something cool i noticed.

[electricalperson]

i have 3 way switches in my house. so i decided to look for phantom voltage. i had 33 volts on the wire that didnt have any power on it at a time using the hi impedance meter. i put my simpson and there was a little deflection. no matter what the scale was the needle had the same angle. when i put my wiggy in paralell with it the voltage went away. when i put my fingers across the dead traveler the needle went to 0.

this thing is awesome:grin::grin:

 

[iwire]

I would be worried if a guy needed a 260 to troubleshoot 3 ways in a house. :grin:

 

[electricalperson]

I would be worried if a guy needed a 260 to troubleshoot 3 ways in a house. :grin:

give me a break i was just experimenting with it

wait until i buy a PQA. ill check power quality on my 100 amp 120/240v service on my house :grin:

im willing to bet im not the only guy that uses fancy new meters on there house just to try them out

 

[LarryFine]

Your experiment proves why a wiggy is the tester of choice for typical troubleshooting.

im willing to bet im not the only guy that uses fancy new meters on there house just to try them out

You're not a true techno-geek unless you have to open everything you buy just to see the insides.

 

[iwire]

give me a break i was just experimenting with it

I know, I was kidding with you.

wait until i buy a PQA. ill check power quality on my 100 amp 120/240v service on my house :grin:

im willing to bet im not the only guy that uses fancy new meters on there house just to try them out

I might know someone that hooked up a very expensive Dranetz power quality recording meter on a home service just to try it out. :wink:

The current probes are tough to fit in a dwelling unit load center.:grin:

 

[electricalperson]

I know, I was kidding with you.








I might know someone that hooked up a very expensive Dranetz power quality recording meter on a home service just to try it out. :wink:

The current probes are tough to fit in a dwelling unit load center.:grin:

whenever i get a new tool or tester i feel like its more of a toy than something to make money with. i usually tinker with the meters for a few hours before getting comfortable enough to use it in the field

 

[480sparky]

whenever i get a new tool or tester i feel like its more of a toy than something to make money with. i usually tinker with the meters for a few hours before getting comfortable enough to use it in the field

I spend about 10% of the cost of a new meter on batteries just dinking around with it for a while.

 

[K8MHZ]

i have 3 way switches in my house. so i decided to look for phantom voltage. i had 33 volts on the wire that didnt have any power on it at a time using the hi impedance meter. i put my simpson and there was a little deflection. no matter what the scale was the needle had the same angle. when i put my wiggy in paralell with it the voltage went away. when i put my fingers across the dead traveler the needle went to 0.

this thing is awesome:grin::grin:

I am a big fan of solenoid testers. DVOM's are great, especially when customers see voltage where it's not expected as you are testing and you shake a root at it and it goes away (as confirmed by the solenoid tester and touch potential.)

You guys do have root bags on your trucks, don't you?

 

[K8MHZ]

I spend about 10% of the cost of a new meter on batteries just dinking around with it for a while.

If you use the meter every day, rechargeable NiMHs are your best choice.

If left sitting for long periods of time, you may want to consider Lithium batteries.

I love rechargeable batteries. I use them on a daily basis for radios, testers, cameras, lights, etc.

Different types of batteries all have their place. Thankfully, the choice is ours once we understand the best applications.

 

[SiddMartin]

give me a break i was just experimenting with it

wait until i buy a PQA. ill check power quality on my 100 amp 120/240v service on my house :grin:

im willing to bet im not the only guy that uses fancy new meters on there house just to try them out

I'll give ya a price to upgrade that to a 200A:wink:

 

[480sparky]

If you use the meter every day, rechargeable NiMHs are your best choice.

If left sitting for long periods of time, you may want to consider Lithium batteries.

I love rechargeable batteries. I use them on a daily basis for radios, testers, cameras, lights, etc.

Different types of batteries all have their place. Thankfully, the choice is ours once we understand the best applications.

Rechargeables aren't reliable enough for me. They tend to die at the worse possible moments.

I got a Fluke 289 recording meter last year, and it can record up to 8 full days with fresh batteries. I went through 40 or so just playing around with it.

I'd hate to put rechargeables in, then set it up for a 7- or 8-day recording session, then come back and found the batteries dies after 4 or 5 days. That would not look good in the eyes of a customer.

If it's going to sit for any length of time, there's no batteries in them at all.

 

[Doug S.]

The wiggy saved me tonight, the ground was getting switched (instead of the "hot") to a shallow well pump that was also high-impedence grounded via it's plumbing. With the wiggy I nailed it down quick.

You're not a true techno-geek unless you have to open everything you buy just to see the insides.

I think to be a "REAL" techno-geek you need to be able to put them back together again, and also have them work.
By that def. I'm a part time techno-geek. :grin:


Doug S.

 

[76nemo]

Chris, great post. It proves to all of us we're just tool/equipment geeks. We all have a little "geek" in us. Nothing wrong with that

 

[Power Tech]

Rechargeables aren't reliable enough for me. They tend to die at the worse possible moments.

I got a Fluke 289 recording meter last year, and it can record up to 8 full days with fresh batteries. I went through 40 or so just playing around with it.

I'd hate to put rechargeables in, then set it up for a 7- or 8-day recording session, then come back and found the batteries dies after 4 or 5 days. That would not look good in the eyes of a customer.

If it's going to sit for any length of time, there's no batteries in them at all.

Don't know if this is thread worthy?

Why are the NMH 1.2V and the alKaline 1.5???

Some electronic products I have say to use alkaline only.

Can't the manufactures get it together and make batteries the same voltage.

"My brother printer needs more power Scotty!"

 

[tom baker]

Ditch the wiggy and get a Fluke 117, It has a volt stick built in, and a low -z function for ghost voltages.
Then get a fluke T+pro in for your troubleshooting. It lights up, beeps and vibrates on voltage, tests GFCIs, built in light, and phase rotation with 2 leads. All for $85.

Seems like few have every used a T+pro. Once you do the wiggy goes in the old meter collection.

 

[LarryFine]

Why are the NMH 1.2V and the alKaline 1.5???

Because of the chemical interaction between the anode and cathode and the electrolyte.

Lead-acid batteries produce a bit over 2v per cell.

 

[quogueelectric]

Because of the chemical interaction between the anode and cathode and the electrolyte.

Lead-acid batteries produce a bit over 2v per cell.

I love to play show and tell at work with new toys.

 

[electricalperson]

I love to play show and tell at work with new toys.

not me. usually if i break out a new meter or something they will say either "you wasted money on that" or "you dont need that"

they said i wasted money when i bought a megger. :grin:

 

[electricalperson]

Ditch the wiggy and get a Fluke 117, It has a volt stick built in, and a low -z function for ghost voltages.
Then get a fluke T+pro in for your troubleshooting. It lights up, beeps and vibrates on voltage, tests GFCIs, built in light, and phase rotation with 2 leads. All for $85.

Seems like few have every used a T+pro. Once you do the wiggy goes in the old meter collection.

i have the t+pro and the 117. i missed using a solenoid tester so i bought a K-60. i used to have a K-60 but i gave it to y helper when i got the t+pro

 

[LarryFine]

i used to have a K-60 but i gave it to y helper when i got the t+pro

Really? Hmmm.