I am looking for a circuit tester that simulates an amperage load on the wire or circuit under test. For instance, vehicles that I work on sometimes get small resistance in their connections such as a headlamp circuit. I would like to run current through the wire and check for voltage drops or the inability to carry the rated current. Something like a box that I could vary the settings from 5 - say 30 amps through the questionable wire depending upon the guage of the wire.
For instance, I had a situation where a power wire from the battery was feeding the vehicle computer, and the vehicle would shut off. I checked for 12v at the computer feed and it was ok. I also checked resistance of the wire and it was within specs. BUT when I applied about 15 amps through the wire back to the battery with a battery charger, I was getting a 2.0v drop from the charger to the battery post. I subsequently found a bad connection between the battery and the computer B+ terminal because of the ability to run amperage through the wire and heat up the bad connection.
thanks, Dennis
For instance, I had a situation where a power wire from the battery was feeding the vehicle computer, and the vehicle would shut off. I checked for 12v at the computer feed and it was ok. I also checked resistance of the wire and it was within specs. BUT when I applied about 15 amps through the wire back to the battery with a battery charger, I was getting a 2.0v drop from the charger to the battery post. I subsequently found a bad connection between the battery and the computer B+ terminal because of the ability to run amperage through the wire and heat up the bad connection.
thanks, Dennis