Looking at the Lisle 60150 and the Electronic Specialties 194 Super Relay Buddy. Primarily doing automotive and ATV repairs. If there is something else I should be looking at that is in the $125 ish range let me know and why. Looking for hands on experience in regards to reliability, ease of use, accuracy, etc. Thanks in advance.
Which 4/5 pin relay tester?
- Thread starter autobon7
- Start date
e015475
Well-known member
The Lisle tool looks pretty fussy to use
There's a Youtuber called the 'Car Wizard' that uses some test relays with a switch on them for a quick diagnosis by simply replacing the suspected relay with one that has a manual switch. A box of different relay configurations he uses is available for about $15. Search "YUXIVCNE 9038" on Amazon.
It seems to me the substitution of a known-good relay with a manual switch for the suspected failed relay would be a lot quicker than either of the tools you mention for almost all situations. (I just keep a supply of new relays around and to substitute for suspected bad ones, but I only deal with the Bosch style relays)
If the manually switched relay doesn't result in the circuit functioning as it should indicating a good relay, then I'd turn to a breakout box like the Lisle 56810 Relay Test Jumper Kit. I built one from an old Bosch relay, but the Lisle tool looks pretty slick.
Just my 2 cents
https://www.aeswave.com/relay-test-jumper-kit-p8932.html
https://www.aeswave.com/relay-test-jumper-kit-p8932.html
There's a Youtuber called the 'Car Wizard' that uses some test relays with a switch on them for a quick diagnosis by simply replacing the suspected relay with one that has a manual switch. A box of different relay configurations he uses is available for about $15. Search "YUXIVCNE 9038" on Amazon.
It seems to me the substitution of a known-good relay with a manual switch for the suspected failed relay would be a lot quicker than either of the tools you mention for almost all situations. (I just keep a supply of new relays around and to substitute for suspected bad ones, but I only deal with the Bosch style relays)
If the manually switched relay doesn't result in the circuit functioning as it should indicating a good relay, then I'd turn to a breakout box like the Lisle 56810 Relay Test Jumper Kit. I built one from an old Bosch relay, but the Lisle tool looks pretty slick.
Just my 2 cents
https://www.aeswave.com/relay-test-jumper-kit-p8932.html
https://www.aeswave.com/relay-test-jumper-kit-p8932.html
Wrench97
Well-known member
I have both the Electronic Specialties 194, and Lisle 56810 kit, I grab the ES 194 first but be aware there are relays neither will test.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
For clarity - are you testing just bare relays, or the circuit the relay is on? Those are two very different situations. I have a a relay buddy to test relays, it is very basic and doesn't pick up on failure under sustained load.
Something like IPA relay switches can confirm the load side works, which implies if you have no function you have a control problem.
If you're trying to look at the circuit holistically, that's a different tool and setup.
Something like IPA relay switches can confirm the load side works, which implies if you have no function you have a control problem.
If you're trying to look at the circuit holistically, that's a different tool and setup.
merkyworks
Well-known member
If you’re trying to test the relay circuit I’d look at the Lisle 69300, really nice kit. Picked one up on Amazon day for $113 and couldn’t be happier.
richfinn
Well-known member
I like these little relay breakouts that come in the Lisle master kit
(You can usually buy this kit for around $175 on Amazon etc.)
www.lislecorp.com
What's good is that you can access all the relay pins and test everything "live" in situ with tools you already have, as for actual dynamic relay testing you could then use a scope and look for bad contacts etc.
From what I have seen these dedicated relay bench testers just switch the relay on and off quickly a number of times and report if the continuity was good during the test, personally I think it's always better to test components in the car in as close to real world conditions as you can get.
(You can usually buy this kit for around $175 on Amazon etc.)
69300 Master Relay & Fused Circuit Test Kit
Kit Makes Testing Relays or Live Circuits Quick and Easy
www.lislecorp.com
What's good is that you can access all the relay pins and test everything "live" in situ with tools you already have, as for actual dynamic relay testing you could then use a scope and look for bad contacts etc.
From what I have seen these dedicated relay bench testers just switch the relay on and off quickly a number of times and report if the continuity was good during the test, personally I think it's always better to test components in the car in as close to real world conditions as you can get.
Just bare relays
signcrafter
Well-known member
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- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,352
I went down this path years ago and built a little tester, mostly for fun. But found out it's easier to just swap relays. I grabbed a bunch of relays from the junkyard and have a drawer full of them.
The stacked relay breakout things that someone posted above are the best option. Allow you to test every pin of the circuit and see what's going on and can jump the relay to activate the device it controls. Spend your money on those and you will be better off.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Something like the Relay Buddy would do what you want.
Buying some common ones or swapping them between cavities is also an option.
Be careful doing this on modern cars. Not all relays, even with the same pin out, are the same. A relay that lacks a suppression diode where the manufacturer used one can damage the control driver on a computer. the wrong suppression (diode where the original was resistive, for example) can lead to a delay in switching motor loads, or contacts that weld themselves closed. some have a time delay on close or open. Check the part numbers...
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
All true, OP wants an inherently "half assed" solution thus my advice.
The correct way is with relay breakouts like Lisle 69300 with the relay in place and the circuit functional. But to just test if a relay will click, I think the Relay Buddy and similar are the best option. Of course as you state all pinouts are not the same, so the relay buddy can fail a relay that works because it uses a non standard layout.
Years ago I thought I wanted relay testers. But I rarely used them. I much prefer testing the circuit under load or with tests lights. I used them so little I pretty much gave them away.
Now a days I make all my testers with banana jacks and the aes kit to adapt to anything I could dream up. I usually keep a couple relay holders and relays handy too.
Now a days I make all my testers with banana jacks and the aes kit to adapt to anything I could dream up. I usually keep a couple relay holders and relays handy too.
kbeefy
Well-known member
I thought they were a neat idea but I actually forgot I owned them until I read this thread.
I just use some jumper wires and a cordless tool battery to test them.
I guess I should dig the test set out and play with it next time it's relevant.
I just use some jumper wires and a cordless tool battery to test them.
I guess I should dig the test set out and play with it next time it's relevant.