Rewireable meter probes - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

NottsIan · 26th Sep 2018, 8:59 pm

Hello experts,

I'm looking for a pair of meter probes which I can attach my own wires to. The reason being I need to make a probe for my Heathkit VTVM with the screened cable and 1M resistor.

I seem to recall seeing something suitable in a fairly recent Maplin catalogue but no good now of course. All I have been able to find on the internet are moulded ones.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks

Ian.

Diabolical Artificer · 27th Sep 2018, 6:36 am

When I made my own I used probes that connect with a 4mm banana plug in the top. With a lead with a 4mm plug on each end it's possible to get a range of interchangable probes, hook's and clip's. Farnell and other's do a large range of said probes etc.

Andy.

wd40addict · 27th Sep 2018, 8:49 am

Not as common as they used to be, but here's an example:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pcs-DIY-...wAAOSwVL1WC5QK

Note I have no personal experience with this item, but this would probably do as long as the resistor is sufficiently small diameter (<4mm) to fit down the barrel. You wire it up with small diameter coax and the screen is only connected at the meter end.

ThePillenwerfer · 27th Sep 2018, 9:26 am

These can be re-wired, I know as I've got a couple of pairs.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...ceBeautifyAB=0

It's also easy to cut the shrouds off the banana plugs.

NottsIan · 27th Sep 2018, 9:37 am

They look just right. I've ordered a couple of pairs.

Thanks.

hysteresis · 27th Sep 2018, 1:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NottsIan

... All I have been able to find on the internet are moulded ones.

An EEVblog member dismantled a moulded test lead, to convert it into a Kelvin probe, by cutting the cable close to the strain relief, and then drilling through the end of the cable inside the strain relief:

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgea...627/#msg755627

NottsIan · 28th Sep 2018, 11:08 am

An interesting blog. Many thanks. Now I have a plan 'b'.

26th Sep 2018, 8:59 pm	#1
NottsIan Tetrode Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 88	Rewireable meter probes Hello experts, I'm looking for a pair of meter probes which I can attach my own wires to. The reason being I need to make a probe for my Heathkit VTVM with the screened cable and 1M resistor. I seem to recall seeing something suitable in a fairly recent Maplin catalogue but no good now of course. All I have been able to find on the internet are moulded ones. All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks Ian.

27th Sep 2018, 6:36 am	#2
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,662	Re: Rewireable meter probes When I made my own I used probes that connect with a 4mm banana plug in the top. With a lead with a 4mm plug on each end it's possible to get a range of interchangable probes, hook's and clip's. Farnell and other's do a large range of said probes etc. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

27th Sep 2018, 8:49 am	#3
wd40addict Octode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,518	Re: Rewireable meter probes Not as common as they used to be, but here's an example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2pcs-DIY-...wAAOSwVL1WC5QK Note I have no personal experience with this item, but this would probably do as long as the resistor is sufficiently small diameter (<4mm) to fit down the barrel. You wire it up with small diameter coax and the screen is only connected at the meter end.

27th Sep 2018, 9:26 am	#4
ThePillenwerfer Octode Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,453	Re: Rewireable meter probes These can be re-wired, I know as I've got a couple of pairs. https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...ceBeautifyAB=0 It's also easy to cut the shrouds off the banana plugs. __________________ "Experts are only good at one thing: explaining why something will not work!"

27th Sep 2018, 9:37 am	#5
NottsIan Tetrode Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 88	Re: Rewireable meter probes They look just right. I've ordered a couple of pairs. Thanks.

28th Sep 2018, 11:08 am	#7
NottsIan Tetrode Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 88	Re: Rewireable meter probes An interesting blog. Many thanks. Now I have a plan 'b'.