Fieldpiece meter problems have you had any?

[Chauncey]

Had to send my LT16A back for repairs, display locked at 0.00 MZ no matter where you set it. Still under warranty. Really like this meter true rms great for variable speed motors.

[artman934]

i have the hs-36, and honestly im disappointed, and so are a couple other people i know who have it. say im looking at a t-stat thats not calling for cooling, between r and y1 ill get crazy readings like 42 , 12.454343, 92, 360v etc. it wont beep like when theres power but its very annoying.

also, for continuity, unless its an imaculate connection, it wont read anything on brand new contactors, relays, etc./

[mikep]

Overall, I am satisfied with all my FP instruments. They have good customer service from what I know.

[tarheel_tech]

I won one at a supply house customer appreciation day and used it for about a year then it started acting really funny.It would come on sometimes then sometimes it would not then it lied to me one day said that there was no voltage there,and there was.From that point I went that day and bought me an Fluke 902 and threw the fieldpiece away and went back to my Fluke products.I have had nothing but good service out of the Fluke meters that I own.

[rango]

Wish Fluke would adopt the easy pick amp probe that Fieldpiece and UEI have, instead of the clunky red clamp they have. That's a big reason I like both the others even tho I own 2 Flukes.

[in-trane-ing]

only problem ive had with my fieldpiece is where the leads plug into the meter the positive came loose from the circuit board. it was out of warranty so i just soldered it back on and havent had any problems since. Ive been using mine for about 4 years now

[jschaible]

I've said it once and I will say it again: "Fieldpiece are for amatuers, Fluke's are for professionals. Enough said!

[in-trane-ing]

I've said it once and I will say it again: "Fieldpiece are for amatuers, Fluke's are for professionals. Enough said!

havent had a single customer not let me work on there equipment because i wasnt using a fluke

[rango]

I've said it once and I will say it again: "Fieldpiece are for amatuers, Fluke's are for professionals. Enough said!


And Ford is better than Chevy is better than Dodge is better than Ford is better than Dodge is better than.................... All quality products that depend on brand loyalty for future sales. They charge the customer for the privilege of paying for the advertising that brought the customer to them in the first place.

[souper phly]

I own a fluke 52 and a FP SC-76 I like the features of the fluke but it craps out at the slightest hint of mist rain or any moisture the fp keeps right on trucking. Yeah I should be more careful with it but I've got sh**t to do and the fp takes all the crap I throw at and keeps working. just my $.02

[mrwhite]

I have went through 3 FP SC 76's. I recently bought the Fluke 116 and I love it. The quality of the Fluke is so much better. There are also more accessories for the Fluke.

[blewbyu2]

Threw my fieldpiece in the garbage today. It double crossed me three times this year. First time I called maintenance at a hospital to tell them to have their electrician find out why I didn't have power to a condenser on the roof, they got a kick out of that one, what were you smoking you've got 240 there. Second time it failed to pick up a grounded leg on a compressor, thank God someone else picked it up with thier meter or else it would of cost us alot of wasted time. Yesterday I was doing battle with an electronic actuator when I picked up 175 volts of control voltage, bizarre!! Of course I jumped the gun an told the boss I'd found the problem, wrong. At least this time I went back to the van I got my fluke 16, and quess what 116 volts to the actuator. Had to divorce the *****, just couldn't trust her.

[ault51]

blewbyu2.. call Fieldpiece and ask for Travis. You will be taken care of..

[dawgtchrr]

blewbyu2.. call Fieldpiece and ask for Travis. You will be taken care of..

If you can't trust your meter, first time--every time: Who can you trust?????:(

[tarheel_tech]

Threw my fieldpiece in the garbage today. It double crossed me three times this year. First time I called maintenance at a hospital to tell them to have their electrician find out why I didn't have power to a condenser on the roof, they got a kick out of that one, what were you smoking you've got 240 there. Second time it failed to pick up a grounded leg on a compressor, thank God someone else picked it up with thier meter or else it would of cost us alot of wasted time. Yesterday I was doing battle with an electronic actuator when I picked up 175 volts of control voltage, bizarre!! Of course I jumped the gun an told the boss I'd found the problem, wrong. At least this time I went back to the van I got my fluke 16, and quess what 116 volts to the actuator. Had to divorce the *****, just couldn't trust her.

I feel your pain,had the same thing happen to me and I got zapped by 460 got rid of that meter and got nothing but flukes from now on.:cool:

[Chauncey]

Today i recieved an email that they are sending me a new meter. Time will tell, I bought a Fluke T5-600 have been duing a lot of Liebert, Marvair, and Bard throught the wall with strip heaters and economisers nice meter fits right in tool bag does not seem to be affected by rain or moisture. Think that the Fieldpiece will become a back up. Thanks for all the input guys.

[numbawunfela]

I got a Fieldpiece HS-36 and I love it. I abuse everything (runs in my genes ;) ) and It has never let me down. The switchable head feature I use regularly, and everytime I bring the meter out when another tech is handy, they are blown away.

I see the fluke as an electrician's meter, being used for HVAC stuff, adaquate, but not Ideal. the Fieldpiece is obviously designed for HVAC applications, and it has served me VERY well.

[Twilly]

Twilli has never had a problem with his...sorry to hear about your troubles

[ColdNH3]

I use a Fieldpiece SC77 that I carry in my bag all the time. During warranty it wouldn't read DC voltage at all, no problem they sent me a new one and I haven't had any problems since. I have a Fluke multimeter that I keep as a backup for double check but on the go I use my SC77 primarily.

[gbfromsd]

My experiece with FP has been that the rotary switch can be a bit flaky. When it acts up, wiggle the switch and it flies right. As with all meters, test it on a known good circuit prior for best results, safety. Aside from this issue, not terribly impressed with the auto ranging. I can be 5 checks ahead with a fluke by the time the FP settles on one reading. Time is money eh?

[bc_tech]

I got a Fieldpiece HS-36 and I love it. I abuse everything (runs in my genes ;) ) and It has never let me down. The switchable head feature I use regularly, and everytime I bring the meter out when another tech is handy, they are blown away.

I see the fluke as an electrician's meter, being used for HVAC stuff, adaquate, but not Ideal. the Fieldpiece is obviously designed for HVAC applications, and it has served me VERY well.

Fluke has addressed this and produced the Fluke 902 HVAC meter...I got one and love it. I converted to fluke from fieldpiece a year ago because the fieldpiece lied to me with the wrong readings one too many times.

[airmn38]

Ive had feildpeice for years have lots of accessorie heads. I made the mistake of buyiny the autoranging version after my ond one disapeared or grew legs at a jobsite, I used the thing for a week got so pissed I bought another standard model that is truly a great unit tough dependable the magnet strap is really cool. I had several flukes good meters pain in the ass to use in a tight spot.

[gsxrsquid]

I had a field POS meter for a month. it was so unreliable I gave it to the counter guy at johnstone. he thought I was doing him a favor. My Fluke 87 is over 10 years old and never failed and as far as I know never lied to me. :-)

[ndfrozen]

My field piece won't work at all for me, some dam bastards stole it along with my new veto lc bag. never gave me a problem till then.:mad:

[weber]

Well, My experience with fieldpiece has been excellent!

I own many meters, Fluke has always been good to me, but carry my fieldpiece in my bag everyday.

The problem some of you are seeing is on certain models the meter uses the same selection for amps as ac voltage. The meter is ranging it self looking for a reading when there is no voltage or amperage to be detected. Thats where those odd numbers come from.

For that reason I dont carry those models. I recommend the sc77. I have more then one of these. I carry one in my work truck and one in my personal truck. Before these came out I had the 76, that I used everyday. I could not tell you were my flukes are because I dont know, I think I have one that holds some books on my self but that might be an older Fieldpiece.

[theycallmethefireman]

It is a wonder some tech's dont have more problems with their tools other than meters. Look at the way some throw their stuff in the van, if I get thrown around like that I aint gonna work either.

I had to buy my stuff, so it is taken care of and by the way I have 3 Fieldpiece meters and they all work fine.

[The Doctor]

Had an LT17 6 or 7 years ago, worked okay until I read voltage with the leads plugged into the Capacitance ports.
Bye bye, Fieldpiece

Have another Fieldpiece now--has amp clamp, capacitance, VDC, VAC, amps, temp, continuity, and ohms.
In weather below 0* F it reads capacitance when you are not even reading a capacitor. (spelling)

Have lots of Flukes though, with nary a problemo with any of them. Also have a Meterman wavetek, which has served well thus far.

[Chauncey]

Forgot I posted this post got my meter replaced by Fieldpiece. The new meter works just fine. I will have to agree with some on here some techs only deserve to have a rusty old screw driver and rusty old channelocks because the don't take care of anything. My tools are always cleaned before they go back in the place they belong. My meters have their own shelf on my truck never never abused. When I get my new truck finished I will post some pics of it. I don't loan tools, don't ask unless you are willing to loan me your wife. You wouldn't eat your lunch with a fork that had been in the bottom of your tool bag for weeks, would you???? Thanks guys and gals for all of the valuable input i have received from this website.

[dec]

Had an LT17 6 or 7 years ago, worked okay until I read voltage with the leads plugged into the Capacitance ports.
Bye bye, Fieldpiece

Have another Fieldpiece now--has amp clamp, capacitance, VDC, VAC, amps, temp, continuity, and ohms.
In weather below 0* F it reads capacitance when you are not even reading a capacitor. (spelling)

Have lots of Flukes though, with nary a problemo with any of them. Also have a Meterman wavetek, which has served well thus far.



Ahhhh .... if you dont want that Lt17 .... I will take it. a $0.75 fuse and I would have a great back up. Not like I dont carry them with me now.

Have both Fluke and Fieldpiece, Guess it just depends on what Im doing but the fieldpiece goes in first with my hand tools 90% of the time.

[The Doctor]

Ahhhh .... if you dont want that Lt17 .... I will take it. a $0.75 fuse and I would have a great back up. Not like I dont carry them with me now.

Have both Fluke and Fieldpiece, Guess it just depends on what Im doing but the fieldpiece goes in first with my hand tools 90% of the time.

I did carry them with me, as once when measuring temp of a vapor line and alternating to check voltage at contactor I had discovered the fuse.

But alas, in this case the fuse did not provide ample protection and the meter did not live.

[gsxrsquid]

Hey Doctor. I like your avitar. years ago when they first started posting those signs on interstate 5 north of San Diego I recieved one for my birthday it was in my office for years. Over the Man was 100 pts, the woman 50 pts and the kid 25 pts. They all said I was bad but no one wanted me to take it down.

Stepping in front of a car going 70 is natures way of cleaning up the gene pool. hmmmmm that ought to start something. heh heh heh

[AcDOCnTRAINING]

only problem ive had with my fieldpiece is where the leads plug into the meter the positive came loose from the circuit board. it was out of warranty so i just soldered it back on and havent had any problems since. Ive been using mine for about 4 years now


Same problem the solder broke loose inside, I can not blame it,the thing has hits the floor hard plenty of times. I have owned my now for 3 years its a great tool.

[numbawunfela]

Well, My experience with fieldpiece has been excellent!
The problem some of you are seeing is on certain models the meter uses the same selection for amps as ac voltage. The meter is ranging it self looking for a reading when there is no voltage or amperage to be detected. Thats where those odd numbers come from.

I was wondering about all these people saying the meter lied to them and I was way confused, but that makes sense. Basically when I am in AC mode on my HS36, looking for voltages, I know I will not usually see a straight 0 reading. I have gotten so used to it I don't even think twice. everything more than 40 volts or so triggers the 'high voltage warning' and so the meter beeps. I end up 'ringing out' live circuits as if I was testing continuity, not even looking at the meter (unless I am testing 208 controls of course, and then everything beeps). on low voltage I just use it as normal, poking around until my reading pops above the mv range. the readings are quick, and in my experience, very accurate. it does take a little getting used to to understand that 167 mv (for example) is essentially a 0 reading.

Again I love the HS36 and would highly reccomend it to anybody. I had gotten so used to the peculiarities of the meter, that i didn't even realize that it could be a problem for some.

[hvac46504]

I got a hs35 fieldpiece (179.00) in april 07 It took a crap on 1-24-8 so It made there 1yr warr. to replace or repair. I got one back today, Not mine not new. I keep my tools very well. It stayed in the case and was not beat up. you sent me one that was beat up worst than my old fluke that i replaced it with.The face is scraped up It states in the warr I would get one in as good as condition. I also posted this on hvactalk.com please contact me about this.


I'm a nice guy but, you just don't mess with a pros tools.

[The Doctor]

I have a FP SC76, I think. See my profile picture. Most of my meters and test equipment from my tool bags are in that pix.

Anyway, lately it has been acting real squirrel-y when I change the dial to the Microfarad setting, and does not give an accurate reading. I had thought it was just the subzero weather, but it has continued to do this even when it gets up to the balmy
20s.

I'll see if it resurrects. Has anyone else experienced this?

[ault51]

I got a hs35 fieldpiece (179.00) in april 07 It took a crap on 1-24-8 so It made there 1yr warr. to replace or repair. I got one back today, Not mine not new. I keep my tools very well. It stayed in the case and was not beat up. you sent me one that was beat up worst than my old fluke that i replaced it with.The face is scraped up It states in the warr I would get one in as good as condition. I also posted this on hvactalk.com please contact me about this.


I'm a nice guy but, you just don't mess with a pros tools.



hvac46504....call Fieldpiece and ask for Travis. (714)-257-9060 Problem will be solved....I Promise.

[weber]

I have a FP SC76, I think. See my profile picture. Most of my meters and test equipment from my tool bags are in that pix.

Anyway, lately it has been acting real squirrel-y when I change the dial to the Microfarad setting, and does not give an accurate reading. I had thought it was just the subzero weather, but it has continued to do this even when it gets up to the balmy
20s.

I'll see if it resurrects. Has anyone else experienced this?

Change your batteries. When the batteries get weak and sit in the cold they lose even more power.

[turtletyme]

Have FP hs36 5 months when volts scale died.Very pleased with customer service and return quickly.

[overhere]

I have a FP SC76, I think. See my profile picture. Most of my meters and test equipment from my tool bags are in that pix.

Anyway, lately it has been acting real squirrel-y when I change the dial to the Microfarad setting, and does not give an accurate reading. I had thought it was just the subzero weather, but it has continued to do this even when it gets up to the balmy
20s.

I'll see if it resurrects. Has anyone else experienced this?

i just had this problem check the fuse.

[JBM1000]

My HS 36 lied like a dog using HZ to set the frequency for a 16KW standby generator. Caused me to jack the voltage alll over the place and had to call the shop. Our truck Mechanic came out with his Fluke and ribbed me into the ground about having to bail out a 30 yr career old f**t! Took another hr to dial back in the right HZ & volts and move on. Now I'm suppose to use the fp again? "When pigs fly"! :eek:

[numbawunfela]

Please remember the HS-36 is a true RMS meter and does not average out the frequency like the HS-35 does or many fluke meters. that could be the source of the trouble. the cheapest true RMS meter i've seen by fluke is over $250. (but I like my fieldpiece, so I don't look that often :p) so It is possible the buddy didn't have one, and the problem was the operator, not the tool.


just a possibility. to each his own.

[gmiller]

I have both Fieldpiece and Fluke meters. I like them both

[numbawunfela]

That is the most dissapointingly non-controversial answer I've seen. could you please pick one side or the other so we can continue to smear those with views different than ours?!? none of this reasonability junk.

:D

It's just the ARP in me talking fellas. I better lay down and let it wear off.

;)

[mrroving]

I bought the HVAC GUIDE from fieldpiece it's working fine. The only problem is that I
haven't been able to download the software.I called costumer support a few times. They are good at answering the phone but the last time that I called customer service, I spoke to a man named Russ, who told me he would send me an e-mail with the solution for the problem. He still has not contacted me and it has been about three weeks.

[RussellHarju]

If you need help with a Fieldpiece product just give us a call. I travel a lot so I am not always available personally but there are people at Fieldpiece who can help. 714 634 1844.

[addamsmasher]

I've got an HS36 that has suddenly decided to start acting, well strange. When the mode selector is "Off" I still have a display and the display is very random, sometimes discernable numbers, sometimes O.L and sometimes just crazy $#!T.

[Cagey57]

Wore out 2 UEI/TPI meters, you know the $49.00 disposable one's. Bought a FP 17A used it for about 10 days, just didn't "Feel" right swapped it for a Fluke 115 for everyday use. I can't stand auto ranging meters so The Fluke 87 stays in the van till it gets really tough and I need wild stuff along with the 52 and the 32. I have nothing bad to say about FP.

Yea the Fluke 115 is an autoranging meter but I Like it anyway !

I still use my amprobe RS3 ultra and my old Simpson (is it a 260 or a 360 can't remember).

Co-workers love the FP17A

Go with what you like !