Fluke 1664FC issues - Null - Low Batt - Err 5

[Monchichak]

Hi There,

Just invested in a Fluke 1664FC multifunction tester in the hope of gaining accurate - repeatable results but unfortunately it's not proving very accurate at all...

Basic issue:
New Energizer alkaline batteries in meter
Meter in continuity mode
Neutral & Earth non-fused probes plugged into null adapter
Press & hold 'Test' button

Results vary from 0.09 Ohms to open circuit with light movement on the probes, occasionally Lo Batt is displayed & very occasionally Err 5 is displayed. This happens with any probe combination even if I vigorously twist probes into the null adapter to obtain a better connection & it also happens in other modes that measure continuity.

It appears that the spring clips on the end of the probes have a poor electrical connection to the probes which are causing the varying readings, has anyone managed to overcome this? Any tricks, different null adapters or leads I should try?

I'm assuming ERR 5 pops up due to the poor 'noisy' contacts but I can't understand why I am receiving Low Batt message in continuity mode when simply shorting probes into null adapter & wiggling them, has anyone else seen this?


Thanks for any advice

 

[buzzlightyear]

is this a new tester or bargain basement fliebay.

 

[Monchichak]

'New' from eBay
323830232425

Registration for calibration went through ok so I don't suspect it's not genuine but I could be wrong.

 

[Pete999]

Hi There,

Just invested in a Fluke 1664FC multifunction tester in the hope of gaining accurate - repeatable results but unfortunately it's not proving very accurate at all...

Basic issue:
New Energizer alkaline batteries in meter
Meter in continuity mode
Neutral & Earth non-fused probes plugged into null adapter
Press & hold 'Test' button

Results vary from 0.09 Ohms to open circuit with light movement on the probes, occasionally Lo Batt is displayed & very occasionally Err 5 is displayed. This happens with any probe combination even if I vigorously twist probes into the null adapter to obtain a better connection & it also happens in other modes that measure continuity.

It appears that the spring clips on the end of the probes have a poor electrical connection to the probes which are causing the varying readings, has anyone managed to overcome this? Any tricks, different null adapters or leads I should try?

I'm assuming ERR 5 pops up due to the poor 'noisy' contacts but I can't understand why I am receiving Low Batt message in continuity mode when simply shorting probes into null adapter & wiggling them, has anyone else seen this?


Thanks for any advice

Are the batteries the rechargeable type? if so have you charged them up correctly?

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

Hi There,

Just invested in a Fluke 1664FC multifunction tester in the hope of gaining accurate - repeatable results but unfortunately it's not proving very accurate at all...

Basic issue:
New Energizer alkaline batteries in meter
Meter in continuity mode
Neutral & Earth non-fused probes plugged into null adapter
Press & hold 'Test' button

Results vary from 0.09 Ohms to open circuit with light movement on the probes, occasionally Lo Batt is displayed & very occasionally Err 5 is displayed. This happens with any probe combination even if I vigorously twist probes into the null adapter to obtain a better connection & it also happens in other modes that measure continuity.

It appears that the spring clips on the end of the probes have a poor electrical connection to the probes which are causing the varying readings, has anyone managed to overcome this? Any tricks, different null adapters or leads I should try?

I'm assuming ERR 5 pops up due to the poor 'noisy' contacts but I can't understand why I am receiving Low Batt message in continuity mode when simply shorting probes into null adapter & wiggling them, has anyone else seen this?


Thanks for any advice

Are you using the L and PE inputs? Continuity on my Fluke is between these two, not N and E.

Edit: having said that, it will give the LEAD error message if you've not connected a lead to the L input so you must be using the L input. How are the readings with the lead set with the 13amp plug on the end?

 

[buzzlightyear]

http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/166x____qreng0000.pdf

 

[Monchichak]

Batteries are new Energizer Alkaline type - battery holder seems pretty loose when located. Is the rechargeable option better?

 

[buzzlightyear]

Batteries are new Energizer Alkaline type - battery holder seems pretty loose when located. Is the rechargeable option better

if its not the batteries then its the (tester) ,me I always us recharge batteries .

 

[Pete999]

Batteries are new Energizer Alkaline type - battery holder seems pretty loose when located. Is the rechargeable option better?

What does the Manual say to use are, could be if you using ordinary batteries, you MAY be goosing them if you leave your tester plugged in for some time.
Not saying this is what has happened just chucking an idea around.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Neutral & Earth non-fused probes plugged into null adapter

just clicked .read the manual what I put on here for you .try L- PE.

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

just clicked .read the manual what I put on here for you .try L- PE.

See post #5

 

[Monchichak]

On the 1664 you can select which combination of probes to carry out the test on
L-N
L-E
N-E

 

[Monchichak]

Testing tester with new unused batteries

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

Have you tried using the lead set with the 13amp plug to see if that is more consistent?

 

[Monchichak]

After investigsting further I'm convinced the low batt message must be a funny 'quirk' of this tester when a poor contact exists during continuity test. It happens with all lead combinations when a poor contact exists but it is mostly noticeable when using the spring loaded part of the probes (eg plugging probes directly into null adapter as instructed) since this part introduces a poor contact.

Would be handy if someone else with a 1664 could confirm.

Thanks for help