Generic probe "hook clip" adapters. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 09:02:34 am
content: I've been looking for these for ages. I've bought two different types and both turned out to be for making your own leads soldering them.I am looking for the type which you push your existing probe into the back of and it adds a hook. A little bit like scope probes.I'm willing to go to a new set of probes if they supprt that functionality, with a sensible budget <£30.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 03:13:13 pm
content: Like these?https://probemaster.com/8000-series-kits/Well within your budget and they are very nice probes.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 03:20:22 pm
content: If you're talking about for a multimeter, it's pretty easy to find versions thatreplacethe usual probes instead of slipping over the probe tips. Search for "4mm Banana Plug to Test Hook Clips" or similar. A set on Amazon US:-Goupchn 2PCS 4mm Banana Plug to Test Hook Clips Test Leads Copper Soft Cable Wires for Multimeter Electrical Testing 500V 5AAnd here's a set that does slip over the tips of the usual probes:-25cm Silicone Leads w/ SMD Mini Grabber Hook & 2mm Probe Tip Socket (Red+Black)That variety are a little more difficult to find for some reason, but they are often in the cheap sets of multimeter probe kits on Amazon that have a variety of of different adapters along with the usual multimeter probes.Quote from: paulca on April 07, 2023, 09:02:34 amProbemaster sells a version that screws onto the threads on their probe tips.Separately(if you already have probemaster leads) or in akit with the leads.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 03:23:09 pm
content: I don't like the weight of a whole multimeter probe hanging off mini or micro grabber/hook test probes. However, as I don't have a multi-channel bench DMM, I don't want dedicated full length test leads with hook/grabber ends as swapping leads just to check some non-grabbable test point is a PITA, and storage space in the DMM case is usually at a premium by the time I've thrown in some alligator clip adaptors.Make up short (3") test lead extensions with *whatever* test hook/clip at the business end and 'Molex' contacts*for the meter probes, with enough layers of heatshrink bonded with a drop of runny superglue as you shrink them in place to form a shell to fit the ends of your probes. Prevent any risk of the glue sticking to the meter probe with a thin smear of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) over the probe tip and nose of its body.* The contacts from a Molex style (5 1/4") PC disk drive power connector fit most meter probe tips.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 03:34:41 pm
content: Quote from: paulca on April 07, 2023, 09:02:34 amYou mean like Pomona 4826 or Hirschmann KLEPS 2 BU?https://www.pomonaelectronics.com/products/test-clips/minigrabber-test-clip-pin-tip-jack-availible-black-or-redhttps://www.sks-kontakt.de/en/test-measurement/products/product?nr=9735011With that said, I have never understood why anyone would prefer doodads that slip onto their probes, because then you have the whole probe dangling off your part. I far, far prefer dedicated micrograbber-to-banana leads.The Keysight U1163A solve this by being little cables, but they’re absurdly priced at around $70. You can buy (or make) a lot of dedicated minigrabber leads for that…

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 03:43:40 pm
content: Multimeter probe tips are not a universal standard, especially the plastic adjacent to the tip. I would look for grabbers made by the same company as the probes.Quote from: Ian.M on April 07, 2023, 03:23:09 pmIf I'm swapping to grabber a lot, then I prefer a set with modular banana leads that I can plug either probes or grabbers in, like theProbemaster 8000 seriesor similar Pomona or Hirschmann parts (I like the Hirschmann spring loaded probes more than the competition). For me leads with fixed probes, with a grabber adapter, just get too heavy and bulky to be usable. Having clips stay attached is enough of a struggle without having a heavy, long probe hanging off of them.If I'm using mostly grabbers with the occasional probing, than theParrot Clipsare a decent compromise for me. Pretty strong and light grabbers that can grab to most through-hole components (though useless for SMT), and a tip that is sharp enough for not too fine-pitched probing: DIP and discretes are fine, I wouldn't try SOIC or anything finer.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 03:52:45 pm
content: something like this ?https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000068702381.html

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 04:04:11 pm
content: Those look like they will do nicely.That said, these are 2 sets for the same price. Taking on board the points about probe weight.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32908600661.html

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 04:22:29 pm
content: Quote from: paulca on April 07, 2023, 04:04:11 pmAmple experience on the forums says that cheap hooks and cheap banana plugs end up sucking big time. Don’t waste your money on junk, buy proper ones and they’ll last you forever.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 04:23:35 pm
content: these are not the same, you don't plug them at the end of your existing probes.but yes it does the same job in the end...the probes I linked are smaller too.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 07:12:19 pm
content: Quote from: alm on April 07, 2023, 03:43:40 pmWhich is why, when describing making my DIY probe extensions I said:Quote from: Ian.M on April 07, 2023, 03:23:09 pmRed emphasis addedI don't like the cheap 2mm socket probe extensions because the cables are generally too long and they usually leave exposed metal where the probe plugs into them.