Author Topic: Oldschool Multimeter Probes  (Read 1672 times)

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Offline codingwithethanolTopic starter

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Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« on: December 11, 2020, 08:26:32 pm »
Does anyone know where to find probes with unshielded plugs? All I can find are the ones shown in the picture attached.
its your boi, dj ethanol
 

Offline Benta

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2020, 08:39:59 pm »
Don't think you'll find them anymore. Just cut off the shielded plugs and replace them.

Alternative solution: cut off the plastic shield with a sharp knife.

 

Online Ian.M

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2020, 08:41:27 pm »
Multimeters haven't used unshielded 4mm banana jacks since the mid 90's so new or N.O.S. unshielded multimeter style test leads are vanishingly rare.  However the shield is usually the same somewhat flexible plastic as the plug body and can be easily and cleanly cut off the plug with a sharp stanley knife or other heavy duty craft knife, to make current test leads compatible with antique multimeters.

Edit: Benta beat me to it.
 

Offline retiredcaps

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2020, 09:17:23 pm »
Custom order your own from USA?

https://probemaster.com/3436-design-your-own-test-leads/

Probemaster gets very good reviews and feedback on their probes on this forum.  All made in USA too.
 

Online bdunham7

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2020, 09:42:21 pm »
Custom order your own from USA?

https://probemaster.com/3436-design-your-own-test-leads/

Probemaster gets very good reviews and feedback on their probes on this forum.  All made in USA too.

I'll second the Probemaster and add that you can order the retractable sheath banana plugs so as to retain the safety and compatibility with all types of meter.   Or, you can just add your own retractable ends to existing test leads.

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1738010.pdf
A 3.5 digit 4.5 digit 5 digit 5.5 digit 6.5 digit 7.5 digit DMM is good enough for most people.
 

Offline Benta

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2020, 10:04:40 pm »
@retiredcaps and bdunham7:

Those are not multimeter probes. They are test leads. Not the same thing. And quite expensive on top of that.

The Stanley knife solution costs next to nothing.



« Last Edit: December 11, 2020, 10:06:17 pm by Benta »
 

Online bdunham7

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2020, 11:47:14 pm »
@retiredcaps and bdunham7:

Those are not multimeter probes. They are test leads. Not the same thing. And quite expensive on top of that.

The Stanley knife solution costs next to nothing.

If you must distinguish them, Probemaster makes both probes and test leads.  However, if you must go cheap, is $0.28/ea too much?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001614722981.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.47a87ec8MV5Z17&algo_pvid=e0c116ab-7b57-40a2-84ef-cf94bbc2f497&algo_expid=e0c116ab-7b57-40a2-84ef-cf94bbc2f497-17&btsid=0b0a556116077301496361921e345f&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
A 3.5 digit 4.5 digit 5 digit 5.5 digit 6.5 digit 7.5 digit DMM is good enough for most people.
 

Offline Benta

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2020, 12:30:28 am »
@retiredcaps and bdunham7:

Those are not multimeter probes. They are test leads. Not the same thing. And quite expensive on top of that.

The Stanley knife solution costs next to nothing.

If you must distinguish them, Probemaster makes both probes and test leads.  However, if you must go cheap, is $0.28/ea too much?

Touchy, eh? I'm just pointing out that the simplest multimeter probes from your favorite supplier are around $19. Not exactly a bargain. And you still have to cut away the shroud/shield.

Do you have associations here? Just asking.


 
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Online bdunham7

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2020, 01:03:36 am »
Touchy, eh? I'm just pointing out that the simplest multimeter probes from your favorite supplier are around $19. Not exactly a bargain. And you still have to cut away the shroud/shield.

Do you have associations here? Just asking.

I thought we were talking of test leads?  :-DD

No associations and I mentioned 3 different products, including a bargain-basement priced one, that would solve the OPs problem and still prevent the safety issue of having an energized exposed lead if the plug should slide out of the meter. 

But as to the cost of Probemaster, $19 gets you a very nice set of sharp gold-plated soft-handled probes with silicon leads of 24, 36 or 48 inch length and the aforementioned retractable plugs (see 8018S) from a company that provides support and a non-fake CAT III/IV rating.  I don't see that as exorbitant.
A 3.5 digit 4.5 digit 5 digit 5.5 digit 6.5 digit 7.5 digit DMM is good enough for most people.
 

Offline codingwithethanolTopic starter

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2020, 04:53:44 am »
Wow! Had a very busy day and just came back to check the thread, lots of replies! I appreciate all the info, my usual solution would indeed just be to cut the sheath or just frankenstein some out of cheap ebay jacks and some nails :D

Taking all the info into consideration, using either existing leads and retractable jacks or ordering the custom probemaster leads is most likely the best course of action. Thanks again for the help guys
its your boi, dj ethanol
 


Offline bd139

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2020, 09:49:55 am »
They are poor clones of Fluke TL75 which you can usually get on eBay for not much.
 

Offline tooki

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Re: Oldschool Multimeter Probes
« Reply #12 on: December 12, 2020, 12:36:40 pm »
Custom order your own from USA?

https://probemaster.com/3436-design-your-own-test-leads/

Probemaster gets very good reviews and feedback on their probes on this forum.  All made in USA too.

Wow! Had a very busy day and just came back to check the thread, lots of replies! I appreciate all the info, my usual solution would indeed just be to cut the sheath or just frankenstein some out of cheap ebay jacks and some nails :D

Taking all the info into consideration, using either existing leads and retractable jacks or ordering the custom probemaster leads is most likely the best course of action. Thanks again for the help guys

Probes with plain banana plugs aren’t even a custom option from probe master: they’re a standard stocked item! See the table farther down the page: https://probemaster.com/8000-series-test-lead-master-kits/

(Also available as simpler kits or just probes only.)

As an owner of probe master probes, I can confirm they’re a superb product. They’re the probes I use most.
« Last Edit: December 12, 2020, 12:38:16 pm by tooki »
 


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