Sprague Instruments CTR-DHWL-150 - Gripper Wireless Cable Tension Meter - 10-150lbs, 2 sensors
Free shipping promotion applies to orders in the continental United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Need a Quote?
The Sprague Instruments CTR-DHWL-150 is the complete wireless digital cable tension measurement kit — one display unit with two interchangeable sensor heads covering the full range of standard aircraft cable tension measurement in a single carrying case. The small sensor head covers 10–30 lbs at ±3% full-scale accuracy for bridle and autopilot servo cables. The large sensor head covers 10–150 lbs at ±2% full-scale accuracy for primary and secondary flight control cables. Both sensors support all five standard cable sizes from 1/16" through 3/16", connect to the shared display via Bluetooth 4.2 up to 10 meters away, and display real-time tension in pounds or metric units with live temperature and battery strength — no calibration chart, no riser selection, no conversion step required.
One Kit. Two Sensors. Complete Coverage.
A technician working on both autopilot servo bridle cables and primary flight control cables needs two different tension ranges to do both jobs accurately. The CTR-DHWL-150 provides both in a single kit. The small sensor (10–30 lbs, ±3% FS) is calibrated for the light tension zone where bridle cables operate — at that range, a 10–150 lb instrument would place bridle cable readings below 20% of full scale, where small absolute errors represent large percentage errors. The large sensor (10–150 lbs, ±2% FS) is calibrated for primary and secondary flight control cable work, matching the standalone CTR-GAWL-150's capability exactly. The display pairs automatically with whichever sensor is powered on — swap the sensor head, power on the new sensor, and the display immediately begins showing data from the active unit. Both sensors transmit real-time tension data while the technician adjusts turnbuckles or servo connections, allowing live monitoring without moving away from the cable. The shared display shows live temperature in °C or °F alongside the tension reading, eliminating the need for a separate thermometer when applying temperature correction factors to tension specifications. One adapter charges all three units — display, small sensor, and large sensor — from a single 5V supply.
Two Sensors. One Display. Full Gripper Platform.
- Small sensor: 10–30 lbs, ±3% FS — bridle and autopilot servo cables; appropriately scaled for light-tension specifications
- Large sensor: 10–150 lbs, ±2% FS — primary and secondary flight control cables; identical to CTR-GAWL-150
- Both sensors: 1/16"–3/16" — all five standard aircraft cable sizes covered by both heads
- Bluetooth 4.2 — display pairs with the active sensor; real-time data up to 10 meters
- Live temperature display — selectable °C or °F; integrated with tension readout on the shared display
- Real-time adjustment monitoring — watch tension change while rigging; applicable to both sensors
- ~4,000 readings per sensor charge (each); ~10,000 display readings (backlight off); one adapter charges all
- Auto-sleep after 5 minutes idle — on each sensor independently
- Factory pre-calibrated — all three units ready for immediate use
- Padded carrying case — houses display unit and both sensor heads
Technical Specifications
- Small Sensor Range: 10 – 30 lbs | ±3% of full scale
- Large Sensor Range: 10 – 150 lbs | ±2% of full scale
- Scale Resolution: 1 lb (both sensors)
- Cable Sizes (Both Sensors): 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16"
- Wireless Technology: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 4.2
- Wireless Range: Up to 10 meters (33 ft)
- Display: 160 x 128 dot matrix LCD with selectable backlight
- Display Readings: Tension (lbs or metric), cable size, temperature, battery strength
- Temperature: Selectable °C or °F
- Operating Temp Range: 14°F to 100°F (-10°C to 40°C)
- Storage Temp Range: -4°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C)
- Humidity: 5–95%
- Sensor Housing: 6061 aluminum (both sensors)
- Display Housing: ABS plastic
- Sensor Battery: 500mAh Li-Po rechargeable; ~4,000 readings per charge; sleep after 5 min idle (each)
- Display Battery: 1,500mAh Li-Po rechargeable; ~10,000 readings (backlight off); ~3,000 (backlight on)
- Charging: 5VDC; one adapter charges display and both sensors
- Sensor Dimensions: 105 x 40 x 27mm (each)
- Sensor Weight: ~240g each (~8.5 oz)
- Display Dimensions: 164 x 80 x 29mm
- Display Weight: ~160g (~5.6 oz)
- Calibration Interval: Annual (12 months) — both sensors require individual annual calibration
- Factory Calibration: Yes — all units pre-calibrated; ready for immediate use
- Included: Display unit, small sensor (10–30 lbs), large sensor (10–150 lbs), batteries, 5V adapter, user manual, carrying case
- Manufacturer: Sprague Instruments, San Jose, CA
Typical Applications
- Complete cable tension measurement kit for technicians working on both bridle and primary flight control cables
- MRO facilities maintaining multiple aircraft types requiring the full tension measurement spectrum
- Autopilot servo bridle cable rigging (small sensor) and primary control cable rigging (large sensor) on the same aircraft
- Any operation where carrying two separate tensiometers is inefficient
- General aviation, business jets, regional jets, and helicopter maintenance programs
- Flight schools and MRO shops consolidating multiple mechanical instruments into one digital wireless kit
Sprague CTR-DHWL-150 Calibration
The CTR-DHWL-150 ships with all three units factory pre-calibrated and ready for immediate use. Annual recalibration — every 12 months — is required for both sensor heads individually to maintain accuracy and aviation maintenance compliance. Each sensor's calibration is independent; a calibration certificate should be maintained for each head separately. The CTR-DHWL-150 is designed so that local calibration shops can certify each sensor using the multi-point dead weight procedure detailed in the user manual. Pilot John International performs calibration services for the Sprague CTR-DHWL-150 and its individual sensor heads, issuing fully traceable calibration certificates for each unit. PJi's ISO 17025-accredited calibration laboratory supports FAA-regulated maintenance programs, AS9100 quality management systems, and DOD contract requirements. Learn more about PJi's Calibration Services for the Sprague CTR-DHWL-150 →
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Part # | CTR-DHWL-150 |
| Manufacturer | Sprague Instruments |
| Manual 1 | View Sprague Wireless Gripper Manual (Dec 2022) |
| Manual 2 | View Sprague CTR-DHWL-150 User Manual |
| Shipping Information | |
|---|---|
| Product Weight | 7 lbs. |
| Product Dimensions | 16 x 12.5 x 8.5 in. |
| Schedule B | 9027893500 |
| ECCN | EAR99 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Both Sensors Cable Sizes | 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16" |
| Calibration Interval | Annual (12 months); factory pre-calibrated |
| Charging | 5VDC; one adapter charges all units |
| Display | 160 x 128 dot matrix LCD with selectable backlight |
| Display Battery | 1,500mAh Li-Po rechargeable; ~10,000 readings (backlight off); ~3,000 (backlight on) |
| Display Dimensions | 164 x 80 x 29mm |
| Display Housing | ABS plastic |
| Display Readings | Tension (lbs or metric), cable size, temperature, battery strength |
| Display Weight | ~160g (~5.6 oz) |
| Humidity | 5–95% |
| In Box | Display unit, 2 sensor units, batteries, 5V adapter, user manual, carrying case |
| Large Sensor Accuracy | ±2% of full scale |
| Large Sensor Best Use | Primary and secondary flight control cables |
| Large Sensor Range | 10 – 150 lbs |
| Manufacturer | Sprague Instruments |
| Operating Temp Range | 14°F to 100°F (-10°C to 40°C) |
| Scale Resolution | 1 lb (both sensors) |
| Sensor Battery | 500mAh Li-Po rechargeable; ~4,000 readings per charge (each sensor); sleep after 5 min idle |
| Sensor Dimensions | 105 x 40 x 27mm (each) |
| Sensor Housing | 6061 aluminum (both sensors) |
| Sensor Weight | ~240g (~8.5 oz) each |
| Small Sensor Accuracy | ±3% of full scale |
| Small Sensor Best Use | Bridle cables, autopilot servo cables |
| Small Sensor Range | 10 – 30 lbs |
| Storage Temp Range | -4°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C) |
| Temperature Units | Selectable °C or °F |
| Wireless Range | Up to 10 meters (33 ft) |
| Wireless Technology | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 4.2 |
Customers also viewed
Customers who bought this item also purchased
AIRCRAFT COMPATIBILITY
This item is for use on all aircraft.
PRODUCT REVIEWS
This item does not have any reviews yet.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Using the CTR-DHWL-150 digital cable tension meter is easy and straightforward. Simply turn it on, place the sensor unit on the cable, and read the tension measurement on the display unit.
Yes! With its small head, the CTR-DHWL-150 cable tensiometer is designed to reach tight spaces, making it ideal for measuring cable tension in hard-to-reach areas.
The CTR-DHWL-150 cable tension meter comes with batteries for the display and sensor units and a 5-volt adapter for charging.
The CTR-DHWL-150 cable tension meter offers excellent accuracy, with ±3% full-scale accuracy when using the small sensor head (10–30 lb. range) and an even higher ±2% full-scale accuracy when using the large sensor head (10–150 lb. range). This high level of precision makes it a reliable tool for aviation maintenance, control cable tensioning, and structural rigging tasks where dependable readings are critical.
The CTR-DHWL-150 cable tension meter provides excellent battery life. The display unit delivers approximately 10,000 readings per charge with the backlight off and about 3,000 readings with the backlight on. The sensor units provide approximately 4,000 readings per charge, making the CTR-DHWL-150 highly efficient for extended field use without frequent recharging.
PJi offers calibration services for the CTR-DHWL-150 wireless digital cable tension meter. We ensure your unit is calibrated to meet precise industry standards, helping maintain accuracy, reliability, and compliance with aviation maintenance requirements.
The CTR-DHWL-150 wireless digital cable tension meter should be calibrated once every 12 months to maintain optimal accuracy and compliance with aviation maintenance standards. Each unit comes pre-calibrated from the factory, so it is ready for immediate use upon delivery. Annual calibration ensures the tensiometer continues to provide precise, reliable readings that are critical for proper cable tensioning and overall aircraft safety.
The CTR-DHWL-150 includes one display unit, one small sensor head (10–30 lbs), and one large sensor head (10–150 lbs), plus batteries for all units, a 5V charging adapter, user manual, and carrying case. The display pairs automatically with whichever sensor is powered on via Bluetooth 4.2. To switch between sensors, power off the active sensor and power on the other — the display will pair with the newly active sensor. Only one sensor can be active and transmitting at a time.
The CTR-DHWL-150 provides one display unit with two sensors covering 10–30 lbs and 10–150 lbs. Buying the CTR-BCWL-60 ($1,395) and CTR-GAWL-150 ($1,495) separately gives you two complete independent kits — two display units and two sensors — at a combined MSRP of $2,890. The CTR-DHWL-150 at $2,595 provides both sensor heads with one shared display at approximately $295 less, with the trade-off that both sensors must share one display unit rather than operating simultaneously or independently. Note also that the CTR-DHWL-150's small sensor covers 10–30 lbs, while the standalone CTR-BCWL-60 covers the updated 10–60 lb range.
The CTR-BCWL-60 is the updated standalone bridle cable model with a doubled range versus the original CTR-BCWL-30. The CTR-DHWL-150's small sensor corresponds to the original 10–30 lb bridle cable design. If the 10–60 lb bridle cable range is required, the standalone CTR-BCWL-60 is the correct instrument for that specific sensor capability.
Yes. Each sensor head requires individual annual calibration — the small sensor and large sensor are calibrated independently to their respective tension ranges and accuracy specifications. Maintain a separate calibration certificate for each sensor head. Pilot John International can calibrate both sensor heads and issue individual traceable calibration certificates for each. Visit pilotjohn.com/calibration for details.
Both the small sensor (10–30 lbs) and the large sensor (10–150 lbs) support all five standard aircraft cable sizes: 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", and 3/16". Cable size is selected on the display unit before measurement, regardless of which sensor is active.
