EEVblog #372 - Fluke 27 Multimeter Review & Teardown

Dave scored a retro Fluke 27 multimeter on ebay.

EEVblog Main Web Site:
EEVblog Amazon Store:
Donations:
Projects:
Electronics Info Wiki:

[andrewryder]

Just a couple of minor corrections: the "FM" designation is short for "Fluke Militarized". Also, the low-current input is 320 milliamps — (not 3200). Lastly, the fuse cover isn't to keep the fuses from "vibrating out and coming loose" (although it MAY do that as well); it's to insulate the contacts of the fuse holders from being shorted against the 9V battery's shell (and bypassing the fusing).

[EEVblog]

It's the magic Fluke TouchHold. It detects stable readings and latches, and also auto re-arms.

[KarlUKmidlands]

I picked up an ex military Fluke 25 on ebay, really good meter mutch better than a new cheap brand one, as long as you like the olive green mod colour.

Although it had a poor lcd display, very faint when I got it.

I disassembled the LCD display and cleaned both sides of the rubber connector strip and LCD display contacts and board contacts with an alcohol wipe and then reassembled it.

Now the display is back to a nice dark black again and easy to read.

[mansnilsson]

I just scored a NOS 27CE, all-yellow, in a case with 2 HV probes and the 85RF RF probe. USMC vintage, never issued, but of course it got a calibration with associated paperwork. And despite being all-yellow, it's got a CAT III rating.

[DISCODAN]

Just scored one on eBay myself from a guy selling them from the Philadelphia area. US here. Anyway, thanks for the rundown. You did a great job and you are a natural! Beauty!

[AlainHubert]

I can't believe how much better the contrast and readability is on the display compared to my brand new 87V.

[excavatoree]

The original micro is a "Fluke" labeled part, with some minor board revisions. All of them, even the newer TI boards are interchangeable. I've taken my late board (like the one Dave shows) and installed it in a real oldy - and vice versa.

[EEVblog]

No, because the schematic is publicly downloadable on their website.

[Hootbro]

Had a FLUKE 27/FM back in my Army days in the late 1980's. These things are built like tanks as Dave has shown in his review.

Made me just buy one on Ebay for $60 with the case and high voltage probe.

[billhammon]

I just scored a Fluke 27 in all charcoal color for $10.00 US at an estate sale! I got a Fluke 73 III for $5.00 with it! The 27 is in near mint condition, in the box with the original leads, manual and warranty card. It doesn't have the CAT rating, so I opened it up and can date it to sometime after the 39th week of 1988. With the exception of the display board, very close to the FM version you showed us here.

[EEVblog]

Score indeed! Could resell on ebay for much more, but worth keeping.

[LazerLord]

Haha, we still have one of these things in our electronics lab. I wonder how long it's been there?

[dedskin]

that thing costs 200dollars in used state here in Serbia , unbelievable but true

[sepomah]

Recently bought one from Craigslist for 50 bucks brand new in box with all the paper work that came with it, also still had the twist tie on the leads

[achemachew]

It sure is! the 260 was the one I used to use also. It was an older series. It may be analog, but it's so accurate!

[yellowcrescent]

Grabbed a Fluke 27/FM (US Army version) from a local military surplus store for $25!! Battery still works and it has a recent 2011 calibration sticker! Score :)

[Leoj-dxnv]

Excellent video. This meter is a tank and it have many useful measurements BUT the only think that kills this multimeter is that it doesn't measure capacitance.

[jwrtiger]

Hi Dave, I have the all yellow Fluke 27 and I bought it new in 1989. Still works great but I guess calibration is a little over due.

[BaBOehOY]

Hi Dave, Yet another very nice video! Thanks! I think I will pick one of these up, just a cool piece of history.

[EEVblog]

You REALLY have to post some video of your entire Fluke collection!