Re: How useful is this tool - Circuit checker

Post by **scot850** » 31 Jan 2018, 13:10

Maybe not the right place to post this, but saw this for sale and it has just gone on sale for $50 CDN.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/ ... -p8595258e

I am hopeless with electrics and with cars trying to fault trace over a long cable with a basic circuit tester is a pain as you have to make up a long flying lead. That is the cheaper way to go of course but for an electrical luddite maybe worth a look?

Neil.

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 31 Jan 2018, 13:39

This is just a glorified (expensive) circuit tester. I just use a home made circuit tester made with parts you can get at any electronics store for a few bucks. That much money would be better spent on a full feature multimeter, which can do way more than say open/short circuit, and some extra long leads. In my opinion this isn't worth the money, no matter how much of an "electrical luddite" you may be.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 31 Jan 2018, 14:30

I agree, any of the cheapo $10-$20 dollar multimeters would be a thousand times more useful than that. Especially with long wires carrying current merely indicating an open or short condition often doesn't mean anything.. you need to measure voltage drop.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 31 Jan 2018, 15:06

It is more then a glorified circuit tester.

One part is a signal generator the other part is a receiver. You inject the signal into a circuit then run the receiver along the harness until you find the specific point the defect is located.

If one knows where it hurts one also knows where to cut for surgery. Pinpointing a defect in a harness saves a lot of labor and cost. When one know where it hurts, one can fix the defect without disassembling the harness or replacing the harness.

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 31 Jan 2018, 18:59

I had one- got stolen- it did come useful to find a fault where there was a damaged wire in the steering column- that was causing all sorts of other issues- at $50.00 seems like a decent deal- now if only they had a smoke tester

Post by **scot850** » 31 Jan 2018, 19:49

I'll suggest that to Princess Auto on one of my many,, many visits to them!!! LoL!

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 31 Jan 2018, 22:57

I was thinking along the lines of what Rick was saying. Not having to use long leads and be able to use the tool without damaging the wire to find a break or internal break would be great.

Anyway, each to their own, but thought there may be others out there who may find this helpful as I hadn't see anything like this before.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 01 Feb 2018, 06:10

Could be useful for those broken tailgate wires but that’s one of the only places I’ve seen breaks without trauma on Volvo wiring

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 02 Feb 2018, 13:04

scot850 wrote: ↑31 Jan 2018, 19:49 I'll suggest that to Princess Auto on one of my many,, many visits to them!!! LoL!

Neil.

My new job is only 8 blocks from one- have difficulty passing it on the way to work or home

Post by **scot850** » 02 Feb 2018, 15:30

My sympathies are with your wallet!

Neil.