My last post concerning unused and little used test equipment got me thinking. I decided that maybe some of the equipment I’ve accumulated over the years should really be put to better use.

Most of the older test equipment which I don’t regularly use is still in fine working order. It’s just that I’ve acquired something else that gets used instead. But that doesn’t mean that someone shouldn’t get some use out of that older equipment.

For example, I acquired an older B+K 1477 dual trace oscilloscope about 20 years ago to aid in some of my amplifier work. I used it regularly for several years until I purchased a new Rigol DS1054Z. Since that time the old reliable B+K just gathered dust. Well, after writing my last post I found a new home for that B+K 1477 where it will get the attention it needs and the regular use it deserves. This kind of inspired me. So, I began looking at the stacks of equipment in my office, looking for other things which could be re-homed.

In that stack was was something that I mentioned in my last post; a Fluke 8010 bench top multimeter. This multimeter also hadn’t seen virtually any use in over ten years. So I pulled it off the shelf and decided to do some basic functional checks. Here it is yesterday going through it paces.

I ran the meter through a series of spot checks testing it against my Fluke 179. I tested resistance scales, AC and DC voltages, and DC current. In every case the measurements were within the stated specification for the meter (assuming the 179 is dead on). I realize that this isn’t a real specification check but it does show that the unit reads acceptably close to my normal meter.

For example, using a bench power supply and a variable resistance load box I measured the current for several different loads with the 8010 in series with the 179. Here’s a spot check of the current readings.

The specification for the bench meter is 0.3%+1 digit for this scale for one year after calibration. This reading is only 0.25% above the 179. So if not fully in specification, the bench meter is still doing fairly well.

The message here is that the old bench meter is still in fine working order. Here is my idea. I want this meter to get used. I’d like to get it in the hands of someone that will make use of its capabilities. Not as a display unit or gathering dust on someone else’s shelf but real use. So if you think you would like this unit and will promise to use it, drop me an email. (Please don’t ask in the comments. Just drop me an email at matt@CascadeTubes.com) The first one to convince me that they’ll use it, can claim it for the cost of shipping. Only inside the US please. International shipping would be far more than the unit’s worth.

I don’t have any probes but the unit accepts any standard unshielded 4mm banana plugs. A simple set of aftermarket probes like these from Amazon should work fine. Or you could make your own. I will also include an IEC standard 120V power cord for the unit.

So are there any takers out there? If this works out well, you never know what other little treasures with which I might be willing to part.

As always, questions and comments are welcome.

April 3rd, 2024 Update: The Fluke 8010 has gone to a new home.