Power Probe...will I actually ever use it??

[Jason280]

I've always wanted a Power Probe, but could never really justify buying one. Nevertheless, their potential always intrigued me...seems like one of those tools that would be really helpful when you need it....but otherwise just sat in the box collecting dust. Well, I found a deal on a Power Probe III today, and couldn't pass it up....now I just need to figure out how (and when) to use it!

 

[landlord30]

Nice! I feel the same way. I'm just waiting for a deal .......

 

[Wine-o1]

I was in the same boat- wasn't sure how much I'd use it but I got a good deal so I picked one up. The few times I have used it, it has been invaluable. In fact, I used it just today to diagnose a car with no taillights, marker lights, etc. I was able to verify an open in the wire from the relay to the junction block by applying power at the junction block. It was the easiest way and protected with a circuit breaker. I would definitely buy it again.

 

[jp828108]

Nice purchase. I feel the same way. Not really sure where I would use it very often, but definitely would like to add one to the tool collection one day. Because it's one of those things when you need it it is quite handy.

 

[Strouty]

When you need it, you need it. I don't use mine often, but............

 

[Mastermind]

I use mine almost daily. Hardly ever use a test light anymore. If it's a yes or no electrical question it's the power probe. If I need precise readings the meter comes out.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I got one and started using it for all sorts of things, several times a day. Then the novelty wore off and I realized that for a lot of stuff the meter was more effective and easier.

But there were still plenty of jobs I did use it for... better test light/logic probe, way better test lead set, etc. You can quickly diag/rule out wiring on motors and solenoids. Stick backprobe pins in the far side of a fuel pump plug and see if the fuel pump powers up, for example. I also started carrying it when I went plowing after oh so many wiring snafus ended up with plow blades stuck in dumb spots.

 

[Showkey]

With modern vehicles with CAN BUS we had way too many cases where power was being applied to wires and devices that were low voltage or communication wires. Puff.........so be really careful

 

[Strouty]

Yes, very careful. There is another device that is good too, it is called a load pro and it supposably doesn't kill the fancy electronic parts.

 

[oldtools]

Cars these day are full of electronics. That tool is very useful if you know how to use it. I got one as well.

 

[pajibson]

I got one last year after years of thinking they were just a gimmick? Spent the past uear kicking myself for not getting it sooner? Thing is a daily use tool now

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[Dan_s_young]

Awesome tool for a trained professional. it is not always the "goto tool", a multimeter still has its place. But I have not regretted buying mine at all. When your flat rate any tool that can speed up diagnosis is worth it.

 

[anndel]

I got a PP IV 2 years ago and haven't used it since. I always used my Fluke 87V and a test light which was all that was needed to get the fix done.

 

[FigureItOut]

As others have said, it does carry with it some potential for damage. Personally, I love my PP3, but I very rarely use it, and I do auto electrical exclusively. A meter is almost always more effective and easier to get set up. Someone mentioned the Load Pro leads, I really can't understand why the PP3 and Load Pro are always compared, they're very, very different tools.

When you say this:

now I just need to figure out how (and when) to use it!

It makes me doubtful that you'll find it particularly useful. Not to discourage you, but I just think that the PP3 is useful as a convenience to do testing that you already understand well how and when to do.



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[Jason280]

It makes me doubtful that you'll find it particularly useful. Not to discourage you, but I just think that the PP3 is useful as a convenience to do testing that you already understand well how and when to do.

No discouragement at all, and I understand completely what you are saying....there is definitely a learning curve involved, so it may take me a while to get truly comfortable with the tool. I'll probably watch a few Youtube videos and download the manual, just to get a rough idea of its capabilities.

 

[Mr_B]

I don't find power probes overly useful, easy enough make your own switched power lead with status lights etc for those occasions when powering a circuit is needed, good multimeter and wiring diagrams are far faster and less working clutter.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I can't say I have seen any YouTube mechanics (Eric The Car Guy, South Main Auto, Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics) ever use one. They all say "you have to "test a loaded circuit".

The old fashion 12V test light (" 'scope on a rope") is their most commonly used tool.

 

[Rarified27]

I've seen them in use but it just seems like another bulky thing to clutter up the workshop. I ended up getting a Fluke 115 instead of a PP and I absolutely it. The continuity beeper on the Fluke really takes away a lot of the speed advantage the PP has IMO.

Same for me- 115 and a test light. I'm not a pro mechanic, but they've been great on everything from vehicles to a lot of the electronic musical instruments and amplification devices I repair.

 

[Finky198]

When you need it, you need it. I don't use mine often, but............

Same here .

Last time I used it I think it was electronic lock switch on a Nissan pathfinder. It Worked perfectly. great for lights and any 12v stuff there are plenty of good videos online...

 

[joe_padavano]

I don't find power probes overly useful, easy enough make your own switched power lead with status lights etc for those occasions when powering a circuit is needed, good multimeter and wiring diagrams are far faster and less working clutter.

^^^THIS! A friend of mine swears by his Power Probe. I've yet to see it do anything I can't do with a jumper wire, a test light, and a meter - all of which I already have.

Frankly, it's just one more expensive tool that I won't be able to find when I need it.

 

[Superbec]

how is a pp3 expensive?

I have a pp4 could have gotten a 3 instead for my needs, yes you can do with a multimeter and a wire and a test light ... I hate test lights and I hate multimeter leads

PP's are just for convenience and speed .

Yes it's a bit dangerous if you don't know what you're doing but that's more money for me

 

[WhiffySpark]

Yes, very careful. There is another device that is good too, it is called a load pro and it supposably doesn't kill the fancy electronic parts.

They aren't interchangeable.

 

[anndel]

Same here .

Last time I used it I think it was electronic lock switch on a Nissan pathfinder. It Worked perfectly. great for lights and any 12v stuff there are plenty of good videos online...

I agree though, if I sell it there'll be one day I'm going to come across a problem where I wish I had it.

 

[geartow]

got mine bout 2 yrs ago has not been out of my locker since . multi meter and test lite gets lots of use

 

[454ragtop]

I scored a brand new PP3 on Ebay for $71 about a year ago. I really like it a lot and use it fairly regularly. Sure you can do what it does with test lights, jumpers, and meters, but I find the convenience it offers is well worth it. Showed it to a good friend of mine, so he got one, was using it today to troubleshoot some power windows and mentioned how useful it is and he's glad he bought it.

 

[Gmonkee]

In a shop the new supertech handed me a PP2 and told me it could solve any problem. He never mentioned how to use or read it.

I had never held one before. Had no clue.

Set it on his cart and solved the problem with a meter in less time than pondering the marvel the PP is supposed to be.

Now a guy sells a handmade clone of it made in Mex City. Not quite as pretty but a grey box with some LEDs and a wire or two. I will use the meter, simpler.

 

[Wamsutta]

So a Power Probe provides power to the circuit the same way as as a test light does when it's connected to battery positive, correct?

 

[xikevinn]

When youll need youll now have it and it will save your but! I love mine.

 

[trs71]

So a Power Probe provides power to the circuit the same way as as a test light does when it's connected to battery positive, correct?

Ehhhh, More like a fused 12 power supply, you are not going to be powering Windows with a test light. It's a lot more than that though. Multimeter,
continuity tester, short finder etc.https://www.powerprobe.com/power-probe-iii/

Everyone I talked to would not get the IV, Just the III, I'd get the kit (PP3LS01 ) over the clamshell.

The Fluke meter and test light vs PP3 Is kind of pointless. Like whats better a wrench or a ratchet. You can usually use both to accomplish the same thing- But not always and not with the same speed.

I use the you-know-for-sure red & green +/- LED and audible tone (and the built-in work lights) along with the heavy duty probe tip more than anything. I bought it and the Power Probe ECT2000 Short Open Circuit Detector from http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ last year. (Bench Power seats stuck) I Couldn't have been happier.

Just like anything, there is a learning curve. That's why God made youtube

 

[thatguysb]

i have one but rarely use it, usually grab for my test light first. if the job needs it then sure ill haul it out.

 

[Fedwrench]

Your best friend when using a power probe is a wiring diagram. As others have pointed out, you do not want to let the smoke out of an expensive module by applying power to the wrong circuit.

A test light had its place for many years. However, a test light can damage circuits too so be careful or invest in an LED test light that is safer to use. Of course, the best thing is probably to whip out the DVOM to start with.

 

[Superbec]

So a Power Probe provides power to the circuit the same way as as a test light does when it's connected to battery positive, correct?

yes and no .... it also reads voltage and polarity and you can give either + or - to the tip at the push of the button .

Then you have the small ground lead , at first I thought wth why would I need this ... but makes testing bulbs and other stuff so much easier .

that's what pp does makes stuff easier/faster

 

[Crazyjake8493]

We use one all the time for RV service.

 

[theoldwizard1]

With modern vehicles with CAN BUS we had way too many cases where power was being applied to wires and devices that were low voltage or communication wires. Puff.........so be really careful

If you use an old fashioned test light to "turn on" a device (connect the alligator clip to +12V), the light bulb (do NOT use a modern LED test light) will limit the current being applied to the device to about 1/4A.