Cen-Tech Digital Meters

infinity

infinity

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Journeyman Electrician
My buddy gave me a Cen-Tech DMM (98674) from Harbor Freight. Costs about $80 and I've been playing around with it on my bench. So far it seems pretty solid for the price and has a load of features. Might not survive too long in the field but I'm liking it. I need to purchase a cheap clamp on style for occasional use. I had a Fluke clamp on meter that I loved but I gave to my apprentice as a parting gift when I left the job and probably don't need a fancy replacement. I have a Fluke 87 but the display elastomers are constantly needing repair so I've basically given up on Fluke. Anyone have experience with this Cen-Tech brand?
 
No experience with Cen-Tech. I have had good luck with Fluke. I have a Fluke set which is an amp clamp #116? and the meter (forgot the #) which I keep in the truck and only pull them out when needed. I have the Ideal Wiggy & a Fluke amp clamp I bought on E-Bay for everyday use.

I try keep the good stuff in the truck and only take it out as needed. I figure the less I use it the less chance of breaking or dropping it. Also have a couple of cheap meters in the house including a Southwire which is pretty good but a strange meter. The battery in it is rechargeable
 
infinity said:
My buddy gave me a Cen-Tech DMM (98674) from Harbor Freight. Costs about $80 and I've been playing around with it on my bench. So far it seems pretty solid for the price and has a load of features. Might not survive too long in the field but I'm liking it. I need to purchase a cheap clamp on style for occasional use. I had a Fluke clamp on meter that I loved but I gave to my apprentice as a parting gift when I left the job and probably don't need a fancy replacement. I have a Fluke 87 but the display elastomers are constantly needing repair so I've basically given up on Fluke. Anyone have experience with this Cen-Tech brand?
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Does it have a Cat rating?
 
Does it auto detect between AC and DC volts? The one I have, you have to hit a MODE button to switch it. I thought it was broken until I realized it was in DC mode when trying to measure AC. May be the SELECT button on this one? I'd prefer a separate AC DC volt stop on the rotating knob if this can't be automatically determined.
 
suemarkp said:
Does it auto detect between AC and DC volts? The one I have, you have to hit a MODE button to switch it. I thought it was broken until I realized it was in DC mode when trying to measure AC.
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Yes you have to toggle between the two with the default being DC which is annoying.
 
petersonra said:
A lot of the lower cost meters are good values.
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Yeah I've been playing around with it on my workbench and it seems to be pretty good for $80. My Fluke 87 that I bought back in the late 80's for over $300 hasn't worked well in the past 10 years.
 
Doesn't look like it has a low impedance setting, I use that a lot with the meter I use.

Probably is made on same assembly line as some other name brand units just made to different specifications.
 
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