Power Probe Basic User Manual
Power Probe Basic
Power Probe Basic
Power Probe Basic
Instruction
Manual
English
Manual de
Instrucciones
Español
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The Ultimate in Circuit Testing
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Power Probe Basic
ENGLISH
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................3
WARNING ................................................................................... 3
SAFETY ......................................................................................... 4
FEATURES .....................................................................................5
HOOK-UP .................................................................................... 6
QUICK SELF-TEST .........................................................................6
POLARITY TESTING ...................................................................... 7
CONTINUITY TESTING ................................................................. 8
ACTIVATING REMOVED COMPONENTS ................................... 9
TESTING TRAILER LIGHTS AND CONNECTIONS ......................10
POWER TESTING A GROUND ................................................. 11
ACTIVATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WITH
POSITIVE (+) VOLTAGE ..........................................................12
GROUND SWITCHING A CIRCUIT HAVING AN
ELECTRICAL LOAD ................................................................13
REPLACING OLD ROCKER SWITCH ........................................ 14
ATTACHING THE SWITCH LATCH .............................................. 14
FOLLOWING AND LOCATING SHORT CIRCUITS ................... 15
POWER PROBE WARRANTY ..................................................... 15
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Power Probe Basic
3
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the Power Probe Basic. It’s your best value for
testing automotive electrical problems.
After connecting it to the vehicle’s battery you can now see if a circuit is
Positive, Negative or Open by probing it and observing the RED or GREEN
LED. You can quickly activate electric components with the press of the
power switch and YES, its short circuit protected. Continuity of switches,
relays, diodes, fuses and wires are easily tested by connecting them
between the auxiliary ground lead and the probe tip and observing the
GREEN LED. Check fuses and test for short circuits. Find faulty ground
connections instantly. The 20 ft. long lead will reach from bumper to
bumper and it has the option to connect a 20 foot extension lead to
make it reach up to 40 feet. Great for trucks, trailers and motorhomes.
If you are not using a Power Probe in your electrical testing, you are
wasting time.
Before using the Power Probe Basic, please read the instruction book
carefully.
WARNING!
When the Power Switch is depressed battery current is conducted
directly to the tip which may cause sparks when contacting ground or
certain circuits. Therefore the Power Probe should NOT be used around
ammables such as gasoline or its vapors. The spark of an energized
Power Probe could ignite these vapors. Use the same caution as you
would when using an arc welder.
The Power Probe Basic is NOT designed to be used with 110/220 AC-volt
house current, it is only for use with 6-12 VDC systems.
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Power Probe Basic
SAFETY
Caution - Please Read
To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury and to
avoid damage to this unit, please use the Power Probe Basic
according to the following safety procedures. Power Probe
recommends reading this manual before using the Power
Probe Basic.
The Power Probe BASIC is strictly designed for automotive
electrical systems. It is to be used on 6 to 12 volt DC only.
The power switch should not be pressed when connected to
electronic control modules, sensors or any sensitive electronic
components. DO NOT connect the Power Probe to AC house
electrical such as 115 Volts.
Do not connect to electrical system with higher than rated volt-
age specied in this manual.
Do not test voltage exceeding the rated voltage on the Power
Probe Basic.
Check the PP Basic for cracks or damage. Damage to the case
can leak high voltage causing a potential electrocution risk.
Check the PP Basic for any insulation damage or bare wires. If
damaged, do not use the tool, please contact Power Probe
Technical support.
Use only shrouded leads and accessories authorized by Power
Probe to minimize exposed conductive electrical connections to
eliminate shock hazard.
Do not attempt to open the PP Basic, no serviceable parts are
inside. Opening this unit voids the warranty. All repairs should only
be performed by authorized Power Probe service centers.
When maintaining the Power Probe, use only replacement parts
certied by the manufacturer.
Use only in well ventilated areas. Do not operate around amma-
ble materials, vapor or dust.
Be careful when energizing components that have moving parts,
assemblies containing motors or high powered solenoids.
Power Probe, Inc. shall not be liable for damage to vehicles or
components cause by misuse, tampering or accident.
Power Probe, Inc. shall not be liable for any harm caused by
accidents, intentional misuse of our products or tools.
If you have any questions, please go to our website at:
www.powerprobe.com or contact our Technical Support at:
800-655-3585.
4
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Power Probe Basic
FEATURES
Probe Tip
Switch Latch
(Included)
5
Green
Rocker
Switch
Auxilliary
Ground
Lead
LED
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6 -12 VOLTS
LED
Red
Power Lead
Battery
Clips
20 ft.
Heavy-Duty
4mm Male/
Female Keyed
Connectors
Power Probe Basic
BATTERY
HOOK-UP
Unroll the Power Cable.
Attach the RED battery hook-up clip to the POSITIVE terminal of the
vehicle’s battery.
Attach the BLACK battery hook-up clip to the NEGATIVE terminal
of the vehicle’s battery.
6 -12 VOLTS
QUICK SELF-TEST
Rock the power switch forward (+), the LED indicator should light
RED.
Rock the power switch rearward (-), the LED indicator should light
GREEN.
The Power Probe is now ready to use.
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Red
LED
Green
LED
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Forward
Position
Rearward
Position
Power Probe Basic
POLARITY TESTING
By contacting the Power Probe tip to a POSITIVE (+), circuit will light
the LED indicator RED.
By contacting the Power Probe tip to a NEGATIVE (-), circuit will
light the LED indicator GREEN.
By contacting the Power Probe tip to an OPEN, circuit will be indicated by the LED indicator not lighting.
6 -12 VOLTS
Red LED = Positive
BATTERY
7
BATTERY
Green LED = Negative
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6 -12 VOLTS
Power Probe Basic
CONTINUITY TESTING
By using the Probe Tip together with the auxiliary ground lead, continuity can be tested on wires and components that are disconnected from the vehicle’s electrical system.
When continuity is present, the LED indicator will light GREEN.
Continuity Testing Application
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No LED = No Continuity
6 -12 VOLTS
BATTERY BATTERY
Green LED = Continuity
6 -12 VOLTS
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Power Probe Basic
BATTERY
ACTIVATING REMOVED COMPONENTS
By using the Power Probe tip together with the auxiliary ground lead,
components can be activated, thereby testing their function.
Connect the negative auxiliary clip to the negative terminal of the
component being tested.
Contact the probe to the positive terminal of the component, the
LED indicator should light GREEN indicating continuity through the
component.
While keeping an eye on the green LED indicator, quickly depress and
release the power switch forward (+). If the green indicator changed
instantly from GREEN to RED you may proceed with further activation.
If the green indicator went off at that instant or if the circuit breaker
tripped, the Power Probe has been overloaded. This could happen for
the following reasons:
• The contact is a direct ground or negative voltage.
• The component is short-circuited.
• The component is a high amperage component (i.e., starter motor).
If the circuit breaker is tripped, it’ll automatically reset to default
position.
Connect the
negative auxiliary
Contact the tip
to the positive
terminal of the bulb
clip to bulb casing
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Press the power switch
forward to activate
the bulb
Other than light bulbs, you can also activate
other components like fuel pumps, window
motors, starter solenoids, cooling fans,
blowers, motors, etc.
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6 -12 VOLTS
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