LOADpro or Power Probe

[robe5000]

So i'm cruising YouTube checking out videos about tools (as usual) and i come across another great video by @EricTheCarGuy and he's using a cool tool called the "Power Probe 3", so i check it out and find a couple reviews and everyone says its awesome. So i have one on the way ($149.99CAD Snappy Truck) Now yesterday I'm checking out some videos on my new investment and i come across this guy saying the Power Probe isn't all its cracked up to be, he says his tool he's selling is the way to go. He's selling the LOADpro ($73.84+15.98ship Amazon.ca)
Now The LOADpro guy does make some valid points on what he's selling, but i can' find any independent reviews, and the guys who have the Power Probe say its amazing.
I plan on getting both and posting what i think, I'd like to get this thread started to see what people think of either, so please post some sort of review on either tool if you have them

 

[Bull]

Dan Sullivan (designer of the LOADpro) just recently joined as a member here, I believe. He's also the fellow who wrote the book about electrical troubleshooting that everyone recommends so highly.

Like you, I want to buy some electrical diagnostic tools. I haven't committed yet. I feel like I need to actually learn how these systems work before I throw money at a tool. Right now, I'm ignorant. I'm eyeballing the Sullivan book.

 

[robe5000]

Dan Sullivan (designer of the LOADpro) just recently joined as a member here, I believe. He's also the fellow who wrote the book about electrical troubleshooting that everyone recommends so highly.

Like you, I want to buy some electrical diagnostic tools. I haven't committed yet. I feel like I need to actually learn how these systems work before I throw money at a tool. Right now, I'm ignorant. I'm eyeballing the Sullivan book.

I hear ya, i'm no electric wiz or anything, his book does look like a great tool as well, i plan on getting the LOADpro bundled with his book

 

[Agentwho]

That does look like a usefull add to the tool box. I did a quick search and found that tooltopia has it for 50.79 and they do free shipping on orders over 99 bucks. http://www.tooltopia.com/electronic...oglebase_18u&gclid=CLHQ-e7m2LMCFUKd4Aod82oAxQ

 

[braol]

Looks like the LoadPro is the tool to have. Thanks for posting this, I will be purchasing the LoadPro with the troubleshooting book. I already have a powerprobe 3.

 

[robe5000]

Looks like the LoadPro is the tool to have. Thanks for posting this, I will be purchasing the LoadPro with the troubleshooting book. I already have a powerprobe 3.

what do you think of the Power Probe?

 

[Brownsfan]

Take a look at this. I was looking into the load pro but decided on this instead. http://www.hickok-inc.com/catalog/products/76600_voltpro.html. I have the power probe 3 as well and they both have their place. Check out the video this thing has saved my **** a few times.

 

[strikeouttruck]

Can someone clarify if loadpro actually sends voltage, or does it just add resistance when you press the button. Im not a fan of sending voltage which is why I have avoided the power probe, but if all it does is add a resistor inline im going to pick one up today, thanks

 

[mikebramel]

Its just a resistor that saturates with current. If there isnt enough supply the voltage reading on the meter will drop low. Works good

 

[mrjaw14]

you can make your own load pro for just a few bucks.

LoadPro's put a 0.5 A load @ 12vdc. That works out to a 25 Ohm resistor. Power dissipation in watts is 5.75 watts. You need a CERAMIC resistor, rated for ~25 ohms, and 10 watts.

You also need a switch (momentary normally-closed or on/off...your choice) a lead of some sort (old test light, or old Multi-meter lead you can cut into. If you use a test light (resistor can fit in the handle, making a nice clean lead set) you need to get a banana plug for the end of the lead to plug into your multi-meter.

You simply wire the resistor in parallel with a jumper lead, and use the switch to break the jumper to take it in and out of the circuit. Electricity follows path to least resistance, so the leads will work normally when the switch is closed and electricity will flow across the jumper bypassing the resistor. When the switch is opened, the electricity will go through the resistor and “load” the circuit at 0.5A at 12VDC.

Sometimes a circuit will pass continuity, but fail under load. LoadPro's value is in testing if a circuit can handle a load, and give you a way to test where that failure is.

I'm also working on a way to make a power probe type device. It should be easy as well. just using different color LED's wired in parallel in an inverse configuration so that depending on what you're testing, power or gnd, one lights up. That's the easy part. a double pole double throw momentary rocker switch can be used to supply power and ground. That definitely needs to be fused. the PPIII has a built in meter, that can be done, but at that point it's better to just buy a PPIII.

each has it's purpose. One is not better than the other because they're not the same test. loadpro for a circuit problem like bad connector or corrosion, powerprobe for testing components, grounds, etc.

 

[strikeouttruck]

Its just a resistor that saturates with current. If there isnt enough supply the voltage reading on the meter will drop low. Works good

thank you, ordering now!

 

[braol]

what do you think of the Power Probe?

The only thing the powerprobe can do that you might need over the loadpro is apply power and/or ground to test a part. It has a 20amp circuit breaker built in, so if you are testing a low amp part and it works with the power probe, that doesn't mean the part will work when you plug it up.

I am going to buy the TMX-589 meter kit, because I need a new meter anyway and it comes with the book and a DVD. I am far from an expert in electrical so I think the DVD and book will help me to be better at it.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i use the hell out of my powerprobe
and i liked the book by sullivan alot
i have access to a load pro but dont use it much

 

[braol]

Take a look at this. I was looking into the load pro but decided on this instead. http://www.hickok-inc.com/catalog/products/76600_voltpro.html. I have the power probe 3 as well and they both have their place. Check out the video this thing has saved my **** a few times.

I have done a lot of reading on this this morning. I say buy the loadpro and support the guy they came up with it instead of a more expensive copy. Just my opinion.

i use the hell out of my powerprobe
and i liked the book by sullivan alot
i have access to a load pro but dont use it much

Why not, does it not work?

 

[greasemonkey44]

Why not, does it not work?

it works just fine; its primary function is to discover if a wire is unable to carry enough current
i just dont see it that often; occasionally i find voltage drops when working
but it is pretty infrequent(once a month)
maybe other people would use it more?
i dont use a multimeter all that much either

 

[JASTECH]

I use to be the go-to-guy on electrical years ago, now with all the new computers installed with about every light ect. going through them makes me useless :-(
>
>
I do like the TMX-589 DMM, nice it's water proof and floats. I had been out on road calls with pouring down rain, not getting DMM wet is difficult.

 

[FiendFX]

Can't go wrong with Power Probe 3... The cable extensions are as long as a car. And the features are nice.

 

[robe5000]

well i'm starting to feel better about my power probe purchase, but i do find the LOADpro interesting, i'm sold on both, although i wish both units cost a bit less

 

[sdguy55]

Dan Sullivan (designer of the LOADpro) just recently joined as a member here, I believe. He's also the fellow who wrote the book about electrical troubleshooting that everyone recommends so highly.

Like you, I want to buy some electrical diagnostic tools. I haven't committed yet. I feel like I need to actually learn how these systems work before I throw money at a tool. Right now, I'm ignorant. I'm eyeballing the Sullivan book.

Stop eyeballing it and get it. Honestly the best money i have spent yet on a book. I have a very weird way of learning things when it comes to mechanics and its even worse in electrical and this book just helped immensely. I went into it knowing that i was going to just read it first to get familiar with it then i was going to go back and re-read sections i didnt understand or whenever i have an electrical issue at work.

 

[ATTappman]

One nice feature of the Power Probe 3 is it's speaker. With the right peak-to-peak threshold setting, you can backprobe the connector on a crankshaft position sensor, for example, and hear the voltage pulses through the speaker. You can quickly tell if the sensor is alive or dead.

LoadPro leads are useful for finding high resistance in a circuit. That's about it.

 

[richfinn]

Both excellent time savers, but I would keep the Load-pro if I had to choose. I can do everything my PP3 can do with a DVOM (including supplying power or ground) plus a fair bit more.

The only advantage (and its a big advantage) of a Power Probe is long leads and permanent hook up to a battery.

To the guy advocating making his own Load-Pro. How do you intend to copy the hollow probe tips??

 

[Seanbev24]

The correct answer is get both. They're both great for electrical troubleshooting, but have different uses.

If I had to pick one, it would be the PP3. I use mine all the time. I don't even bother putting it away anymore. My favorite part isn't even the ability to supply power and ground. It's the fact that it's always hooked to the battery so you're not trying to find a ground at the testing point.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have done a lot of reading on this this morning. I say buy the loadpro and support the guy they came up with it instead of a more expensive copy. Just my opinion.


Why not, does it not work?

I looked into the load pro first but the tool I linked was more useful to me. Plus Waekon is local to me. I had a defective one and I called them to see what I can do to getit fixed or replaced. The head engineer brought one out to my shop personally. I like the fact it does multiple functions without going back to the tool box. It is very bright and easy to see under the dash when testing wires for remote start installs.

 

[Lotek]

I have both, they serve different purposes, both are excellent tools.

 

[Fedwrench]

Both but, use caution when using the power probe. If you work in the snow belt where corrosion is rampant the loadpro leads can help a lot or you could just master the art of measuring voltage drops.

As for the power probe, just always have a wiring diagram handy and be certain which circuit you are applying voltage to and that's it's safe to do so. Yopu don't want to fry modules by applying power to the wrong circuit.

I think both tools are handy to have but, no tool is a quick fix for knowledge and proper technique.

 

[FiendFX]

Keep in mind, no current flow, no voltage drop. PP3 is still good.

 

[FiendFX]

you can make your own load pro for just a few bucks.

LoadPro's put a 0.5 A load @ 12vdc. That works out to a 25 Ohm resistor. Power dissipation in watts is 5.75 watts. You need a CERAMIC resistor, rated for ~25 ohms, and 10 watts.

You also need a switch (momentary normally-closed or on/off...your choice) a lead of some sort (old test light, or old Multi-meter lead you can cut into. If you use a test light (resistor can fit in the handle, making a nice clean lead set) you need to get a banana plug for the end of the lead to plug into your multi-meter.

You simply wire the resistor in parallel with a jumper lead, and use the switch to break the jumper to take it in and out of the circuit. Electricity follows path to least resistance, so the leads will work normally when the switch is closed and electricity will flow across the jumper bypassing the resistor. When the switch is opened, the electricity will go through the resistor and “load” the circuit at 0.5A at 12VDC.

Sometimes a circuit will pass continuity, but fail under load. LoadPro's value is in testing if a circuit can handle a load, and give you a way to test where that failure is.

I'm also working on a way to make a power probe type device. It should be easy as well. just using different color LED's wired in parallel in an inverse configuration so that depending on what you're testing, power or gnd, one lights up. That's the easy part. a double pole double throw momentary rocker switch can be used to supply power and ground. That definitely needs to be fused. the PPIII has a built in meter, that can be done, but at that point it's better to just buy a PPIII.

each has it's purpose. One is not better than the other because they're not the same test. loadpro for a circuit problem like bad connector or corrosion, powerprobe for testing components, grounds, etc.

He already figured it out...

 

[neel2008]

boss man has a power probe at work and im always stealing it.....nice to be able to hook up the extension and go to the back of the vehicle and test lights and what not. The LoadPro is very interesting and he raises some important points in the video....I will have to look into that....

 

[JASTECH]

I still have the PP3 in my Amazon basket, I have 3 4x's to rewire next year. These being early 70's I'm use to AMM and inline brake lamp bulb, lol...But the 20' long extension leads would be helpful. The Voltpro Hi-Vis 76600 looks to fun too.

 

[smalltruck]

Which one to buy really depends on what you are going to be working on. Tailights or headlights, PP3 is usually a better choice. But go into reference signals or voltage ripple problems and the dvom comes out.

I do a lot of work on APU's on semi's so it's not unusual for me to have both out at the same time

PS- a co-worker got a power probe hook a few weeks ago and its neat but I'm not sure its $500 neat...

 

[Danglerb]

I bought both plus half a dozen or so other things like more DMM, probes, back probes, clips, a DC clamp meter, and a couple different types of cheap HF test lights. Being useful ONE time is all it takes to make it worth having them. Also bought a short detector, the kind that hooks in at the fuse and puts a signal on the wire you trace with a hand held meter until it goes away at the short.

 

[Bull]

Also bought a short detector, the kind that hooks in at the fuse and puts a signal on the wire you trace with a hand held meter until it goes away at the short.

Which one do you have, and how do you like it?

 

[ourkid2000]

Here's a question.....

Anyone ever used the LoadPro's on an AC circuit?

 

[FiendFX]

now i got both.. loadpro to find shorts, high resistance and open circuit. pp3 to apply power/ground.

 

[whizzy]

I am considering getting hold of a power probe 3.I have read the debate about loapro/power probe etc.But you can still do voltage drop tests using the power probe 3 as long as the load you are back probing is turned on ,so you would get the same results as the load pro right ? the good thing about load pro is that you are not tied to the battery but you also have to disconnect the connector from the load to test with load pro.After all the built in volt meter in power probe is just like doing voltage drops with a regular dvm.What i like about the pp3 is you can apply power and still do voltage drops with it.

Do many of you pp3 users ,use your pp3 for voltage drop testing ?

 

[whizzy]

Its just a resistor that saturates with current.

which loadpro or pp3

 

[whizzy]

now i got both.. loadpro to find shorts, high resistance and open circuit. pp3 to apply power/ground.

But if you wanted you could use pp3 to find high resistance doing a voltage drop and still accomplish the same thing .

 

[Danglerb]

Which one do you have, and how do you like it?

Weakon, haven't opened it, its too cold in the garage for shorts right now.

I had in my cart at tooltopia for an age, then made an order at nxtools for something I actually needed and lumped the short detector in to spread out the shipping costs. Part I actually needed took until about a week ago to ship, so there it still sits in the package.

All of them are pretty much the same, hook up at the fuse panel (replaces the fuse) and it puts a low level "maybe radio" signal on the wire. A small hand held meter reads the signal and wiggles the needle. Follow the wire and when the needle stops wiggling, there is the short.

Power Probe III
Tests light bulbs, any smaller devices, and when it does that suggest wiring issues

LoadPro
Tests for poor connections to power or ground. I plan to leave the LoadPro on my meter and use it as my basic test lead.

Electrical is such a PITA, anything you can buy that makes it easier seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[Biggeoff]

The Power probe 3 in the wrong hands can cause a lot of damage to the modern vehicle. The loadpro is an excellent piece of kit and credit to Dan Sullivan even shows you how to effectively use it like a pro...

 

[Piles]

Buddy was trying to sell me on the power probe the other day. And honestly I cant see myself buying it anytime soon. I have made probably a hundred different types of jumpers, leads, and connectors for testing, or supplying power and what have you. I think it could very well lead to more mishaps than time it saves me (if it would at all).

As for the loadpro, if i am understanding the premise correctly, could you not just use an old sealed beam? Thats my test light. If anything else reads power, and it doesnt well then I got high resistance somewhere.

I understand having these pieces of equipment is alot nicer, or maybe a slightly more convenient package. But my equipment was free other than my time. But I dont know everything so maybe one of you can sell me on these pieces, or explain why mine might be poor practice.