EEVblog #1012 - Best Bargain Ebay Bench Meter? - Fluke 8842A

Bought as a possible repair video, Dave shows why the Fluke 8842A 5 1/2 digit bench meter is one of the best value 2nd hand bench meters on the market.
Marvel at the LTFLU-1 reference!

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[antoineroquentin]

8842A ebay prices have gone up 300% after the video

[KerryWongBlog]

One problem of these multimeters using VFDs is that the display are usually quite dim for used ones and replacement can be quite expensive. I personally like meters such as Keithley 196 or Keithley 192 which have crisp LED displays.

[jaredkusner]

I purchased an 8840A on ebay for $71.-, with free shipping. It works beautifully. An asset to my radio shop for sure. Thanks for another great video.

[phillyphakename]

Those front/rear selector buttons are notorious for getting oxidized contacts, creating issues. We get a few loads every year that need them replaced.

A 2 dollar part fixes it, dont try to clean the contacts. At least I was getting paid when I learned that lesson...

[Narwaro]

Everytime you make a video about some used gear you got a bargain on, I go to ebay and its like 300 bucks plus 250 shipping from the USA and I am like in good ol' Europe

[Psychlist]

"So, what do you test with your test equipment?"
"I test test equipment with my test equipment." :)

[Arek_R.]

But when I buy something broken with intentions to repair it, it's complete disaster and unrepairable...

[TheDefpom]

AC is a seperate PCB... there are two versions of the PCB, if it is the wrong one you need to change a couple of connections around on the PCB, I had to do that on one of the units I purchases (I have had a few of them), it is mentioned in one of the service manuals.

[ianmacdonald]

I'd be wary of using switch cleaner on any high accuracy equipment (or radio gear) as it alters the dielectric constant of the switch contacts.

Some switch cleaners can also damage front panel plastics over a period of time. Seen cases where a control has fallen off inside because its mountings have disintegrated a few months after switch cleaner was sprayed on it. This is certainly a concern on vintage gear if you want it to last.

Have found that the best and safest thing to use (if you have to) is WD-40. Provided it's the genuine article, and not a ripoff of course. WD-40 was developed for use on the Atlas missile as a water dispersant (hence name) and a criterion was that it must not put electronics off-tune. Still keep it off soft plastics or rubber though.

[allesklarklaus]

I got an 8842A from 1993 and a 8840A from 1997. The older 42A has the old Motorola SCA623 (?) reference and the 40A has the LTFLU1. Both are probably the best unheated references. After all these years both meters deviate 0 to just 1 LSD from each other and they seem to never have been adjusted (cal stickers are old and okay). Which is impressive since the references should usually drift in different directions, at least thats what I read.

[Liwayputi]

These are wonderful benchtop meters. A common reoccurring issue with these is the input connectors. They tend to oxidize and mess up the low ohms and mV measurements. In the cal lab, we just pull out the connectors, clean, then solder to fix the problem. You then have to readjust the calibration.

[tonys]

A few years back I got 6 of these Fluke 8042's with the gpib and ac option boards.. Only one was beyond economical repair. A solid lab-grade meter

[Jeroen]

I had hoped you mention the input impedance of >10GΩ for the 20mV to 20V ranges, and 10MΩ for 200V and 1000V range.

[seanhornibrook]

Just picked up my first oscilloscope... REALLY nice Hitachi V-422 fully calibrated for $125 US. Super nice screen image. Thanks for these videos pointing the right directions... :)

[JoshuasRecordings]

I got two of these from the dump. Love these little meters! The VFD display is really awesome, at least I think so!

[EngineeringVignettes]

You find one for a good price on EBay...
then you look at the shipping cost.
Pirates, the lot of them.
- Eddy

[stergeon]

PSA: If you pick one of these up with a dim or dead display, it might be cold solder joints on the transformer taps. This solved dim display for some people, and in my case solved what I thought was a dead display. Great meter!

[QbidMusicandMore]

Almost making me nostalgic. When I was in school we used these in the labs.

[mediamonster]

How about a Fluke 8040A? How does it compare?

[TheOnlyPsycho]

And now that you have posted this, the price is gonna skyrocket, thanks Dave!!! :-P