Test light suggestions

[thejoker989 10+ year member]

Any other installers here have any recommendation for computer and airbag safe test lights? Not really interested in the power probe series because I find them bulky.

This is what the one I'm looking at

http://www.amazon.com/Waekon-Industries-Ground-Injector-WAE76100/dp/B000FMO2KC/ref=sr_1_11/002-5571743-9749616?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1193040056&sr=1-11

Click to read more...

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

dont use a powered test light.

use a dmm.

 

[thejoker989 10+ year member]

wow great addition to the thread, but no. There do exist test lights, or "circuit testers" that are computer safe and pose no danger to the car. I assume you're not a professional installer, because searching for wires with a dmm is not very fun.

 

[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

wow great addition to the thread, but no. There do exist test lights, or "circuit testers" that are computer safe and pose no danger to the car. I assume you're not a professional installer, because searching for wires with a dmm is not very fun.

If you know what you are doing...searching with wires is very easy with a DMM.

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

wow great addition to the thread, but no. There do exist test lights, or "circuit testers" that are computer safe and pose no danger to the car. I assume you're not a professional installer, because searching for wires with a dmm is not very fun.

yea...a dmm that has a minimum of 10 mega ohms is not safe for computer equipment, yet thats really the only tool i will ever use for diagnosing cars....

ill trust my blue point dmm more than a test light anyday of the week to keep components safe.

 

[thejoker989 10+ year member]

I don't currently have a test light, so I know what its like to use a meter. Test lights imo are more convienent, easier to probe with, and will identify open circuits, ground, or +12. I don't believe there is a single test on a dmm that will identify all three, only two. Unless you know something I don't? Voltage test, or contunuity to ground are the two I use.

 

[thejoker989 10+ year member]

yea...a dmm that has a minimum of 10 mega ohms is not safe for computer equipment, yet thats really the only tool i will ever use for diagnosing cars....
ill trust my blue point dmm more than a test light anyday of the week to keep components safe.

I never claimed a dmm wasn't safe. The computer safe circuit testers are designed to pull power from the cigarette lighter, not the wire being probed. I'm not sure the exact impedence of the computer safe test lights, but it's enough to have never caused any problems when I've used them.

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

I don't currently have a test light, so I know what its like to use a meter. Test lights imo are more convienent, easier to probe with, and will identify open circuits, ground, or +12. I don't believe there is a single test on a dmm that will identify all three, only two. Unless you know something I don't? Voltage test, or contunuity to ground are the two I use.

yes a test light can be more convenient for you, and thats fine. if it works for you great. its not my first choice however.

you can do so much more with a dmm, which is why i have never purchased a test light with my own money. i like having everything i need in 1 place (the dmm), instead of 2 tools for the same purpose. i like to see numbers as well. i cant rely on a test light 100% to tell me that i am loosing voltage across that connection. if its a bright day, id be watching the bulb like crazy to see if its dimmer than it should be. it just isnt reliable for me.

i am not a professional installer, that is true. and although i am currently not in the field, when i was working at chrysler all my electrical issues were solved using a dmm. now i dont know exactly the instances that a professional installer is placed in (as ive never done that line of work), but i can tell you there hasnt been a problem in a wiring harness in a vehicle that i couldnt diagnose using the dmm.

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

I never claimed a dmm wasn't safe. The computer safe circuit testers are designed to pull power from the cigarette lighter, not the wire being probed. I'm not sure the exact impedence of the computer safe test lights, but it's enough to have never caused any problems when I've used them.

true. i did assume that though after reading the post about there being computer safe test lights you were suggesting the dmm wasnt good enough.

 

[NeverEnuffBass 10+ year member]

Any other installers here have any recommendation for computer and airbag safe test lights? Not really interested in the power probe series because I find them bulky.
This is what the one I'm looking at

http://www.amazon.com/Waekon-Industries-Ground-Injector-WAE76100/dp/B000FMO2KC/ref=sr_1_11/002-5571743-9749616?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1193040056&sr=1-11

I have that test light, paid much less on ebay I think it was about $75 shipped to my door about a yr ago