TSP #18 - Teardown and Repair of a Fluke 196B Handheld ScopeMeter

In this episode Shahriar goes through the teardown and repair process of a Fluke 196B Handheld ScopeMeter. This unit, which has been purchased as a "dead" unit from eBay, is examined for faults. During the teardown, various PCB components, architecture and design is presented. The performance and functionality of the unit is verified with a few brief experiments. Finally, the schematic and block diagram of the Fluke 196B is explored for the finer details of its design and operation.

[@JGunlimited]

I like the way your videos explain high level concepts in a way that someone with a basic understanding of electronics can follow what you're saying. Great job!

[@johncunningham5435]

Excellent score on eBay; first class protection and the fastest latching I have seen in a hand held meter. "Very Well Demonstrated"

[@TangentAudioVideo]

Your series of ebay teardown/repair videos inspired me to do one of my own, for an Agilent benchtop DMM. I posted it as a video response. Thanks for sharing your work!

[@NumosG]

Dave opens is, Shahriar tests it, Mike constructs it. And Photon blows it all up. Woundn't miss *any* of them!

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

When mentioning my inability to capture the information in one go it was not a criticism of your teaching style. In fact I prefer to watch repair videos for three reasons. 1. To gain the instrument more cheaply. 2. To solve the puzzle of the machine's inadequacy. 3. To gain your understanding of the machine's circuit. Two machines i am more interested in are oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers. When the object of attention is only of limited understanding on my part like a qualitative or quantitative understanding of a network analysis machine I still like to watch your problem solving method of the microwave circuit but the final result is almost incomprehensible to me an older man. Still you are helping young individuals learn to repair unrepairable instruments unless bonded wire or other method you do not possess for microwave tuning inductance capacity or other changes detrimental to circuit logic. Thanks for your giving of knowledge. It's great.

[@ggattsr]

As usual, great video. Anxiously waiting for the next ones......

[@Thesignalpath]

I agree. I have a few things to repair in a queue. I will make more videos.

[@terancepodolski4323]

Excellent video, thank you for posting.

[@KeenanTims]

Two great videos in one week. Hope this is the start of a trend :).

[@Thesignalpath]

Thank you! Interesting idea, I will try it.

[@Thesignalpath]

There is a flyback converter on board and I mistakingly thought it was connected to the back-light. Thanks!

[@todkapuz]

lucky grab. I doubt my luck would be as good (and with no test gear, wouldn't know one way or the other) Really enjoying your videos... the RF and high-speed stuff is really enjoyable to watch.

[@RamjetX]

Upon further watching of the video, I see you didn't have the original fluke adaptor... Lucky then that the poor person who sold it kept the faulty part :) Excellent score on a great scopemeter!

[@Thesignalpath]

Yes, the Fluke also offers all isolated channels which as you mentioned is an important feature.

[@AB-yu2tj]

Isolated only on 90s and 190s

[@tiredfingers99]

Dude you scored huge, got an awsome deal. I would not reccomend leaving the unit plugged in for more than 4 or 5 hours. We left simular batteries in for a cordless drill for over a month, and when we went to use the batteries there was no voltage coming out. I think that leaving them in the charger for a long time slowly drains and rechargers the batteries a small amount, but doesn't over heat the batteries, but destroys them. The battery was missing, that battery was bad, and was the problem.

[@jpmag69]

They may have tried to power up unit with center positive adapter. Great Video !!!

[@Thesignalpath]

I have had my bad luck with eBay also. I can sympathize. The E8285A is a beast. Very capable unit. I have not taken one apart before. Have you tried to just call Agilent and ask them? A service manual may be available for sale.

[@gamccoy]

That was a really lucky purchase. I am glad it worked out in your favor! I would like to comment on those disparaging Dave Jones: It is undeserved and bad manners. I have learned a great deal from all the major EE bloggers. Let's not get into any character smearing here.

[@grantdesrosiers]

I have been using one of these at work lately. The battery is shot so I have to leave the DC supply connected. The power supply is very poorly filtered; 60 hz mains noise shows up in every measured signal when I don't use the ground clip. Fairly annoying. Great video!

[@Thesignalpath]

Yes! Thank you :)

[@msk19991]

It's still a pretty good deal to get it for 200 bucks no doubt. Many thanks for the walk through.

[@AxelWerner]

WIHA screwdrivers are one of the best money can buy. The model you got there is those small grip series. not build for high-torque screws. but of course you can get those drivers with larger grip too. if you treat them right they last almost a life long. good choice!

[@haggy38]

You finally received the back case, post a picture, I really enjoy with the equipment repair, j

[@joes5669]

In case you're still wondering 10 years later, my fluke 196B doesn't have a flickering back-light. Perhaps the CFLs are just at their end of life. LOL. I wish I found your channel a decade ago!

[@R2AUK]

Many thanks for the video. Did you consider to 3D-print a missing part of the case?

[@elenamarinca1184]

And one more thing for saying,with your permition...I saw your video visiting EEVB..

[@copmy]

Thank you for the video. Could you please tell me where can I find the link to this scope user manual and service manual? Thanks.

[@Thesignalpath]

I have used Camtasia in my previous videos. Currently, my copy was not working.

[@nlimchua]

looks similar to my Tek THS-720 std. Mine has isolated channels which is a really good feature to have.

[@shahryar2002]

May I know where can i Get the dc power jack for this board.

[@uzamakin]

Just checked your video, excellent by the way...question, I bought a Fluke 199c that has the input A blown, what is the cost of fixing it, could you do it?

[@gahlanaventis]

i am asking about the 2 channels of this scope are isolated from each other or not? like the siglent shs 1002 scope?

[@ssmoore69]

I have seen cases where the item is stolen and the area with the serial number is missing, in this case it could be the back panel. Not saying this is the case here but it does happen. Of course once the panel with the serial number is removed it cant be sold as a functioning unit. Anyways very nice videos!

[@ayubshaikh9156]

Thanks, got some very important info for my own repair on my 192b, Some hint : unlock the flat ribbon cable lock before you pull it our ! Can you please tell me where is the centre wire from the power supply / Charger SOCKET connected on the PCB ? Mine is diconnected ! Can't find the Point where it was connected to, any Ground ?

[@timlemmon9474]

I was given 3 of the 196c meters. One powered on, but channel 2 on the o-scope was dead, the other two didn't power up. After inspecting the second, the memory daughter board had come loose. Plugged it back in and it works like a charm. The 3rd shows a burnt part on the board, down near the charging circuit. The part is labeled p65. I am hopeful that someone just plugged in the wrong charger! Any ideas for fixing channel b? when I do a calibration, it sees the signal, but jumps around.

[@1Paisita1]

i have a Fluke 199 scopemeter, and i have a problem with the channel A, this dont read any signal that i put, only read the measure of frequency (Hz) but in the lcd show noise. you have a solution?

[@pasandinuka]

i have fluke 196c scope . problem is power button pushed . display is not working and have beep sound and power button push again only beep sound .

[@EletronManiacos]

Please make the video about the ADC's!!

[@bgdwiepp]

Wow, that is a steal! Good video. -dV/dt for NiMh charging :)

[@mikeselectricstuff]

Backlight inverters are typically Royer, not flyback as the tubes use AC to avoid metal migration from electrodes

[@t0scanelli]

53:32 Why is the volt meter measurement display wobbling and not showing zero volts when the probes aren't connected to anything?

[@FrozenHaxor]

They probably connected the power with the center positive and outter part negative, heheh

[@CxC2007]

nice equipment you have in there ! Is this your full time Job ?

[@d942yd42]

Are all those transformers just for power isolation?

[@whiskeyify]

I picked up an old Oscilloscope on ebay for $12.00 and it works ok...it looked like it had been in storage for a long time.

[@superdau]

Could it be the oscilloscopes had their backcover removed to be fit into another assembly? (which would pretty much defeat the purpose of having a handheld oscilloscope, but I can't think of another reason why you'd remove the cover on multiple devices). And then, whoever ripped it out, did not think about the powersupply and did not know the polarity of the connector is "unusual" (fat chance with 50/50 ;) ).

[@AB-yu2tj]

خاک برسر، just bought 2 fluke 199C non functional. By any luck I might be able to get them working. Thanks for the video.

[@SergioCElias]

Voce tem Circuit Diagrams Fluke 434??

[@woox2k]

Heh, original owner probably lost the AC adapter and when he tried to connect new one he got the polarity wrong and it didn't work. Most stuff use center as positive so it's easy to assume everything uses the same. Lucky you!

[@TheMrjogas]

Hi.can you help me out.i have fluke 123 and its not power on just click sound from speaker.on charger or on battery or wthout batery .thanks for your time

[@DmitryMotuzov]

Hello dear friend, where I can find fluke 190-102 schematic manual? Maybe you know? Thanks

[@latishion]

I have a keitley 2400 how much is the cost of calibration? i would like to sell it in ebay but i want to make sure i sell it in perfect conditions ,, by the way very nice videos u make it seem so easy to fix ,,,

[@jonka1]

This is not fair! Whenever I buy faulty electronics they have multiple serious issues. I'm pleased for you but how do I pick up some of your luck?

[@snipersquad100]

Perhapps it was sold as not working as it didn't have a power sauce. Fluke should of give you some discount on that rear panel as you own so much of their stuff.

[@DJSolitone]

Hello Shariar. We are trying to repair the input stages on a Fluke 192, and are in need of two C-ASIC reference Philips OQ0260HL but cannot find any place on Earth to source them. This is the N1000 front end ASIC, with service manual reference 4022 244 89993. This part seems to have disappeared from the surface of the planet entirely. Anybody knows where we could find some of these ?

[@SoddingaboutSi]

I'm in the same boat. Can't find one either.

[@ohmannhey]

I would not clean the optocopplers. It seems to me that the full board is coated. These field boards are often specially coated to protect them from moisture. You would destroy the coating and it would lose it's comliance. Just my two cents.

[@juliocoq777]

Help my fluke 196 the keys do not work as if I was blocking I do not understand which keys combine I'm left blocking I can only turn off and turn on help some solution of someone

[@mendes57100]

Hi, I need the service manual for 196c like that one you show on video but I can´t find it online, can you please help? Thanks

[@hackids]

i download here vdocuments.mx/download/manual-de-servicio-fluke-199b

[@skilledhiko329]

I need some parts for fluke 5500A pcb A6 please where I can buy those parts ?

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

My guess on the flux is the wrong result from first installation and actually a bodge of components.

[@ansarvidio]

i have fluke199b ,its not working ,when i trying to power ON its only displaying one second then unit automaticaly OFF if you dont mint please advice me this problem causes

[@muhammadmajar6011]

I've removed it's battery two weeks ago, first It worked well after removing battery ( with only dc power supply) 2 days ago, I wanted to power it up to do an experiment but the only thing I'd got was a short buzz (muted ) and no live except.

[@user-xr5el7tk6i]

There is a schematic fluke 434?, won't turn on.

[@damienlawrence7858]

In this video you said you made a scope ... So this is what I want I have a good analog TV with RCA jacks I will like to a basic oscilloscope circuit with it can you help me ....... I am living Trinidad &Tobago so to buy a scope is hard if I get a schematic I will take my time to make it thanks for your help

[@RamjetX]

I have a fluke Scopemeter 199 with Both A and B scope channels failing to show any input? Apparently it's been sent away for repair and the original owner who passed it on to me told me that the Scope modules were faulty and would need to be replaced? Ever heard of this or similar issues? In regards to your video with the original fault of not powering up? The Fluke AC>DC plugpack will break it's own transformer mounts and O/C. Resoldering the PCB in the plugpack fixes the fault.

[@lassehoei]

I've got a similar problem with a 192. Both A and B seems to never trigger or show anything. Did you ever find a solution?

[@aqib2000]

lassehoei yes replace asICs from donors

[@AB-yu2tj]

Anyone, is there anyway you could tell me if the AC power input for a fluke199C is center positive or center negative please.

[@aqib2000]

Centre negative, outer positive at 17.8v dc

[@AB-yu2tj]

@@aqib2000 thank you

[@epatto]

10:54 One-point-twenty-one gigawatts!

[@nleonard86]

37:48 got to get your drink on before cleaning boards! i sympathize, it's not my favorite job either

[@RADIOPOCZELLO]

ty ty

[@gacherumburu9958]

👍👍

[@bobmereon559]

I am looking for somebody that can repair a Fluke 6060 A AN signal generator in Europe..this heavy unit is in Crete, Greece

[@crizeudarodrigues2454]

hi my name is marcos i need manual service for Fluke 196B

[@georgegermisashvili9338]

assets.fluke.com/manuals/192_196_smeng0200.pdf

[@elenamarinca1184]

Hi My name is Marcelo ,and i need your help.I am trying to repair a Hameg 408 oscilloscope ,which have a intensity adjustment issue.I need a profesional to explain me how this circuit work and which is the relation beetwin the analogic part of this and the digital part .I will send you the schematic,if it is necesary and i will give you my e-mail. Thanck you , and i hope you will give me an answer.

[@Arek_R.]

No back cover and BATTERY, I guess its from FLUKE repair center and these faulty units couldnt be repaired and was intended to be recycled, this is why there is no battery. But someone from recycling center find out this "thing" is quite valuable.

[@caelitis]

At most $400? That's ridiculously cheap. I looked these devices up on eBay and there is no offer below $1200 for old/used ones and new ones go up to over $2000 for various related models. For some reason tech like this is insanely expensive in Europe.

[@lassehoei]

Where did you find the schematics?

[@hackids]

i download here vdocuments.mx/download/manual-de-servicio-fluke-199b

[@xConundrumx]

"How did they test this" ... with the center pen as positive ... guaranteed.

[@nThanksForAllTheFish]

3D print the back cover!

[@md.mostafakhan4529]

They have checked the whole pallet of it with a broken PSU I guess.

[@damienlawrence7858]

If you look at this video you will know what I want TV oscilloscope by benbeniowski

[@AB-yu2tj]

خاک برسرت, In bought 2 flluke 199C "non functioning" from eBay. And guess what they are none functioning. All your fault. The keyboard is not functioning on 1 and the other has the same issue plus missing parts. Can you help out with a hint or something. Ribbon cable and switches are fine. Problem is on the PCB or some kind of lock. Can you help? همش تقصیر توست

[@DLTX1007]

I've heard people swear at it rather than swear by it LOL

[@Thesignalpath]

LOL!

[@slap_my_hand]

a piece of plastic that costs 100€. nice.

[@bobbauvian7700]

sosool chee meeghy