Blog

Five multimeters sold in Australia compared for 12V auto electrical work, from a budget glovebox meter to a Fluke automotive kit, plus the five 12V tests every owner should know.

Five survival water filters sold in Australia compared on protection, flow, filter life and weight, with official Australian advice on treating water from natural sources.

Five DC-DC chargers sold in Australia compared on output current, solar input, engine bay suitability and warranty, with wiring tips and decision paths for wagons, utes, canopies and caravans.

Five 406 MHz PLBs sold in Australia compared on battery life, warranty, weight and features, with the AMSA rules on standards, registration and accidental activation.

A comparison of five corded and cordless heat guns sold in Australia for heat shrink and 12V wiring, with a buyer's guide covering temperature control, airflow and reflector nozzles, plus tips for Solderstick connectors.

Five portable 12V air compressors sold in Australia, compared on airflow, duty cycle, power draw and warranty, with a buyer's guide and decision paths for different tyres and vehicles.

An honest comparison of Solderstick connectors, crimped connections and hand-soldered joins for 12V and 24V wiring, including where a crimp or soldered lug is the better choice.

What to pack in a compact 12V repair kit for remote 4x4 touring, from the Solderstick 50PCS connector kit to the tools and spares that fix the faults corrugations, dust and water crossings cause.

The full Solderstick colour chart in AWG and mm2, how to work out your real wire size (including Australian auto cable labelling), and how to choose for mixed sizes and three-wire joins.