Your External Powered Test Light

[Hantke]

Does anybody on here use these?
if so, i'd like to hear what kind and how you like it!

 

[Richard Cranium]

can you post a pic of what you are asking about?

 

[hayhauler71]

Power probe

 

[cotjocky]

I believe this is what i have…

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675534&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Plugs into a cigarette lighter. Shows if you have power or ground. Nice not to have to keep moving the clip back and forth to determine power or ground. Nice red or green illumination.

Was nice testing a power window switch and motor a few days ago.

I think a lot of people have mentioned this being a nice tool as well.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675535&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

If you are a stickler for an american made product…

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675535&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

If you want digital voltage display…

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=756278&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I'm sure there are lots of nice products out there. Depends on what all you need your tool to do. LOADpro, Power Probe III and Power Probe "The Hook" are supposed to be really nice diagnostic tools.

 

[K-Dog]

Power probe

cool tool

 

[Hantke]

can you post a pic of what you are asking about?

Unfortunately not, i wish i had such a tool!

 

[Hantke]

I think either the Amp Hound
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=769765&group_ID=675535&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
or the Bluepoint Circuit tester
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=648366&group_ID=675535&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Would be my choice, I wonder if the amp hound has a case? The Circuit tester is able to do a 42V hybrid system, which i may or may not use.

Thank you for the links, I didn't expect to find what i was looking for so fast!!! Still interested in any more info or experiences anybody has to share!

 

[FiendFX]

power probe 3..

 

[richfinn]

The amp hound does one very specific task it's not a test light
It identifies excessive current drain by volt dropping across a fuse in a hot circuit.

Injecting power and ground with a power probe into circuits is useful if you 100% know what you are doing.

If not get a multimeter, it does everything and more that all the test lamps/probes can do with experience.

 

[Hantke]

The amp hound does one very specific task it's not a test light
It identifies excessive current drain by volt dropping across a fuse in a hot circuit.

Injecting power and ground with a power probe into circuits is useful if you 100% know what you are doing.

If not get a multimeter, it does everything and more that all the test lamps/probes can do with experience.

I already have a multi meter, and appreciate it greatly, but am looking to some more specialized required things for school (i really hate when they do this, like requiring small 1/2" sockets, i mean, really? I use 3/8" 99.99% of the time on auto stuff with no problem, the other .01% i grab a breaker bar), we need an External powered test light (i assume like what you plug into a cigarette lighter? wasn't too specific) and i have been doing a lot of electrical diagnosis lately and could appreciate the amp hound instead of the engine bay of a VW golf W/ a multi meter, really uncomfortable for someone my size.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

PP3 is what you need. Just be careful and not let the smoke out of those expensive modules.

 

[richfinn]

I already have a multi meter, and appreciate it greatly, but am looking to some more specialized required things for school (i really hate when they do this, like requiring small 1/2" sockets, i mean, really? I use 3/8" 99.99% of the time on auto stuff with no problem, the other .01% i grab a breaker bar), we need an External powered test light (i assume like what you plug into a cigarette lighter? wasn't too specific) and i have been doing a lot of electrical diagnosis lately and could appreciate the amp hound instead of the engine bay of a VW golf W/ a multi meter, really uncomfortable for someone my size.

Ok all the Amp Hound does is measure voltage drop across a fuse and performs a calculation to convert the voltage reading into Amps.

If you download the conversion chart from www.vestest.com
your meter will do the job.

If you need to jump power or ground to a component you can set your meter to DC amps and you have a fused jumper that will display amps directly. I have a really long lead about 15ft long for this and my meter will cope with 20A.

Your meter will have a symbol on the display to help you identify polarity instead of red/green LEDs

All a power probe does is speed things up but it can lead to misdiagnosis or module damage if not fully understood.

 

[lilredex]

I use an older model of this one for testing continuity of fuses, bulbs, non powered circuits, etc. Cheap and effective.

http://www.sperryinstruments.com/en/ct6101



This one....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00027FOPC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FrontierLogic]

In one of your recent posts dated 3-28-2014 with the heading "International vs Excel and a machinist rule T-slide," you posted this "I've previously trained and worked as a diesel tech for CAT heavy equipment so i have a basic knowledge and assortment of tools."
If you worked on Caterpillar equipment and/or received any type of formal training from CAT, it's very difficult to comprehend why you don't understand a basic test light circuit!
All of the Caterpillar reps and those technicians trained by CAT that I have known were extremely knowledgeable, exhibited common sense, and were excellent interacting with others.
Certainly, I'm not trying to be condescending, but a simple electrical test light circuit is the subject for a high school physics class.

 

[Hantke]

In one of your recent posts dated 3-28-2014 with the heading "International vs Excel and a machinist rule T-slide," you posted this "I've previously trained and worked as a diesel tech for CAT heavy equipment so i have a basic knowledge and assortment of tools."
If you worked on Caterpillar equipment and/or received any type of formal training from CAT, it's very difficult to comprehend why you don't understand a basic test light circuit!
If you had read the original post, i didn't ask how a test light circuit works, nor did i say i didn't know how to use one. I asked for peoples experiences and opinions regarding specific models.
All of the Caterpillar reps and those technicians trained by CAT that I have known were extremely knowledgeable, exhibited common sense, and were excellent interacting with others.
Most of the techs i've met anywhere weren't exactly the greatest at social communications, they were absolutely some of the best mechanics i've ever met, but chose to work in a shop on their own for a reason. Field techs on the other hand are paid extra to be "nice" to the customer, many of the guys i met who were field techs did the job because they liked the social interaction as opposed to a shop.
Certainly, I'm not trying to be condescending, but a simple electrical test light circuit is the subject for a high school physics class.
You may not be condescending, but i do find it funny that you felt the need to make a forum account just to post this.

*edit* I Stand corrected, you made your account in 2012, congrats on your first post.

 

[Hantke]

can you post a pic of what you are asking about?

Sorry about the lack of a picture as i don't currently own one, but it is essentially a power probe.

PP3 is what you need. Just be careful and not let the smoke out of those expensive modules.

I hate when the smoke gets out, that's the best part!

Thank you! i may well get a Power Probe 3, good product from what i've read about it

Ok all the Amp Hound does is measure voltage drop across a fuse and performs a calculation to convert the voltage reading into Amps.

If you download the conversion chart from www.vestest.com
your meter will do the job.

If you need to jump power or ground to a component you can set your meter to DC amps and you have a fused jumper that will display amps directly. I have a really long lead about 15ft long for this and my meter will cope with 20A.

Your meter will have a symbol on the display to help you identify polarity instead of red/green LEDs

All a power probe does is speed things up but it can lead to misdiagnosis or module damage if not fully understood.

If i wasn't required to have an independent tester, i would probably do the same thing, or something similar, I am getting to about the point in time i want a nicer multi-meter though. Especially one with longer leads!
I know the point of the amp hound is that you can "plug" it into the back of a fuse and get a reading, leaving you to interpret whether or not something is wrong. I assume that is where most user errors come into play, right?

 

[richfinn]

Sorry about the lack of a picture as i don't currently own one, but it is essentially a power probe.



I hate when the smoke gets out, that's the best part!

Thank you! i may well get a Power Probe 3, good product from what i've read about it



If i wasn't required to have an independent tester, i would probably do the same thing, or something similar, I am getting to about the point in time i want a nicer multi-meter though. Especially one with longer leads!
I know the point of the amp hound is that you can "plug" it into the back of a fuse and get a reading, leaving you to interpret whether or not something is wrong. I assume that is where most user errors come into play, right?

I don't have an Amp hound, I use the same idea though. The main thing is it lets you test for a drain without pulling the fuse and shutting anything down.

I use a power probe 3 sometimes and its good if you know it's limitations.

 

[Hantke]

I don't have an Amp hound, I use the same idea though. The main thing is it lets you test for a drain without pulling the fuse and shutting anything down.

I use a power probe 3 sometimes and its good if you know it's limitations.

Cool, i'm hearing more and more good things about the power probe 3, and finding all sorts of kits, not sure which one to get! I like the idea behind the master kit, but don't see needing all of it right now, Most likely going to snag a lead set W/ common adapters set in the future, thanks!

 

[richfinn]

Cool, i'm hearing more and more good things about the power probe 3, and finding all sorts of kits, not sure which one to get! I like the idea behind the master kit, but don't see needing all of it right now, Most likely going to snag a lead set W/ common adapters set in the future, thanks!

I just have a standard PP3 kit, it came with and extention cord/cigarette lighter adaptor/lock for the toggle switch.

If you take off the point it will fit any generic 4mm banana plug type meter lead and adaptors, I had a good assortment of these anyway but it might save you a little money if you have them already.

I have an old fox/hound for tracing faults on telephone lines which I have adapted for working on cars (I dont use it often but it works ok)

 

[Hantke]

I just have a standard PP3 kit, it came with and extention cord/cigarette lighter adaptor/lock for the toggle switch.

If you take off the point it will fit any generic 4mm banana plug type meter lead and adaptors, I had a good assortment of these anyway but it might save you a little money if you have them already.

I have an old fox/hound for tracing faults on telephone lines which I have adapted for working on cars (I dont use it often but it works ok)

That's a good idea, my dad used to be a cable guy and did telephone lies as well, i should see if he has one!