12 replies to this topic

[KernowCooper]

Ok here is a tip for you, If your doing your Minis electrics then I recommend you also have one of these in your tool box

 

A Sealey Auto Probe.

PPI Auto Probe

 

 

They connect to the + and - terminal of the cars battery and you can probe wires and test for bad earths and confirm live feeds with one.

 

If you have a indicator which is not working then you simply slip the bulb out probe the centre pin and the led lights up to tell you its live so you pop your bulb back in and do a earth test by touching the probe on the earth of the indicator lamp and pressing the negative on the switch, if the bulb flashes you have a earth problem.

 

Your also able to make the probe tip 12v so you can provide a temporary feed and power up a circuit, this is also done on the rocker switch.

 

Makes life so much easier on fault finding and far faster that making up wires, you can get the basic one for £14 inc p/p and the PP2 for £20 with a built in work light. You can spend £100+ which is my daily all in one with a lcd screen and built in voltmeter and scope, but thats not required for the home user and I started out with the PP1 and its still running today.

 

Something I'd recommend.

 

Here is a short video of it in action

 

[Yoda]

I will second this post. I have had one since they first came out and cost around 80 quid. similar to the prices of the latest electronic ones. BUT, i must say that it has been worth every penny. I find faults so much easier and quicker with this than any other diag tool in my box. When you get good at it you can even see voltage drops in a circuit by the brightness of the LED.

 

Luckily for the home user, you can get em for for silly money now on ebay etc.

 

To add to Kernowcoopers description, you can test continuity all the way from lets say a light switch right through to the bulb down to earth, by simply putting the probe on the back of the switch output terminal and if the LED is glowing dimly green, you have a trace through the wire, seeing through the bulb to earth. in this case simply push the switch forward on the probe and the bulb will light up proving that part of the circuit is good. If the LED glow brightly, chances are you have a short circuit in the wiring. if you push the button now, the built in breaker will pop proving you have a short circuit.

 

Using various combinations of tests with this tool, you can and should find faults in minutes instead of hours.

 

I do not go anywhere without it. Honestly.

[jaydee]

Nice stuff, might look into getting one of these.

[DannyTip]

Ive not seen these before.  It looks similar to the american 'power probe'

[olds_kool_lews]

Ive got 1 of these, and i call it a power probe as you can send power through it, no end of times has it helped out find faulty/broken/old wiring!

[Doodling]

I'd also like to recommend a good Mutimeter. This will allow you not only to test cables but also to test your battery. Doing so when standing and also when the engine is running to prove your alternator is putting in a little more than 12V thus showing that its working.

[Wise Old Elf]

I have a MAC Tools one of these I have been using for the last 20 years.

 

I also use a Fluke Meter. I would recommend both.

[KernowCooper]

I'd also like to recommend a good Mutimeter. This will allow you not only to test cables but also to test your battery. Doing so when standing and also when the engine is running to prove your alternator is putting in a little more than 12V thus showing that its working.

Different tool to a Multimeter this is far easier to find faults and bad earths recommended, and you can power up circuits with it or provide a earth

[Doodling]

I'd also like to recommend a good Mutimeter. This will allow you not only to test cables but also to test your battery. Doing so when standing and also when the engine is running to prove your alternator is putting in a little more than 12V thus showing that its working.

Different tool to a Multimeter this is far easier to find faults and bad earths recommended, and you can power up circuits with it or provide a earth

I agree with you,They are different and the one your showing is by far an easier tool to use by Joe Average. I just hope I was pointing people to another tool to use.

[jmmini]

I have a 'power probe' which is very simular, it has the be one of the most useful pieces of kit for any electrical issue. It's like a hand held Kenrow Cooper! Hahaha

[KernowCooper]

I thought the basic one would be something members here might find useful, if you can put it on a point and saw no feed or mmmhh no earth saves tons of time without the other feature of powering and providing a earth. For less than £14 it will change the way you feel about fault finding electrical problems.

[mk1leg]

I've had one for over 20 years......never test with anything else..some times I extend the wire as so to reach...

[KernowCooper]

I've changed my sig to reflect how good they are