continuity tester ?

M

mark krawczuk

Guest
hi, any body got links or schematics for a continuity tester for
automotive use ? preferably simple design with audio and visual
indication , voltage detection would be a bonus !!
mark k
 
On 1/12/2010 5:35 PM mark krawczuk spake thus:

hi, any body got links or schematics for a continuity tester for
automotive use ? preferably simple design with audio and visual
indication , voltage detection would be a bonus !!
Click to expand...
How about a 12-volt light and a 12-volt buzzer wired in parallel? Can it
get any simpler than that?

If you want voltage indication, wire a DMM in parallel with all that.


--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"
 
03719 141 6218AOn Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:22:43 -0800, David Nebenzahl <nobody@but.us.chickens> wrote:

On 1/12/2010 5:35 PM mark krawczuk spake thus:

hi, any body got links or schematics for a continuity tester for
automotive use ? preferably simple design with audio and visual
indication , voltage detection would be a bonus !!

How about a 12-volt light and a 12-volt buzzer wired in parallel? Can it
get any simpler than that?

If you want voltage indication, wire a DMM in parallel with all that.
Click to expand...
Let's NOT use a 12 volt light and a parallel buzzer on any electronic
engine/transmission/chassis/drivetrain control modules.

Some of the electronics uses the CAN bus (a communications system
designed for vehicle control). The oscilloscope pictures here
http://www.kvaser.com/index.htm indicate that the CAN signals are in
the range of 5 volts. 12 volts via a test lamp may cause damage to
the electronics in one or more control units.

If the vehicle is pre-1990, there's less to be damaged. Pre-1970
vehicles are almost bulletproof...

A DMM in the hands of someone who won't try to check volts with the
meter set for amps or ohms is usually safe.

If the vehicle is 1996 or later, you can learn more about it's status
much nore safely wih an OBDII reader such as this one (under $30US
including shipping)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260448341942&viewitem=
plus a PC (preferably a laptop) with a USB port, and some OBDII
display software (TouchScan is $30US, EasyOBDII is free, wOBD is free
- all of them display status and error codes and can clear the error
codes - TouchScan has configurable dashboard displays and multiple
"trip memories").

John
 
On 1/12/2010 9:10 PM news@jecarter.us spake thus:

03719 141 6218AOn Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:22:43 -0800, David Nebenzahl
nobody@but.us.chickens> wrote:

On 1/12/2010 5:35 PM mark krawczuk spake thus:

hi, any body got links or schematics for a continuity tester for
automotive use ? preferably simple design with audio and visual
indication , voltage detection would be a bonus !!

How about a 12-volt light and a 12-volt buzzer wired in parallel?
Can it get any simpler than that?

If you want voltage indication, wire a DMM in parallel with all
that.

Let's NOT use a 12 volt light and a parallel buzzer on any electronic
engine/transmission/chassis/drivetrain control modules.

Some of the electronics uses the CAN bus (a communications system
designed for vehicle control). The oscilloscope pictures here
http://www.kvaser.com/index.htm indicate that the CAN signals are in
the range of 5 volts. 12 volts via a test lamp may cause damage to
the electronics in one or more control units.
Click to expand...
OK, granted, but when I read "continuity tester" I assumed that what was
wanted was something to check ordinary (i.e., 12-volt powered,
non-electronic) devices in an automobile. Which may or may not be the
case with the OP. Obviously, more sophisticated test equipment will be
required around any electronics.


--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"
 
David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 1/12/2010 9:10 PM news@jecarter.us spake thus:

03719 141 6218AOn Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:22:43 -0800, David Nebenzahl
nobody@but.us.chickens> wrote:

On 1/12/2010 5:35 PM mark krawczuk spake thus:

hi, any body got links or schematics for a continuity tester for
automotive use ? preferably simple design with audio and visual
indication , voltage detection would be a bonus !!

How about a 12-volt light and a 12-volt buzzer wired in parallel?
Can it get any simpler than that?

If you want voltage indication, wire a DMM in parallel with all
that.

Let's NOT use a 12 volt light and a parallel buzzer on any electronic
engine/transmission/chassis/drivetrain control modules.

Some of the electronics uses the CAN bus (a communications system
designed for vehicle control). The oscilloscope pictures here
http://www.kvaser.com/index.htm indicate that the CAN signals are in
the range of 5 volts. 12 volts via a test lamp may cause damage to
the electronics in one or more control units.

OK, granted, but when I read "continuity tester" I assumed that what
was wanted was something to check ordinary (i.e., 12-volt powered,
non-electronic) devices in an automobile. Which may or may not be the
case with the OP. Obviously, more sophisticated test equipment will be
required around any electronics.


While not a continuity checker, Harbor Freight has DMMs on sale for a
Click to expand...
whopping $1.99...you can't even buy a light bulb for that amount.....and
it does so much more.
 
On Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:22:43 -0800, David Nebenzahl
<nobody@but.us.chickens> wrote:

On 1/12/2010 5:35 PM mark krawczuk spake thus:

hi, any body got links or schematics for a continuity tester for
automotive use ? preferably simple design with audio and visual
indication , voltage detection would be a bonus !!

How about a 12-volt light and a 12-volt buzzer wired in parallel? Can it
get any simpler than that?
Click to expand...
With modern vehicles, you need absolutely minimum current or risk
damaging sensors and other components. A light continuity tester is a
strict no-no...

If you want voltage indication, wire a DMM in parallel with all that.
Click to expand...
Just a DMM, with a beeper, will work just fine, their current is very
low and won't damage things.

Just avoid lamps and buzzers that are powered directly through the
test loop.
 
On Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:15:26 -0800, Caesar Valenti <caesarv@email.com>
wrote:

David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 1/12/2010 9:10 PM news@jecarter.us spake thus:

03719 141 6218AOn Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:22:43 -0800, David Nebenzahl
nobody@but.us.chickens> wrote:

On 1/12/2010 5:35 PM mark krawczuk spake thus:

hi, any body got links or schematics for a continuity tester for
automotive use ? preferably simple design with audio and visual
indication , voltage detection would be a bonus !!

How about a 12-volt light and a 12-volt buzzer wired in parallel?
Can it get any simpler than that?

If you want voltage indication, wire a DMM in parallel with all
that.

Let's NOT use a 12 volt light and a parallel buzzer on any electronic
engine/transmission/chassis/drivetrain control modules.

Some of the electronics uses the CAN bus (a communications system
designed for vehicle control). The oscilloscope pictures here
http://www.kvaser.com/index.htm indicate that the CAN signals are in
the range of 5 volts. 12 volts via a test lamp may cause damage to
the electronics in one or more control units.

OK, granted, but when I read "continuity tester" I assumed that what
was wanted was something to check ordinary (i.e., 12-volt powered,
non-electronic) devices in an automobile. Which may or may not be the
case with the OP. Obviously, more sophisticated test equipment will be
required around any electronics.


While not a continuity checker, Harbor Freight has DMMs on sale for a
whopping $1.99...you can't even buy a light bulb for that amount.....and
it does so much more.
Click to expand...
I bought a couple of the Harbor Freght DMM's for non-critical use (AC
line voltage & 12 volt battery checks) and was plasantly surprised to
find that the two I have track closely with the Fluke 77 DMM I have
for electronics work.

John
 
news@jecarter.us wrote:
On Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:15:26 -0800, Caesar Valenti <caesarv@email.com
wrote:

David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 1/12/2010 9:10 PM news@jecarter.us spake thus:

03719 141 6218AOn Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:22:43 -0800, David Nebenzahl
nobody@but.us.chickens> wrote:

On 1/12/2010 5:35 PM mark krawczuk spake thus:

hi, any body got links or schematics for a continuity tester
for automotive use ? preferably simple design with audio and
visual indication , voltage detection would be a bonus !!

How about a 12-volt light and a 12-volt buzzer wired in parallel?
Can it get any simpler than that?

If you want voltage indication, wire a DMM in parallel with all
that.

Let's NOT use a 12 volt light and a parallel buzzer on any
electronic engine/transmission/chassis/drivetrain control modules.

Some of the electronics uses the CAN bus (a communications system
designed for vehicle control). The oscilloscope pictures here
http://www.kvaser.com/index.htm indicate that the CAN signals are
in the range of 5 volts. 12 volts via a test lamp may cause
damage to the electronics in one or more control units.

OK, granted, but when I read "continuity tester" I assumed that what
was wanted was something to check ordinary (i.e., 12-volt powered,
non-electronic) devices in an automobile. Which may or may not be
the case with the OP. Obviously, more sophisticated test equipment
will be required around any electronics.


While not a continuity checker, Harbor Freight has DMMs on sale for a
whopping $1.99...you can't even buy a light bulb for that
amount.....and it does so much more.

I bought a couple of the Harbor Freght DMM's for non-critical use (AC
line voltage & 12 volt battery checks) and was plasantly surprised to
find that the two I have track closely with the Fluke 77 DMM I have
for electronics work.

John
==================================================
Click to expand...

Check out the PowerProbeIII at
http://www.powerprobe.com/powerprobe/Home.html. This is the tool the pros
use. It's a bit on the pricey side for the occassional user, but has all
the features the OP requested, and more.

--
David
dgminala at mediacombb dot net
 
Radio Shack logic probe.
JR

On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:05:46 +0930, "mark krawczuk"
<krawczuk@adam.com.au> wrote:

hi, any body got links or schematics for a continuity tester for
automotive use ? preferably simple design with audio and visual
indication , voltage detection would be a bonus !!
mark k

HOME PAGE:
Click to expand...
http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth
--------------------------------------------------
 
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