Tool Review: Electronic Specialties Universal Relay Buddy 12/24, No. 196
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Q: How did the tool/equipment function as far as saving you time?
A: The tool saved me time because it provided a quick way to condemn bad relays via a green/red indicator light. With the relay out of the equation, I could proceed to testing others parts of the circuit (wiring, components, etc.).
Q: What kind of setup was involved before using the product?
A: Set up involved unboxing and connecting the tester’s red and black leads to a 12V (or 24V) battery. A relay could then be removed from a circuit and installed in the appropriate slot on the tool for testing.
Q: How easy was it to use?
A: The tool is straightforward to use. There is a button for 4 pin / 5 pin selection, and a "test" button that initiates the switching of the relay.
Q: What features did you like?
A: The high/low battery voltage alarms are useful. If I forgot to keep the battery charged, I would prefer that the tool warns me rather than proceeding with the test and providing a incorrect diagnosis of the relay. I also appreciated the long leads for working remotely from the battery location.
Q: How was its packaging? Did it come with any accessories?
A: Came in a pouch with a loop for securing it. No accessories.
Q: Was there a manual included? If so, did you use the manual, and was the manual easy to understand?
A: A small pamphlet with brief instructions/warranty information was included. I used the manual to understand what the indicator lights represented.
Q: What types of jobs/repairs did you use this tool for? Please provide a few specific examples.
A: I used this relay tester to check the operation of a 4 pin fog lamp relay. This was part of a new aftermarket fuse box being installed in a vehicle and I wanted to confirm that there were no defective out-of-the-box parts.
Q: Have you used a previous version of this tool? If so, what are some new features compared to the old version? / How does this tool compare to other tools you’ve used like it?
A: I have not used a previous version of this tool or other relay tester. I have used a multimeter in the past to check relays. This tool provides a second way of pinpointing a bad relay that could be used in conjunction with a multimeter (and in turn, prove a diagnosis).
Q: Is there any way you could think of to improve or add to this tool?
A: I think retractable power leads would be neat, but not a necessity.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool overall? Why?
A: I’d rate this tool a solid 9. This tool consistently does everything that is expected of it. It can definitely provide piece of mind when eliminating possible problem components to reach a diagnosis. However, it is not a substitute for a voltage drop test and the multimeter remains a more powerful diagnostic tool for that reason.
The Electronic Specialties Universal Relay Buddy 12V/24V is designed to efficiently test both 12V and 24V relays, quickly indicating whether the relay is good or bad. The five test ports accept seven of the most common relays in use. Universal Relay Buddy's internal circuitry sorts out the difference between SAE standard/bifurcated/two-branch relays, as well as that special green BMW/Mini relay with two 87 pins and pins 86/30 switched.
About the Author
Benedict Grubner
Express technician at Mercedes Benz of Burlington
Benedict Grubner is a part-time express technician at Mercedes-Benz of Burlington, located in Burlington, Massachusetts. He has served in this position since 2019. His credentials include a Massachusetts non-commercial vehicle and 7D vehicle state inspection licenses. He is ASE A4, A5, A6, A7, and A8 certified and also holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Grubner focuses on performing quality work while valuing continuous learning to thrive in an evolving industry. He also has another position in the machine shop equipment repair and maintenance field.