[ARC5] Alligator clip leads
Gene Smar
ersmar at verizon.net
Tue Nov 30 20:19:06 EST 2021
[Palm to forehead!] I should have tried the usual suspects (epay,
Amazon, etc.) but didn't believe such leads would be available in new
packaging. Thanks for these suggestions. I will now attempt to confirm
that my 260 (series E) can use the shrouded banana connectors. My
initial inspection shows what I think are shroud-compatible jacks in all
test lead connectors on the meter case. I'd prefer to have this feature
for HV protection.
Also, I will certainly not connect any of the leads to an energized HV
point (I'm contemplating buying or building a 500-600 W amp) but only to
a dead rig. Then apply power and keep both hands in my pockets while I
read the meter.
Thanks to all who replied.
73 de
Gene Smar AD3F
On 11/29/2021 1:46 PM, Gene Smar wrote:
> 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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>>
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