simonk98•1d agoProlific Poster

Three days on a C-130 that nearly fried my multimeter

Last month I was troubleshooting a nav issue on a C-130 out of Charleston. The wiring diagram showed one path but the actual wire bundle had three splice points nobody logged. I cooked my Fluke trying to trace it because someone left a 28V line hot. Has anyone else dealt with unmarked splices driving you crazy on older airframes?

3 comments

3 Comments

kellygrant1d ago

That splice point near the aft equipment bay on the C-130 is always the culprit. I've seen three unlogged ones in the same bundle on a 1980s airframe out of Little Rock. @beth_hernandez, I gotta disagree a bit though, because a hot 28V line can absolutely fry a Fluke if the meter's protection circuit is weak or it's an older model. My 87V survived a stray 28V feed once, but my buddy's 117 didn't fare so well on a C-5 last year. It's probably down to how much abuse the meter's taken before, not just the voltage itself. Unmarked splices are just asking for trouble no matter what meter you're using.

beth_hernandez1d ago

Oh man, those unmarked splices are a nightmare but a hot 28V line shouldn't fry a Fluke unless it's already damaged.

logan_wood1d ago

Wait, @beth_hernandez, you're telling me a hot 28V line shouldn't take out a Fluke? I've seen those things pop just from touching a bad ground. Last year I had a 117 that wouldn't even power on after brushing against a stray 28V feed on a C-5. Maybe mine had a weak solder joint inside, but that wasn't a cheap meter to replace. I hope your gear holds up better than mine did.

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