Questions regarding the starter vs the standard 2 ch kit

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Technician_Jenkins
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Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:04 am

Questions regarding the starter vs the standard 2 ch kit

Post by Technician_Jenkins »

Hi all,

I'm currently looking into purchasing either the 2 channel starter or the 2 channel standard kit. Can you tell me the advantages I am getting with the standard kit besides the low and high amp probe? Are there scenarios where the starter kit can't do a particular job compared to the standard kit?

Cheers

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FioranoCars
TwoWaves
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Location: London, UK

Re: Questions regarding the starter vs the standard 2 ch kit

Post by FioranoCars »

Personally I'd buy the naked 4 channel scope rather than have a 2 channel anything, just IMHO :D

The accessories can be added as needed, but the extra 2 channels means a whole new scope.

While the amp clamps are almost essential in automotive testing, they can be added as you go, and I'd buy the 30amp clamp (not the TA234 - the TA189 is the best!!) and not the 20/60, just a much better unit ... again IMHO

Get a 4 channel starter, and the 200/2000 clamp as a start, then add as you can afford/need

Try Matt Williams one of the Pico Distributors, he's an Ex-Pico man, and he's very helpful when you're stuck!! Support is very important with a scope ...
http://www.prodiag.co.uk

Mention my name, so I can get my beer token!! :lol: :lol:

Best
Richard Lukins
... and no financial ties to Matt, he's just a great bloke, and that's where we buy our stuff.

Technician_Jenkins
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Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 4:04 am

Re: Questions regarding the starter vs the standard 2 ch kit

Post by Technician_Jenkins »

FioranoCars, thankyou for your HONEST opinion. I will check out that link.
Can I ask what your gig as an automotive technician is, and why you suggest the 200/2000 clamps??

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FioranoCars
TwoWaves
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Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:26 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Questions regarding the starter vs the standard 2 ch kit

Post by FioranoCars »

Well, I'm NOT a regular technician, I only really get involved in cars when there is diagnostic input, or electronics issues ... I'm more of the Boss!! While I've spannered, it's been while racing myself, rather than as a Job. So I try to only get involved when something unusual or new crops up and there might be value in understanding it in much more detail for future benefit. I guess I'm thorough to an extreme and only need to justify that to myself ... of course I'm far from perfect and learn new stuff everyday, and here is a great place to achieve that.

The Business is a Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini independent specialist but we also get to see Bentley, Aston Martin, Porsche on a regular basis, with owners other cars (daily drives, wife's, kids, nanny's etc) and take on odd diagnostic work for people who get stuck, especially if they share some link (Audi R8/RS series, Alfa 8C etc) but normal cars too.

The clamp recommendation was based on the most used clamp, and the 200/2000 covers cranking (inrush to crank often exceeds 600amps) and the 200 range is good many of the smaller measurements except parasitic drain, and maybe a few others, but it has such a broad capability. We only got ours recently, having had 2 x 600amp but were regularly missing that extra range, so upgraded and our only regret is we waited way too long to do it!

Parasitic drain is not easy with a clamp, once you learn how to avoid the pitfalls then it's fine, but it takes a while and even now I'd rather use alternative methods (read other threads here). There are plenty of things the 20/60 can do better - jaw size in tight spaces ... but too many more where it fails - jaw capacity too small to clamp a battery cable :D

We have 2 of the 20/60's and I plan VERY soon to get another 30amp (TA189 that is), I'm not getting rid of any of them, they all have their uses, but the jaw capacity of the TA189 is great, and using a 5, 10 or 20 winding to enhance the resolution means a 6 amp, 3amp or 1.5amp range of great stability can be created (also have a 10 coil for the 20/60 to give 2 and 6 amp ranges)

Purchase the 4 channel and add the extras as you go, honestly don't skimp on 2 channels just to get some accessories you can always get later. You'll be building the kit for years, just like your tool box, best start with the right core unit, and that has to be 4 channels.

Oh, and the Pico team are all genuinely helpful, all been there a long time, so know their stuff.

Hope that's helpful :lol:

Richard

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