alligator test leads - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: cyberwasp
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 07:27:24 pm
content: I'm looking for alligator clip tests leads. Here's the kicker, am handicapped and my hands aren't very nimble. That being said, I've tried clips from amazon to Granger, and they all exhibit the same issue, The covering is never taught and when you try to open them the clip spins inside. Does anyone know where I can buy some decent ones. Maybe even ones with wider finger grips. TIA

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 08:02:45 pm
content: Something like this perhapshttps://www.amazon.com/bnafes-Insulated-Crocodile-Socket-Alligator/dp/B09CMSDWXD/ref=sr_1_15_sspa?

author: Zenith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 08:07:59 pm
content: I'm not disabled and I have exactly the same problem with cheap croc clip test leads. They didn't used to be that way. I prefer grabber leads, but they also have their problems and don't seen so easily available these days.The ones that came with my UNI-T meter were good but soon became brittle. I think any exposure to sunlight did for them. The best I've had are the Brymen croc clip attachments. The Brymen silicone test leads are pretty damned good altogether.If you look on ebay there are sets of banana plug leads with plug in croc clip attachments, which look like hard plastic molded over the croc clip. They may be a better bet and I doubt they have the slipping about problem. I have been disappointed with cheap banana leads used with a bench PSU because they had a very high resistance.There is a difference between hook up leads and more heavy duty leads used with a meter or from a PSU. If you are looking for hook up leads, I'd say go for grabbers rather than croc clips.

author: nonius_
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 08:27:16 pm
content: About two decades ago I bought a few sets of those cheap crocodile leads (black-red-green-yellow-white) at a local electronics store. The same sets that can still be bought nowadays on Ali etc.The quality was lousy: very thin wires, not soldered but 'crimped' (I hesitate to use that word for the lousy connection, with the bent tabs to hold the wires in place and *hopefully* make an electrical connection). I had replaced the silly thin wires with thicker wire (removed from an old PC AT(X) powersupply, IIRC and soldered them to the croc clips, and added an extra bit of heatshrink over that, before re-installing the coverings.Anyway, indeed, the sleeves rotate. But worse, after a few years they become so hard that I (not handicapped and plenty of strength in my hands) have a lot of troube to open them. They've essentially become useless now, because of that.Like Zenith, I've since come to prefer grabber leads. Bought a bag full of them at a ham-fest for peanuts and made my own leads. Some leads I've made very thin and flexible (for signal use), others of more thicker wire (for power use). I quite like this system, and have since started using the crocodile-wired leads much, much less.Only downside is that those small grabber leads can't take much current, before they deform and melt. But I much prefer them over crocodile clips/leads, which I only use for the higher-current stuff nowadays.But to get back on topic: would it perhaps be possible for you to add a dab of good construction adhesive on the *underside* (outside) of the crocodile clamp, and then slide the sleeve back over it and let it cure? That might help against the rotating/slipping of the sleeve. Haven't tried it myself, but is just an idea that sprang into my mind now. Hotglue might work too.

author: cyberwasp
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2025, 11:37:12 pm
content: Yeah, I have a set of grabber leads I used for my dvm and didn't think when I was charging a26650 8800mah lipo and had 1 amp set. the tip melted. Someone needs to make heavy duty ones. Even Granger only sells 22-gauge jumpers. Luckily, I found 14-gauge alligator leads for my Rigol DP832A but again hard to open. Maybe I start a writing campaign to these companies. Thankyou!!

author: D2236
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 03:17:12 am
content: I was experiencing the same problem with the boot being too slippery and the clip twisting inside when trying to press and open it. My solution was to make a slight upward bend with small pliers in the top part (not too much) to prevent the twisting. It seems to solve this problem, and I do it to all new clips that I buy.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2025, 04:04:46 am
content: I think you have to spend a bit to get something good. There is a Chinese brand the helps with that, but they are still no cheap. They use heavy gauge copper wire with very "silicone" like insulation and shaped boots over the clips. They also produce a large variety of styles. Search for "Cleqee". Readily available on AliExpress. Look at teh different styles. The have one style of banana to alligator that has the small clips with what look like those slippery shrouds over the clips, but their not indeed slippery. I think the model is P1044. Again, fine strand copper wire, silicone like insulation, copper alligator clips and brass banana plugs. Yeah, not too cheap, but cheap compared to Pomona or something like that. You'll pay about $9 for 5 of them (not $1 for 10 of them), but they are very, very good test leads. Look for the P1024, P1044, P1036, P1045, etc.. They have a huge assortment.Of course there is the tariff problem, but that is down to 30% now for a while anyway.