Low-amperage probe (Recommendations wanted)

[Schurkey]

I have a hand-held Matco-branded OTC automotive oscilloscope (Matco MD4000F, same as OTC 3840F) coming in the next few days. These are similar to a Snap-On Vantage, having software support by vehicle model and year; with known-good waveforms to compare to. I get the sense that these are "leftovers" of an unpopular tool; something that should have gotten model-year updates to the software...but didn't, so 2006 is as new as the software goes. Unless the software is more useful than I expect, I really don't care about that.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391452885637?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Anyway, what I most wanted this for is to display amperage waveforms for electric motors--electric fuel pumps, HVAC blower motors, etc.
I'm therefore in need of a decent-quality low-amperage probe. The OTC 3820-13 seems a natural choice, but I thought I'd ask what other folks are using.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OTC-3820-13...:g:ZdwAAOSwVFlUF7LX&item=190830265691&vxp=mtr

There may come a time that I'll want a high-amperage probe for dealing with starter motor draw, but the low-amps probe is more important right now--especially if the capacity is high enough for most alternator work.

 

[lbhsbz]

I have this one and I've been happy with it.

http://www.aeswave.com/Current-Probe-Low-range-with-Banana-Plugs-p9501.html

 

[Fedwrench]

To the PDI made AES Wave clamp. With practice, it's quite useful.

On a side note, OTC is famous for introducing a new fill in the blank scan tool, DVOM, Lab scope, etc. and then no longer supporting it with updates, and dumping it a couple of years later in favor of a different new version.

 

[Bobioz1]

The AES clamp works great. Keep it away from hot places.

 

[Jeeper]

I have one of those match/OTC scopes that I have been trying to get rid of for 250...still have it. Wish I would have known instead of you paying 400.

 

[Schurkey]

I have this one and I've been happy with it.

http://www.aeswave.com/Current-Probe-Low-range-with-Banana-Plugs-p9501.html

3 votes for AES/PDI. I've got it in my wishlist on Amazon. I notice that it connects to the 'scope using banana plugs. The input to the OTC/Matco scope is via BNC.

NOW I'm looking for suggestions for Banana-to-BNC adapters--unless the AES/PDI comes with both connection styles and I just haven't figured that out yet.

Amazon has male BNC to female Banana adapters ranging from five bucks to near fifty bucks. I'm kinda guessing that it doesn't make a lot of difference--they're all Chinese, and none are pure copper.

I have one of those match/OTC scopes that I have been trying to get rid of for 250...still have it. Wish I would have known instead of you paying 400.

Yeah...me too.

I have to say that seeing the thing in person, I'm kinda disappointed in the small size of the display. That and every pattern I'd want to look at would be better in "widescreen" as opposed to taller-than-wide as oriented on the OTC/Matco unit.

I guess I'll find out how well the thing works for me before too long. I appreciate that the Matco is "red" instead of OTC Blue. I don't care for blue. I also appreciate that the scope and the wall-wart are Korean although all the test leads and other accessories are Communist Chinese.

Curious--why are you selling yours?

 

[Jeeper]

3 votes for AES/PDI. I've got it in my wishlist on Amazon. I notice that it connects to the 'scope using banana plugs. The input to the OTC/Matco scope is via BNC.

NOW I'm looking for suggestions for Banana-to-BNC adapters--unless the AES/PDI comes with both connection styles and I just haven't figured that out yet.

Amazon has male BNC to female Banana adapters ranging from five bucks to near fifty bucks. I'm kinda guessing that it doesn't make a lot of difference--they're all Chinese, and none are pure copper.


Yeah...me too.

I have to say that seeing the thing in person, I'm kinda disappointed in the small size of the display. That and every pattern I'd want to look at would be better in "widescreen" as opposed to taller-than-wide as oriented on the OTC/Matco unit.

I guess I'll find out how well the thing works for me before too long. I appreciate that the Matco is "red" instead of OTC Blue. I don't care for blue. I also appreciate that the scope and the wall-wart are Korean although all the test leads and other accessories are Communist Chinese.

Curious--why are you selling yours?

For the bnc, buy straight from aes. They have them in both banana ends and bnc.
http://www.aeswave.com/Current-Probe-Low-range-with-BNC-p9500.html


I am selling mine because I have upgraded mine twice. A few years back I purchased a modis that has the 4 channel and the. Just a few weeks back I bought a vantage ultra off eBay. I was eyeing them and managed to win it at $1000. The main reason I went to snap on is because they have storage...meaning you can stop and review the recorded past. The Matco/otc didn't. Plus I am just learning so most of the videos I watch, Scanner Danner, motoyam, SMA use snap on.

 

[Olafur]

For the bnc, buy straight from aes. They have them in both banana ends and bnc.
http://www.aeswave.com/Current-Probe-Low-range-with-BNC-p9500.html

This.

I have similar probe with banana connectors, not happy enough with it since it picks up plenty of nose and can be difficult to trigger on a scope. I believe I saw the same probe offered from AES with shielded (banana) connectors. Can't remember actually. However the BNC version has shield and should be better.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Pomona (owned by Fluke) is THE source for most electrical adapters, although they are expensive. They make several different styles.

Here is one that will work. Pomona Model 3073 Female BNC to Multi-Stacking Banana Plugs

 

[Schurkey]

Likely to order the amperage probe with the BNC connector attached. Thanks for that.

The Pomona 3073 would work, I think I'd need to tape-up the male Banana plugs so they didn't short or ground--but perhaps I won't need it after all.

I just got confirmation from Jeffery that the software for 'scope-to-computer that's included with the OTC 3840F (Matco MD4000F) won't work on Windows 8 or newer. Bastards.

3840F will not work with windows 8. Need an older operating system. 2008.



Best regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen


JEFFREY
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
Aftermarket Technical Support (AA-AS)
OTC TECHNICAL SUPPORT

 

[Jeeper]

Likely to order the amperage probe with the BNC connector attached. Thanks for that.

The Pomona 3073 would work--but perhaps I won't need it after all.

I just got confirmation from Jeffery that the software for 'scope-to-computer that's included with the OTC 3840F (Matco MD4000F) won't work on Windows 8 or newer. Bastards.

I'd still try it. It may work but Bosch won't officially support using it.

 

[Schurkey]

I did try it. I e-mailed Bosch/OTC based on the error message I get-- "USB drivers not installed".

Of course, I've installed the driver five times off the mini-CD included, including once where I told my computer to emulate Windows XP "compatibility mode".

I also connected the 'scope to my computer via the supplied USB cable. It would not communicate with the computer. I'd get a pop-up box that my computer "Found New Hardware", but it wouldn't download the full driver package.

 

[goingtoarizona]

AES all the way. They've been in the scope business for 15-20 years. I bought my Fluke from them about 15 years ago. The owner, Jorge is a wealth of knowledge and writes a lot of automotive tech articles. Good prices and support!