My double ended alligator clips are 0.5-1.5Ohm - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: lordvader88
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 03:29:49 am
content: I bought 20 or so wires w/ alligator clips on both ends and they all pretty much measure 0.5-1.5 ohm. They are about 20-22 gauge stranded copper wire I think.They are not soldered. So that must be just weak connections right....and therefore I should solder the clips....rather than post about it. But it's annoying when the com probe is 100s of mV below PCB gnd.

author: tsman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 04:00:23 am
content: Your resistance measurement is slightly high as I expect it to be under 1 ohm but cheapo croc clip leads are just like that. I expect the conductor in the lead is actually thinner than 20AWG and together with not great crimping is the cause for it.Soldering the crimp on a croc clip lead is not a great idea though. The solder will wick up the wire and cause a weak point there. As you'll most likely be moving the leads around a lot, you'll end up with a break.Old thread about them.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 04:45:33 am
content: I used to use those cheap alligator clips, but they are crap. The conductor in the wire is just folded back on itself then the alligator clip is squished down. Makes a terrible connection.Now I just get my own alligator clips (I found some good quality gold plated ones here in Japan) and I make my own leads with silicon wire from ebay.

author: viperidae
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 06:33:21 am
content: The wire could be steel or aluminium

author: ArthurDent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 12:32:27 pm
content: TERRA Operative is correct. I bought some of those cheap leads and found that a couple of the leads went open circuit and the rest read high for resistance. If I pulled on the two ends, the wire came right out because it was poorly crimped with the wire folded back over the insulation. I also found that the plastic insulating boot was so stiff that it was almost impossible to open the clips. I just tossed those jumpers out and bought some grabber hook type jumpers that had soldered ends.

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 12:57:45 pm
content: For those of us in Japan, these are the alligator clips I use:http://www.teishin-bel.co.jp/mokuji_kurippu/clup.pdfPart numbers C-103-5 and C-101-5

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 06:44:10 pm
content: There are decent clips available in the US as well:https://muellerelectric.com/product-category/alligator-clips-insulators/Pomona Test Lead wiire:https://www.amazon.com/Pomona-6733-0-Silicone-Insulation-Temperature/dp/B000ODU7HOThis may be a little over the top and other wire may work just as well:https://www.jameco.com/z/JMS822-01G-18-AWG-6-Color-Stranded-Tinned-Copper-Hook-Up-Wire-Assortment-25-Feet_2206281.htmlEven when crap is cheap, it's still crap.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 06:49:51 pm
content: I had the same experience with cheap clip leads, I burned out several of them and had others fail mechanically. Eventually I ended up buying some 18 awg silicone wire from HobbyKing and got some high quality clips and made my own, they've held up great.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 11:19:12 pm
content: Quote from: TERRA Operative on July 15, 2018, 12:57:45 pmI tried to buy Teishin Electric Co. jumpers to replace the ones I have from 30 years ago. They are worth it.But I can't find Japanese sellers to North America. It would cost $60 alone for DHL from Japan.chinese ones are crap, they all need to be soldered and the plastic gets hard after a year. I hate their jumpers

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 15, 2018, 11:53:15 pm
content: Found a cheap solution for AWG18 jumpers..chop 6ft PC power cords, then scratch and split outer vinyl with a razor blade.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2018, 12:59:06 am
content: Well that's one option if you have a bunch of free power cords, though I do like the silicone wire better. It's smaller (thinner insulation) and more flexible, and you can get it in a rainbow of colors for not much money. Anywhere that sells stuff for RC models will have it.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2018, 11:00:23 am
content: Quote from: rstofer on July 15, 2018, 06:44:10 pmThose Mueller clips are great I have a bunch of them that are years old, they're going strong and they're easily available here in the UK at a decent price.