Asternia stars. now with solutions, and stray voltage

[Nano]

so if thats the case, and I actually did it right this time with it on 250 V and got no reading, my shrimp must have died from the ammonia.. he had just molted the day befor he died, so thats my guess.. maybe I will look into getting some harlequins if thats the case

[gregzz4]

First of all, IMO, putting in a grounding probe to solve stray voltage is not the best idea. But that is a discussion for another post. As is my original question really.
So what you read was 0.2v with it set to 10vAC. Hardly anything to worry about.
Just make sure your tester is working in your outlet.
Set it to 250vAC, put the positive in the smaller slot and the negative in the larger slot. You should see anywhere from 110-120v.
Now put the positive in the same small slot, and the negative in the ground socket. You should get the same readings again. This tells you your outlet is wired correctly and the meter works.
Read up lots on Harlequins before you buy them

[Nano]

Thanks Greg now that being said, with the negative in the ground and positive in the tank set on 250vac there is no reading, is this good then?

[gregzz4]

Did you perform the tests I recommended?
I'd like you to know your meter and your wiring are set up correctly

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by nanomano

Thanks Greg now that being said, with the negative in the ground and positive in the tank set on 250vac there is no reading, is this good then?

Yes, if your meter is working correctly, this is good

[Nano]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

First of all, IMO, putting in a grounding probe to solve stray voltage is not the best idea. But that is a discussion for another post. As is my original question really.
So what you read was 0.2v with it set to 10vAC. Hardly anything to worry about.
Just make sure your tester is working in your outlet.
Set it to 250vAC, put the positive in the smaller slot and the negative in the larger slot. You should see anywhere from 110-120v.
Now put the positive in the same small slot, and the negative in the ground socket. You should get the same readings again. This tells you your outlet is wired correctly and the meter works.
Read up lots on Harlequins before you buy them

K so maybe my voltmeters garbage. The positive probe just disconnected from the wire lol.. god. but before that I tried this, negative in large slot, positive in small slot, got a reading of 150. so I think my meter must be trash, cause when I put the negative in the ground and positive in the small slot, I got a reading of 0...

[gregzz4]

Sometimes it's hard to get a good connection with the probes. But it sounds like you should borrow or buy another tester now
Start a new thread when you get your hands on one

[Nano]

I'll tinker with it tonight or pick one up new tomorrow, I'll just rename this thread so I dont take up sooooo much space on here like i did in my first 2 weeks on here lol it just looks like the wire broke, I might be able to splice it, but if its been giving me problems best just go for broke and buy a new one

[gregzz4]

I'd leave this thread be for the benefit of others concerning the star
And this is on sale right now, at least here it is
I bought one like this years ago for %50. Although this one doesn't, mine has an off button so you don't ruin the dial twisting it all the time. Plus it's autoranging, which is better
This one has an off button.
If you don't use it much, get the on sale one

[Reef Pilot]

I do my stray voltage testing at the 10 setting, and if the needle moves at all, I know I have a problem. Then it is just a process of elimination to find the culprit device.

I have found a couple mag pumps that moved the needle slightly. But the worst was an old T8 light fixture that was on top of a QT tank, and somehow the voltage would get down into the water. I am not using that one any longer.

I now test all my tanks, and sumps, and use the Rid Volt grounding plugs.