[volt-nuts] Fluke 732A Questions

[T. Micallef]

Joe,

I have the external battery pack (732A-7003) that I picked up a while ago.
It is indeed the D01 connector. It is printed clearly on the outside edge
along with the three letters that look like ARB.

The company's website states they are now owned by Smiths Connectors and the
connector is part of Hypertac. No list of distributors was found on the website.

I found a seller Astrex Electronics, but they do not have a price listed for
the female version, just the male. I searched for D01P306FSTAH. This is the
female plug with solder cups.

To date, I have reconditioned three 732A's and they have been operating fine
with little issues, except when I lost power for an extended time and two
batteries in one of the packs died. All four were replaced and they have
been working fine.

The two older 732A's have thermistor values in the 3k-4k range. The newer
unit (based on the newer heater rev) is around 4.25K.

All three had their potentiometers changed on the regulator and
pre-regulator boards. The datecodes on all appeared to be from 1985. The
parts list must have been updated as some of the pots did not have the same
value as the ones installed. I cannot remember which ones were different. I
did not see a mention in the change/errata.

Also, I had to remove the reference ovens to repair broken 10V
potentiometers, as someone had broken one (free spinning) and another unit
appeared to have a noisy wiper so it was replaced as well. The 1V and 1.018V
pots were not changed. The third 10V pot was replaced because I had success
with the other two and it was much easier the third time around. The jumpers
on the all the A7 boards were adjusted.

I highly recommend checking the inline fuse to the heater if you suspect it
is not working. You can find it tucked inside behind the oven. It should be
covered in heat shrink. 

Lastly, there was a rev done that does not appear in the downloadable users
manual on Didier's website.  It appears the heaters were separated into two
groups of two instead of one group of four. Some of the parts were mounted
under the oven assembly on the A8 Preheater PCA. If you look at the A4 board
from the top, you will see either one or two transistors mounted to the
frame (Q4,Q14). If you see only one (Q4), chances are you have the newer rev.

I bought the manual recently and just noticed these revs were in my book.
I will try and scan the extra info and upload them.

Todd