having some beef with the sc56. what about hs36?

[Mille Racer 69]

Someone broke into my van, need to buy all new tools :/
As far as meters, I am coming from a UEI dl289 and sc56.
I'm thinking about going for the hs36 but have heard complaints about it being inaccurate or whatever. But not having a freaking magnet, and a place to pop my leadsinto is driving me nuts. Both of which are cured with the hs36.
I also like that I can attach all my attachment heads to the top of the 36, while I need to plug them into the leads of the 56.
How inaccurate is this hs36
Have they fixed the issues?
its been out for so long now.
And I heard about the fluctuating mv reading with the leads not touching anything, don't care about that. My Uei did it and its normal.

For all you fluke cultists, they are still overpriced and overrated, and I like the meter attachment accessories like the airflow, Co, manometer etc etc.

So being that I am willing to switch just for the magnet and lead holders, is the hs36 THAT bad as a meter that it would overshadow the positive affect of having a magnet and lead storage?
Any likes/dislikes about either?

[eddiegoodfellar]

I have a sc56 and the only problem I have ever had was it would not read over 600V. The meter is rated to 600v but I assumed it would do 15% over ( my mistake and not a fieldpiece issue ).

I dont own the hs36 but used another techs that I work with and really liked the magnet and probe storage. The hs36 will fit in my Veto better than my sc56. I'm gonna watch ebay for a good price on one.

I compared my Fluke 87V to the SC56 and the HS36 and they were all within a few volts of each other which is good enough for the work I do.

[itsiceman]

I have a sc56 and the only problem I have ever had was it would not read over 600V. The meter is rated to 600v but I assumed it would do 15% over ( my mistake and not a fieldpiece issue ).

I dont own the hs36 but used another techs that I work with and really liked the magnet and probe storage. The hs36 will fit in my Veto better than my sc56. I'm gonna watch ebay for a good price on one.

I compared my Fluke 87V to the SC56 and the HS36 and they were all within a few volts of each other which is good enough for the work I do.

FWIW it looks like UEi bumped up to 750VAC on their DL3xx series meters where I believe the older ones were 600VAC

[eddiegoodfellar]

Does UEI make the meters for Klein?

[itsiceman]

Does UEI make the meters for Klein?

Sure looks like it. Has a magnet and lead storage too.

[Mille Racer 69]

So here's what I am doing.
I have a magnet and I'm gonna drill (2) holes through it to match the 2 screw holes above the serial number on the back of the sc56.
The meter shouldn't be affected from the magnetic field, but I am fitting in some rubber stoppers to decrease the amount of Gauss getting to the components.

I am also creating a mold that will house the leads.
I will use the 2 screws from the battery compartment cover to keep the mold secure.

I will then break off those black tabs that keep you from having the leads plugged in when using the temperature feature.
As long as leads are stored and not coming into contact with anything, the meter will be fine.

[itsiceman]

eddie whats the issue with the SC56 in the VETO? I was considering the SC57.

[eddiegoodfellar]

I actually keep the sc56 in the TP3 and if there was probe storage it would just be easier for me.

[itsiceman]

Ok....TP3
FP are tall meters. I could see issues with that combo.
I don't use the lead storage on my UEi since I went to Fieldpiece leads then to Fluke leads. Neither of them fit.
Each one wrapped a different way but well enough not to unravel into a mess the tool bag. Is the SC56 a problem with how narrow and long it is?

[Lightning_Boy]

I actually have not one but 2 hs36's.
When my first had a few issues I bought a 2nd to get back to work. Then went to field piece a couple days later and got a brand new hs36.
I planned to keep it as a back up just in case my regular ever crapped out on me.
However I could use a few bucks before Xmas.
Best offer takes it. Open to trades.

[eddiegoodfellar]

I is just a little tight in the TP3 when I have it in the case. I only have it in the case because I'm worried about damaging the leads. In all honestly though I do have the TP3 over loaded.

[Ron223]

I also have been using the hs36 for the last couple years and love it. I also use many of the various head attachments and have really enjoyed such versatility of the meter. If it broke I would likely replace it with another.

[jtrammel]

I use an hs36 and I love it. My fluke 902 is my back up meter

[cavalieri85]

i owned the hs36 till i found out i was reading way off in my amp readings. i discovered this while doing startup on vav boxes with a coworker. i use a fluke 376 now i like it but its definitely pricey. maybe look into the amprobe navigator seies. good price tons of functions and i think its made by fluke.

[itsiceman]

i owned the hs36 till i found out i was reading way off in my amp readings. i discovered this while doing startup on vav boxes with a coworker. i use a fluke 376 now i like it but its definitely pricey. maybe look into the amprobe navigator seies. good price tons of functions and i think its made by fluke.

Was just looking at the Amprobe site the other day and saw some recalled meters. It left an impression on me since I've seen some guys after **** goes bad. It always brings me to look at the Fluke meters that much harder.

[Fan Blade]

So here's what I am doing.
I have a magnet and I'm gonna drill (2) holes through it to match the 2 screw holes above the serial number on the back of the sc56.
The meter shouldn't be affected from the magnetic field, but I am fitting in some rubber stoppers to decrease the amount of Gauss getting to the components.

I am also creating a mold that will house the leads.
I will use the 2 screws from the battery compartment cover to keep the mold secure.

I will then break off those black tabs that keep you from having the leads plugged in when using the temperature feature.
As long as leads are stored and not coming into contact with anything, the meter will be fine.

Seems like an awful lot of work, then you are not even sure if the magnet will affect the meter reading, because the design was not made with a magnet in mind. Not to mention you will void any warranty you have, or any chance for repair.

With so many meters being made with magnets built in, why not get on of those? The new Klein meters (newer than the one pictured above) look awesome, and will do everything you want. Check out the Klein CL1300 or CL2300. They are also shorter meters.

[Mille Racer 69]

^

Cuz I do like the heads being plugged into it as a function.
And I always have liked tinkering with stuff to make them better.
I'm actually working on a polyurethane mold that will house the leads, and have a magnet inside of it.

A magnet shouldn't affect a digital multimeter. Analog though is a whole nother story.
But I've done several tests with the meter, then again with a magnet pressed against and that confirmed it has no affect.
And maybe if anyone's interested I will sell em and make a few bucks.
Though its taking a little longer than I planned cuz the black screws in the back are too short, I need them about a 1/2 inch longer to be able to connect the mold, but I can't find the type/thread of screws they used anywhere. So I have to get 4 of those 1st

I just don't like to complain about stuff if I'm not trying to do something to correct it. Cuz then complaining is a waste of time.

[cavalieri85]

Was just looking at the Amprobe site the other day and saw some recalled meters. It left an impression on me since I've seen some guys after **** goes bad. It always brings me to look at the Fluke meters that much harder.

Fluke has had its share of recalls too. I'm a fluke guy but do have an amprobe tmd50 thermometer . For 270 dollars less than the fluke 52. It's been great. I know some people have bought the amprobe navigator that are on this site. But they where part if the anti fluke committee.

[Fan Blade]

Fluke has had its share of recalls too. I'm a fluke guy but do have an amprobe tmd50 thermometer . For 270 dollars less than the fluke 52. It's been great. I know some people have bought the amprobe navigator that are on this site. But they where part if the anti fluke committee.

Fluke owns Amprobe, and both have had their share of recalls. Amprobe is all made in Taiwan and China, and Fluke seems to make almost every new meter their. Pretty soon, they will have nothing made in USA. Right now, only DMM's are made in USA, and only a few of those.

I don't remember ever seeing Fluke recall meters when they were USA made. But as that ends, the recalls will increase.

[cavalieri85]

Ya china sux. But that's the card we are dealt. I paid about 350 for my fluke 376 and I love it. With that said I could have got the amprobe navigator series clamp meter for like 150 bucks. I plan to give one a try if I ever find myself in need of a new meter. If I was in the market I would probably buy that one and use it as my day to day meter. But save up and have a high end fluke 28 or maybe a 289 in the truck