[ARC5] Alligator clip leads

Gene Smar ersmar at verizon.net
Mon Nov 29 13:46:03 EST 2021 

Speaking of such clips, does anyone know where I can get new (NEW) test 
leads for my yet-to-be-repaired Simpson 260?  The front panel has 
separate HV inputs for 5kV AC and DC and I'm not going to trust the 
leads that came with this meter when I bought it at a hamfest.

Many thanks.


73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F


On 11/27/2021 5:53 PM, kn7sfz wrote:
> Last year, I took the time to collect all the alligator clips, 
> jumpers, etc., broken or otherwise that I have accumulated over the 
> years, plus all the decent wire I had and used them to make a bunch of 
> usable jumpers.  I soldered ALL of them and ended up with a cornucopia 
> of jumpers small to large. I then mounted them in a scrap piece of 
> cable tray next to my work bench so I can grab whatever I need 
> whenever I need.
>
> Enjoy the crude pics.
>
> Richard kn7sfz
>
>
>
> On 11/27/2021 2:41 PM, Richard Knoppow wrote:
>> I second this. One can still buy decent alligator clips (and 
>> crocodile clips, they are not the same) and can get extra flexible 
>> test lead wire from the larger suppliers. Crimping is often not very 
>> reliable and the cheap commercial leads I've gotten often break at 
>> the clip or have poor connections there. Bad tools of any sort are a 
>> PITA.
>>
>> On 11/27/2021 11:43 AM, Paul Thekan wrote:
>>> I've always made up my own clip leads.
>>> I have some from Radio Shack I bought 30+ years ago that are still 
>>> good and many of the test leads I made in HS are still doing fine 
>>> after 50yrs...and counting.
>>> Paul
>>> N6FEG
>>>
>>> On Sat, Nov 27, 2021, 11:27 AM Mike Feher <n4fs at eozinc.com 
>>> <mailto:n4fs at eozinc.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>>     I have struggled with the same problem Steve. Wound up
>>>     soldering all those clips where the crimps often only crimped
>>>     the insulation or were intermittent. 73 – Mike ____
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     Mike B. Feher, N4FS____
>>>
>>>     89 Arnold Blvd.____
>>>
>>>     Howell NJ 07731____
>>>
>>>     848-245-9115____
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     *From:* arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>>> <mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
>>>     <arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>>> <mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net>> *On Behalf Of *Steve
>>>     WD8DAS via ARC5
>>>     *Sent:* Saturday, November 27, 2021 1:55 PM
>>>     *To:* arc5 at mailman.qth.net <mailto:arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
>>>     *Subject:* [ARC5] Alligator clip leads____
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     Over the years I've been frustrated by failures of alligator
>>>     clip leads.  Nothing is worse than thinking the device under
>>>     test has a problem when in fact it turns out a bad test lead
>>>     that are the issue. ____
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     This has only gotten worse in recent years, as most of the
>>>     commercially-available clip leads have become complete
>>>     junk:   A few strands of weird metal inside stiff plastic
>>>     insulation, with cheaply-made alligator clips loosely clamped
>>>     (not even crimped) on the ends. ____
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     My old leads are wearing out so a couple weeks ago I bought
>>>     some new clip leads from a reputable vendor.  They turned out
>>>     to be the worst ever - half of the leads had no continuity
>>>     right out of the package.  I tried soldering the wires to the
>>>     clips but the few strands of wire did not seem to want to
>>>     take solder - very odd stuff.  I trashed them and went on a
>>>     search for good test leads.  I first sought good test-lead
>>>     wire and clips to make my own - the minimum quantity of the
>>>     wire was  too high.____
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     I found some ready-made leads from Cal-Test Electronics. I
>>>     asked and confirmed they are made from real test lead wire,
>>>     soldered to good quality clips: ____
>>>
>>>
>>> https://app.caltestelectronics.com/product-list/product-page/view/CT2394/
>>> <https://app.caltestelectronics.com/product-list/product-page/view/CT2394/>
>>>
>>>     and bought them from DigiKey, but others sell them as well:
>>>
>>> https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cal-test-electronics/CT2394/5028475
>>> <https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cal-test-electronics/CT2394/5028475>____
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>> https://www.tequipment.net/Cal-Test/CT2394/Alligator-Test-Leads/
>>> <https://www.tequipment.net/Cal-Test/CT2394/Alligator-Test-Leads/>____
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>> https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Cal-Test-Electronics/CT2394?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtJbfcMcIM8CEmjI6%2FR0hxQbyY9pD4jm%252Bw%3D
>>> <https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Cal-Test-Electronics/CT2394?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtJbfcMcIM8CEmjI6%2FR0hxQbyY9pD4jm%252Bw%3D>
>>>
>>>     They are more expensive than the junk, but the two packs I
>>>     received show the quality I was seeking. ____
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     Steve WD8DAS
>>>
>>> sbjohnston at aol.com <mailto:sbjohnston at aol.com>
>>> http://www.wd8das.net/ <http://www.wd8das.net/>____
>>>
>>> http://af4k-crystals.com <http://af4k-crystals.com>____
>>>
>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>     Radio is your best entertainment value.
>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------____ 
>>>
>>>
>>>     __ __
>>>
>>>     ____
>>>
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