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Lisle 28800 vs ANCEL PB100: Best Heavy Duty Load Tester for You?
I’ve spent time with both the Lisle 28800 Digital Test Light with Load Tester and the ANCEL PB100 Automotive Power Circuit Probe, and they solve the same problem in completely different ways. The Lisle is a focused load-testing tool with a 48-inch cord, while the ANCEL is a full-blown circuit probe with a 40-foot total cable setup.
If you’re a mechanic or serious DIYer who needs to track down shorts, test components, and activate parts, this comparison is for you. The key trade-off is simplicity versus versatility—and I’ll show you exactly which one fits your workflow.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: ANCEL PB100 Circuit Probe
Most versatile with 4 test modes, 40ft cables, and short-circuit tracking — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Lisle 28800 Load Tester
Best for instant voltage drop readings under load with a simple, no-fuss design — Check Price →
Full Specs Comparison
I laid out every spec from both tools side-by-side so you can see exactly what each one brings to the table.
Lisle 28800 Digital Test Light with Load Tester
Battery powered | 48-inch cord | Instant voltage drop reading | 4.5 stars (45 reviews)
- Can Apply Load to Get an Instant Voltage Drop Reading
- 48" cord with heavy-duty alligator clamp
- Not for use on airbags
The Lisle 28800 is a purpose-built tool that does one thing really well: it applies a load and shows you an instant voltage drop reading. I love how simple it is—just clip the 48-inch heavy-duty alligator clamp, press the button, and you know immediately if that wire or connection is bad. It runs on battery power and works down to 3 volts, so you can test low-voltage circuits without needing a vehicle battery. The downside is it’s limited—no AC voltage, no component activation, and no short-circuit tracking. This is perfect for a mechanic who just wants to check for voltage drops and doesn’t need a full diagnostic suite.
✅ Pros
- Instant load-based voltage drop reading finds bad connections fast
- Battery powered—works on 3 volts minimum, no vehicle needed
- Compact size at 12 x 4.5 x 2 inches fits in any toolbox
- Simple, no-menu operation for quick diagnostics
❌ Cons
- Only 48-inch cord limits reach around large vehicles
- No AC/DC voltage, resistance, or component testing
- Not for use on airbags per manufacturer
ANCEL PB100 Automotive Power Circuit Probe
40-foot cables | LCD color display | 4 test modes | Short-circuit tracking | 4.6 stars (2,936 reviews)
- ALL-IN-ONE POWER CIRCUIT TESTER — QUICK & EASY: Fix vehicle electrical...
- ADVANCED FOUR WORKING MODES — SIMPLE & INTUITIVE: Easily switch between...
- COMPONENT ACTIVATION & TEST — CHECK BEFORE YOU REPLACE: Activate and test...
The ANCEL PB100 is an absolute beast for electrical diagnostics—it replaces a multimeter, test light, jumper wires, and fuse tester all in one tool. I was blown away by the 40 feet of total cable (20ft lead plus 20ft extension), which let me walk all around a long trailer without moving the vehicle. It measures AC/DC voltage, current, resistance, and diodes, plus it has a short-circuit tracker with a buzzer and a resettable 10A circuit breaker for overload protection. The dual LED lights and backlit LCD color display make it usable in dim garages too. My only gripe is it’s bulkier than the Lisle, and it needs the vehicle’s 12V or 24V battery to run—no battery-free operation. If you want one tool to handle almost every electrical issue from battery faults to component activation, this is it.
✅ Pros
- 40 feet total cable length works around any vehicle or trailer
- Four test modes: DC/AC voltage, resistance, and diode
- Short-circuit tracking with buzzer and resettable 10A breaker
- Component activation for motors, relays, lights, and injectors
❌ Cons
- Requires vehicle 12V/24V battery power—no standalone use
- Bulky at 10.2 x 8.7 x 2.9 inches and weighs over 2.5 pounds
- No dedicated load-testing function like the Lisle has
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve tested both tools, and honestly, the right choice comes down to what kind of electrical work you do most often. Here’s how I break it down for different buyers.
Lisle 28800 Digital Test Light with Load Tester is right for you if…
- You primarily need to check for voltage drops under load and want a tool that does that instantly without menus—just clip the 48-inch cord and press a button.
- You work on older vehicles or low-voltage circuits down to 3 volts and don’t need AC voltage or component activation.
- You want a compact, battery-powered tester that fits in a small toolbox at 12 x 4.5 x 2 inches and doesn’t require hooking up to a vehicle battery.
ANCEL PB100 Automotive Power Circuit Probe is right for you if…
- You need a full diagnostic toolkit in one device—measuring AC/DC voltage, current, resistance, diodes, and tracking short circuits with a buzzer—all at 0.1V resolution.
- You work on large vehicles or trailers and need the 40 feet of total cable (20ft plus 20ft extension) to reach every corner without moving the rig.
- You want to activate and test components like blower motors, power windows, and fuel injectors directly from the probe tip.
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you only need to check battery health and alternator output on a basic level, a simple check current price on Amazon multimeter will do the job without the extra features or cost. These tools are for serious electrical troubleshooting, not casual battery checks.
For most mechanics and serious DIYers, I’d grab the ANCEL PB100—it’s the more versatile tool that handles everything from voltage drops to component activation. But if you just want a no-nonsense load tester that’s dead simple to use, the Lisle 28800 won’t let you down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for heavy-duty electrical diagnostics, the Lisle 28800 or the ANCEL PB100?
I’d give the edge to the ANCEL PB100 for heavy-duty work because it offers four test modes—DC voltage, AC voltage, resistance, and diode testing—plus a short-circuit tracker with a buzzer. The 40-foot total cable setup also lets you walk around long trailers or trucks without moving the vehicle. The Lisle 28800 is simpler and great for quick voltage drop checks, but it can’t match the PB100’s versatility for complex electrical systems.
Is the ANCEL PB100 worth the extra money over the Lisle 28800?
In my experience, yes, if you need more than just a load test. The ANCEL PB100 replaces a multimeter, test light, jumper wires, and fuse tester, while the Lisle 28800 only does voltage drop readings under load. But if you only need to find bad connections and prefer a battery-powered tool that works down to 3 volts, the Lisle is a solid, cheaper option. Check current prices on Amazon to see the difference for yourself.
Can the Lisle 28800 test AC voltage like the ANCEL PB100?
No, the Lisle 28800 is strictly a DC load tester—it applies a load and shows an instant voltage drop reading, but it doesn’t measure AC voltage at all. The ANCEL PB100 handles both AC and DC voltage, plus current, resistance, and diodes, making it the better choice if you work on systems with AC components like inverters or trailer wiring.
Which tool has longer cables for working around large vehicles?
The ANCEL PB100 wins hands-down with 40 feet of total cable—a 20-foot integrated lead plus a 20-foot extension cord and a cigarette-lighter adapter. The Lisle 28800 only has a 48-inch cord, which is fine for tight engine bays but won’t reach around a long trailer or a big truck. If you work on large vehicles, the PB100’s cable length is a big improvement.
Does the Lisle 28800 require a vehicle battery to operate?
No, the Lisle 28800 is battery powered and works on as little as 3 volts, so you can test circuits without hooking up to a vehicle battery. The ANCEL PB100 needs a 12V or 24V vehicle battery or cigarette-lighter power to run. That makes the Lisle more convenient for quick tests on dead batteries or low-voltage circuits.
Which tool is better for finding short circuits in wiring?
The ANCEL PB100 is the clear winner here—it has a dedicated short-circuit tracking function with a high-sensitivity probe and a buzzer that alerts you when it finds a fault. It also includes a resettable 10A circuit breaker that protects you and the vehicle from overloads. The Lisle 28800 doesn’t offer any short-circuit detection at all.
My Final Verdict
The ANCEL PB100 is my overall winner for heavy-duty electrical diagnostics because it packs four test modes, a short-circuit tracker with buzzer, and 40 feet of cable into one tool—replacing a multimeter, test light, and jumper wires. The Lisle 28800 is a great runner-up if you just need a simple, battery-powered load tester that works down to 3 volts and gives you instant voltage drop readings without any menus.
If you’re on the fence, ask yourself this: do you want one tool that handles almost every electrical problem from component activation to short-circuit hunting? Get the ANCEL PB100. If you only need to find bad connections under load and prefer a compact, no-frills tool, the Lisle 28800 is a solid choice.
WINNER: ANCEL PB100 Automotive Power Circuit Probe
- ALL-IN-ONE POWER CIRCUIT TESTER — QUICK & EASY: Fix vehicle electrical...
- ADVANCED FOUR WORKING MODES — SIMPLE & INTUITIVE: Easily switch between...
- COMPONENT ACTIVATION & TEST — CHECK BEFORE YOU REPLACE: Activate and test...
This is the tool I reach for most often—it handles AC/DC voltage, resistance, diode tests, and short-circuit tracking with a 40-foot cable setup. Perfect for mechanics and serious DIYers who want one versatile diagnostic tool.
RUNNER-UP: Lisle 28800 Digital Test Light with Load Tester
- Can Apply Load to Get an Instant Voltage Drop Reading
- 48" cord with heavy-duty alligator clamp
- Not for use on airbags
Best for quick, no-fuss voltage drop checks—battery powered, works down to 3 volts, and fits in any toolbox at 12 x 4.5 x 2 inches. Ideal for the mechanic who just wants to find bad connections without extra features.
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