OTC, an SPX brand, recently introduced its new Professional Memory Saver (P/N 3177A), designed to offer technicians an effective solution for saving valuable vehicle data when the battery is removed or disconnected for other service. By plugging the direct wired OBD II connector into the vehicles OBD II port under the dash, all drivability codes and settings are protected. Codes and settings include anti-theft radios, digital clocks, keyless entry systems, alarms, and custom passenger settings such as GPS memory, cellular phone and radio presets.
"When the starter battery has to be disconnected and the power is shut down, the drivability codes and settings are lost," said Scott Krampitz, SPX Service Solutions product manager of direct test diagnostics. "Simply connect the 3177A to the vehicle’s OBD II connection to save the on-board drivability codes and memory and other on-board memory components. The 3177A Professional Memory Saver comes with two vehicle cables: a cable with two cigarette lighter plugs and a cable with a cigarette lighter plug on one end and an OBD II plug on the other end."
Both cables supply power from the Memory Saver internal battery to the vehicle, the other through the vehicle OBD II connector for fast connection to the vehicle. The cigarette lighter cable has identical plugs and can be plugged either way. A cigarette/power plug and cord are also included for 1995 and older vehicle makes without an OBD II connection-competitive products are hard wired for OBD II only.
LED lights on the Professional Memory Saver are used to confirm the circuit connection between the cigarette lighter/power outlet and the vehicle’s battery with the ignition on or off; and a state of charge indicator identifies when the unit needs to be plugged in for a recharge. Additionally, the 3177A tool features a resettable fuse that helps protect the unit against excessive current draw through either the OBD II connector or the vehicle’s cigarette lighter, and the internal battery fault detector helps identify when the battery can no longer provide the specified power-competitive tools only indicate battery state of charge.
The set comes complete in a durable compact unit with memory saver power station, a rechargeable high capacity 12 volt sealed lead acid battery for extended service between charges; 12V AC/DC charger, OBD II connector, cigarette/power plug and cord, and a rechargeable 4 amp hour battery — which has vastly more capacity than a 9 volt battery type adapter and can retain memory if lights come on or a door is opened and dome light comes on.
For more information on the OTC Professional Memory Saver (P/N 3177A), call (800) 533-6127 or visit www.otctools.com.
