Hi
in few days I should get an old Fluke 8842A I bought from ebay
I've no experience about bench multimeters and so would be glad to get a few advices about checking/hacking/improving the device.
The device has both GPIB and AC options installed.
The seller wrote it is in full working condition although there is no data about calibration and the calibration seal is broken
BTW where can I get the manufacture date? From the serial number?
Or... should I just guess it from the date on the ICs inside?
The best DMM I have so far is just a fairly new Brymen 867S that, according to a few different voltage reference ICs (3 MAX6250ACPA+ and 1 AD588BQ - 0.02% and 0.01% initial accuracy), seems to be within specifics.
Besides that I have a few 0.1% 15ppm metal film resistors.
I downloaded the 8842A manual from the net and plan to do the following:
1) Set the AC supply to 240VAC (now we have 230VAC here in Europe).
2) power on the device and see if it is still alive and smokeless
![Smiley :)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xsmiley.gif.pagespeed.ic.R8GFI-pF6f.png)
3) run the test routine described in the manual and if no error are displayed...
4) measure various DC/AC voltages, currents and resistors comparing the values with the Brymen ones
5) check and in case of high ESR replace the PSU electrolitic capacitors? Or replace them in any case?
in case of problems I'll obviously ask for more details
BTW I think it would be quite useful if the more experienced guys made a sticky thread regarding most common advices for second hand equipment buyers
thanks