LFS: old fashioned DMM leads - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 05:36:44 am
content: Does anyone still sell DMM leads with straight, unshrouded banana plugs? I guess retractable shrouds would be OK too.This is for use with older meters (mostly bench models) with plain banana jack or binding post inputs, that won't accept a safety banana plug, and where a right angle plug is awkward.Any leadswould be appreciated.ETA: Probemaster is too expensive. I would like to keep it under $5/set. These are just starter probes for meters I am giving away to students.ETA: I've attached a photo of a set I bought years ago, that is what I would like to find.

author: neverendingstudent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 05:44:29 am
content: I make them by modifying leads surgically. I've done this a bunch of times to include modern leads with the older multimeters I've sold.Here, this is what I use:https://www.ebay.com/itm/175900185049They are pretty cheap, I buy them like 50 at a time. For this specific use case, it comes in handy that the banana shrouds are thin and flimsy, makes them easy to cut through with a box cutter.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 05:56:34 am
content: This eBay seller might have what you're looking for:https://www.ebay.com/str/kk4hxjI purchased from them before and had no issues.

author: gadzmos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 07:18:23 am
content: Quote from: edavid on September 06, 2025, 05:36:44 amProbemaster 8000 series... they have all sorts of options for the plug side including regular banana plug.https://probemaster.com/8000-series-test-leads-only/Also helps that they're fantastic leads with lots of available accessories.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 12:40:47 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on September 06, 2025, 05:36:44 amA second vote for Probemaster from me. They’re fantastic probes in their own right, but have the bonus of being available with a wide variety of meter-side plugs. I also like the 8000 series, but the same array of plugs are available in their 9100 series modular probes, as well as in test leads.Another supplier of probes with plain banana plugs is Pomona.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 02:36:21 pm
content: Quote from: neverendingstudent on September 06, 2025, 05:44:29 amI've tried this, but the resulting right angle plugs are awkward and don't work well with most vintage meters. I would really prefer straight plugs. That's a good source to know about though. Some of the ones I've modified have had rather short plugs under the shrouds, that don't grip well in a binding post.Probemaster and Pomona are too expensive. I guess I should have said that

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 02:47:40 pm
content: +1 for probemaster.com. They offer a variety of connectors including what you're looking for. Lots of great attachments too.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 06:34:59 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on September 06, 2025, 02:36:21 pmOh puh-leez…$26 is too much for top-of-the-line probes that are a joy to use??Then you should just go on aliexpress and buy some crap probes and attach plain banana plugs yourself.Or get safety banana adapters (they make these ones that have a knurled banana plug that you insert and then splay apart with a grub screw, semipermanently locking the adapter into place).

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 07:08:35 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on September 06, 2025, 05:36:44 amProbemaster makes then withretractablesheaths so that you can use them with old meter but still get most of the safety benefit of shrouded plugs. These typically work in almost any meter. If you won't spring for genuine Probemaster, you can roll your own by getting retractable sheath banana plug kits from AliExpress or whatever. I made a bunch of patch cords for power supplies and whatnot using these plus some silicone wire. I can't find an example of the exact type I used, but the stackable type that are widely available should work OK.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 07:47:51 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on September 06, 2025, 06:34:59 pmFor a meter I'm giving away... definitely. I'm just looking for starter probes so the meter is ready to use. The recipient is free to upgrade.QuoteThat's an option, but I'd prefer molded on plugs, as in the photo.QuoteI'm not sure if that will add too much length to the plug, but I'll give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 08:09:31 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on September 06, 2025, 07:47:51 pmThen just get some cheap shrouded test leads and cut the sheath off with a razor blade.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 08:14:33 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on September 06, 2025, 08:09:31 pmI explained above why I haven't been satisfied with that. Do you know of any with full length straight plugs, instead of short-ish right angle plugs?

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 08:24:11 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on September 06, 2025, 08:14:33 pmI didn't see that--are you referring to not wanting right-angle plugs? I guess maybe straight plug models are rare in the ultra-cheap class, although I've seen some that are angled but not at a right angle. But not all right-angle models are short, those short partially-shrouded ones are for the very cheapest of the cheap crap meters.

author: Traceless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 08:31:08 pm
content: Hi edavid,maybethosewill do? They are low cost and have straight banana plugs.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 08:40:30 pm
content: Quote from: Traceless on September 06, 2025, 08:31:08 pmThank you! They are not as low cost as they seem, because of shipping, but it looks like I can get them for about $5/set. I have some concerns about the plugs and probes coming unscrewed, but they are worth a try.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 10:16:16 pm
content: You might need to add some superglue to the cost.

author: UnijunctionTransistor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 10:29:08 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on September 06, 2025, 08:09:31 pmIn other words, circumcising the probes.

author: neverendingstudent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 10:52:33 pm
content: Quote from: UnijunctionTransistor on September 06, 2025, 10:29:08 pmHahahahahha! Oh thanks, that gave me a laugh!

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2025, 11:31:39 am
content: Quote from: edavid on September 06, 2025, 07:47:51 pmThey don’t add anything to the plug. They adapt thejack.For example,Stäubli A-SLK4

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2025, 01:48:23 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on September 07, 2025, 11:31:39 amThose will stick out over an inch from the face of the DMM, so they clearly will also make the leads plug stick out much further than normal.This might be an acceptable compromise on some bench instruments, but I can't imagine anyone thinking they were a good option for a handheld DMM.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2025, 02:00:08 pm
content: Quote from: Kean on September 07, 2025, 01:48:23 pmAbsolutely agreed. But since OP has stated repeatedly that they want straight plugs, not right-angle, I have a suspicion it might be a bench instrument.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2025, 05:03:36 pm
content: Quote from: Kean on September 07, 2025, 01:48:23 pmIf you have a bench DMM with recessed banana jacks that don't accept a shrouded plug then these will stick out an inch and may make sense. If you have a DMM with external combination binding posts, then the end result will be pretty ridiculous.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2025, 06:47:41 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on September 06, 2025, 05:36:44 amConsidering their high quality, and the cost of making them yourself, Probemaster's cost is reasonable. I am getting ready to buy a second set with straight plugs to move between my bench meters.If you do not want Probemaster, then I suggest making them yourself. Maybe buy a set of inexpensive probes, cut the banana plug ends off, and replace them with the banana plug of your choice.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2025, 01:31:02 am
content: ProbeMaster is expensive. Not so bad individually...but by the time you buy probes for all your meters, and your scope(s), it adds up. And they're so nice that you'll probably want to. Don't ask me how I know.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2025, 05:40:24 am
content: I have some multimeter leads from Pomona. They are not as nice as the Probemaster ones, but are almost as expensive.

author: ksjh
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2025, 03:12:25 pm
content: While browsing the web, I just came across thosehttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009525327819.htmland remembered that someone was looking for something similar to those. I have never seen them in reality, I have not tested them, I have no idea about the quality of those leads.