may have,
Regards,
Fluke Industrial Service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Should you get a Fluke?
Fluke service response:
Unit arrived with Fluke on 3rd for calibration/repair
4th received invoice for calibration & note saying no fault found
4th I responded with E-Mail including video of fault & requested a re-check & explanation of symptoms.
-----Silence-----
11th I requested an update
-----Silence-----
15th I requested another update
16th Fluke finally responded with an explanation
Not impressed with the service time but hey ho.
So - that clears that up.
Thanks for all your support.
Chris
- Jun 10, 2012
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- If you're a qualified, trainee, or retired electrician - Which country is it that your work will be / is / was aimed at?
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- If other, please explain
- Lapsed trainee ( was doing stage lighting 30yrs ago),
+ father of Trainee -who has recently jacked it in !
Swings and roundabouts , design decision.
... I once killed a current limited bench supply , with a fast switching load .
( If you read later instructions it tells you NOT TO .. )
Lesson learnt -- RTFM , If you value your job / Wallet !
-- Nothing is ever as good as "Sales guy makes-OUT " --
... If you lucky your employer may pick up bill on the learning curve..
(Killed a record player at school once -- Not a Disco AMP ) ...
To keep things affordable compromises may be made.
... I once killed a current limited bench supply , with a fast switching load .
( If you read later instructions it tells you NOT TO .. )
Lesson learnt -- RTFM , If you value your job / Wallet !
-- Nothing is ever as good as "Sales guy makes-OUT " --
... If you lucky your employer may pick up bill on the learning curve..
(Killed a record player at school once -- Not a Disco AMP ) ...
To keep things affordable compromises may be made.
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