12v power supply (power probe)

[Turtle]

What is everyone using to test car parts and etc.

I don't do enough to justify a power probe.

I used to have a motorcycle battery that I attached two leads to and test car parts and relays. But I don't have it anymore, what's another cheap way to test 12v stuff?

Would like a portable option and somewhat cheap .

I need to test a evap purge solenoid shortly and I need to test it on the car.

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[PJx5x]

Spare battery with ghetto leads or alligator clips connected to it. I have a power probe sitting in my toolbox that I never remember to use

 

[PJx5x]

 

[Turtle]

That was my old setup but I don't have a spare battery anymore, also I need to be somewhat lighter weight or get longer leads

 

[1quick]

I do the same thing, I have a jumper pack I sometimes use, or a spare battery I have all the battery's out of my boats in the garage right now, and a jumper lead with alligator clips

 

[Mr. SBF]

I'm going to buy the Power Probe 3. It has a 25ft chord to attach to the battery of the vehicle that you are working on. I have always used just leads and a extra car battery like others said but I like buying tools and now that I have seen it. $60 on amazon is well worth it in my opinion.


https://youtu.be/aUH7dKwEQGE

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Have an old shit computer laying around? You can build a bench top power supply to test things with.

How to Make a Bench Power Supply From An Old ATX PSU

 

[OffshoreDrilling]

test car parts? diagnose with a meter.

 

[bikrboy128]

i have one of these at work
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012BL8LG/?tag=tcg21-20

i marked and soldered wires to the pos/neg with some ends on them that fit most solenoid connectors. its really handy for bench testing evap solenoids to see if they seal all the way/actuate.
i have a power probe too, but this is way quicker.

 

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Have an old shit computer laying around? You can build a bench top power supply to test things with.

How to Make a Bench Power Supply From An Old ATX PSU

Thats how I built the PSU that powers my RC Car Charger.

Bought a HP DL580 G3 power supply. There are 2 pins you need to put to a switch, and then you can connect the 12v terminals together. On 110v input, it will generate 75 amps @ 12.74v, and if you feed it 220, its good to 1300watts.

I got it for $15 on ebay. Its $20 now but still. If you want a stable 12v output, this thing will do it.

HP HSTNS PA01 Power Supply Part 337867 001 for DL580 ML570 G3 G4 | eBay

Connect it to a 12 car battery and it would likely do a decent job charging it.

 

[Turtle]

I'm going to buy the Power Probe 3. It has a 25ft chord to attach to the battery of the vehicle that you are working on. I have always used just leads and a extra car battery like others said but I like buying tools and now that I have seen it. $60 on amazon is well worth it in my opinion.





https://youtu.be/aUH7dKwEQGE

Didn't know it was like $60. Ive only seen them in $150 range.

My thing is this is most likely a 0-3 times a year need for this tool. More likely 0-1 as I stopped looking for side gigs from friends and just only do family.

Few years ago, $60 on a tool is instantly done. But thing might be the best solution as I don't want/have a PSU to crack open or know of another motorcycle battery I can get for cheap.

 

[Turtle]

test car parts? diagnose with a meter.

A meter I have to test ohms but doesnt do much to see if a evap sensor is actually sealing or apply power to a window motor.

 

[Red Alert]

This is a pretty cheap solution. This helps eliminate "phantom" voltage where your fluke will not. It's cheap and quick.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/252454830167