Recommend a 12v power probe tool?

[melk]

So I’m at the point where not only do I have to maintain a number of vehicles but am also ready to move beyond just throwing parts as the first and last step.

I recently bought an Autel MX900 which should cover all my needs on that front for the foreseeable future. What I’m after now is a 12v power probe tool so I can test solenoids and modules in situ.

Seems to be a big jump between the bazillion cheapie $20 units and then units from Ancel, Autel and others in the $70-100 range, and then another big jump up to $200-300+ units

I’m not gonna chance anything on the super cheap ones, and don’t want to drop cash on the high end right off the bat, so on this case I’m good with about a $100 budget.

I’m not a brand fan boy but do like to stick with stuff once I find a company that puts out good products. So in my very preliminary research it looks like the Autel PS100 is a pretty decent choice.

Would be happy to hear opinions any which way on this or any other unit that should cover the basics in what to expect from this type of tool. Thanks!

 

[Trav]

I have the PS100 and it does what I need. It is 8 years old now and still works okay so it is durable enough. I did a quick review on it HERE
I did add a Power Probe 5v reference adapter later, most if not all PP accessories will fit this tool. 5v reference adapter

 

[melk]

Awesome! Great write up. Think I’m gonna go ahead and order the PS100 - seems like a solid tool. Only other similar one is maybe the Ancel PB500 but that’s $40 more with no clear advantage.

 

[wtd]

I own three of these types of tools. I have the Innova 5420 which works well and has a switch which allows you to select either 3v, 5v, or 12/24v of feed power. I also have the Power Probe 3 which also works well, and I just bought the Autel PS100 which was on a limited price sale on Amazon for $71 which I couldn't pass up.

The benefit of the Innova is that you can select lower voltages to feed power to things and it has a swivel head which can help you see the display easier in some cases. It retails for around $99. For price alone the Autel is the cheapest and it has great reviews. You can get a lot of different adapters for the Power Probe but those same adapters will probably work with either of the other tools I mentioned. The Power Probe is quite a bit more expensive than the other two.

 

[Donald]

Can't a DVM do the same kind of testing?

 

[JDenyer232]

Not really. A test light is great for checking things like ground and solenoid signal voltage.

 

[wtd]

Can't a DVM do the same kind of testing?

These tools can also put a power or a ground to a circuit or to a load but you have to be careful on what you use it on because you can fry computers and modules if you don't know what you are doing.

 

[Trav]

These tools can also put a power or a ground to a circuit or to a load but you have to be careful on what you use it on because you can fry computers and modules if you don't know what you are doing.

You get the 5v reference adapter for messing with 5v circuits. The power probe parts fit and work perfectly with the PS100, they have an adapter for amps also among other things like tips.
5v reference adapter

 

[D60]

Not really. A test light is great for checking things like ground and solenoid signal voltage.

Anything like this is next level for activating accessories. You can apply power, ground or BOTH power and ground (there's a separate ground pigtail)

Perhaps the biggest help IMO is the 20' cord so you can come off the battery. No guessing if you found a good ground on an unpainted bolt. So long as the tool is lit, you know it's connected to a good power and a good ground. In contrast a test light really first requires a known good in situ to make sure it's working, then you can start varying either the ground or positive input.

Beyond that all caveats apply for load testing a circuit, ie it might light your probe but fall on its face under greater amp draw. But these are a good starting point for diag.

Also on something like a CCLB the 20' is almost not enough. I've always meant to see if "extension cords" are offered

 

[Snagglefoot]

Check out what brand the aliens use in their flying saucers.

 

[Trav]

Amazon has the PS100 for $89 that includes an extra 20ft extension cable, IIRC that is about what I paid years ago for the same deal. The cigar lighter attachment works great with jump packs if you have a female 12v to micro plug adapter, it is a regular carry when scrounging for old obsolete small electric parts, you can tell if it actually works or not.
PS100

 

[D60]

The PS100 is presently $74 at O'Reilly's site, free shipping. You can find it a buck or two less on ebay but the security of a reputable retailer is worth it IMO.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/autel/autel-electrical-tester/atu0/ps100

Their site was also able to accurately calculate sales tax for my CO county but not in any city limits (so does ebay though)

 

[wtd]

You get the 5v reference adapter for messing with 5v circuits. The power probe parts fit and work perfectly with the PS100, they have an adapter for amps also among other things like tips.
5v reference adapter

I have that 5v adapter for the Power Probe. I figured it would work with the PS100 since they seem to use the same type of tip and jack it's installed in.

 

[wtd]

Anything like this is next level for activating accessories. You can apply power, ground or BOTH power and ground (there's a separate ground pigtail)

Perhaps the biggest help IMO is the 20' cord so you can come off the battery. No guessing if you found a good ground on an unpainted bolt. So long as the tool is lit, you know it's connected to a good power and a good ground. In contrast a test light really first requires a known good in situ to make sure it's working, then you can start varying either the ground or positive input.

Beyond that all caveats apply for load testing a circuit, ie it might light your probe but fall on its face under greater amp draw. But these are a good starting point for diag.

Also on something like a CCLB the 20' is almost not enough. I've always meant to see if "extension cords" are offered

To be honest, I have mostly used my Power Probe stuff for the 20 ft extensions and the cigarette adapter to have a good power and ground source when doing electrical tests when I'm not near the battery. I already had a couple of the Power Probe 20 ft extension leads before I even bought a PP because I always try to go to the battery when doing electrical testing.