Cleaning Fluke tip leads?

amplifiednation · Post by **amplifiednation** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:18 am

I've been having some trouble with my Fluke. Despite the new batteries...it just sometime will not take a reading.

Are tips something that should be cleaned? Could they have a strange film or some reason preventing taking accurate? I'm ready to just buy new. Ones...but figured I would ask

eniam rognab · Post by **eniam rognab** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:44 am

definitely take some sandpaper and sharpen up those tips before you buy new ones, they can get corroded for sure

good luck!

martin manning · Post by **martin manning** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:46 am

Clean the probe tips and meter jacks with a bit of contact cleaner on a Q-tip. Some probes have removable/replaceable tips. Pull them out with needle nose pliers, wipe them with contact cleaner, and reinsert.

overtone · Post by **overtone** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 8:34 am

hold the sandpaper! Like the putz-maniacs around here pressure washing their stone driveways, it is just too aggressive, makes things exponentially worse over time.

As Martin said: contact cleaner.
Some will leave a residue and you have to follow with a cleaner for the contact cleaner!

Tubetastic · Post by **Tubetastic** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:24 am

Is there a possibility theres an issue with the lead itself - a break in the connection inside. Like when a guitar lead goes.

amplifiednation · Post by **amplifiednation** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:13 am

Yes there is a possibility the lead is compromised, but I can get readings with different parts of the tip.

I'll try the contact cleaner first. The leads are pricey. There's few things more frustrating when your test equipment...well...isn't testing. Thx Martin

Oh and yes, tried the battery first. I called Fluke and they recommended new leads. It's an 87-V that I got used. It's a great meter but it's got some mileage on it. I guess they are supposed to go for 10-20 years....

Thx guys

armillary · Post by **armillary** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:52 am

Rosin core solder being essential for good solder joints, your probe tips are constantly being stuck in sticky rosin residue. Contact cleaner doesn't really dissolve rosin residue, but flux remover does. Mouser sells a product from MG Chemicals called Flux Remover for PC Boards that dissolves old and new rosin so you can wipe it away. It makes your repairs look like factory work. It's great for cleaning up used/scavenged parts before you reuse them. It cleans probe tips like magic. It's like a handyman in a can....

Anyway, it's good stuff.

Masco · Post by **Masco** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:14 pm

A Fluke lead will stretch if it is open. If you gently pull the lead, starting at one end and working your way to the other, the rubbery insulation will stretch revealing the open.

rp · Post by rp » Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:08 pm

I agree sandpaper bad. 0000 steel wool works well, obviously no more than necessary. Always some in my solder box, use it to clean old cap and resistor leads.

amplifiednation · Post by **amplifiednation** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:18 pm

armillary wrote:Rosin core solder being essential for good solder joints, your probe tips are constantly being stuck in sticky rosin residue. Contact cleaner doesn't really dissolve rosin residue, but flux remover does. Mouser sells a product from MG Chemicals called Flux Remover for PC Boards that dissolves old and new rosin so you can wipe it away. It makes your repairs look like factory work. It's great for cleaning up used/scavenged parts before you reuse them. It cleans probe tips like magic. It's like a handyman in a can....

Anyway, it's good stuff.

Excellent. I'll try this stuff. I've been meaning to get some flux remover for a while now, but my trusty can of acetone works so well....despite it's drawbacks. i actually did a very slight swab with the acetone but I was hesistant to use too much and have it dissolve the plastic/rubber lead parts

vibratoking · Post by **vibratoking** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:07 pm

35 years in the industry and I have never seen or heard of a probe that stopped working due to tip corrosion. Lot's of bad wire and connections, but not tip corrosion. I am doubtful.

eniam rognab · Post by **eniam rognab** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:22 pm

60 grit! do it!

i meant polishing sandpaper just to sharpen the tips up a lil..... get em shiny but nevermind

VK: this is another technician vs engineer thing, i have seen some NASTY meter leads from testing battery terminals that were corroded and benefited from a polish. you never know what is out there....

Structo · Post by **Structo** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:38 pm

This place sells some great test leads.

Their shipping seems excessive on just a set of probes, but I contacted them and they told me to call them and they would charge the appropriate amount for a small order.

http://www.probemaster.com/index.php?cPath=2

rp · Post by rp » Mon Mar 31, 2014 5:22 pm

Probemaster

I'm sure staying away from the Probemaster!

Tubetastic · Post by **Tubetastic** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 5:26 pm

Sure has a ring to it...

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