12 volt test lights

[lazer50]

I have 2 test lights haven't bought one in years. I have a snap on that the fuse type bulb is in the handle and i have a k d tool brand. Im in the process of tracing a wiring issue on my 3500and always gouge my hand a time or. So i was wondering if there is any new products out that you can probe a wire to find 12 volts rather than poking thru the jacket?

 

[WhiffySpark]

That's the wiring gods punishing you for probing a wire lol

 

[firworks]

There are backprobe sets which are a kit of all kinds of different shaped metal probes that can go in the back of a connector next to the wire.
View media item 63531
Some of them are still pretty sharp though.

 

[torqueman2002]

When I work on wiring I use T-pins to slide along side the connector seal.

GM's harness division advises against breaching the wire insulation and/or using the wrong size connector adapter. Both will lead to circuit failures over time.

This is what happens, when the insulation is pierced.

The best solution is what firworks posted.

BTW - I just bought a new test light, with a LED volt meter.

$14.30 at ToolTopia.
http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-...J3ZPnZ2nYoya1zr_vUEbXrJ8kQZCxHXMdAaAh208P8HAQ

 

[KMdef9]

There's also bed of nails test leads.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M1W7W1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I personally prefer to pull the connector and test the terminal itself, just in case the wire has been pulled out of the terminal crimp.

 

[Jeeper]

BTW - I just bought a new test light, with a LED volt meter.

$14.30 at ToolTopia.
http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-...J3ZPnZ2nYoya1zr_vUEbXrJ8kQZCxHXMdAaAh208P8HAQ

Are you sure that is the model you bought? Doesn't say anything about the volt meter in the description. I have seen the snap on version was curious if there was a knock off or who made it for them.

 

[theoldwizard1]

BTW - I just bought a new test light, with a LED volt meter.

$14.30 at ToolTopia.
http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-...J3ZPnZ2nYoya1zr_vUEbXrJ8kQZCxHXMdAaAh208P8HAQ

Does it have an incandescent bulb or an LED ? Most test lights have incandescent bulb bulb that will draw about 250mA. Not enough to overload a computer output driver. An LED will only draw a few milliamps and can give you a false indication that a circuit is capable of turning a load on. Also, an incandescent bulb will glow dimmer on poorly grounded circuits.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you really have to probe through the insulation, use something like this.

 

[lazer50]

Thanks guys the tester mentioned must show voltage according to features it tests for 6 and 12 volt systems.

 

[Mastermind]

Your 2nd one may be big enough, I took some mountain ones that the bulb broke filament early on, and put gm dome light bulbs in them. Nice and bright and a little load. If I have to pierce a wire I have a couple different pierce tools like the ones pictures above. Even have ones for my power probe.

 

[torqueman2002]

Are you sure that is the model you bought? Doesn't say anything about the volt meter in the description. I have seen the snap on version was curious if there was a knock off or who made it for them.

Daumn, I messed up. Sorry.

Here's what I bought.

Astro 7763 Digital LCD 12-24V Circuit Tester - not a test light.
$21.91 - Amazon

"If you flip the red circuit inside and put it back together it will even read off a ground if u hook the cable to the power source. And it's computer safe which is a must." Amazon comment

Current Draw: 12-20V (17mA), 20-24V (10mA)

I admit I didn't read/look carefully enough. It looks like my old SO test light.

It's still useful, but not what I expected.

 

[lazer50]

It does kinda look like my old so one