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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15120 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 7:54 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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and when you don't have the luxury of luxury tools
but just gotta make it happen.
make some circlip chopsticks.
can't hotlink the image or upload it here on samba.
but it's making a circlip tool from a screwdriver and 2 hole saw bits.
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachments/fb_img_1622042436468-jpg.662892/ _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16450 Location: Brookeville, MD
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15120 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:12 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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ahh bugger
Much obliged Sanchius
[/img] _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
Last edited by danfromsyr on Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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sanchius Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007 Posts: 1441 Location: IN
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 2967 Location: MD
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:25 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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That's hilarious. _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7391 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 12:06 pm Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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Yesterday I was at my mechanic's shop watching him diagnose an A/C clutch that wouldn't engage. He used a tool called a Power Probe that appears to be extremely handy. It gets connected to hot power and ground and then can be used as a DVM and a pos or negative source to diagnose problems. Basically, it combines a DVM, a test light, and a source of DC power and the 20' cord allows you to connect to power at the alt and reach the front of the van as needed.
For those wondering: he didn't charge me extra for watching and asking a few questions; he found multiple issues: a bad connection to the clutch and a bad pressure switch. The A/C is blowing cold now.
Does anyone have comments on this tool?
https://www.amazon.com/Autel-Powerscan-PS100-Autom...NrPXRydWU=
In the meantime, I've made these luxurious 9' jumper cables with Schumacher 50 amp clips and clips and 6 awg wire found at a garage sale. Today I'll use these to bring battery power to the front of the van to diagnose a grumpy horn circuit. These probably won't be used to jump start a car (no one does that anymore with luxurious lithium battery jump start battery packs).
_________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12102 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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You should probably go back and see if that guy still has a pulse, 'cuz he's givin' away sworn secrets of the trade. That's punishable by some pretty extreme measures _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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sphet Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2016 Posts: 345 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 12:56 pm Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
You should probably go back and see if that guy still has a pulse, 'cuz he's givin' away sworn secrets of the trade. That's punishable by some pretty extreme measures |
No kidding. At $100 that doesn’t feel luxury to me given how many problems it would help diagnose: rotten cables, bad ground, etc all so much faster. It might pay for itself in a single day. _________________ 1982 Diesel Westfalia 1.6 NA - The Shellakabuukiee |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7391 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 8:02 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
You should probably go back and see if that guy still has a pulse, 'cuz he's givin' away sworn secrets of the trade. That's punishable by some pretty extreme measures |
Having the right tools is one thing, knowing where the electricity is supposed to go is truly a secret of the trade. Is the switch in the dash working? Is the 30 year old compressor relay working? You mean the pressure switch has to pass the electrons on too? Now do the electrons make it to the clutch via the crappy old wire with repairs in it? Is the prone-to-failure cheap electromagnetic clutch working? Sheesh, no wonder everyone pulls a/c out of these vans. Someone with good diagnostic skills on these old vans is well worth $130 per hour it took to track multiple problems down. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32367 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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natejohn Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2020 Posts: 57 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 9:29 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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jimf909 wrote: |
Yesterday I was at my mechanic's shop watching him diagnose an A/C clutch that wouldn't engage. He used a tool called a Power Probe that appears to be extremely handy. It gets connected to hot power and ground and then can be used as a DVM and a pos or negative source to diagnose problems. Basically, it combines a DVM, a test light, and a source of DC power and the 20' cord allows you to connect to power at the alt and reach the front of the van as needed.
For those wondering: he didn't charge me extra for watching and asking a few questions; he found multiple issues: a bad connection to the clutch and a bad pressure switch. The A/C is blowing cold now.
Does anyone have comments on this tool?
https://www.amazon.com/Autel-Powerscan-PS100-Autom...NrPXRydWU=
In the meantime, I've made these luxurious 9' jumper cables with Schumacher 50 amp clips and clips and 6 awg wire found at a garage sale. Today I'll use these to bring battery power to the front of the van to diagnose a grumpy horn circuit. These probably won't be used to jump start a car (no one does that anymore with luxurious lithium battery jump start battery packs).
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I bought a Power Probe back around the time they came out with version two I think, on the advice of an older mechanic I was working with. I tried it a few times, and ultimately found I preferred to stick with my meter and test light. It's true, it can be handy to have the ability to engage a circuit with straight battery voltage, but that can also be a huge whoopsie.
Of course, as with anything, you should know what you're doing before you supply battery voltage or ground to any circuit, but I've noticed too many guys with these things getting trigger happy and popping things. I've also seen guys get super crossed up and confused when using it to diagnose, chasing their tails on what's working and what isn't.
I ended up selling it after a few years in near brand new condition. I think if you're diagnosing older stuff, or simple circuits and relays regularly, it can prove useful, but seeing as a lot of the stuff I diagnose can be fairly complicated I didn't want to run the risk of injecting 12v to something I shouldn't by accident.
What I ended up getting instead were LoadPro meter leads. These allow you to apply a .5A load to a circuit and observe the voltage to see if it holds or not. Been super super happy with them!
https://www.amazon.ca/Electronic-Specialties-180-L...&psc=1 _________________ 1990 Vanagon Westfalia |
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skyboy Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2005 Posts: 61
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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After watching a friend at a shop, track down an electrical issue with a power probe, I was like I need to get one of those. I was trying to use my multimeter with too short of leads, and the shop owner was like here use this. I thought it was just a 12volt test light. After he gave me a demo of what it could do and track down my electrical issue in 5min, he was like you should really get one of these. He was even so kind to pick one up for me when his tool truck guy showed up that week, but I had already amazoned one. With older cars I can see it being really useful. _________________ 1968 912 HWT
1991 Syncro Westfalia |
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markswagen Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2018 Posts: 948 Location: san diego
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 9:52 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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for the $, you could spend potentially less on a multi-meter with more functions.
l have a fluke 117 multi-meter l bought used, it has the addition of a thermometer, which has come in very useful.
l also can use it in the house, as it reads 120V AC, and came with a clamp meter.
the only thing it can't do, that the power probe can, is supplying 12v, if you want to put power to something to test it.
the other thing that ALWAYS caused me grief, while working alone, was the lack of a LONG test lead, l found a 75' long lead, much longer than l need, but it was cheaper than a 30' lead. _________________ markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 |
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7391 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 11:27 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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After years of using cheap multi-meters with fixed 18" or 24" leads my world changed when I got decent 60", flexible leads. 20' or longer leads to a clearly visible meter (not one that's awkwardly balanced and will tip over as soon as the leads are moved) is a winner. Assorted clips and fine points have also been a huge step forward for me in getting the leads to what I need to test.
Basic meter, leads, clips, probes, jumpers, test light and continuity tester that have made my never ending electrical misdiagnoses easier to do and nearly luxurious.
That looks like a winner too. Seeing volts but not knowing if there's current there has flummoxed me on at least one occasion. I've used this 1156 lamp soldered to clips to add a 2amp load to test circuits or to measure battery capacity (attach it to a 100ah battery and measure how many hours the battery stays at a healthy voltage).
_________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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old_man Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2018 Posts: 1381 Location: Newfoundland
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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Been there, done that. I needed something more powerful/more leverage to get that one PITA one off the transmission.
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natejohn Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2020 Posts: 57 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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Quote: |
That looks like a winner too. Seeing volts but not knowing if there's current there has flummoxed me on at least one occasion. I've used this 1156 lamp soldered to clips to add a 2amp load to test circuits or to measure battery capacity (attach it to a 100ah battery and measure how many hours the battery stays at a healthy voltage).
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One of my co-workers has basically this same set up, except with a sealed beam headlight attached to it. Works great, except as he says, he also has to connect his meter into the circuit to watch the voltage. It's proven handy to be able to have both in one tool.
It really clicked for me watching a video that the fella who made the loadpro leads has up on his channel. He showed a fuse circuit with 12 volts showing on it, except that he had the fuse removed and his finger bridging the gap. It was enough to carry the voltage, but of course no load. As soon as he added the load of the loadpro leads, the voltage dropped to basically zero. _________________ 1990 Vanagon Westfalia |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50216
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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natejohn wrote: |
It really clicked for me watching a video that the fella who made the loadpro leads has up on his channel. He showed a fuse circuit with 12 volts showing on it, except that he had the fuse removed and his finger bridging the gap. It was enough to carry the voltage, but of course no load. As soon as he added the load of the loadpro leads, the voltage dropped to basically zero. |
Us old fogies get chastised for pulling out a low impedance analog meter. While they may not work well for trouble shooting modern electronic, you don't get this kind of funky reading when you are trying to figure out why your heater motor doesn't work. |
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natejohn Samba Member
Joined: February 20, 2020 Posts: 57 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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Wildthings wrote: |
natejohn wrote: |
It really clicked for me watching a video that the fella who made the loadpro leads has up on his channel. He showed a fuse circuit with 12 volts showing on it, except that he had the fuse removed and his finger bridging the gap. It was enough to carry the voltage, but of course no load. As soon as he added the load of the loadpro leads, the voltage dropped to basically zero. |
Us old fogies get chastised for pulling out a low impedance analog meter. While they may not work well for trouble shooting modern electronic, you don't get this kind of funky reading when you are trying to figure out why your heater motor doesn't work. |
Those old school analog meters actually do have a place in the industry today. Not needed as often as just a regular meter but I have seen some of our Toyota industrial repair manuals actually specify an analog meter.
I've had a Fluke 88V for 10 years now that I purchased as my gift for making journeyman. We have a bond. A kinship. I would fall apart if it ever died on me I think.... _________________ 1990 Vanagon Westfalia |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7717 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 5:31 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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When I first stumbled across that tool it was $55 new, and I couldn't justify it then...
Luxury, indeed!
- Dave _________________ 86 White Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 7:17 am Post subject: Re: Luxury Tools |
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natejohn wrote: |
I've had a Fluke 88V for 10 years now that I purchased as my gift for making journeyman. We have a bond. A kinship. I would fall apart if it ever died on me I think.... |
Awesome!!! _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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