I've been wanting to make my own test leads and jumper wires for a while now in this video is taking me along distance down that road. Thank you so much!
You should open up your own lead shop, bro! xD No, seriously, that's very good for you to have all those test leads. I wonder what AWG caliber do the cables should have... 22 or what? Greetings from Mexico!
Can you post a link where to find this wire? What gauge wire are you using? I shop for test lead wire and a ton of things pop up. I cannot find the same stuff you're using. Is 18 gauge the standard? I think Power Probe uses 10 gauge. Will the banana jacks fit ANY gauge wire?
Very good advice! I need test leads and have been debating between the Belden 8899 rubber coated wire vs Pomona 6733 silicone test lead wire. I work on a lot of tube amps with 400-500V+. I've read that the Pomona is very flexible. However, I think Belden is rated for higher working voltage.
@@allanknox8216 I spoke to both Belden and Pomona. Pomona gave me no confidence that their product is reliable at high voltages. I'm not sure their ratings mean the same. Belden on the other hand gave a thorough explanation about rated working voltages vs tested voltages etc. And told me not to hold any wire with high voltage running through it.
@@acoustic61 That last is a good point. I got my first HV burn when I was about twelve years old. Hurt a lot. When I was all "grown up" I came close to losing my life when a radar was marked as "tagged out" and it wasn't. Almost grabbed the 440 VAC three phase line filters with a wet rag when cleaning one of the radars innards.
@@acoustic61 Well, I.m not sure what they told you, and specs can be tricky, but one thing for sure - don't hold wires or leads with high voltages. Here's a good link I found. th-cam.com/video/09oqODObdVs/w-d-xo.html Good luck. Email if I can help!
How long do banana plugs last? What I mean is, how many insertions/removals can they undergo before failure? I feel like screwing leads in would make better electrical contact but I would like more data, if available?
Let's put it this way. Some of the banana plugs I own and use came from my uncle who got them from my grandfather who used them in the family radio/TV business that closed in the late 70's. Their durability isn't the problem, quality is. High quality banana plugs can last a lifetime or a couple lifetimes. Cheap Chinese made junk might last you a year or two. I have seen cheap Chinese ones that were no good when brand new. Buy high quality and you will never regret it.
@@mikesradiorepair Understood; thanks! I'm having difficult finding exactly what I'm looking for. I prefer gold-plated where possible but I can't seem to find any that are suitable. Want gold plated, fully insulated, and decent quality - no idea where to even look lol
Many good tips and ideas. When you talked about touching with a hot iron and no problem, I thought the insulation might be silicone but the description on Amazon is "rubber". I suppose that could mean silicone rubber. But what gave me the heart attack was the $ 300 price tag for that 100' spool. But I do see some 25' spools of both red and black non-Belden 18ga. (BNTECHGO) wire for $ 14. Their 16 ga spool of both black and red is $ 19. Is there any advantage to going to a larger wire for normal electronics troubleshooting like on old ham radios and test equipment? Do you use the 18 ga leads on those old TV's you work on or do you have a bigger set of leads for them?
The only reason to need larger gauge wire is if you are using the test leads for higher current measurements. When doing voltage, resistance measurements and things like continuity test there is very little current flow in the test leads. Start passing 20 or 30 Amps through a set of small gauge test leads and you will soon start to see the wires smoking.
@@STBRetired1 Ah, gotcha. It's all good. That belden wire is expensive, so was curious if a decent alternative was found. Probe Master may actually be pretty cost-efficient
18GA is probably the most common for common multimeter test leads. Really depends on what you are using them for. Probes for logic analyzers will be small at around 26GA and on the other end of the spectrum I have test "cables" that are 2/0GA when I need to pass hundreds of amps of current through them.
It's the insulating covering that protects the wire from burning. The cheaper test leads have a PVC or plastic insulation which will melt or burn. The better cables have a silicone rubber insulation which is more resistant to burning.
Is there a way for the average DIYer to find out whether I am being sold BS jumper cables? I am looking at some that are 6 meters rated 1200 Amps; that sounds like a lot of juice to me! I doubt I'll need that much, but then again, these are pretty long cables, so wondering about the quality. My battery is rated at 800 CCA. Is the only way to find out to jump an 18 wheeler and see whether they melt? :)
Mike, I'm very curious how you deal with dust? You have so many test equipment, parts, leads, power sockets, components and stuff all over the place. How you get rid of the dust accumulating on them? Thank you.
I really like this double-banana end idea. Can you provide a model number for the double-insulated to alligator adapters? Or what to search for? I've had poor luck in finding any. (I assume you made the other adapters with leads already on them yourself.) Thanks!
Great video, Mike...very educational and helpful...do you have the names of vendors you prefer to order from for both the Belden wire and tips? Tried the Belden 214-3474 part number in a Google search, not much coming up....thanks in advance for your excellent videos...N5ITU
Since the author never answered this, and I too was having issues finding it on ebay (because that sticker is pretty USELESS), I did some digging, and the correct part number for this wire is Belden 0905 8899 002. This should save some time for others that are looking for it. The author should have clearly mentioned that or put it in the description box, they never realise that some of us are hardly starting out and don't know sh* about brands and types of cables.
I just bought some to make test leads for my multimeter. Before watching this, I was set on buying 14 AWG but then realized that this is perfect for testing purposes.
I've been wanting to make my own test leads and jumper wires for a while now in this video is taking me along distance down that road. Thank you so much!
Just need some links to the parts you used.
You should open up your own lead shop, bro! xD No, seriously, that's very good for you to have all those test leads. I wonder what AWG caliber do the cables should have... 22 or what?
Greetings from Mexico!
What instructions for a jumper wire to test a whirlpool refrigerator test wire for the ice machine and not get shocked? I subscribed!
Can you post a link where to find this wire?
What gauge wire are you using? I shop for test lead wire and a ton of things pop up. I cannot find the same stuff you're using. Is 18 gauge the standard? I think Power Probe uses 10 gauge. Will the banana jacks fit ANY gauge wire?
Does the Belden 8899 cable have markings on it?
Very good advice! I need test leads and have been debating between the Belden 8899 rubber coated wire vs Pomona 6733 silicone test lead wire. I work on a lot of tube amps with 400-500V+. I've read that the Pomona is very flexible. However, I think Belden is rated for higher working voltage.
I doubt Pomona manufactures it's own, but 6733 is good stuff - and rated 10KV. Belden 8899 is rated 5KV. Good luck!
@@allanknox8216 I spoke to both Belden and Pomona. Pomona gave me no confidence that their product is reliable at high voltages. I'm not sure their ratings mean the same. Belden on the other hand gave a thorough explanation about rated working voltages vs tested voltages etc. And told me not to hold any wire with high voltage running through it.
@@acoustic61 That last is a good point. I got my first HV burn when I was about twelve years old. Hurt a lot. When I was all "grown up" I came close to losing my life when a radar was marked as "tagged out" and it wasn't. Almost grabbed the 440 VAC three phase line filters with a wet rag when cleaning one of the radars innards.
@@acoustic61 Well, I.m not sure what they told you, and specs can be tricky, but one thing for sure - don't hold wires or leads with high voltages. Here's a good link I found. th-cam.com/video/09oqODObdVs/w-d-xo.html Good luck. Email if I can help!
Where do you get the bits, that is the problem.
Which Belden wire would be the 14 AWG equivalent of the 8899?
Mike,
Love your gems of wisdom. :-)
How long do banana plugs last? What I mean is, how many insertions/removals can they undergo before failure? I feel like screwing leads in would make better electrical contact but I would like more data, if available?
Let's put it this way. Some of the banana plugs I own and use came from my uncle who got them from my grandfather who used them in the family radio/TV business that closed in the late 70's. Their durability isn't the problem, quality is. High quality banana plugs can last a lifetime or a couple lifetimes. Cheap Chinese made junk might last you a year or two. I have seen cheap Chinese ones that were no good when brand new. Buy high quality and you will never regret it.
@@mikesradiorepair Understood; thanks! I'm having difficult finding exactly what I'm looking for. I prefer gold-plated where possible but I can't seem to find any that are suitable. Want gold plated, fully insulated, and decent quality - no idea where to even look lol
do you think that AWG 13 is good choice for the wire?
so what size diameter wire is on the spool ?
Many good tips and ideas. When you talked about touching with a hot iron and no problem, I thought the insulation might be silicone but the description on Amazon is "rubber". I suppose that could mean silicone rubber. But what gave me the heart attack was the $ 300 price tag for that 100' spool. But I do see some 25' spools of both red and black non-Belden 18ga. (BNTECHGO) wire for $ 14. Their 16 ga spool of both black and red is $ 19. Is there any advantage to going to a larger wire for normal electronics troubleshooting like on old ham radios and test equipment? Do you use the 18 ga leads on those old TV's you work on or do you have a bigger set of leads for them?
The only reason to need larger gauge wire is if you are using the test leads for higher current measurements. When doing voltage, resistance measurements and things like continuity test there is very little current flow in the test leads. Start passing 20 or 30 Amps through a set of small gauge test leads and you will soon start to see the wires smoking.
@@mikesradiorepair Thanks for the advice, Mike.
Hi there. Was curious if you did end up making your test leads and used the $14 18ga wire you found on Amazon, and how they were working out for you.
@@anthonycomeaux1804 Actually no, I took the easy way out and bought some already made test leads on Amazon.
@@STBRetired1 Ah, gotcha. It's all good. That belden wire is expensive, so was curious if a decent alternative was found. Probe Master may actually be pretty cost-efficient
Please, tells us the most common AWG gauge for the lead wire? Is that AWG16 or AWG14 or anything thicker (which is doubtful) ?
18GA is probably the most common for common multimeter test leads. Really depends on what you are using them for. Probes for logic analyzers will be small at around 26GA and on the other end of the spectrum I have test "cables" that are 2/0GA when I need to pass hundreds of amps of current through them.
Where do you buy your Belden wire? And the ends for the wire.
DigiKey
@@mikesradiorepair Thanks for the reply, what gauge wire do you use when making leads? i think the SKU has changed.
What Guage Wire???
Thank you really explain it 💯 thank you I was really looking for vídeo like this good job
What gauge is the safest to avoid burning the leads?
It's the insulating covering that protects the wire from burning. The cheaper test leads have a PVC or plastic insulation which will melt or burn. The better cables have a silicone rubber insulation which is more resistant to burning.
They are not BNC connectors / plugs.
Is there a way for the average DIYer to find out whether I am being sold BS jumper cables? I am looking at some that are 6 meters rated 1200 Amps; that sounds like a lot of juice to me! I doubt I'll need that much, but then again, these are pretty long cables, so wondering about the quality. My battery is rated at 800 CCA. Is the only way to find out to jump an 18 wheeler and see whether they melt? :)
Watched several videos lately and the fluke test leads came in last position .vs even unbranded ones...
good job Mike and good Belden too :^) 73
Thanks Peter.
Mike, I'm very curious how you deal with dust? You have so many test equipment, parts, leads, power sockets, components and stuff all over the place. How you get rid of the dust accumulating on them? Thank you.
HEPA room air purifier helps keep dust at a minimum and a vacuum with brush attachment for cleaning.
He doesn't. Look at all the sh!t on the table.
@@itsruf1 LMAO!
I really like this double-banana end idea. Can you provide a model number for the double-insulated to alligator adapters? Or what to search for? I've had poor luck in finding any. (I assume you made the other adapters with leads already on them yourself.) Thanks!
DigiKey's search engine is your friend. They carry thousands of plugs, jacks, probe tips and adapters.
Great video. Thanks for sharing!
Since you have a lot of leads, any chance i could get some new leads for my Fluke 8050A from you?
None for sale, sorry. Plenty on ebay.
Great video, Mike...very educational and helpful...do you have the names of vendors you prefer to order from for both the Belden wire and tips? Tried the Belden 214-3474 part number in a Google search, not much coming up....thanks in advance for your excellent videos...N5ITU
Since the author never answered this, and I too was having issues finding it on ebay (because that sticker is pretty USELESS), I did some digging, and the correct part number for this wire is Belden 0905 8899 002. This should save some time for others that are looking for it. The author should have clearly mentioned that or put it in the description box, they never realise that some of us are hardly starting out and don't know sh* about brands and types of cables.
Randy Espoda n
I just bought some to make test leads for my multimeter. Before watching this, I was set on buying 14 AWG but then realized that this is perfect for testing purposes.
U didnt test them :(
Because he likes to listen to himself.
👍👍
! ! Good Grief this guy talks too much ! !
Talk to much and not enough information.