Test Leads and Kits for the Automotive Market

Blog3_16In 1980 E-Z-Hook entered the automotive sector with our XJL insulation macro-hook connected to a lead with a standard alligator connector on the other side. This product 619XJL was offered in a black and red set of 18″, 36″ , and 60″ standard lead lengths. Today, 36 years later, this product can still be found in most automotive jobber trucks (think Matco, Snap-On, MacTool, etc). We have sold thousands of this product, which single handedly helped us enter the automotive after market for repair and testing.

Today the 619XJL remains a staple, and one of our most popular automotive leads. Variations of this test lead set include a straight banana plug connector or a shrouded right angle connector. All of these products work with most standard Digital Multi-Meters. For environments that require a higher heat resistance and more durability than our standard PVC wire provides, we do offer all test leads with silicone wire if requested.

In the early 90’s we introduced our XEL piercing hook into the automotive market. This narrower hook has an angled front to navigate through wire bundles, as well as a v-shaped design for grabbing and centering the wire or cable prior to piercing. It was introduced as an alternative lead set combination to the XJL options. In addition we designed it to be available without a factory installed lead. This XEL version offers a shrouded banana socket on either handle side, allowing easy flexibility to use with any standard banana plug lead. Much like our XJL versions, the XEL has become a popular staple in most auto repair and test mechanics tool boxes.

So, what next? As we spoke to distributors and automotive jobbers we realized that the automotive repair and test aftermarket really lacked in the “accessory” area. For most equipment companies the test leads and components were an after thought – and often not well designed or manufactured products. Automotive technicians would purchase fabulous multi-meters but the test cables supplied with these were often junk, couldn’t carry a proper signal, and needed replacement within a year. At E-Z-Hook these test leads, test cables, and connectors are our specialty. That is what we focus our manufacturing quality on so we could easily compete with great replacement products and test kits.

That is exactly what we have continued to do in these past 10+ years. Today in addition to our standard XJL and XEL test lead sets we offer various banana plug lead sets and individual leads specifically designed for automotive use. One of my personal favorites is our 9183-144BLK banana plug jumper test lead. Why do I like it – because while learning about our products for this industry I asked why in the world would we make something so long? 144 inches? 12 Feet? I was reminded that this length (the approximate length of a car) would allow a technician to be on one side and connect to something on the other. Made sense to me, and obviously to a lot of automotive test and repair technicians. Due to it’s popularity in the field we now bundle this test jumper in with many of our automotive kits. It can be purchased individually or is part of our popular 3519 and 3520 test lead sets. In addition to leads we offer various kits including our insulation piercing hooks as well as alligator clips, back probe needles and other connectors. All kits include various lead options and are offered with either our XJL or XEL piercing macro-hooks or the 8064 needle back probes which we just introduces to the market in late 2015.

Testing was never so easy. Over 35 years of PROVEN EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD.

Power Company Test Leads

A large multi-state Mid-West power company approached E-Z-Hook to see if we could manufacture custom leads using the copper blade version of our macro-hook test connectors, model XH and XHL. The leads would ultimately be used by plant technicians testing power and required a secure right angle bend on the hooks.

Included in the requirement was the ability to close the power circuit after checking that the hook connection was properly connected. We designed in a “key” concept they requested. It was built into the jumper, allowing the user to close the circuit after the connection was verified as good. Additionally we designed jumpers with a similar fused “key” for further security which was required in some test environments. In the end, E-Z-Hook created four variations of leads, some containing a 3 AMP, 250 Volt fuse.

Daisy Chain Jumper – Customised Product for a Small Order

A recent customer required special a multiple hook-up in series. While this isn’t a product listed in our standard category – we were able to put this together for our client with little delay.

E-Z-Hook designed the multiple heavy duty connector to fit the customers’ requirement in series connection.  Because it uses our standard products, simply rearranged to suit a custom environment – we can offer these customized products at great prices.

E-Z-Hook | Daisy Chain Hooks 9099-0382-Model

A multitude of various E-Z-Hook connectors can be connected in this fashion for this type of special requirement.   Look to E-Z-Hook to help solve your problems with quickly hooked up connectors!