Most of us have several favorite pieces of electrical/electronics test equipment, from Test Lights to DMM’s. As I have grown older and starting wearing bifocals and hearing aids , I have become more and more reliant on test lights, a DMM with an audio signal for continuity and my most recent, a piezo alarm speaker with alligator clips.
What are your three favorite and most versatile, tracing and troubleshooting gizmos for the 12 volt side of life? A tool you keep in your rig because it always works and gives you the most help.
If there is a large enough response, I’ll do a spreadsheet and publish the results. I think a list of the most useful half dozen based on your feelings would be a good beginning for a Newby who needs to build an RV toolbox.
Possibly I’ll do another survey on the three most important testers for the infamous campground power pedestal.
SURVEY RESULTSThere were 21 responses to my question about your three favorite pieces of 12 volt test gear. Not quite as many as I had hoped for but I must say that the responses came from some of you that have in the past given some excellent responses to problems others have needed help with, in other words, I think on the average you are the most knowledgeable. Okay, enough sucking up, here are the results;
The most often noted was of no surprise a DMM. Somewhat of a surprise to me was the most often mentioned by name was, Fluke with Harbor Freight next. There was a smattering of other makers mentioned.
Next most often mentioned was a test light. No makers were mentioned, however two with audio were mentioned and one was noted as homemade. Analog meters were mentioned twice.
Amp-clamps were third most mentioned. With only a couple of makers named.
About even with Amp-Clamps were Jumper Wires with alligators clips. Not to be confused with battery jumpers, which were not mentioned.
A Wiggie and Fluke models of solenoid meters were also mentioned.
So in summary, counting my post, out of 22 members responding, DMM was mentioned 17 times with Fluke being the most named at 12 times.
Test lights were mentioned 9 times.
Amp Clamps 6 times, I did not count mine as I considered it an accessory. Two of the six mentioned were full scale DMMs in an amp clamp configuration and were not counted as DMMs.
So if asked, I would say that the three most recommended pieces from this sample are a DMM with an audible continuity checker, a test light(s) and jumper cables.
Accessories to the DMM would be insulation piercing probes, alligator clips for the probes, amp-clamps and other miscellaneous test lead attachments.
I was surprised to find the upgrade in test equipment since I retired, it is logical but still it surprised me. When I was 14, the Wiggans was the most common test device in a two wire electrician’s tool pouch. I really measured only AC and with a mild vibration for 120 a harder vibration for 220 and harder yet for 408. There was a little indicator that moved up and down a scale on the front of the meter. The Wiggie by Square D and others measures AC and DC, measures more things and has lights and vibration. DMMs are notably better with direct amperage metering without opening a circuit, amp-clamps were common then as with my Fluke Model 27 many were memory capable as was auto ranging but now the displays are in color and some have graphics. Amazing. Test lights even as mentioned have auto loading to emulate common loads. Great stuff out there, glad I’m retired but I’d love to play with some of that. One change I have made to both my Flukes is I buy after market test leads with permanent piercing tips and that are threaded at the back of the tips for alligator clips. I’ve always had trouble with the friction grip type probe attachments and the threaded clips do not come off. As I said in my original post, with age, audible and illuminated indications are becoming more important. Therefore, I will keep my siren in my toolbox.
Two other questions I will most likely post are about 120VAC test equipment, with emphasis on testing pedestals and what RV specific articles would be recommended for newbie reading, like, “The 12volt side of life”. So keep reading and I’ll put one of them up soon.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson
David Bishop
2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V
2009 GMC Canyon
Roadmaster 5000
BrakeBuddy Classic II
