New MFT - opinions

[Sparks82]

I’ve had the megger 1741 for just over a year I like it except for one problem.
I’ve just had a fuse blow and the circuit board damaged when carrying out 3lead low trip zs.
This is the third time it’s happened already sent it back to megger twice for repair and only used it a few times after getting it back. Anyone else had this problem?

 

[static zap]

when carrying out 3lead low trip zs.

@Sparks82
If you don't mind me asking are you doing this in a Domestic or Industrial situation ?
(Lowest readings I've seen yet ,a dedicated kitchen RFC near CU / domestic !)... Well done Kev ...

 

[SparkySy]

I haven't heard of that problem before but am interested having just yesterday bit the bullet and ordered the 1741+

 

[Sparks82]

Mostly domestic, when ever it’s happened it’s just been in a regular house!!

 

[Teddy Lop]

Used robins on the electric board. Forum rules probably prevent my expressing the depth of my feelings on the insulation tester, but after a row with our tool guy (a nepotism benefitting slob who was about as useful as ---- on a bull) I can only conclude gloucester is plagued by floating pockets of low resistance air.. Had a megger CM500 for years (original MFT?) which was a great tool, but the rotary selector got a bit iffy and meggers attitude with their enormous "standard repair fee" was that I should bin it and buy a new one which annoyed me so much for what I felt was repairable, I did and bought a metrel, £1k jobbie. 3 (theft) metrels later, 3rd was playing up at sub 3 years old, metrels 2 week turnaround plus rental added up to so much I just bought the cheap £500 martindale for about the same. Never really got on with it, supplied croc clips were thrown in the trash on day 1 and after a couple of years it got to the point I didn't trust what it was telling despite calibration. And thats no good for anything let alone fault finding, which I find myself doing much of. So I went back to megger and just accepted we live in the use-it-and-bin-it age, once you do its far and away the best instrument I've used.

I like what the guy above said about password protection though - really annoys me with such a specialised, serialised piece of kit that requires calibration through limited operators that stolen kit cant be traced.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I thought about the metrel all singing all dancing one with the EV charger test sequence but kewtech have an adaptor or bit of kit in the pipeline for testing them so will keep the trusty kt64dl for now.

 

[Mpe123]

Does anyone know if it would be possible for megger to upgrade all the 1700 series to carry out the 6mA RCD test, or if there is a hardware issue that restricts it to the 1741 only?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I have one, I love it. Good bits (not saying other manufacturers don't do these things...) :

- 2 lead RCD test. No need to faff around with a neutral connection (common on all Meggers)

- Use the same 2 leads (red and green) for Ze, PEFC, and PSCC (on single phase), on the same setting: I don't bother using the separate "L-L" setting on the dial and plugging in the blue lead to measure PSCC on single phase, I just use the "L-E" setting (on "2Hi") and put the green lead on N

- Quicker, and possibly and more accurate low current Zs than other Meggers, I like the confidence indicator

- 100V IR for when you're fairly confident, but not totally confident, that there's nothing plugged in. Useless for test results, but fantastic for verifying that nothing's plugged in

- I like the long thin pointy probes, for getting in some tight spots

- Bag is great for carrying all my testing bits (jump leads, R2 adapter, lightmates etc), over-shoulder strap means I can carry my toolbox in one hand and my little ladders in the other

- in "3Lo" Zs mode, you can tell it there are Type B RCDs in play (long press on <-> ). Even if there aren't, and it's just a tetchy Type AC RCD (or maybe a lot of inherent leakage current), it's sometimes useful for getting a Zs result without using The Alternative Method (or, when you really, really don't want to trip an RCD!)

Negatives (common to all Meggers, I think):

- It's far too easy to "un-null" your leads when on continuity setting. Pressing either of the test buttons - which is very easy to do, there's one on each side and just knocking one will do it - will remove the saved null setting. A right pain in the **** if you're the other end of a wander lead! So quite often I either turn it off, or just put it on a different setting, if I'm carrying it around on my neck

- Would be nicer if the backlight light stayed on a bit longer

- Usual Megger lead incompatibility with most third party bits and bobs, so I have a couple of cheap Kewtech leads to connecting to wander lead, lightmates, R2 socket etc.

Do you use the kewtech leads with the megger Steve? Any particular ones? Link please ?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I am holding out for the new kewtech one in early 2021 as it will be able to do all the ev charger tests i need. aint cheap though at a rumoured £1300

 

[happysteve]

Do you use the kewtech leads with the megger Steve? Any particular ones? Link please ?

A basic set of 2 leads is all you really need, this one will do: Kewtech ACC020S Test Leads - https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/kewtech-acc020s-test-leads/28760

This 3-lead set is more versatile, though: Kewtech ACC016E Test Leads - https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/kewtech-acc016e-test-leads/72941

 

[HappyHippyDad]

A basic set of 2 leads is all you really need, this one will do: Kewtech ACC020S Test Leads - https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/kewtech-acc020s-test-leads/28760

This 3-lead set is more versatile, though: Kewtech ACC016E Test Leads - https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/kewtech-acc016e-test-leads/72941

Thanks for that Steve, I've just bought the 2 leads.

 

[Micktw68]

Well I thought it was time to get a new MFT as the old one was 20yrs plus it got nicked too..

After a peruse and some tinterweb research I have opted for a Megger 1741 and it has arrived and first impression are pleasing, just wondered if anyone else has this particular model and what they think, interested in any negatives to look out for when using it.

I upgraded from the old Megger 1521to the 1741+ Simply for the future proof element and the fact that the old one was starting to “drift “. No complaints about the new one as steve pointed out the pros I wont reiterate,one minor niggle I have is the incompatible leads with other pieces of equipment the lack of a plug in 1363 lead (the 3 separate plugs is a nuisance) and the annoying crocodile clip/probe arrangement. Much prefer the older version with the probes under the croc clip. ( who used the GS38 4mm shrouds anyway)

 

[banny07]

Yep I saw the + version but couldn't warrant the extra cost for a small perk, I also believe charging points are not the future and see many hurdles with them becoming the norm', as battery technology is now accelerating I suspect you will simply drive into your garage and swap out your battery off the shelf after it is depleted, ranges expected in the 1000's of miles are now looking plausible, this will resolve the lack of charging point network and the problems and vast cost it has to implement.
[automerge]1590830878[/automerge]
PS - I got the price down to £800 (excl')which is a tough one to beat brand new, I couldn't get anywhere near the % discount on the + version.

I paid £1080 for +version on 20/04/2021, still waiting for in stock confirmation.. No one knows when they are available again.