Power Probe, safe to use?
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Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=86716
Printed Date: April 28, 2024 at 2:50 AM
Topic: Power Probe, safe to use?
Posted By: bryantobando
Subject: Power Probe, safe to use?
Date Posted: December 06, 2006 at 11:11 AM
Power Probe seems like a perfect tool to search for wires. But I was told never to use a light probe, always a DMM. This is really not like a light bulb probe. My question is, Is it safe to use Power Probe on wires?
Replies:
Posted By: Silvrefox
Date Posted: December 06, 2006 at 8:43 PM
What kind of power probe you got? I worked with an installer that used one that was "computer safe". We were probing the ignition wires on a Colorado and when we touched the starter wire it started the car. After that experience, I'll always use my meter...
Posted By: bryantobando
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 6:58 AM
the probe is called "power probe" It has one LED that changes red if it sees + and green if it see ground. You can throw + and - through the probe by hitting a rocker switch like if you want to activate door locks or something. The probe connects to the battery for power. this is the pic https://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000GBLZ8E.01-AO31J4X228FVG._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_V65202011_.jpg
Posted By: zerepdivad
Date Posted: December 07, 2006 at 2:48 PM
Silvrefox wrote:
What kind of power probe you got? I worked with an installer that used one that was "computer safe". We were probing the ignition wires on a Colorado and when we touched the starter wire it started the car. After that experience, I'll always use my meter...
I had a similar experience when i first started at Best Buy. It had been my first week and i was doing a keyless entry system and the guy teaching me basically made me use one of those and once that damn thing turned the radio on while i was testing a wire i knew it couldn't be any good. So i just stick to my multimeter from now on. ------------- A DMM is a beautiful thing.
MECP Advanced Installer Certified.
Posted By: sxyscion
Date Posted: December 09, 2006 at 8:48 AM
I use the pgi pistol probe blue. It is fine for most things but i will use a dvm on wires i am unsure of. The blue pistol probe outputs around 5 volts at rest. It tells you this in the owners manual.So when you do probe some circuits with it you are sending 5 volts into it and some circuits will turn on with that voltage ie a new chevy vehicle starter circuit. I just seen the new pistol probe with a dvm built in and it tested only about 70 millivolts. If you are unsure about if its safe or not take your dvm and test the probe at rest. Even dvm have voltage at rest if you test them with another dvm. Some vehicles only need a .25v to set off the air bag so just be carefull.
Posted By: Hymer
Date Posted: December 11, 2006 at 5:39 PM
Those power probes are great for building and testing harnesses and such, i'd never use one for intrusive testing.. I use a "computer safe" probe called the power probe, but it doesnt send and voltage down the line. It will however trigger the starter on gm vehicles.. its really nive and comperable with the snapon probe.. red for + and green for (-) but it was only $60.. I still use the dmm for anything Im really unsure of... best 100 bux I ever spent!
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Tire Proz Stillwater Mn
High End Restyling and Comlete Repair
Posted By: godd dan it
Date Posted: December 12, 2006 at 7:04 PM
Power probe? Is that the same as a test light? Because I have a computer safe Snap On test light and I use it regularly without any problems. I just stay away from the airbag wires and by the computers. I use a DMM when im not sure of the voltage, but I do know this is recommended to use all the time.
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