The Automotive Blog

Current Drain Tester – Battery Diagnostics

aide automotive MOT & Car Garage Workshop Equipment

The Current Drain Tester has been specifically designed to assist a technician with a Battery Parasitic Current Drain test. The purpose of the test is to assess and analyse the level of parasitic current drain from a vehicles’ battery during its shutdown and sleep periods. The Vehicle Battery Current Drain Tester is manufactured in the UK using quality IEC61010 components and offers durable performance for the vehicle workshop environment.

A test box that has mounted banana plugs and sockets enabling you to make quick, reliable and repeatable connections to a multimeter, oscilloscope and test leads. The box also contains a fast acting 15A 600V ‘meter saver’ fuse for continual protection of your test instrument and a switchable 15A automotive link fuse enabling a quick check on first connection and the ability to disconnect your instrument without disturbing the vehicles’ electrical system.

Included
A set of 1m black and red banana plug leads (longer lengths available).
A set of black and a red 36A 1000V large jaw crocodile clips.

So why & How….

Analysing the status of a vehicles’ battery is a common procedure to assess the engine start-up function and also determine the working health of the charging system. Battery diagnostics enables accurate fault finding and helps identify a potential component failure (e.g starter motor or alternator). If the engine start-up and charging system are tested and both deemed fully functional, yet the engine start-up issues continue then investigation into battery Parasitic Current Drain is the next step.

Parasitic Current Drain can be defined as any electrical device that draws electric current when the ignition key is turned off. As technology installed in new vehicles continues to develop, the demand on power required from the vehicles battery also increases. The understanding and diagnosis of Parasitic Current Drain is a basic task that can be made overly difficult with the use of insufficient or poor test equipment. Vehicle technology is likely to continue to advance and the Current Drain Tester Kit will ensure technicians are able to perform Parasitic Current Drain tests across all vehicles with improved speed and accuracy.

Voltage drop values are commonly measured with an Automotive Digital Multimeter and Parasitic Current Drain is commonly monitored on an Oscilloscope. A Low Amp Current Clamp can monitor the various stages of the vehicle shutdown period, where all on-board computers carry out functions that ensure working-operation of the vehicle when the driver returns.

Parasitic Current Drain testing relies on capturing current readings whilst accurately simulating the designated working environment of the vehicle.

Benefits Of The Current Drain Tester Kit

Link fuse offers testing versatility – Quickly and safely take a reading with added protection from a large current. Offers the capability to remove the test instrument by switching IN the 15A fuse and perform other multimeter tasks without the risk of disturbing the vehicles’ battery connection or inadvertently waking up the vehicles’ system as it performs the system shutdown.

Provides a reliable method of testing – Better alternative to the ineffective traditional troubleshooting method of circuit fuse removal testing. This type of intrusive testing could increase parasitic drain as disconnecting a memory supply (fuse) and reconnecting will wake the on-board computer, distorting any readings you may have captured.
Inline fast acting fuse to protect the Multimeter or Oscilloscope being used for test.

Uses IEC-610101 certified components and housed in a non-conductive sealed box for technician safety.

Contact aide automotive to purchase  – 0115 8456471

12 Volt Car Current Drain Tester – Battery Diagnostics

Purchase A Hybrid / Electric Car Multimeter For Automotive Diagnostics

aide automotive have now introduced the Hybrid Multimeter as a single purchase item.

The Hybrid / Electric Car Amprobe is a CAT III safety rated, auto ranging digital multimeter designed for automotive diagnostics and electrical troubleshooting. Whether your shop services automotive, fleet, motorcycle, marine or small engine, the Amprobe 37XR-A has the capability to keep up with your business.

Hybrid electric vehicles have high-voltage components. Use this tool on hybrid vehicles only if:

You are trained in high-voltage electrical system repair on hybrid electric vehicles.

You have read and follow the OEM manufacturers approved hybrid electric vehicle service procedures due to the high voltages in hybrid vehicles

You are using the CAT III / 1000V rated leads included with this kit.

You are wearing proper protective gear, including Class 0 Type 1 electric service gloves that are free from defects/faults and that meet ASTM D120 standards and protect up to 1000 Volts AC / 1500 Volts DC.

As well as the Amprobe Hybrid Multimeter, aide automotive offer a complete Health & Safety Tool Kit for the complete requirement to maintain Hybrid Electric Vehicles.

This Hybrid & Electric CAT III & II Multimeter costs just £114.95 + vat

Contact aide automotive to review or purchase your Hybrid Vehicle Diagnostic Tools today! Call 0115 8456471

Hybrid Or Electric Car Safe to Service Tool Kit

As electronic systems become a given on commercial vehicles, and modern trucks become far more sophisticated so does the development of diagnostic tools for trucks. These new diagnostic tools need to be capable of reliable inspection and troubleshooting for trucks.

The ECUs which manage the engine, transmission, braking systems, safety and security systems, are computers that are connected to external peripherals, sensors and actuators. Safe and reliable ECU operation is ensured by effective communication to and from these peripherals.

Vehicle systems and dash information systems are designed to warn the driver of possible problems with any of the ECU monitored systems.

aide automotive offer state of the art diagnostic equipment which enables the easy interaction with these sophisticated systems that exist in every vehicle today. So whatever the make and model of your truck or van, we have the diagnostic tool to diagnose the problem.

Examples of when diagnostic equipment is required on vehicles:

• ABS/EBS systems
• Diesel/engine management
•  Electronic clutch calibration
• Immobiliser
• Engine adjustments
• Body/cab systems
• Dash and instruments
• Air conditioning & climate control
• Auto gearbox
• Safety restraint systems (SRS) and airbags
• Error deletion stored in ECU and service interval reset

aide automotive offers a PC based diagnostic kit, with diagnostic software for installation on either a personal or supplied PC, all truck and trailer cables are supplied in a protective case. aide automotive also offer a cost reduction by offering individual cables rather than the full kit, e.g. if your fleet only have DAF trucks then the DAF cable can be supplied singularly, this could save the user around 800 pounds from the full cable kit!

Like any diagnostic tool software updates are critical in communicating with latest trucks and trailer systems, the aide automotive Truck Diagnostic Kit is supplied with an annual update and an annual subscription.

aide automotive’s Truck Diagnostic Kit is ideal for in house workshops and commercial repairers to apply a diagnostic test and service to most trucks and trailers, cost effective against well known Texa systems, finance can be offered on purchasing the equipment to show a simple equation on a money return business service.

Contact aide automotive if you require an on site demonstration.

Just Car Clinics the nationwide car boby shop repairer with over 20 sites has recently invested in the Launch X431.

Supplied by official distributor aide automotive ltd, Matthew Burke stated “Just Car Clinics recently purchased their first diagnostic tool for the Sheffield branch, with an increase in boby repairs due to the icing conditions at the start of the year they also saw a need to clear and reset engine codes in house, with this a reported £3000 was saved by not out sourcing diagnostic work. Since Sheffields purchase further tools have been supplied to Mansfield, Nottingham and Hinckley.”

The X431 covers a large range of vehicle manufacturers around the world, making the X431 an essential tool for the independent automotive expert. The X431 tool package will allow your business to expand by providing ready diagnosis of all types of manufactures, including Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, and many more! All in all, the X431 coverage spans over 37 manufacturers and 148 vehicle systems.

The Launch X431 Is the Ideal Diagnostic Tool for any Car Workshop

Diagnostic tools are now a must for any commercial vehicle operator or repairer. Break-downs are an extremely costly exercise for operators in terms of time, call outs and delayed customer deliveries. In the current economic climate a truck diagnostic tool can only save a company money as it wastes no time in identifiying the problem. These devices immediately home in on the problem allowing immediate action to be taken. Why outsource repairs such as dash board warning light clearing and ECU code clearing from expensive dealers or expert diagnostic repairers when for a small investment this can be covered in house.

The Launch X-431 Vehicle Diagnostic tool is already the best selling scan tool in the world and rapidly becoming the tool of choice for all workshops

aide automotive has range of automotive products

Launch X431

Just Car Clinics needed a  diagnostic tool for their garage so they purchased the Launch X431 from aide automotive.  They couldn’t be more happy with what diagnostics has done for their business. Mick Green from Just Car Clinics said

We purchased a diagnostic tool on 7th January 2010. It has been a real money spinner and should have paid for itself by the end of March. Purchase price £2500. We have charged £2142 a month for two months, giving a gross profit of £1792

The Launch X-431  has a blend of features and benefits it provides is simply un-matched at the price. The Launch X-431 is already the best selling scan tool in the world and rapidly becoming the tool of choice for all workshops

aide automotive has a range of automotive products

One of aide automotive’s clients is more than impressed with the ABS/EBS Sensor Master, an effective diagnostic tool.

After wasting far too much time attempting to locate a fault in one of it’s trucks, they purchased the SensorMaster. After attempting to use other diagnostic tools they just couldn’t find the fault but once they tried the ABS/EBS Sensor Master the fault was located immediately, meaning the problem could be rectified leading to no more vehicle downtime!

Felix Doherty from the Donegal company describes the ABS/EBS Sensor Master as “A very impressive piece of kit and very impressive service after aide automotive pulled out all the stops to make sure it was delivered the next day.”

The ABS Sensor Master is a simple and effective device that checks each EBS/ABS sensor is working effectively. The ideal tool for a varierty of people, from an apprentice to a time served fitter, or a busy workshop. Rapidly locating and clearing the fault can save time and money, rather than calling in a dealer or diagnostic expert.

Click

ABS/EBS Sensor Master for more details

Heavy vans have the worst MoT pass rate of any vehicle type seen on UK roads, so commercial vehicle workshops could get new business if they aim their direct marketing at van users, according to the Retail Motor Industry Federation. 

Data from the UK’s Vehicle and Operator Services Agency show vans between 3.0 and 3.5 tonnes had failure rate 44.7%, the worst of any vehicle in the year 2007-2008. 

Stephen Coles, head of the RMIF’s MoT technical operations says that high failure rate clearly shows a lack of maintenance.  “Owners may not realise that prevention could be cheaper than cure in the long run.  This means that with correctly targeted marketing, commercial vehicle repairers could generate new business.”

aide automotive offer workshop test tools for commercial garages, BrakeCheck, ABS Sesnsor Tester, Midtronics Battery Testers and diagnostics tools are mention a few.

To improve commercial vehilce maintenance any of the above products would be of value to a commercial workshop stated Matthew Burke Sales Director of aide automotive ltd.

New product from aide automotive is the TrailerCheck II. The next generation in trailer diagnositics that tests lighting and ISO circuits. Check out www.aideautomotive.com for more details.

The Launch X431 scanner is one of the Most Comprehensive Diagnostic tool in the automotive diagnostic market, providing the best software updates very close to dealer OEM quality, diagnostics for the garage workshop in one affordable unit.

Best of all, the X-431’s vehicle coverage continues to grow, with simple internet-ready updates accessible to you at the click of a button. Unlike other tools and diagnostic equipment, the X-431 is an investment that actually increases in value as time goes by. The LAUNCH X431 internet database features newly added diagnostic interfaces and car models on an almost weekly basis- making this rapidly expanding technology an essential investment for the professional auto technician.

More than just reading & clearing fault codes – goes far beyond Accesses
The complete vehicle, including: drive, chassis, body, and the Data bus networking communication modules
Live data and graphing performs actuations and adaptations, key programming, body module configurations
Technical Support and Training

Matthew Burke Sales Director of aide automotive ltd states “A diagnostic tool is a must for the modern day garage, without a diagnostic tool repairs will be outsourced more and more leaving your fitters and garage redundant, diagnostic is the future of repairing and once trained is not difficult to use and understand. What was once considered a luxury tool is now a necessity to run a productive business.”