Episode 22

Circuit Loading With Sean Tipping - Matt Fanslow Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z [E022]

We're talking about loading these circuits, stressing them out, making them do what they were designed or maybe even a little bit beyond.

  • Need bulbs to insert a load on a circuit
  • That's a visual representation that the current control that's the best. 
  • Frame rusted-out conditions are a challenge. Frames can lose ground.
  • Sean: That's what I like about electricity. It plays by a set of rules that have to be, and as long as you understand those rules, you can win
  • Sean: Is it just voltage? Is it data, or is this for an output? Is this something that's doing work? We've got to treat it differently. We've got to test it differently. That's where the choice comes into play, but you got to understand the purpose of the circuit before you can do that
  • If we're looking at a fuel pump and we're cycling on and off on and off with a key or with some sort of a device, or a switch. Where we hit the fuel pump a few times to start it spinning that if it's rated for, we'll just say, it's fused for 20 amps, you'll see spikes 40 amps, no problem over and over and over and over and over and over.
  • Because the fuses don't necessarily blow from the actual amps. It's the heat. So I need some time, which I know that statement kind of sounds almost like an oxymoron, but it needs time to build up the heat to blow. Heat blows a fuse heat created by the current flow, and the current is not there long enough to pop the fuse. So a lazy test, you want to replace a fuel pump or you're suspicious of a fuel pump got low pressure, and you want to verify power feeding grounds. If you're lazy like me, you're not raising the vehicle up and checking for power feeding ground at the fuel pump connector. You're taking your low amp, current probe in your lab scope, and you're hitting the fuel pump over and over and over.
  • Don't do it just once or twice do it like 20 times, 30 times, just bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
  • Do you really think there might be a bad ground to the frame rail? Probably not. That's a great way to look at it is to really, really stress that circuit.
  • We're talking about loading these circuits, stressing them out, making them do what they were designed or maybe even a little bit beyond. 
  • So the heat that's developed in a conductor, like a cable or wire or a fuse.
  • I learned so much about just sitting for a few minutes in the driver's seat with the scan tool and looking at data and looking at pertinent data and just kind of thinking about how, how it works.

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech napaautotech.com

Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.com

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel HERE

Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/


About the Podcast

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Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z

About your host

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Matt Fanslow

Matt Fanslow is the diagnostic tech/shop manager at Riverside Automotive in Red Wing, MN. His primary responsibilities are to diagnose driveability and electrical/electronic issues, and perform most all programming, coding, initializing, adoptions, etc. Basically, if it needs to be figured out or has wires, it goes to Matt.

He’s been a tech since 1996. Matt is also a subject matter expert for ASE and has instructed at Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo. Matt has participated on 18 ASE technical committees for the ASE Practice Test, A6, A7, A8, and L1 tests. He’s also done case studies for Standard Motor Products. Fanslow’s goal is to do everything in his power to improve the overall level of professionalism within the automotive and light truck repair trade and also raise the level of its public image.