EEVblog 1393 - Retro Fluke 37 Multimeter Review & Teardown

[@EEVblog]

From Dave Taylor, former Fluke meter designer on the EEVblog forum: "The 37 form factor was requested by corporate buyers because the small handhelds walked out the door too easily. Specifically it was made bigger to prevent theft."

[@mikeselectricstuff]

Aneng 8888S is a similar form factor, but instead of the useful compartment, they put in a Bluetooth speaker and alarm clock!

[@EEVblog]

Yep, big disappointment that one!

[@andymouse]

Just had a look, unbelievable ! fun for all the family.

[@sofa-lofa4241]

An alarm clock? Beep, beep, beep.... Oh sh*t, I'm late for work!... Kinda works Beep, beep, beep.... Oh sh*t, better wake up after a Friday 2 hour lunchbreak at the pub, for the 4pm meeting with the boss.... Works much better!

[@lionlinux]

it should to be with lighter ... everything coming better with led lighter (c) Chinese

[@falkkyburz]

I was 100% expecting this is a joke.

[@wetwingnut]

The Fluke 37 was my very first purchase of quality electronics test kit - back when I was 17yo - and its still being used on my bench today...

[@codebeat4192]

Yes, make a 3D printed backcover for it. Make it smaller, more portable ;-)

[@Rolf981]

Stuff it with 18650s

[@AERVBlog]

I have one of these on my bench at work and love it. Like you said the form factor is exactly right. I am glad I got mine a while off eBay for cheap 'cause now that you did this video the price will skyrocket.

[@truckerallikatuk]

That looks like a zinc alloy on that interior case.

[@SeanBZA]

Yes, old Zamac zinc aluminium alloy, with the characteristic powder bloom from the reaction with moisture for the untreated alloy. Could do with a clean up with a green Scotchbrite pad, and then 2 coats of clear lacquer to protect it, with only the contacts for the shield connection being left bare, though a thin film of silicone oil will help kep it clean and bright.

[@michaelmoore7975]

@10:15 The small circular looking "clock" in the center. It is a date and mold stamp used for injection molded plastic. The lines are the flow lines emanating from the injection sprues.

[@twicecookedpork6220]

Looks like a structural foam molded part to me, not metal. It's plastic molded with a blowing agent that creates gas bubbles inside the part to reduce weight and material use. The parts tend to have a rough surface with highly visible flow lines.

[@ofar4452]

Agree - looks like a zinc injection casting.

[@tubastuff]

Could also be zinc-spray over plastic. Used quite a bit in the old days to pass VDE (and FCC 15 part B) EMI standards.

[@rleeAZ]

I've had my eye on getting one of these for some time. Just found one on eBay with all accessories, a temp/thermocouple module and the original manual. Went ahead and got it based on this video. Thanks Dave!

[@starcraftuniversity9644]

Dave is so excited, I'm sure he will go ultrasonic next time

[@TheDefpom]

Tektronix did a 851 which was a multimeter on steroids, had a sloping front but was a lot larger, I had one donated by a supporter for me to repair it, which I did manage to do and did a video or two on it.

[@PeterGagen]

I purchased one from RS in the 80's and it still serves me well today. I have never had a bit of truble with it and never removed the case so interesting video.

[@PhillipRhodes]

You should definitely do the "3d printed back cover" thing. I would love to see that!

[@M1America]

I use a Fluke 29 as my only multimeter. Only drawback is no temperature probe, and no clamp meter functionality. It has the flexible kickstand! My mother was an engineer at Fluke in the early nineties and got that meter from her employer at a discount for my father. Growing up with access to that meter is likely one of the factors that led to me choosing a career in EE.

[@EEVblog]

I remember that flexible stand!

[@jeffolynuk6649]

When Dave opens the lid I thought what a great place to put your lunch!

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Very nice. Ive got an old Fluke 77 from 1987. Full auto ranging and built like a tank. Still works perfectly 36yrs later.

[@johnwaldburger8822]

Thanks for the great video... It is my primary voltmeter. Cant live without it.

[@georgegherghinescu]

Yay oldschool meter video! I saw an ad in a 1984 electronics magazine for the Fluke 8025A (on which this is based on) if I remember correctly so.. the design must be from the mid 80's like you said. The little fuse is in series with the one used for the miliamps and microamps and it is rated so it blows first and saves the owner the price of a 1000v hrc rated fuse.. the larger one only blows if the little one can't interrupt the current. Also I think I see two PTC's on the board, just that they are the boxy unpainted type.. one next to the shunts and one on on the other side of the range switch next to some resistors. The form factor is nice and the range switch is awesome on these, well worth the money on ebay. PS: Glad to see the old 27 still in your collection, it's a keeper! Thank's for the video :-)

[@johnyoungquist6540]

The fact that you haven't been able to buy one of these for decades tells you how popular it was.

[@TheLEEC]

Got one on the bench here for a decade. It never failed me. I never changed the battery. It’s the optimal size for a portable multimeter. Throw in the probes, screw drivers, cutters and a biscuit and go fix stuff!

[@mysock351C]

I love those old PCBs with the crinkly tin underneath. Looks just like an 80's GM ECM inside with the square crinkly traces and the old-school components.

[@hrford]

I worked in Cal house in the UK last decade. We tore through tons of MOD Fluke 27s in various states of destroyed. The first test we'd do while walking them from the shelf was open circuit conductance (nS) test. It needs to be below 0.10nS (>10 GOhm) and gives an indication of board contamination or blown protection devices.

[@NZHippie]

Yes Dave, love the form factor, I await your production of an modern retro styled version of the Fluke 37...

[@WacKEDmaN]

interesting form factor... that metal shield almost looks like its galvanized... thanks for the teardown Dave...always good lookin at old gear edit: on closer look and the sound from tapping... seems to be metal impregnated plastic!

[@michaelmoore7975]

@10:15 The small circular looking "clock" in the center. It is a date and mold stamp used for injection molded plastic. The lines are the flow lines emanating from the injection sprues.

[@WacKEDmaN]

@@michaelmoore7975 good catch! i didnt look for them!..tell tale signs! also the metal screw inserts are a give away!

[@michaelmoore7975]

@@WacKEDmaN Always the smallest of clues, eh? But you had it mostly ...."listen" as well as look! Tell-tale sounds!

[@michaelmoore7975]

@@WacKEDmaN Another clue @10:15 is the brass threaded inserts encased in a large cylindrical boss. If it were thick metal, the metal itself would be threaded or perhaps a brazed/spot-welded on nut. If it were thin metal, it would use sheet metal type screws or screwed with spring steel "U" nut clips.

[@WacKEDmaN]

@@michaelmoore7975 yup i caught that one in my last comment!

[@dangerotterisrea]

I love the look of that badboy..I don't even fiddle around with the electronics, but you always make it so entertaining!

[@ehsnils]

The carry compartment is as I see it a quite nice touch - probes and alligator clips would be nice to have there. I'd like a front cover on a hinge too just to protect it during transport - and it can double as a stand.

[@PaulSteMarie]

Radio and Electronics Magazine back in the mid/late seventies ran a project piece with a prototyping workstation that used a sloped-front cabinet very similar to this, without the bail. It had two analog panel meters on the front for voltage and amps, +5/±12V supplies, a bunch of LED indicators and various other accessories around a bank of three prototyping sockets. I've never managed to find the article online, alas.

[@bigjd2k]

Slots in the PCB around the trimming area are for reducing PCB leakage, which can vary wildly depending on cleanliness, flux etc.

[@darrenthompson3696]

Oh happy memories, my first meter was a fluke 37. Fantastic meter

[@mauriceleach3558]

a thing of beauty is a joy forever

[@infi84]

I got this one specifically for the form factor, cause I wanted a bench multimeter to put on a shelf above my bench and this was pretty much the only one I found for cheap.

[@Thirsty_Fox]

Somewhat related... Am I the only one who would love to see a desktop scientific calculator? I only ever see basic desktop calculators -- wouldn't it be nice to have a dedicated desk scientific calculator with large display and buttons. I'm half-tempted to make one, even.

[@EEVblog]

I've been half temped for 20 years :-D

[@Thirsty_Fox]

@@EEVblog That inspires me! I'm thinking of using standard keyboard keys (like Cherry MX) on a PCB. The question is whether to use the internals of an existing calculator (perhaps FX-991EX), or do a whole custom job involving a micro-controller.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

My favorite Fluke is the 8050A-01, onboard batteries or mains, dB conversion, Mine ( bought new back in the '70s) lost its liquid crystal display and naturally, Fluke has no parts. I have an equally as old 8010, mains only, fewer digits, no dBs, that still works. My overall favorite bench multi is the HP33401A. It lacks histograms and multi-color display of current offerings but it tells the truth and has been reliable for approaching 2 decades.

[@telefon72]

I use them all the time at my university! They are great!

[@RogovAB]

Multimeter with suitcase functionality! Cool!

[@tkermi]

So cool old product. I don't know what it's all about but I really love this kind of (an even older) pro grade electronics 😃💯.

[@kandersondavid]

I bought one of these 5 months ago. Great for EE students who need to take their meter to lab; also have a 27/fm based on Dave's recommendation.

[@chargehanger]

A good old Moldy Meter Teardown ! We love those !

[@shango066]

I use a 27 FM for everything almost every day, indestructible. You should send a bunch of us fellow KZbin creators promo versions of your meter so we can help promote it the way to China utilizes influencers as free promoters

[@cb900fighter84]

I did wonder on a few occasions why you don't run an eev blog meter. Even tho your 27fm is a legend in its own right on your channel. Nice to get them digits working again tho 😁

[@EEVblog]

Email me your courier address and phone# !

[@Giel474]

Yes, I like to see multimeter made that way, would like to have a brother in that form of your eevblog multimeter.

[@scottkirkpatrick8516]

The Beckman Industrial 360 is another benchtop multimeter with storage compartment built in. It's a 3.5-digit true-RMS multimeter and it even accepts K-type thermocouple probes to measure temperature. The crazy thing about this model is that it takes 6 size D batteries. When I got mine used, the batteries had a date code of sometime in the 90s. They were Duracell batteries over 20 years old with still enough juice to power the multimeter. However, I replaced them anyway with a fresh set of Duracell batteries.

[@troels54]

Still using it at work ;-) rock solid and excellent battery life! Still no issue with calibration :-)

[@SubTroppo]

It is great to hear Dave cream his jeans over a beige multimeter. For me it is the an art deco Avo with the parallax mirror just for the looks.

[@excavatoree]

One of the few (maybe only, depending on your definition of "era") meters of that era that I only own one of. Crap, I didn't even realize my stand was missing. I didn't realize the display PCB was different from the 27 as well.

[@erikdenhouter]

Fairly easy to construct with 3mm Alu, when looking this video at 02:56

[@erikdenhouter]

For the external power connector you can design a little solar cell with boost circuit. They lacked that idea in these days. The form factor is stable; that Fluke 27 is orientated vertically, and one pull on the leads and it falls.

[@flymypg]

Back in the very late 1970s I had a BK Precision LED multimeter that was compact (5x10x12 cm) and portable, but went through batteries very quickly (6AA, IIRC). In the end, a massive leak from all batteries killed it.

[@Alext-wx7hr]

I use those in the labs at my school! They are execellent!

[@thegreenpickel]

Ah, that's what the slots on the bottom are for, I didn't get the bail with mine. Love the simplicity being new to the hobby.

[@erikdenhouter]

Fairly easy to construct with 3mm Alu, when looking the video at 02:56

[@TheHWcave]

Just got a OWON XDM1041 because I like that form factor. It fits perfectly on my bench. This one is 55000 count and mains powered only but then it has a beautiful big colour 3.7" LCD screen. It also got a serial SCPI interface.

[@pnjunction5689]

Great Lunch Box!

[@srivatsarupadhya6116]

I too think it's very cool. Definitely I love the form factor and would love to buy one.👍👌

[@oswaldjh]

13:57 Curious to know what the four 1N4007 diodes connected to the bridge rectifier are there for. Bueller?

[@LazoeJSCREI]

I'm guessing it's capping the voltage across the shunt for protection. 4 diodes across the diode bridge act as the "load" in standard bridge terms. In either polarity of applied voltage, the input would see 6 diodes (two conducting in the bridge at a time, plus the four) so it would start conducting and cap the voltage at approximately 0.6 * 6 = 3.6 volts. Don't know why, but they wanted to cap it at specifically 3.6 volts, and the circuit is basically a cost cutting measure (but achieves the exact same) as having two strings of 6 diodes in both directions.

[@petersage5157]

7:40 A bench meter in the depth factor of a modern DSO with room for something like 10-22AH battery? Yes, please!

[@rádiosantigos1958]

That was a very nice presentation. Thanks.

[@bjorndimming6304]

I have two of them. Love them! One has been cut off, with a bandsaw, just behind the front part, so the handle and the compartment is missing. (not by me) Bought them very cheap, 10 € each, on the ETA, Chalmers annual Electro Technic Auction, Gothenburg, Sweden.

[@dynorat12]

my dad had one and he gave it to me when i was younger

[@QsTechService1]

That would be awesome if they made a new one like that awesome form factor thanks for sharing

[@mysock351C]

Regarding the shield it looks like molded plastic with some form of metal filler, probably for conductivity and possibly to also help act as a flame retardant. Can see the lines of flow in the plastic from the molding process. Also the use of brass threaded inserts alludes to it being plastic as well.

[@EngineeringVignettes]

Can't go wrong with a Fluke meter. The form factor is great for placing the meter such that it is stable (not trying to prop a meter up on its flimsy back leg). Nice classic design to. I think a re-release would be cool. Cheers,

[@kasamikona]

I'm so used to the "John X" format of giving an anonymous personality to a company/group that for a moment I thought you were joking when you read out "John Fluke"!

[@tsusec]

13:56 What is the point of connecting FULL bridge rectifier like that? Can some-one write quick explanation or point me to the literature where that is mentioned? -Thanks

[@gregkrobinson]

Unidirectional directional clamp, with 6 diode drops, but only requiring 8 diodes thanks to the bridge, rather than 12 needed if you just used 2 anti-parallel strings.

[@jeffm2787]

I've got a couple Micronta 22-195's that kind of remind me of this concept. Battery powered LCD display bench meter from way back when.

[@algemeennut6683]

Think we used these in school... There were quite a few of them. Prolly used mostly for education as this one :)

[@joeambly6807]

I have 4 on my main service bench, and I DO use the carry handle for field work. Love it!

[@1978garfield]

I would be afraid to take that out in the field. The good meter stays on the bench. The good enough meter goes on field trips.

[@joeambly6807]

@@1978garfield hehe I have cheapies too for when I think they will get damaged. I paid under 40$ each for these meters so Im not too worried about them getting damaged :)

[@larry785]

I HAD TO WAIT 16 MINUTES AND 40 SECONDS TO HEAR "Bob's your Uncle"!!!

[@danishdart]

UNI-T UT802 does the job nicely in a similar form factor.

[@ebenwaterman5858]

What did HP have then that Fluke might have been competing with?

[@noisyaudio]

The shield is aluminum flake filled plastic - its mentioned in the catalog

[@heathwellsNZ]

Because it was the first serious MM I ever got to use... at Uni... a Fluke to me is always the gold standard in MM and I won't own anything else. For the same reason I own a Weller... it's years old but does the job well and I likely will never use anything else... I personally don't particularly like this model - but appreciate a Fluke based video nonetheless!

[@diamaunt2782]

I like my Fluke 37. it's LCD was going bad, or I thought it was, I took it all apart, gently cleaned the zebra strips, and it's good as new.

[@robharley9838]

Shielding might be MU Metal? Fun video Dave!

[@TeslaTales59]

I still use my Fluke 75 !

[@MrGracham]

I'm getting a dejavu I swear i've seen this video already

[@DextersTechLab]

The metal case does look weird, almost like pot metal?

[@ickipoo]

Almost looks like metal impregnated plastic of some sort, although density must be close to aluminium or Dave would have said something. Might be interesting to see how conductive it is.

[@michaelmoore7975]

@6:49 Look at the exposed edges of the case. Really thick. They wouldn't do that with metal. It's a type of plastic. If you're able to blow it up big you can also see the exposed edges are sawn. ad. Also @8:14 sawn edges.

[@michaelmoore7975]

Got it. @10:15 The small circular looking "clock" in the center. It is a date and mold stamp used for injection molded plastic. The lines are the flow lines emanating from the injection sprues.

[@picklerix6162]

I used this same meter to find shorted capacitors on computer motherboards that failed the Genrad test.

[@greendragonmakerspace]

It's an engineer's Handbag. :D :D

[@michaelmoore7975]

@10:15 The small circular looking "clock" in the center. It is a date and mold stamp used for injection molded plastic. The lines are the flow lines emanating from the injection sprues.

[@xyzconceptsYT]

Ha, I have actually got one of these, but the face has been crudely transplanted into a project case. Still works too.

[@MikeB_UK]

Must have been made for hungry Australian engineers - the only multimeter with built in Lamington capable storage compartment.

[@sdttnkara]

That metallic look cover is metal plated plastic. It has even brass inserts same used on plastics.

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

My vote is for a new full 3d printed plastic case - and while at it, why not place the fuses on the reverse side to minimize depth. A metal π-shaped adjustable stand would work wonders too. The 90 degree angles on the pcb tracks is huge turn-off though. Probably doesn't matter a bit but it does scream laziness... Or perhaps it is optimal: after all tracks crossing vertically exhibit minimum interference. Are there any tracks crossing vertically, however, that justify this? PS: Having said that, quick ebay.com search (14/5/21) reveals: 161 Fluke 27's and just 2 (!!!) Fluke 37's. I guess there won't be much demand for a third party case. Also, the 27's can be had for the same or less money and some time come with a protective carrier case which a great boon.

[@cb900fighter84]

As this draws so little, could you not do a video on a multimeter that is powered from potatoes?

[@robinsonsoto8471]

Why you do a video on VTVM. I am pretty sure you must have quite a few. Thanks

[@frankowalker4662]

What a cool looking meter. I just looked on ebay for one, 2 available, with outragous shipping.

[@nutsnproud6932]

I like my ex military Fluke 25. Slow as old boots and very accurate.

[@MaskaFumo]

Hi, i hope you can help me! Is there any LCR tester (or Other testing device) that have a “pass/fail with sound or visual confirmation when testing inductance and resistance in transformers ? Like, set the parameters to “234 ~ 274 uH”, if the transformer is within the values, a confirmation sound or light tell me that the transformer is good or bad ? Currently i’m using a “Minipa MX-1050 LCR tester”

[@fractalengineering]

Could that RF shield be die-cast pewter? Has some of that classic rotting disease surface crust

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Do it up, Davey! Id love to see you make a 3d printed rear case. 😎

[@So-Flo]

The design of the formfactor needs updating but I think a portable versatile bench meter would be great. I'd particularly like to see some innovation in lead storage. Retractable maybe? eeh, kinda limiting. But something to mean you don't have to unplug the leads and fold/roll them up every day else leave them out taking up inefficient amounts of bench space. We need expandable garden hose multimeter leads

[@petevannuys5642]

Fluke are interested and work with true RMS oscillator circuit highly accurate !.

[@tiltedstudio]

Gotta put SOMETHING in that extra storage space!!

[@rimmersbryggeri]

Dave why not make a bench version of one of your meters? Probably isnt much more work than designing an enclosure?

[@robinsonsoto8471]

That meter gets an A+.

[@JDavidGoodman1]

Am I the only one thinking 70's lunchbox? Multimeter with snack storage.

[@johnjohn-ed9qt]

The only other thing I can think of in the orphan form-factor is the HP 3476A (and B, with batteries!) 1111 counts and a gen-u-ine 3.5mm tall digit bubble LED display. I have one somewhere, I think.

[@TheBananaPlug]

The OWON XDM1041 is similar to your idea of a case for the guts of this Fluke meter, have you looked at that model, looks cute but looks can be deceiving?

[@MustangBoss1973]

Hello, will you be reviewing the new FNIRSI 1014D? I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this Ocilloscope.

[@schnibbelwind91]

I have one and love it! So handy.

[@ifohancroft]

Would you please review the Atten ST-862D hotair rework station? It's apparently slightly better than the Quick 861DW at about $100 less.

[@IanScottJohnston]

Is that cover metal impregnated GRP maybe?

[@Daveyk021]

Still have one that monitors the output of the variac on my Systems Instrument cart.

[@pastahajianpour5607]

That also looks like iron with zinc plating that's kinda common in here for exhaust pipes of gas heaters.