Snapon circuit tester

[jshultz78]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675534&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Can anyone tell me if this tester is airbag/computer safe? I kinda figure it is being led, but it doesn't say in the description anywhere.

 

[JMLoughrey]

Just use a DMM and not worry about it.

Test lights have no place in interior automotive testing nowadays. Outside of the vehicle with lighting and such i'd say sure, but if you are worried about an airbag safe test light, i would save yourself the doubt and use a DMM.

 

[Brownsfan]

Just use a DMM and not worry about it.

Test lights have no place in interior automotive testing nowadays. Outside of the vehicle with lighting and such i'd say sure, but if you are worried about an airbag safe test light, i would save yourself the doubt and use a DMM.

I agree. I wouldnt even bother with it the tool you linked if you are worried about being air bag safe. That will launch an airbag if it comes near yellow taped wires. Jshultz if you want a somewhat computer and airbag safe tool that is not a meter you need this http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...675535&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all I have it but rarely use it. It is made by Hickok Waekon. You can find it cheaper without the blue point name.

 

[devilsnight]

x2, test lights are obsolete these days unless your testing headlights or taillights. Save a few more bucks and buy a fluke.

 

[Stick]

I wouldn't say test lights are obsolete. They have their place in testing methodology, the same as a logic probe, DMM, labscope, or powerprobe. The nice thing about test lights are their ability to supply a load to the circuit during testing. I use my meter with a set of LoadPro test leads for the same purpose, but a test light remains a viable testing method that I still use on occasion.

 

[Drew_flux]

I think you will be fine with ecu and srs testing. I have the older version of this tester without the led. the only thing I don't like about it is the coiled lead. over the years it has cracked the insulation on the lead due to streach/contract cycles.

 

[MattPersman]

Load testing wires is key, I don't know how many circuits I see misdiagnosed because the person just used a DVOM to check resistance, or used the sweet "beep" continuity feature of checking wires lol. 1 crappy strand of green wire will still show a good circuit hell it will show good voltage many times too, but it won't light up a simple test light as load or do anything else well.

You need this tool in your arsenal

 

[Brownsfan]

Load testing wires is key, I don't know how many circuits I see misdiagnosed because the person just used a DVOM to check resistance, or used the sweet "beep" continuity feature of checking wires lol. 1 crappy strand of green wire will still show a good circuit hell it will show good voltage many times too, but it won't light up a simple test light as load or do anything else well.

You need this tool in your arsenal

I agree that it can be useful. But he asked if it was computer and air bag safe. Would you use that near a computer controlled circuit or srs? There are better safer tools to use if you are not sure if it's CPU or srs. I don't own one I use a meter and a load pro or this. http://www.hickok-inc.com/catalog/products/76600_voltpro.html when loading a circuit for testing

 

[jamesc]

from what I have heard is that these snap on test lights are safe to use because they use an led and draw very little currrent... what that also means is they aren't going to load a circuit very much which is good and bad depending on what your doing, if it were me I would want a conventional "bulb" test light for the rare occasion you can use a test light anymore.

 

[Skin]

I agree that it can be useful. But he asked if it was computer and air bag safe. Would you use that near a computer controlled circuit or srs?

the load is a few hundred millivolts at most. You won't even come close to frying a computer with that.

 

[rodknocker]

STOP!!!! you cannot use a DMM to test airbag circuits. It only takes about 3v to blow some airbags. That being said if you are checking for continuity through a wire, your DMM is putting voltage through the wire, which can cause the airbags to blow. Also checking wiring on airbag systems is difficult because each connecter has a shorting bar in it, so voltage cannot enter the circuit when its disconnected. What kind of vehicle are you working on?

 

[trtrd]

that test light is NOT safe1!

 

[wise]

Almost all test lights (LED or not) are around 1kOhm, so that can theoretically wreck havoc on Can systems if used incorrectly.

Test lights are really valuable to have still, but I never use mine on circuits I'm not completely knowledgeable about unless I have a schematic and am chasing shorts. I have a powerprobe 3 but rarely find places to use it (might just be me not knowing how to get the most of it though).

IMO, Snap-On is tops for there hand tools like Wrenches and Ratchets, but I've found no difference between there Electronic stuff. Save yourself 35 bucks and pick up a cheaper test light. I have a Snap-ON Auto Ranging MultiMeter, and its great, but I later found out (on GJ) that its made by TPI and the exact meter (except the colour is different) is available much, much, much cheaper...

 

[Brownsfan]

Exactly. Get yourself the oem version and save. OTC makes a lot of different testlights for much cheaper. Logic probes Waekon is the best and they rebrand to all the tool trucks. So does OTC. I wouldn't be surprised if that light is an OTC