Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Useful tool (Read 518 times) previous topic - next topic

Useful tool

While working on electrical circuits it occurred to me that I had not posted a photo of something I use often.  This is from an old appliance cord where I separated the wires and cut the hot and neutral ones, leaving me with the ground to which I attached a spade connector (easy to attach alligator clip).  Anywhere I go in the RV I have easy access to a ground.
I'm sure I'm not the first to do this, but I haven't seen it posted and thought it might be useful.
If you replicate this, be sure that you won't be able to contact the two cut wires, since they will be live.  Mine are recessed in their coverings, so it works for me.  If you cut the wires flush with the back of the plug and then push it in with your thumb you won't be happy.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Useful tool

Reply #1 –
You're not the first but it took me years to figure that out.

Thanks.
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Useful tool

Reply #2 –
 It's foolproof safe with the positive and neutral prongs cut off the plug, using just the ground prong.

Re: Useful tool

Reply #3 –

It's a little pricey, but this tool has solved many problems for me and fixed 3 coaches at the Q this year.

Amazon.com: Power Probe PP319FTCW/PPLS01: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Useful tool

Reply #4 –
Great thread, thank you to all for their input.  Craneman, your recommendation is on my list of tools to get when I return to the US. I see where this would be used often by me, both saving time and it's ability over just a multi meter.  I am posting the following video as it shows where just a simple multimeter and knowledge would have saved this 24 year old drag car (Escalade, 2,000 HP) driver with his new to him rv some heartache (both time and $$$).

At 25 seconds in, he voices that he read on line a loss of power to the ECM often causes his failure.  A voltmeter would have helped diagnose this issue.  The first tech at 3:30 guesses that it is bad fuel pump.  The second tech finds no power at ECM at 9:30 in to the video.
 https://youtu.be/NX2bDuNz5aA
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan
 

Re: Useful tool

Reply #5 –
This is a video of some of its uses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuzfCOlA1Vw
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean