In 1980 E-Z-Hook entered the automotive sector with our XJL insulation macro-hook connected to a lead with a standard alligator connector on the other side. This product 619XJL was offered in a black and red set of 18″, 36″ , and 60″ standard lead lengths. Today, 36 years later, this product can still be found in most automotive jobber trucks (think Matco, Snap-On, MacTool, etc). We have sold thousands of this product, which single handedly helped us enter the automotive after market for repair and testing.
Today the 619XJL remains a staple, and one of our most popular automotive leads. Variations of this test lead set include a straight banana plug connector or a shrouded right angle connector. All of these products work with most standard Digital Multi-Meters. For environments that require a higher heat resistance and more durability than our standard PVC wire provides, we do offer all test leads with silicone wire if requested.
In the early 90’s we introduced our XEL piercing hook into the automotive market. This narrower hook has an angled front to navigate through wire bundles, as well as a v-shaped design for grabbing and centering the wire or cable prior to piercing. It was introduced as an alternative lead set combination to the XJL options. In addition we designed it to be available without a factory installed lead. This XEL version offers a shrouded banana socket on either handle side, allowing easy flexibility to use with any standard banana plug lead. Much like our XJL versions, the XEL has become a popular staple in most auto repair and test mechanics tool boxes.
So, what next? As we spoke to distributors and automotive jobbers we realized that the automotive repair and test aftermarket really lacked in the “accessory” area. For most equipment companies the test leads and components were an after thought – and often not well designed or manufactured products. Automotive technicians would purchase fabulous multi-meters but the test cables supplied with these were often junk, couldn’t carry a proper signal, and needed replacement within a year. At E-Z-Hook these test leads, test cables, and connectors are our specialty. That is what we focus our manufacturing quality on so we could easily compete with great replacement products and test kits.
That is exactly what we have continued to do in these past 10+ years. Today in addition to our standard XJL and XEL test lead sets we offer various banana plug lead sets and individual leads specifically designed for automotive use. One of my personal favorites is our 9183-144BLK banana plug jumper test lead. Why do I like it – because while learning about our products for this industry I asked why in the world would we make something so long? 144 inches? 12 Feet? I was reminded that this length (the approximate length of a car) allows a technician to be on one side and connect to something on the other. Made sense to me, and obviously to a lot of automotive test and repair technicians. Due to it’s popularity in the field we now bundle this test jumper in with many of our automotive kits. It can be purchased individually or is part of our popular 3519 and 3520 test lead sets. In addition to leads we offer various kits including our insulation piercing hooks as well as alligator clips, back probe needles and other connectors. All kits include various lead options and are offered with either our XJL or XEL piercing macro-hooks or the 8064 needle back probes which we just introduces to the market in late 2015.
Testing was never so easy. Over 35 years of PROVEN EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD.