My old trusty multimeter finally gave up the ghost last Tuesday

I was working on a Citation Mustang out in Phoenix and went to check continuity on a fuel quantity probe. That Fluke 87 I've had since 2007 just started showing random numbers on the display, then went blank. I tried swapping batteries and even gave it a gentle tap on the bench, but nothing. Had to borrow a guy's newer model from the next hangar over, which felt weird since I've always been picky about my own tools. Ended up ordering a replacement same night, but it got me thinking about how much simpler those old meters were versus all the digital stuff now. Anyone else hold onto a favorite tool way longer than you should?

3 comments

3 Comments

sean483d ago

Did you see that article from a few months back about how Fluke is actually having trouble sourcing some of the old display chips for the 87 series? A buddy of mine in the avionics shop was saying that's why they pushed out the 87V, they couldn't get parts for the old ones anymore. Makes you wonder how long any of this new stuff will actually be repairable.

jackson.max3d ago

Huh, does anyone actually think Fluke would have been dumb enough to not stockpile those chips for years before they ran out? I mean, the 87 series has been around since the 80s, they knew exactly what parts they were using. More likely they saw an excuse to force an upgrade cycle and kill off the old models people were still buying used and reselling. They could have just sourced a different display or made a tiny revision to the board if they really wanted to keep making the old ones. It's planned obsolescence dressed up as a supply chain problem.

the_elizabeth3d ago

Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me they literally couldn't find any display chips for the 87's? I always figured it was a planned upgrade thing, like you said. @sean48 I'm gonna have to look up that article, I just assumed Fluke was pulling a fast one on everyone.

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