This video describe how I made a simple and inexpensive short circuit detector for automotive troubleshooting. The devices is designed to help find the source of automotive short circuits and blown fuses. This video is published for entertainment purposes only, and it is not to be construed as an instruction guide. If you need help with an automotive problem you should carefully assess your limitations, and consider consulting a professional before getting in over your head. Be careful to protect yourself and to protect your property by not doing something you are unqualified to do….
Video Rating: 4 / 5
#1 by dr6027 on July 21, 2011 - 4:38 am
holy shit bill nye tha science guy lol
#2 by alken26 on July 21, 2011 - 5:08 am
reason i ask was that i have large bus iam work on at work and it blow fuse rather quickly can one of those tone generator be use with you diy system to pinpoint short in a large electrical system. ill tell you this your diiy short finer works Great THANK YOU keep up the good work.
#3 by spelunkerd on July 21, 2011 - 5:44 am
@alken26 You make a good point, and I think it would be easily possible to build such a radiofrequency receiver that picks up local current. Ideally it would be best to have a transmitter that sends a signal that is easily recognizable, with a receiver and a headset. Such a device is available commercially for about $100. With sensitive electronics in some of these circuits, there is some risk to pumping in extra current. No such risk for the device described in this video.
#4 by spelunkerd on July 21, 2011 - 5:59 am
@alken26 You make a good point, and I think it would be easily possible to build such a radiofrequency receiver that picks up local current. Ideally it would be best to have a transmitter that sends a signal that is easily recognizable, with a receiver and a headset. Such a device is available commercially for about $100. With sensitive electronics in some of these circuits, there is some risk to pumping in extra current. No such risk for the device described in this video.
#5 by alken26 on July 21, 2011 - 6:13 am
i LIKE SHORT DETECTOR I JUST BUILD ONE WORK GREAT NOW IF WE ONLY HAD A HOMEMADE RECEIVER .
#6 by bearing01 on July 21, 2011 - 6:14 am
Dave, that;s a neat little circuit. Looks like a 12V buzzer with a bulb or LED. It also puts a load on the short circuit so replacing the fuse with it won’t melt the car wires. I guess you just keep moving wires or unplugging stuff until the noise goes away. Cool. /John
#7 by spelunkerd on July 21, 2011 - 6:52 am
@Thegarmendia
Thank you. I have fun posting these videos, and I try to make them as accurate as I can. But you should know that I don’t do this for a living, so it won’t be long before your experience will outstrip mine. Thanks for watching.
#8 by Thegarmendia on July 21, 2011 - 7:39 am
Thank you for showing this. As someone who is starting out in the automotive field I really appreciate this. Hopefully you will decide to post more of your knowledge on here.