September 2023 - 42

INNOVATION AWARDS PROFILE
Power Probe PWM Adapter
Q & A with David Merendino director of sales for Power Probe and Dave Barden
manager of technical training for Power Probe and the inventor of the PWM Adapter.
Q: What makes this product innovative?
A: Barden: It has a kind of unique function. There are
a lot of tools that can measure PWM, otherwise
known as duty cycle, but not too many tools that
will actually output a PWM signal. And if you
do find them, they're rather expensive. This
tip adds that function to any Power Probe.
A: Merendino: That's one of the great things
about it is the fact that there are so many Power
Probes out there. Techs can, with a small purchase,
gain some great functionality when
they're diagnosing vehicles.
Q: What was the inspiration
behind creating this product?
A: Barden: Believe it or not, a lot of our inspiration
comes from our tech support line. The
customers are telling us what functions they're looking for. So,
we usually take that into advice when we're building new tools,
but sometimes we're thinking, 'Hey, maybe existing users want
these functions too.' So, we came up with a line of tips, so they
could add these different functions to existing Power Probes.
A: Merendino: That's one of the things I love about Power
Probe is our focus on staying connected with technicians and we
have a running joke about, you know, the further you get from the
street, the dumber you get. So, it's important to really connect
with technicians and understand what their challenges are on a
day-to-day basis.
Q: How will this product improve the lives
of technicians and shop owners?
A: Barden: More and more components and functions on vehicles
nowadays are being controlled by this pulse width modulated
signal, so it will allow them to either directly drive those components,
or indirectly, through a computer module, control those
components, which is something you really can't do without a
PWM output signal.
A: Merendino: PWM's have been around for years. OEM
manufacturers have been using it to control components for a
long time, but over the last 10 to 12 years we've seen a big uptick
in the number of vehicle components that are driven by pulse
42 PTEN SEPTEMBER 2023 www.VehicleServicePros.com
width modulation as manufacturers look for greater
control and accuracy and they try and shed weight
on vehicles. So, we've seen it for years, but just
in the last few has it really become critical for
technicians to be able to simulate that signal
that the computer is putting on things like
cooling fans and fuel pumps and blower
motors. This really helps cut down diagnostic
time for technicians.
Q: What has been the
feedback from technicians
who've purchased this tool?
A: Barden: Actually, pretty amazing. I
knew it'd be a good tool. It's proven a little
more popular than we thought it would be.
In some of the uses that the technicians are
reporting they're actually using, we didn't even think of.
They're simulating sensor signals and things like that.
To view the full interview, visit:
VehicleServicePros.com/53070584
PTEN is the only publication to feature
the prestigious " Innovation Awards " .
Every year since 1999, the Innovation
Awards highlight the newest and most
innovative products introduced to the
automotive aftermarket. For 2023, PTEN
received over 100 submitted product entries in 26 categories.
We will be featuring the top scoring products in monthly
Innovation Award Profiles. To view a full list of winners online,
visit: VehicleServicePros.com/2023IAWinners.
The Innovation Awards honor companies that take their
products to another level and offer unique features that make a
technician's job easier. If you would like to submit a product to
be considered for the 2024 Innovation Awards, entries will be
accepted starting in February.
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com/53070584 http://www.VehicleServicePros.com/2023IAWinners http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2023
