Switched from multimeter leads to alligator clip jumpers for motor testing

Used to fight holding probes on compressor terminals till I grabbed a $10 set of clip-on jumpers from the supply house. Now I can test start and run windings in half the time with no slipping. Anyone else use these or still sticking with probes?

3 comments

3 Comments

evahenderson1mo ago

I saw a YouTube video where a guy tested a seized condenser fan motor using those clip-on jumpers and it made the whole process look way easier. He mentioned how the clips freed up his hands to actually read the meter and take notes without dropping probes everywhere. Definitely seems like a no-brainer upgrade for any motor work.

blake7921mo ago

Hold up a sec, I actually disagree a bit. I tried those clip-on jumpers once and found they slipped off the tiny motor terminals more than they stayed put (especially on older, corroded stuff). Ended up wasting time reattaching them when I could've just held the probes steady. Plus for me, having the probes in my hands gives better feedback on if I'm making a solid connection or getting a bad reading from loose contact. I'll stick with the old way for now.

troy_price1mo ago

Have you ever tried putting a tiny bit of sandpaper or a wire brush on those clip ends before attaching them? I had the same slipping problem on cruddy terminals until I started cleaning the contact spot first. The clips grip way better on clean metal and it takes maybe 5 seconds. Also you can bend the clip jaws inward just a hair with pliers to make them tighter without breaking the plastic coating.