Fluke 8110A / 8120A nixie DMM

[bill21]

I'm looking for an inexpensive (<US$100) nixie tube DMM.  It would mostly be for the novelty of the nixies as I have plenty of good DMMs already, but I want it to be functional.

I've found an 8110A with a starting bid of $30, no bids so far, and ending in a few hours:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-Digital-Multimeter-Model-8110A-/182229076157?hash=item2a6db308bd:g:51sAAOSwZVlXoQ20

and there's an 8120A for ~$75 (+$25 shipping) with Best Offer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-8120A-01-DIGITAL-MULTIMETER-115-230V-AC-8W-D519454-/301857068261?hash=item46481554e5:g:GhoAAOSwKtlWpjt-

I'm looking for opinions on the above auctions, or even leads on other nixie DMMs.  I'm not sure of what a reasonable price for these meters is.  I'm kind of leaning more toward the 8120A, as it's listed as being functional, but not sure what I should offer.

I'd appreciate any input.  Thanks!

[retiredcaps]

and there's an 8120A for ~$75 (+$25 shipping) with Best Offer:

I wouldn't buy the above for three major reasons.

1) Used != calibrated.

2) Shipping is more than $25 USD.  See screenshot.  If seller ships UPS (brown), be prepared to pay at least $35USD for customs paperwork in addition to UPS's shipping cost.

3) A quick look at seller's past auction shows no expertise in selling test equipment.

Another tip.  If something is wrong, you want a service manual/schematics/bill of materials.  See if your item of interest has one or not.

[bill21]

Thanks for the reply.  I would have it shipped to a package receiving service just across the border in the US and pick it up, so no brokerage fees.  Good point about the service manual - I tried looking for an electronic copy, but have been unsuccessful so far.  I imagine it would have calibration instructions.  The lack of a service manual does concern me.

[retiredcaps]

Good point about the service manual - I tried looking for an electronic copy, but have been unsuccessful so far.  I imagine it would have calibration instructions.  The lack of a service manual does concern me.

Don't forget that some calibration procedures are "all or none".  So if you don't have all the reference equipment you may not be able to calibrate. 

A service manual helps if you find a fried component and you need to find its exact value.  For example, a varistor can be missing/removed the by previous owner, but the meter will still work minus the over voltage protection.  Or someone could have substituted a 1k ohm 0.1% resistor with a 1k ohm 5% resistor and you wouldn't know it.

If you are looking for nixie stuff, see

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/lets-see-your-nixie-tube-equipment/

for other options.

[TheSteve]

I recommend patience. I got this Keithley 160 for $25 USD plus shipping from a CDN seller not too long ago. I was lucky in that it works great.

[Paul Moir]

I have the 8120A manual half scanned (it's similar to other 81xxs), so if you need it I'll finish it.

I love my 8120A - that one has a current range.  It's not TRMS of course but I hardly ever use AC anyway.

EDIT:  Manual:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byv1t5rFdlEdUEhRVE1Cbm9QVnM/view?usp=sharing

[retiredcaps]

I recommend patience. I got this Keithley 160 for $25 USD plus shipping from a CDN seller not too long ago.

Good deal. Yes, patience is key.  Especially for something you want and not need.

[Paul Moir]

Also note that the -01 indicates the rechargable battery pack is installed.  You can also see the battery meter is populated to the left of the nixies.  Of course with old batteries it could be something good or could be something bad.

EDIT:  And no worries about overvoltage protection.  It pretty much doesn't have any!

[retiredcaps]

EDIT:  And no worries about overvoltage protection.  It pretty much doesn't have any!

I don't have any knowledge of any bench multimeters so I was just using the varistor as an example of why a service manual could come in handy.

[Paul Moir]

I understood what you meant:  I should have put a smiley in there somewhere.  But I did want to illustrate that these are quite far behind the times when it comes to any sort of protection.

Will find time to do a post someday.  (after finishing scanning the manual.)


EDIT:  Finished:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byv1t5rFdlEdUEhRVE1Cbm9QVnM/view?usp=sharing

[bill21]

There's lots of nice stuff in that nixie thread!  I think the Fluke 8120A looks like the most practical general use nixie DMM, considering the ranges it has.  I do like the HP units, but the ones I've seen have fewer ranges, and are much larger rack mount devices.

Paul, I would very much appreciate the 8120A service manual, only if it's not too much trouble.  How much did you get your 8120A for, if you don't mind sharing?  Not sure what I should expect to be paying.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

[setq]

Just a heads up on these if you're repairing one. Some of the early Fluke nixie and LED bench meters route the line voltage across the board to the front panel switch. I found this out the hard way.

[Janne]

Has anyone found the service manual for the 8120A?
I've had one for a while now, but just only recently tried it.. Seems to work, but it's slightly out of perfect. Probably still within spec but it would be nice to adjust it to be bang on

[Janne]

Found a procedure; http://electroniccalibrators.tpub.com/TB-9-4935-365-35/TB-9-4935-365-350001.htm
Site seems a bit shady, but the procedure at least looks valid