Power Probe ETC 3000

[johninct]

I may have a job where a Power Probe ETC 3000 would be useful, are they any good?

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I have seen that tool used by a buddy of mine and I was impressed!

Power Probe is a company that never let's me down!

 

[kbuhagiar]

Could someone refresh my memory as to the benefits of a Power Probe when used to troubleshoot an electrical problem?
I've always relied on my 12v test light and a pair of really long jumper wires with alligator clips.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Could someone refresh my memory as to the benefits of a Power Probe when used to troubleshoot an electrical problem?
I've always relied on my 12v test light and a pair of really long jumper wires with alligator clips.

You cant apply power or ground to a circuit with a test light. The OP is asking about a tool that can detect shorts and breaks in a wire not just the usual Power Probe. Remember Power Probe is a brand of diagnostic tools not just a single tool like many think.

 

[kbuhagiar]

You cant apply power or ground to a circuit with a test light. The OP is asking about a tool that can detect shorts and breaks in a wire not just the usual Power Probe. Remember Power Probe is a brand of diagnostic tools not just a single tool like many think.

Could someone refresh my memory as to the benefits of a Power Probe when used to troubleshoot an electrical problem?
I've always relied on my 12v test light and a pair of really long jumper wires with alligator clips.

I use the aforementioned jumper wires to connect to the battery, allowing me to apply power or ground to a circuit.
Not being argumentative, just wondering if the PP provides a function aboove and beyond that.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

It has a screen that shows voltage and a circuit breaker built in. If you are checking a circuit (let's say a ground wire) you stab into the line and the screen should turn green and beep but if it does nothing then you know the wire dosen't have connection to the ground side of the battery, you could then flip the switch and add a ground to the circuit and see if the component turns on and vise versa with the positive side. What's nice to is the built in breaker so if there is a short you dont burn anything up testing.

The OP isn't asking about that tool though.

This is the tool he is asking about. Very cool!

 

[cgrutt]

Interesting video I wonder if a tone injector and probe for telephone and network cables world also work.

 

[kbuhagiar]

It has a screen that shows voltage and a circuit breaker built in. If you are checking a circuit (let's say a ground wire) you stab into the line and the screen should turn green and beep but if it does nothing then you know the wire dosen't have connection to the ground side of the battery, you could then flip the switch and add a ground to the circuit and see if the component turns on and vise versa with the positive side. What's nice to is the built in breaker so if there is a short you dont burn anything up testing.

The OP isn't asking about that tool though.

This is the tool he is asking about. Very cool!

Excellent, thanks for that clarification.

 

[dscheidt]

You cant apply power or ground to a circuit with a test light. The OP is asking about a tool that can detect shorts and breaks in a wire not just the usual Power Probe. Remember Power Probe is a brand of diagnostic tools not just a single tool like many think.

the usual way to use a test light is hook it to ground, and touch things you expect to have voltage. If there's voltage, current flows through the ground you provided. t

It has a screen that shows voltage and a circuit breaker built in. If you are checking a circuit (let's say a ground wire) you stab into the line and the screen should turn green and beep but if it does nothing then you know the wire dosen't have connection to the ground side of the battery, you could then flip the switch and add a ground to the circuit and see if the component turns on and vise versa with the positive side. What's nice to is the built in breaker so if there is a short you dont burn anything up testing.

The OP isn't asking about that tool though.

This is the tool he is asking about. Very cool!

Circuit breaker does not help you if you put 12v somewhere expecting 5v. You would hope that such places are protected against over voltage, but not every thing is.

 

[richfinn]

Interesting video I wonder if a tone injector and probe for telephone and network cables world also work.

Yep I have and use one, "Fox & Hound" we call it in the UK.

I cut the telecom plug off mine and equipped it with 4mm banana plugs

 

[richfinn]

I may have a job where a Power Probe ETC 3000 would be useful, are they any good?

Yes and No, what's the job entail?

 

[f121]

Could someone refresh my memory as to the benefits of a Power Probe when used to troubleshoot an electrical problem?
I've always relied on my 12v test light and a pair of really long jumper wires with alligator clips.

The cheapest, simplest, power probe knockoffs are $20 or so and are the modern version of a test light. Super useful as you can power things up, earth pins on relays just with a rocker, and the long lead stays attached the battery as you move the probe around the car.

There are downsides, you can blow modules that expect 5v not 12v, it doesn’t apply as much load as a test light so you may get erroneous readings. For the $20 they cost it’s invaluable and one of the first tools I pick up when doing electrical diagnostics, but as always it’s important to pick the right tool for the job.

I’ve never got around to buying a fancy one with a screen, I have a multimeter for that.

 

[johninct]

Yes and No, what's the job entail?

Headlights on a payloader, the harness is around the articulation area. It as been cold so I didn't check anything yet, I am just planning.

 

[Wrench97]

I have one, it will show a short but locating it or a open all depends on how many wires in the loom, often the other wires in the harness act a antenna and the signal gets transmitted throughout the harness. I've even had hits in harness branches I know for sure the circuit I was tracing was not in.
It's home in the garage never used any more.

 

[richfinn]

I have one, it will show a short but locating it or a open all depends on how many wires in the loom, often the other wires in the harness act a antenna and the signal gets transmitted throughout the harness. I've even had hits in harness branches I know for sure the circuit I was tracing was not in.
It's home in the garage never used any more.

This kind of sums it up

I used mine for modifying wiring harnesses on the bench mostly (nothing connected at either end)

Had more luck with a bulb/DC current clamp for finding dead shorts

For opens I look for the pinch points and chafing more than anything

 

[liliysdad]

I have an Innova Power Check which operates in a similar fashion. Every time I use it I find it more valuable.