Alligator Leads - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mike Warren
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 10:28:04 pm
content: I've always kept a bunch of short alligator leads on my bench. They are cheap and flimsy, so they don't last all that long.A few years ago the type of plastic used in the covers was changed. This happened with both the companies I buy them from (Altronics and WES Components) at around the same time.This is the sort of thing I'm talking about:http://www.altronics.com.au/p/p0415-heavy-duty-croc-to-croc-jumper-lead-set/The problem with this new plastic is it's very slippery, and when I try to squeeze the clips to open them they will often rotate inside the cover, flipping by 90 degrees. Very annoying.Am I the only person to notice this?Does anyone know where to get some that don't do this?

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 10:31:29 pm
content: I can get a cheap as hell pack for $2 like that here, good enough for what I do and they have shitty plastic as well but it works alright. I think you need to pay a bit more for quality ones.

author: Mike Warren
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 10:37:37 pm
content: That's what I want to know; where to get the better ones. Often, price is no guarantee. I'd hate to pay 5 times the price and end up with the same thing.

author: electr_peter
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 10:56:23 pm
content: Quote from: Mike Warren on February 18, 2015, 10:28:04 pmCheck resistance of such leads. I measured ~0.9 Ohms per lead because of very few strands inside. Definitely not useful for any significant currents.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 11:00:07 pm
content: Quote from: electr_peter on February 18, 2015, 10:56:23 pmHeh, I bought some cheap ones because I was burning out some more expensive (though still pretty cheap compared to some) alligator leads. These get burnt out and I can just toss em.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 11:04:19 pm
content: I bought banana to banana leads and crock clips to suit needs.

author: cosmicray
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 11:07:30 pm
content: Quote from: Mike Warren on February 18, 2015, 10:28:04 pmIt's the vinyl (or whatever they use). I have a pile of those clips that I purchased without wires. A few I have assembled into jumper cables. I see the same thing. It may also be the size of the boot compared to the clip inside. Too much play could be causing the rotation.

author: Mike Warren
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 11:09:00 pm
content: Quote from: electr_peter on February 18, 2015, 10:56:23 pmGrabbed 3 at random. 0.017, 0.163, 0.022. It's just common sense not to pull too much current though them. I make my own leads for any higher current work.In over 30 years I've never burnt one out.

author: Mike Warren
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 11:25:03 pm
content: Quote from: cosmicray on February 18, 2015, 11:07:30 pmI expect it's a combination of the size and slipperiness.

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 12:56:22 am
content: I use the altronics ones and agree they are too slippery, I remove the standard plastic and replace it with heatshrinkThe jaws are still easy to open and the heatshrink doesn't slip off or rotate around the clip

author: DeanA
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 05:57:40 am
content: Same problem with some of the Jaycar ones, slippery little buggers, I hate them.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 08:26:15 am
content: EEVblog community kickstarter project: alligator leads you don't immediately replace the wire on as soon as they come in the mail.EDIT: HV wire from CRT's is particularly nice quality and lasts me well - especially if it's multiple layer insulation.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 09:20:45 am
content: A lot of those bulk clip leads are crimped, I have a few sets that I have soldered, reduces R a lot.

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 10:47:47 am
content: Those crocodile clips just plain SUCK.These are my favorite for banana connectors:http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/crocodile-clips/0446973/the cheaper chinese copy is also reasonable good, mostly I am using these due to price difference.http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-Full-Insulated-Alligator-Clip-to-4mm-Banana-Female-Test-Adapter-Red-Black-/190910844854?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123For loose wires I use mostly E-Z-hook mini:http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/X100WBLK/461-1013-ND/528234

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 11:40:08 am
content: I got sick of smoking the E-bay ones, and the Altronics ones do suck. Now I just make my own. Good quality wire, acceptable clips (Altronics) and properly crimped then soldered.Same with banana leads. I make them and therefore I know what's in them and what I can use them for without setting fire to them.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 11:09:50 am
content: Banana leads do seem much more tolerant to wear over the years, but i would like to know what people do with there leads to prevent the clips fraying off 6 months down the track, i'm guessing using a thicker wire with silicon type insulation might do the trick?

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 12:02:35 pm
content: I hope this doesn't sound too spammy but test leads and accessories are the specialty of my eBay store and here's one of the videos where Martin had a look at some of the stuff I sent him, including the kind of alligator leads being discussed in this thread:http://youtu.be/dzyNSxTTSRw?t=8m55sThe links should automatically send you the the correct time of the video where he starts talking about my test leads, which is at about 8:55.My eBay shop is closed for now though (will open tomorrow) as the post office is closed here for the Chinese New Year holiday and I won't be able to ship anything until Monday.

author: Mike Warren
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 08:28:25 pm
content: They look like they might be worth a try. Do they suffer from the slipperiness problem I mentioned in my first post.

author: wagon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2015, 01:21:07 am
content: I bought a bunch of leads from Element14 recently. They have fairly thick wire and are soldered, plus the price was OK.http://au.element14.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=15001&langId=43&urlRequestType=Base&partNumber=1698763&storeId=10184http://au.element14.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=15001&langId=43&urlRequestType=Base&partNumber=2103705&storeId=10184I've bought various other leads from Jaycar, WES, etc. and they are generally crimped with very thin wire. Sometimes I make my own leads, but it's hardly worth it unless I need one of a specific length or something.

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2015, 05:54:54 am
content: Quote from: Mike Warren on February 20, 2015, 08:28:25 pmThey have the same kind of housing as the common ones so may suffer from the same slipperiness issue. I personally don't notice it much though. The main differences between the ones I have in my shop and the common ones are the actual connectors (copper vs nickel/brass), soldered joints, and the wire (18/16AWG silicone wire vs really thin PVC wire with only a few strands of conductors).

author: Mike Warren
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2015, 09:44:34 pm
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on February 21, 2015, 09:24:04 amMy most common use is connecting to multi-pin recessed connectors and automotive equipment. I can clip several on and slide the shroud down to make sure they don't short.That one, although it looks nice, wouldn't fit.I'm placing an order with E14 on Monday, so I'll grab one set of those. If they are no better I'll try Franky's. I just ordered a couple of other leads from Franky.

author: wagon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2015, 11:16:07 pm
content: Quote from: Mike Warren on February 21, 2015, 09:44:34 pmThe bigger leads only come as a bag of 5, so double-check your quantities.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2015, 08:43:49 am
content: Yep, slippery and cheap and nasty mechanical design. Also found on the ground leads on those cheapo Chinese Tektronix knock-off oscilloscope leads found on eBay. Actually the CRO leads are pretty good. The earth leads let the rest down. Greasy, twisty and the jaws don't meet.Rockby here used to sell HCK brand. They were the best test leads and clips money could buy. Expensive, but damn good.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2015, 12:47:44 pm
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on February 21, 2015, 09:24:04 amLooks good. Where can they be bought from?

author: 6sigma
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 22, 2015, 05:22:34 pm
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on February 21, 2015, 09:24:04 amSource for those leads? Source for those bins/drawers in the background of the photo?

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 02:51:57 pm
content: I just got some of the "slippy" leads off Ebay. I noticed that the only ones that were very slippery were red and white. Must be the color pigment?Anyway, to fix the slippy ones, simply file the top and the bottom of the alligator clip metal so it's rough. Since I redo them all anyway because they do not come soldered, it's simply part of the process. Worked like a charm.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 10:15:56 pm
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on February 23, 2015, 10:02:50 amI was going to mention those exact ones! I picked mine up in Akihabara too. I certainly prefer them to the crappy old ones that I seem to have accumulated dozens and dozens of.Another thing I picked up recently from Maplin of all places were these:http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/4mm-test-cable-kit-fk21xI am sure you can find these elsewhere, and probably much cheaper Just make sure that if you buy from a store all the bits are in there, I had a couple of packs with missing bits.Back to croc clips, stackable ones would be nice, not sure how this could be achieved mechanically and logistically. Also, as has been mentioned earlier, these cables generally do suffer from bad conductivity as it is.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 10:51:00 pm
content: I've been very dissatisfied with the Maplin FK21X 4mm test lead sets in the past. The wire often broke inside the overmoulded strain relief where the solder had wicked up it. They are also only suitable for SELV voltages as a small area of bare metal is exposed where the probe or clip screws into the wire teminal. Hopefully they've improved them, but the photo looks identical to the three sets I scrapped.