Electrical tools to take ?

Besides the volt/ohm meter and other stuff everybody has mentioned, I also carry battery powered tools. Before Home Depot did away with cashiers (I won't take someones job away from them and refuse to work for free at Home Depot checking myself out) I got a selection of their Ryobi battery powered tools. I carry a couple of chargers (of course) a battery powered drill, reciprocating saw and air compressor. The air compressor has proved to be invaluable. When I went to Missouri, two other RV's had low tires, one nearly off the rim and I loaned it to three neighbors who had foot pumps for their air beds.

Lots of fuses. Even the multimeter needs a fuse.

Redsky wrote:
I think in terms of what can be repaired while traveling and what needs to be repaired as opposed to what can wait until I get home.

Well Redsky.. In days of old before I got bold, that is how I thought too.. Today "Home is where I park it".. so I'm always home :).

But your point is well taken.. This week, while pulling out of a campground I brushed up against a tree (Pine) which brushed the right hand mirror off my house... The "Base" of the mirror is the antenna mount for my 2-meter/70CM cockpit radio so the coax was cut a few inches from the NMO (New Motorola is what that means) mound, Oh the joy.

Got the mirror back together and mounted

Got all the wires for the mirror re-connected (it is remote control and heated)

And yesterday got the coax shortened, re-connected to the NMO connector and that re-mounted and the antenna back on it.. Working and looks like original.

There is very little I can not do on the road.

tenbear wrote:
Multimeter, AC/DC clamp-on ammeter, 12v test light, soldering iron, solder, battery charger, electrical tape, heat shrink tubing, assorted fuses, spare lights and assorted screwdrivers, wire cutters and pliers.

IMO that's a pretty good list and you can get a decent combination AC/DC clamp-on ammeter and multimeter so one tool can serve both purposes. That along with a small soldering iron, solder, various fuzes/bulbs and a couple of rolls of electrical tape (both the vinyl and thick rubber type) covers most of the actual specific electrical type items needed. I really don't worry about this much since I have everything tool wise in my Van to start with anyway except for a floor jack. The only two things I have to put in the Van for each trip is my rotor tool tackle box and my small tackle box with my digital multimeter and my AC/DC clamp on ammeter both of which I keep in the house for better access/use. My rotor tool box is sort of a grab bag of things since it's one of the LARGE tackle boxes and has a clamp on vise, coping saw, rotor tool, multi-mate tool, label maker, etc. all in one and I have every rotor and multi-mate attachment made for those.

Larry

Only electrical tools I take are a cordless drill and an electric chain saw. Are you asking about tools for diagnosing electrical systems? Whatever, if you don't know how to use it, don't bother taking it.

I take what I need to troubleshoot minor problems and to do minor repairs. For that a Phillips and slot screwdriver, wire cutters and strippers, needle nose pliers, small vise grip pliers, electrical tape, a couple 3' lengths of 12ga insulated wire, and a small digital VOM are the basic tools. Add in a few box wrenches for any battery cables and spare fuses for the panel and a small compact flashlight that I can use in tight spaces. The VOM is to check voltage and for continuity testing.

On several occasions I have had a small Crescent wrench and been able to remove the cable from a battery and prevented an electrical short from turning into an electrical fire.

I think in terms of what can be repaired while traveling and what needs to be repaired as opposed to what can wait until I get home.

Well, I do not have an Xcelite tool case. (But likely have most of what goes inside it) ... I do have the rest of the stuff you listed and more.

I have the proper tools to put a connector on the end of a length of coax, both crimp on and compresson "F" type as well as various solder on types.

I have the tool for putting Anderson Power poles on (And spare poles).

I have.... Well, a whole lot of tools. Same, I am sure, as you.

wa8yxm wrote:
Tools.. Well in addition to the normal "every day" tools, (Knifes, cutters and pliars and screwdrivers)

Multi-meters (I have several) including a clamp on AC/DC ammeter.

Test lamps, both 12 and 120 volt,, again, nature of me is to have multiple and different sizes.

Electrical tape, sealant and connectors and in some cases special tools for dealign with the connectors (This last is optional but necessary in my life).

I have a few more things too but... Well.. I'm a certified electronics technician and a licensed ham radio operator.. Most folks do not need get as "into" electronics repair as I do.

Journeyman CET and amateur extra class myself (W5DWH). I like you carry more electronics tools than the average person. I carry a fully loaded Xcelite tool case, a multimeter, amp probe, 12V test lamp, spare fuses, wire, crimp connectors, wire nuts, butane soldering iron, and heat shrink tubing.

Just remembered another tool or two.

A Three Light outlet tester and a 15-30-50 adapter (that is two adapters the 30 in the middle is common to both) so you can check the park's polarity and ground, A Volt meter such as the Kill-a-watt that plugs in is handy too.

You plug the 3LT into the K-A-w, plug it into the 15-30 PUCK style adapter, plug that into the 30 amp outlet on a 30 site and if the lights are not right or the voltage on the meter (press volts) park elsewhere.

On a 50 you add a dogbone to the chain.. This leaves one lead untested, but odds are if they got 3 right #4 is as well since there is no other option.

korbe wrote:

ChooChooMan74 wrote:
Digital Multimeter is your best electrical friend. I also carry electrical tape, wire cutters, and some crimps. And a few fuses of every amperage for the trailer and tv.

This is my list also.

x3. This is enough for just about any electrical job. The odd stuff can be picked up locally.