Installers Best Friend

One of the best things an installer can purchase is a digital multimeter, (test lights are not an acceptable substitute). From reading many of these posts, it sounds like digital multimeters (DMM's) are not being used. From one installer to another, this is about the smartest tool you could ever buy. There are even affordable DMM's at sears for under 30 bucks. So instead of guessing what wires to use, you will know which wire is the right one. This will not only save your vehicle, but it will save you headaches and costly repair bills. Everyone agree???

-Brent (Lead Installer at Generation Sound)

I can now finally agree with that.  I had installed 3 remote starters, but had been using the test light that came with it.  Everything worked fine, so I figured it was ok to use.  Then I got to a Ford Taurus, thought the test light was enough, but it misled me and I made mistakes.  I was supposed to find the wires that showed 12v+, of which I "found" 4 of them using the test light, but my install was not working.  It turned out (once I used the DMM), that one of those wires was only showing 100mV, not 12v+.  So this is a case where the test light would just show positive, but not the correct amount.  I was able to hook up to the 3 wires, and everything worked correctly :)

I have to agree with Brent as well and add to what he mentioned......... you can not properly install ANY electronic equipment properly without the right tools for the job. Here is a list of tools taht I can not live without ( or at least can not perform an installation in a reasonable amount of time without these tools ):

• Cordless butane solder iron
• automatic wire strippers
• small side cutter
• hand held cordless drill
• angle driver
• electrical tape
• upholstery pry bar
• DMM
• light tester ( back up if DMM ever looses power )

I am not a "rat shack fan" I perfer FLUKE myself :) but it tends to be a bit more pricey!

Craig

  One thing to add to what Nokos said...

  The biggest plus to getting a test light with ground fault protection circuitry is that you won't have to worry about setting the AIRBAG off!!!  Although I have never been able to find a "cheap"  test light like this, the price range I have seen is $60 to $120, personally I think thats steep price to pay for a test light, but replacing an airbag would cost quite a bit more.

Yup I use the same thing Dan does.....but mines from Mac....only problem is....when you get to multiplexed circuits...need the DMM...So I keep both in my tool box!!!

However, I thought the installers best friend was BONDO!!!!  hehehehehehe  Either that or the Pizza Delivery driver...and for those hard to do installs on your own time ( a.k.a. "side jobs") a six pack of budweiser!!  yes I'm a drunk.....but the flashes of electricity is so funny when you're lit!!  I'm just kidding about drinking and installing, they don't mix!!!  period point blank end of discussion!!!

Ok, my resources are Radio Shack, Sears, Menards and Home Depot. Out of these stores, what brand name, and model number DMM would you reccomend getting, and as inexpensive as possible... not cheap or unreliable. I am just starting out with this businessm and I am a little short. Also, I haven't seen (or looked for) a computer safe test light. Price range?

Thanks guys

I use an IDEAL Test-Pro 61-360. It's not a very expensive unit, and works great. Big bold display. VERY rugged. It's been seriously abused for three years  and still works perfect. It's got this rubber shell that protects it. I think it may have cost me about 60$ or so. worth every penny. Use it every day. I think Home Depot might carry IDEAL. Not sure.  However, if you live in a city with all those stores, there is probably more than one electrical supply houses. Almost all of these guys carry Klien and IDEAL tools. I'd check in the yellow pages and make some calls.  Tool shopping kicks ass.

hey, wlg83.....

About the only people I know of that carry air-bag safe test lights are teh big names...Mac, Matco and Snap-On.......reason is well they're also at the mechanics shops....

However, you could possibly try NAPA.....they might either have on or be able to order one....I'm not sure, but hey it's worth a shot....

As far as multimeters...I got my first on at Lowe's...I think it was called Sperry,, but don't hold it to me...It was about $50...I know the shop has a cheap DMM by GB...it works fairly well and it was about $30.....it's effective, but sometimes, it takes awhile to get the readings you want...summed up, the readigns bounce for about a minute before the set in sometimes...It's good for finding 12V sources and resistance, etc....but it can be a pain in the a$$.....

Just get a DMM that lets you do the basic functions, and with your first check...get a Fluke or equivalent!!

Hope that helped

my post a dmm is the best but as a 8 year installer of 12 volt car audio systems i use two things a cheep five dollar resited test light only works one way possitive negative its actually a alternator tester from radio shack and works fine over five years of testign with it and does not set off air bags while testing door locks and stuff. it tells me from 11 volts dc to 15 volts dc and will a tach the fifteen volt light flashes so it works perfect and requires no batteries and is the cheepest thing 5-10 bucks at radio shack.

No an installers best friends, in my opinion are as follows:

1) Bondo

2) DEI Techsoft ( or equal wiring diagram program )

3) The Dealerships you have befriended that will gratefully give you the dead on wiring codes ( keeps them from having to repair an inexperienced installers mistakes )

4) DMM

5) The Pizza Delivery guy

6) the nearby conveince store that keeps Red Bull, Amp, Pepsi and Coke products in-stock for those late night installs.

7) and all the other installers in your bay..cause without them...it would take some of those installs longer....and you might be missing a tool they got....

This was the results of a survey I did at the shop I work at.....and I must say..I agree...