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Vintage Test Gear and Workshop Equipment For discussions about vintage test gear and workshop equipment such as coil winders. |
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12th Oct 2020, 6:21 pm | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
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'Push on' croc clips?
My Mastech M9704 is a lovely test instrument that has both digital and analogue indication. However, it comes with captive test prods of the pointy type. They're fine when you're making a quick measurement but sometimes I want to clip on to the test point in order to use a 'third hand' to make say a pot adjustment.
I could cut the pointy prods off and fit croc clips or test hooks but I was wondering if there were any push on adapter versions of these that I could fit to the pointy prods. I'm sure I've seen this type of thing.. maybe I've dreamt it..
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12th Oct 2020, 7:02 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
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Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Fortunately, I have a few leads with a croc on each end, so I use a couple of these attached to my meter probes when I need the connections to remain in place without being held there.
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12th Oct 2020, 7:43 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Good idea Dave, thanks. The only downsides I can see are the slight risk of shorting or shock from the inevitable bare section at the join, or the croc clip losing grip and falling off. But neither of those are a big deal with care. Nice one.
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12th Oct 2020, 8:04 pm | #4 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cheshire, UK.
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
What diameter are the ends of the probes?
I use 2mm test leads often & have a selection of 2mm croc clips to fit those (as well as 2mm to 4mm adaptors). Here are the type of 2mm croc clips I have; https://cpc.farnell.com/hirschmann-t...97?ost=in08197 And lots of them being used during the test & repair of a HP 180A power supply board; David |
12th Oct 2020, 10:19 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Why not just have a set of meter leads with croc clips or even better?
E-Z-Hooks on them? https://e-z-hook.com/test-hooks/mini-hook/
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13th Oct 2020, 7:11 am | #6 | |
Dekatron
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Quote:
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13th Oct 2020, 7:13 am | #7 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Quote:
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13th Oct 2020, 10:54 am | #8 |
Octode
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Dorridge, West Midlands, UK.
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
I have Fluke AC175 which are designed for the 2mm probes but price is high, https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/crocodile-clips/7758059
As an alternative I have taken the cheap wire on insulated croc clips and carefully squezed the barrel down so they are a tight fit on the 2mm probe.
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13th Oct 2020, 11:27 am | #9 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tintinara, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 2,324
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Why not just buy a set of test leads with interchangeable ends like these https://www.altronics.com.au/p/p0413...test-lead-set/
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13th Oct 2020, 11:46 am | #10 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Quote:
I could cut the existing prods off and change to that set you mention, but the meter leads are already short and I don't want to shorten them any more. Plus, the set you mention would have to shipped from Oz.
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13th Oct 2020, 3:37 pm | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
If you were to cut the existing leads back to 6" or so and fit inline 4mm sockets to them, you could then plug in whatever type of test leads you liked including the reterminated in 4mm plugs original set.
Eg. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Banana-4m...IAAOSwgPReKE7U
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13th Oct 2020, 4:56 pm | #12 |
Hexode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 388
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Extend your leads, croc clip on one end, connecting block(or part thereof) on other end to screw down on your pointy probe end. Les.
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13th Oct 2020, 5:03 pm | #13 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
That'd do it, but I want quick change/choice facility. The push on ones that a few people have suggested are going to be the answer. Cheers.
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13th Oct 2020, 6:29 pm | #14 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,583
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
The first photo illustrates a quick, dirty but effective alternative. It's just a standard clip with the cable clamp sqeezed using pliers to form a good tight push-on fit around a 2mm probe tip. There's a little solder sealing the wrap around edge. The second photo shows the clip fitted to the probe. Works well.
In addition the last shot shows a couple of push-on clips I bought as a pack of four from a far eastern eBay seller for a couple of pounds. They're fine too. Alan |
13th Oct 2020, 11:27 pm | #16 | |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Quote:
I'm glad you sent that 'solution' in, because that is what I have been doing for years. I didn't send it in since I thought it might meet with derision since it is such a quick-'n'-dirty fix - albeit easy to implement, cheap and effective. Having said that, I do like the idea as suggested by Tower Radio in post #12 Al. Last edited by Skywave; 13th Oct 2020 at 11:32 pm. Reason: Add last sentence. |
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14th Oct 2020, 12:19 am | #17 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tintinara, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 2,324
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Ah, sorry, missed that bit.
No chance of opening up the meter to fit them if you decided to go that way? Or fit inline banana sockets to the ends of the current leads? The lead set is available on the auction sites, about £4 a set, only posted that link as an example, they are what I use, very handy. |
14th Oct 2020, 11:12 am | #18 | |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,583
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Quote:
In any event Steve now has a veritable array of different options available to him and I'm sure he'll choose the one that suits him best. Alan |
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15th Oct 2020, 3:16 am | #19 | |
Pentode
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Posts: 199
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
Quote:
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18th Oct 2020, 6:34 pm | #20 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,809
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Re: 'Push on' croc clips?
I've found these 2mm push on croc clips and ordered some:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal...72.m2749.l2649
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