Power Probe Tek Power Probe III S User manual

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the NEW Power Probe IIIS (PP3S). The PP3S is our most revolutionary
circuit tester to date. The PP3S literally speeds you through the diagnosing of 12 to 24 volt auto-
motive electrical systems. After connecting the PP3S’s clips to the vehicle’s battery, the automo-
tive technician can determine at a glance, the voltage level and the polarity of a circuit with out
running for a voltmeter or reconnecting hook-up clips from one battery pole to the other. The power
switch allows the automotive technician to conduct a positive or negative battery current to the tip
for activating and testing the function of electrical components without wasting time with jumper
leads. And yes, the PP3S is short circuit protected. It tests for bad ground contacts instantly with-
out performing voltage drop tests. It allows you to follow and locate short circuits without wasting
precious fuses. The Power Probe can also test for continuity with the assistance of its auxiliary
without running to the battery as you would otherwise have to do with simple test lights. The PP3S’s
20ft (extendable) cable allows you to test along the entire length of the vehicle without constantly
searching for ground hook-ups. The Power Probe IIIS Conforms to UL STD. 61010-1, 61010-2-030
and 61010-031; Certified to CSA STD. C22.2 NO. 61010-1, 61010-2-030 and61010-031. Do not
usethe equipment for measurements on CAT II, CAT III & CAT IV. An absolutemust for every automotive
technician looking for a fast and accurate solution to electrical systems diagnostics.
Before using the Power Probe IIIS please read the instruction booklet carefully.
Warning! When the PP3S rocker switch is depressed battery current/voltage is conducted directly
to the tip which may cause sparks when contacting ground or certain circuits. Therefore the Power
energized Power Probe could ignite these vapors. Use the same caution as you would when using
an arc welder. Product is not water resistant, please avoid water contact during operation.
If the test leads need to be replaced, you must use a new one which should meet EN 61010-031
standard.
The Power Probe IIIS and the ECT 3000 are NOT to be used with 110/220-volt HOME electrical, it
is only for use with 12-24-volt systems.
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If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection
provided by the equipment may be impaired.

Table of Contents
Hook-up and quick self-test ........................................................................................................... 3
Turning the Audio Tone On & Off ..................................................................................................... 3
Circuit Breaker .............................................................................................................................. 4
Voltage & Polarity testing ............................................................................................................... 5
Continuity testing .......................................................................................................................... 5
Activating components out of vehicle’s electrical system ................................................................ 6
Testing trailer lights and connections.............................................................................................. 7
Activating electrical components in the Vehicle .............................................................................. 8
Activating electrical components with Ground ................................................................................ 9
Checking for bad ground contacts ................................................................................................ 10
Following & Locating Short Circuits .............................................................................................. 10
Red/Green Indicator & Audio Tone ............................................................................................... 10
FlipScreenFunction......................................................................................................................10
Modes 1, 2, 3 .............................................................................................................................. 11
Modes 4, 5, Chart ........................................................................................................................ 12
Specications ............................................................................................................................. 13
Replacement Parts ..................................................................................................................... 14
Power Probe warranty ..................................................................................................... Back Cover
IMPORTANT TIP: When powering-up components, you can increase the life of your Power Probe
switch if you rst press the switch, then contact the tip to the component. The arcing will take place
at the tip instead of the contacts of the switch.
2

Hook-Up
Quick Self-Test
Turning The Audio Tone On/Off
Unroll the Power Probe cable. Connect the RED battery hook-up clip to the POSITIVE terminal of the
vehicle’s battery. Connect the BLACK battery hook-up clip to the NEGATIVE terminal of the vehicle’s bat-
tery. When the PP3S is rst connected to a battery (power source), it will sound a quick start up tone and
then go into Voltmeter Mode (See Mode #1 on page 10) and the 2 bright white LEDs (dual headlights)
will be on to illuminate the test area of the probe tip.
While the PP3S is in Voltmeter Mode, press the power switch forward to activate the tip with a positive
(+) voltage. The positive sign (+) LED should light red and the LCD display will read the battery (supply)
voltage. If the tone feature is turned on, a high pitched tone will sound. Press the power switch rearward
to activate the tip with a negative (-) voltage. The negative sign (-) LED should light green and the LCD
display will read “00.0” (ground). If the tone feature is turned on, a low pitched tone will sound. The Pow-
er Probe is now ready to use. If the indicator did not light, depress the reset button of the circuit breaker
on the right side of the housing and try the self test again.
While the PP3S is in Voltmeter Mode, just do a quick press left button to toggle the tone on or off. When
pressing the left (speaker) button, if a short high beep is heard, this means the audio tone is turned on.
If a short low beep is heard, the audio tone is turned off.
3
Probe Tip
Dual LED
Headlights
Red/Green
Polarity
Indicators
Circuit
Breaker
Reset
Speaker
LCD Display/
Voltmeter
Left Button
(Speaker / Scroll
Menu / Min Max
Reset)
Right Button
(Menu)
Power and Ground
Rocker Switch

Circuit Breaker
Voltage & Polarity Testing
In Voltmeter Mode (Mode #1) with the circuit breaker tripped, the display will show “Circuit Breaker
Tripped”(see page 11-12 for detail) All other functions of the PP3S are still active. This means that you
can still probe a circuit and observe the voltage reading. When the circuit breaker is tripped, the PP3S
will NOT be able to conduct battery current to the tip even when the power switch is pressed. Intention-
ally tripping the breaker and using the PP3S to probe can be considered an added precaution against
accidental pressing of the power switch.
While the PP3S is in Voltmeter Mode, contact the probe tip to a POSITIVE circuit. The red positive sign
“+” LED will light and the voltmeter displays the voltage with a resolution of 1/10th of a volt (0.1v).
If the audio feature is turned on, a high pitched tone will sound. (See RED/GREEN POLARITY INDICATOR
& AUDIO TONE on page 10) While the PP3S is in Voltmeter Mode, contact the probe tip to a NEGATIVE
circuit. The green negative sign “–” LED will light and the voltmeter displays the voltage. If the audio
feature is turned on, a low pitched tone will sound. Contacting the Power Probe tip to an OPEN circuit
will be indicated by neither of the LED indicators lighting.
While the PP3S is in Power Probe Mode. Contact the probe
tip to a NEGATIVE circuit. The green negative sign “-” LED
will light. If the audio feature is turned on, a low pitched
tone will sound.
While the PP3S is in Power Probe Mode. Contact the probe
tip to a POSITIVE circuit. The red positive sign “+” LED will
light and the voltage reading of the circuit will be indicated
on the LCD display. If the audio feature is turned on, a high
pitched tone will sound.
4

Continuity Testing
While the PP3S is in Voltmeter Mode, and by using the Power Probe tip in connection with chassis
ground or the auxiliary ground lead, continuity can be tested on wires and components attached or
disconnected from the vehicle’s electrical system.
The PP3S indicates continuity using 2 resistance levels. When the Power Probe tip has a resistance to
ground less than 20K Ohms but greater than approx. 650 Ohms the LCD will indicate “00.0” volts but
no Green “-” LED. But when the resistance to ground less than approx. 650 Ohms the LCD will indicate
“00.0” volts and also the Green “-” LED. The higher resistance continuity function is useful for checking
Spark Plug Wires, (disconnected from ignition) Solenoids and magnetic pickup coils, and the lower
resistance continuity for testing relay coils and wiring. However the best way to prove continuity of con-
nections to either Ground or Battery is to power up the connection using the Power Switch. If the Circuit
Breaker trips you know that you have a good solid low resistance connection.
5
No Continuity Continuity (less than 20k Ω
but greater than approx. 650 Ω)
Continuity (less than approx. 650 Ω)
Green

Activating Components In Your Hand
While the PP3S is in Voltmeter Mode and by using the Power Probe tip in connection with the auxiliary
ground lead, components can be activated right in your hand, thereby testing their function. Connect the
negative auxiliary clip to the negative terminal or ground side of the component being tested. Contact
the probe to the positive terminal of the component, the green negative sign “-“ LED indicator should
light GREEN indicating continuity through the component.
While keeping an eye on the green LED negative sign, quickly depress and release the power switch
forward (+). If the green negative sign “-“ LED went out and the red positive sign “+” came on, you
may proceed with further activation. If the green negative sign “-“ LED went off at that instant or
if the circuit breaker tripped, the Power Probe has been overloaded. This could happen for the following
reasons:
• The contact you are probing is a direct ground or negative voltage.
• The component you are testing is short-circuited.
• The component is a very high current component (i.e., starter motor).
If the circuit breaker is tripped, reset it by waiting for it to cool down (15 sec.) and then depressing the
reset button.
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Connect the negative
auxiliary clip
Connect the tip to the
positive terminal of the
component being tested
Press the power switch
forward to activate the
component
Activate fuel pumps,
magnetic clutches, starter
solenoids, cooling fans,
blower motors, lights, etc.

Testing Trailer Lights & Connections
1. Connect the PP3S to a good battery.
2. Clip the auxiliary ground clip to the trailer ground.
3. Probe the contacts at the jack and then apply voltage to them. This lets you check the function and
orientation of the connector and trailer lights. If the circuit breaker tripped, that contact is likely a
ground. Reset the circuit breaker by letting it cool down (15 sec.) and depressing the reset button until
in clicks into place.
7

Activating Components On Vehicle
To activate components with positive (+) voltage: Contact the probe tip to the positive terminal of the
component, the green negative sign “-” LED should light. Indicating continuity to ground. While observ-
ing the green indicator, quickly depress and release the power switch forward (+). If the green indicator
went out and the red positive sign (+) LED came on, you may proceed with further activation. If the green
indicator went off at that instant or if the circuit breaker tripped, the Power Probe has been overloaded.
This could happen for the following reasons:
• The contact is a direct ground.
• The component is short-circuited.
• The component is a high current component (i.e., starter motor).
If the circuit breaker tripped, reset it by allowing it to cool down (15 sec.) and then depress the reset
button.
Warning: Haphazardly applying voltage to certain circuits can cause damage to a vehi-
cle’s electronic components. Therefore, it is strongly advised to use the vehicle manu-
facturer’s schematic and diagnosing procedure while testing.
8
TRICK: When powering up compo-
nents, you can increase the life
of your Power Probe switch if you
rst press the switch, then contact
the tip to the component. Any
arcing will then take place at the
probe tip instead of the contacts of
the switch.

Activating Components w/Ground
Contact the probe tip to the negative terminal of the component, the LED indicator should light RED.
While observing red positive sign “+” LED, quickly depress and release the power switch rearward (-). If
the red indicator went out and the green negative sign (-) came on you may proceed with further activa-
tion. If the green indicator went off at that instant or if the circuit breaker tripped, the Power Probe has
been overloaded. This could have happened for the following reasons:
• The contact is a direct positive voltage.
• The component is short-circuited.
• The component is a very high current component (i.e., starter motor).
If the circuit breaker tripped, reset it by allowing it to cool down (15 sec.) and then depress the reset
button.
WARNING: With this function, if you are contacting a protected circuit, a vehicle’s fuse can be blown
or tripped if you apply ground to it.
9
Depress the rocker
switch rearward to
ground the horn.