Community Forums

corgum13 · 05-15-2020, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.Wold

The good old days when you could service and set points with a nail file and a match book cover.

The days when mechanics were mechanics and not technicians.

GypsyR · 05-15-2020, 12:00 PM

My grandfather once told that when he was very young some were called "mechanicians".

rarebear.nm · 05-15-2020, 01:10 PM

And before that they were saddle makers and wagon makers...

GypsyR · 05-15-2020, 07:16 PM

Actually those would be saddlers and wainwrights.

rarebear.nm · 05-15-2020, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsyR

Actually those would be saddlers and wainwrights.

Thanks, I could not remember the correct names any more.

TXiceman · 05-16-2020, 09:48 AM

My Dad had the nickname of "Doc". He earned it many years ago. His fellow workers gave him the name as "Doctor of Engines". He could fix anything.

As my brother and I got older, we learned to work on various mechanical things as well as the cars. He told us that if we were going to drive the, we had to keep them running. He could tune and engine using nothing but his ears and a vacuum gauge. When you put the dwell meter and timing light on the engine, it was perfect.

He told us to listen to the engine and it would tell you when it was running right. The techs today only look at the computer and have no idea on how the engine works. They are simply parts re-placers and not mechanics. Keep replacing parts until it works.

Ken

NeilV · 05-16-2020, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

Which is why I said get a 12VDC test light with and incandescent bulb !

After you use it a few times, you will recognize he brightness (or lack there of) to indicate low voltage.

Yes and no. A test light is not that good at showing the difference between 12.8 and 13.2 volts and will visually give false impressions due to ambient light. A meter is more exact and even the simplest VOhm meter that costs about the same as the light will be able to trouble shoot capacitors and high voltage circuits. On a motor home you have both 12 VDC and 120 VAC circuits along with multiple devices with capacitors so carrying one $9 VOhm meter (which Harbor Freight for example gives away for free during sales events) provides more versatility and much more empirical data.

I've used both types and got tired of carrying all three of them. I also have a pocket sized (shirt pocket) meter in a folding case that is very handy since you do not need a bag to carry them all or be juggling a 12 VDC light and a 120 VAC light (yes I also have a 120 VAC test light with probes) along with a real test meter.

Sonic · 05-16-2020, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frizfreleng

I assume you are referring to the one at Harbor Freight. Why do you believe it is useless for 12vdc?

That was in reference to the Klein non-contact voltage tester which only works for AC.

Jchemie · 05-19-2020, 08:49 AM

When I first started as a mechanic decades ago, an old timer mechanic gave me a 12 vt probe like that with a straight (not coiled) wire. Over the years this little tool has been the first tool I use to find the electrical problems and has made the most money for me over any other tool. If anyone else is going to invest in one, be sure it has the multi-strand wire and not a single stiff wire. Much easier to use and lasts longer. And the coiled wire gets caught on things, constantly have to tug on it plus it causes it to pull the ground clip off. A straight wire is best.