Circuit Tester / Test Light

[CELICA XX]

I am looking for a good test light, built with an LED instead of a normal bulb.

I have read so many reviews where the bulb would burn out, rendering the tool useless. I figured an LED would be much more durable.

This Craftsman looks great, but it's not LED.

 

[-Spike-]

An LED will draw very little current, and only will light in one direction. I've got one, but don't like to use it. It's a cheap POS that came with a trailer wire harness, IIRC. A Google search shows some available.

 

[CELICA XX]

An LED will draw very little current, and only will light in one direction.

What do you mean by "only in one direction" ?

I thought the leads of the test light were reversible. It doesn't matter which one goes on the positive and which goes to the ground. Is that correct ?

 

[KLF]

Just saw this on Xteme 4x4 TV show today, maybe it's what you're looking for?

Tools for the Automotive Technician

 

[Jakes40]

Celica XX a LED is a diode current only goes one way with a diode if you try/accidentally hook the neg of the tester to a positive of the circuit it will not light giving you a false reading. A light balb tester works both ways
I've seen the tester on extreme 4x4 to looks like a good unit. I asked my wife to get me one for Christmas.

Chris

 

[fj40charles]

I've had a test light for several years. The light bulb still works. If you're really concerned about durability/redundancy, just buy another one or keep a VOM as a backup.

LED light is a bad idea IMHO.

 

[-Spike-]

When I searched I did see some that have multiple LED's, that will tell you if you have the leads reversed and other features. It depends on what you're going to do with it. A light bulb will draw some current, so it will indicate bad connections and low voltage, which an LED can't do. At least, not a straight, simple LED- like I said, they have added circuit boards and chips and whatnot to add features. The beauty of a test light is its simplicity, IMO.

 

[Pin_Head]

A normal filament bulb is a good thing. You need to put a resistive load on the circuit you are testing to see if you have a bad connection. If the bulb is dim, you know you have a bad connection somewhere upstream toward the battery.

 

[NYC FJ62]

Just saw this on Xteme 4x4 TV show today, maybe it's what you're looking for?

Tools for the Automotive Technician

I was a Audio/Security Installer for close to 10 years before changing careers....

I have always, and still use the Power Probe. I have the simple LED/12volt/Negative version and have never had a problem with it. It's my 2nd one because my first one went bad after a few years but I did no hesitate to get another one. They are GREAT for working on cars/bikes/anything 12v-24v.

Thats my .02.