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Test Leads, Alligator Clips

Dear Reader,

We’re working on sourcing all the bits and bobs that go around the Mooshimeter.  Eric posted about the case samples earlier.  Test lead samples have also come in.  These are CATIII 1000V 20A rated.  The insulation is PVC and quite soft.  The build quality is solid and the strain relief on the cables feels good.  The spring contacts in the banana plugs also feel very solid.

We also sampled some alligator clips that slide over the ends.  I’ve been using them regularly since they came in and am very happy with them.  I was initially worried that a slide-on alligator clip might be a safety hazard, since tugging on the leads might cause the probe to slide out of the clip.  But if you’re applying enough tension to the leads to slide out the probe, you’re applying enough that you shouldn’t be using an alligator clip anyway!

These clips are CATIII 1000V 10A rated.

There is a slight problem with these leads though.  They are just a little too long to completely fit inside of the cases.

It seems we’ve rediscovered what everyone already knew about crowdfunding stretch goals – no matter how simple and turnkey you try to make them, they will demand more time than you expect.  This is one of those problems that’s right on the edge of being worth fixing.  It doesn’t interfere with core functionality, but it just doesn’t look or feel quite right.  Fixing the issue involves some back-and-forth with several vendors, so stay tuned.  If push comes to shove though, we’ll ship as-is, we won’t let this sort of issue drive the schedule.

UPDATE:

I contacted our case manufacturer and they were flexible.  They will make the cases slightly longer.  The leads will fit completely inside the cases on the shipped product.  Hurray!

 

13 Responses to “Test Leads, Alligator Clips”

  1. Vince June 8, 2014 at 12:16 pm #

    I have to disagree here! Please consider a larger case that fits the test leads, or source shorter test leads. It is definitely a problem worth fixing. Otherwise I will have to ditch the case anyway and provide my own, which definitely detracts from the whole experience of the product.

    • James June 8, 2014 at 3:06 pm #

      Our case manufacturer was flexible and it won’t be an issue :-)

  2. Ivan June 8, 2014 at 2:15 pm #

    I can’t see how big the leads are, but I would vote for leads about pencil size. I think mini leads would be a less convenient to handle. Usable, ok, but just not it, if you have to hold it just with your fingers and can’t let it rest in your hand.
    If keeping the case meant having weird or worse leads, I would be all for just ditching the case and wouldn’t mind if you just ship in a cotton pouch, cardboard box or nothing at all. Or just ship as is and those who want to can get shorter leads.

    • James June 8, 2014 at 3:08 pm #

      The leads are full-size multimeter leads, I don’t have the dimensions right in front of me but they’re a little bigger than pencil sized with a nice finger guard.

  3. KarolNi June 9, 2014 at 1:19 pm #

    As I remember kit would contain 3 test leads. How about 3 different colors – black, red, some other – orange or blue? Is your supplier capable of that? That would be awesome.

    • James June 13, 2014 at 11:51 am #

      Unfortunately the probe manufacturer only makes red and black. The meters will ship with two red leads, one black lead.

  4. Armando June 13, 2014 at 11:41 am #

    About such kind of alligator clips. I had the chance to use exactly the same set (equipping my oscilloscope) and unfortunately I have to report very short life!.
    The problem is not in the very solid jaws, but in the cylindrical female plug ( under the insulation funnel).
    This feature became quickly very lose making the clips easy to unfasten during the use!
    I know that’s looks like minor issue… but very annoying in the dayly use!!!
    Saluti dall’Italia

    • James June 13, 2014 at 2:20 pm #

      Hi Armando,

      Thanks for sharing your concern. Could you possibly post or email a link to the exact kind of leads and clips you bought? I tested these leads pretty thoroughly and found them to be satisfactory. These leads and clips are already on order, but we take your concern seriously and want your feedback. It could influence further purchasing decisions.

      Howdy from ‘murica
      James

  5. Armando June 13, 2014 at 4:44 pm #

    Hi James,
    I shot a couple of pics… I am sending you a mail!

    • James June 16, 2014 at 5:10 pm #

      Good news! Upon exchanging pictures Armando and I discovered that we were not talking about the same model of probes and clips.

  6. David Cox September 8, 2014 at 4:04 pm #

    Hi guys love your product concept. I am in Australia and was wondering if I pre ordered today
    what is the delivery time for the product to arrive given that our end postal is not within your
    control.

    • Eric VanWyk September 9, 2014 at 11:44 am #

      We are still on track for devices leaving our hands in October. They will be shipped from California. Unfortunately, I do not have good estimates for how long it will take local post in Australia.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Test Leads and Carrying Cases | Mooshim Engineering - August 29, 2014

    […] our last post about the cases we remarked that the test leads did not quite fit the stock cases from the manufacturer.  Our […]

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