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Probe test light with digital meter

RonG

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Joined
Dec 2, 2003
Messages
1,833
Location
Meriden ct
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heavy equipment operator
Got to use my test light for its intended purpose for the first time today. Lull 1044C-54 with a Deere engine on a job in Pigeon Forge, no cranking to start. Being 30 miles away I took a spare starter just in case. First I used the test light to verify the starter was getting battery power and that the signal wire to the solenoid was getting power when you hit start with the key, all good, but starter was a no go. Swapped out starter, hit starter, fired right off. Then I used the meter on the test light to verify alternator was operating proper. That's when I discovered one battery was charging and the other not. WTF? Chased down the cables and found the ground cable from one of the batteries wasn't connected at the starter mounting bolt. My helpers had swapped motors on this machine from another just like it and apparently they missed that one ground cable, the machine had been cranking off of one battery all this time. The meter on the test light helped me pick this up quickly and didn't have to bust out the digital multimeter. This all fits the idea I had 12 years ago, I'm a happy camper. :drinkup
I use my Simpson 260 when there are people around.........anyone can read a digital meter.LOL
That is a nice gadget you put together there.Most often a test light will do but when you need to know how much you have it in your hand.Good luck with it.I like that ratchet too,what an idea!!Ron G
 

kshansen

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Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
11,129
Location
Central New York, USA
Occupation
Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
Be sure and send me one. At my age I'm bound to leave the one I have on a machine and lose it. :D

So are you saying you are like me? I like those magnetic LED pocket lights but have lost a couple. Last one was while working on the left rear wheel hub of a 185 JCB. I had it stuck inside the back of chain box so I could see while cleaning out the chain box. When job was done and out the door I was picking up tools and noticed my LED light was missing! Told the guy who took my place that he could have it when he does the next repair in that chain box!
 

ol'stonebreaker

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Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
333
Location
Idaho
Occupation
retired
Good for ya, Willie!! Hope your single digit return grows into a big pile of $$. I'll keep an eye out for one.
Mike
 

roddyo

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Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Messages
788
Location
Arkansas
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Manipulator of the Planet
I hope that single digit is dollars instead of pennies:D
 

Jim D

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2012
Messages
408
Location
California
Occupation
equipment operator
Willie, I hope it makes you many dollars. I didn't know about the 'Slide-Sledge' before you told about it; thank you for that one, too!
 

willie59

Administrator
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
13,363
Location
Knoxville TN
Occupation
Service Manager
Willie, I hope it makes you many dollars. I didn't know about the 'Slide-Sledge' before you told about it; thank you for that one, too!

JimD, that slide sledge is a helluva tool for a one man operation. No, it doesn't take the place of a 16 lb sledge when that's what the job requires, but when you work alone it sure works better than trying to hold a drift in one hand and swing a sledge with the other. :yup
 

willie59

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Dec 21, 2008
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Location
Knoxville TN
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Service Manager
I called my contact at Lisle tools today to get an update as I've been searching for the two model test lights to no avail. He informed me that the first tool is sold by MAC tools and for them to sell through them they had to agree to give MAC a 120 day "exclusive" period before they released a Lisle house model to the Lisle distributors. MAC started selling them in October which means the Lisle model will be available to Lisle distributors in February. I don't have any of the tool trucks stop by my place, I've got a pile of tools I've collected over many years, a tool truck guy would starve if he depended on me to purchase tools, but for you guys that have a MAC truck stop in check with the driver if he has the model ET28830 digital test light, that's the tool made by Lisle for MAC.
 

willie59

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Dec 21, 2008
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Location
Knoxville TN
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Service Manager
Confirmed, had a Mac tool truck stop by the shop and he had one of the #ET28830 digital test lights on his truck. Sure enough, same test light as the one Lisle sent me. Next will be the model that will be sold to all the Lisle distributors, pretty much any auto parts store, they'll be available in February. I also talked to a local NAPA guy I work with a lot. Lisle makes some tools for NAPA, but they're branded under the NAPA names such as Evercraft. I don't know if NAPA has an agreement to supply this tool through NAPA, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did, showed my buddy the test light and asked him to be on the lookout for them in the NAPA product line.
 

willie59

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Dec 21, 2008
Messages
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Knoxville TN
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Service Manager
I was watching diesel brothers the other night and they had your test light,thought it was snap on but can't remember.

There are other companies making/selling this digital light concept, SnapOn is one, but the one I'm connected with is the #ET28830 sold on the Mac Tool trucks and the Lisle brand that will be sold by Lisle tool distributors, that tool will be available to the market this coming month.
 

JPV

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Aug 20, 2015
Messages
756
Location
S.W. Washington
I have had the snap on version for a couple years and love it but yours is better. The Mac guy has had them for a little while and I might buy one. It goes from 6 to 50 volts while the snap on only goes to 12. I like the alligator clip better also. I think it was 95 bucks or so. I use it all the time.
 

willie59

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Dec 21, 2008
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Knoxville TN
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Service Manager
It goes from 6 to 50 volts while the snap on only goes to 12.

That's one of the features I suggested to Lisle in my original tool submission, to be able to test from 0 to 50 volts DC because there's a lot of electric aerial lifts, forklifts, warehouse trucks and golf carts that are 36 or 48 volts, they smoke the bulb in a typical test light quite rapidly forcing you to unfurl the leads of the multi-meter to do tests on these machines. I figured that feature alone would make it a more "all around" versatile tool. I think the other test light that Lisle will be selling through the Lisle tool distributors will test from 0 to 30 volts DC. May not be useful for the 36 and 48 volt machines, but it will still be handy with the 24V construction machinery. :drinkup
 

willie59

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Dec 21, 2008
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Knoxville TN
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Service Manager
Got a package in the mail today from Lisle. The second test light that will be sold through the Lisle distributors will be available in the coming weeks, part #29050. They sent me a sample of the light. Pretty much the same test light with meter that's sold on the MAC truck but has round cord as opposed to the coiled cord on the MAC tool.



Lisle 29050 tester 4-25-16.jpg



I found one place on the internet that is advertising the tool, although it's showing none presently in stock. I reckon they decided to promote prior to receiving the first shipment. > http://www.tooloutfitters.net/digital-circuit-tester-3-30v/



A bit cheaper than the MAC tool, seems I recall it was over $90. Hopefully everyone can obtain these pretty soon. I've used this tool a number of times now and love it, it works great. :drinkup
 

willie59

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Dec 21, 2008
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Knoxville TN
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I've had one on order through the local NAPA store for about a month and was told last week it would be another 2 weeks or so.

I was wondering if NAPA was going to pick up on this tool. Do you know if it's packaged as Lisle or as NAPA brand tools with a NAPA part number? I'd like to inquire with my local NAPA store and see if I can persuade them to stock them.

Used mine again just today. Our 15,000 lb Nissan forklift suddenly has the alternator charge light lit on the dash. Popped out the digital test probe and in just a few seconds determined the alternator was dead. Only took a couple of seconds, didn't have to unfurl the multi tester meter and fool around with two leads that seem to find a way to twist themselves 500,000 times. Simply and easy is a good thing.
 
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