Stray Voltage

[Reflective]

I just checked for stray voltage in my tank using a guide I found online. When I take the grounding probe out and almost everything is on, I got a reading of 2.8 volts. So I started turning stuff off to figure out which thing was causing it and everything that is on leaks apparently.
I'm confused because I read that you can narrow it down to one or two things causing it. But turning off the heaters it dropped it to 1.4, turning off my Gyre pump dropped it by .1, skimmer by .7, etc.
My lights were really dim already, but even turning them off dropped the voltage and it doesn't touch the water anywhere.
So I'm not sure what to fix. I can't replace everything and I'm not even sure that would fix the problem because it seems very weird that everything causes a reading.
Could there be something wrong with the Apex power strips? Or the outlet? I have no clue if that would affect it or not.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

HI,
To troubleshoot youll need a polarity checker.
http://www.toolup.com/Ideal-61-035-...3&cadevice=c&gclid=CLn7jeTY18kCFYU9aQodQOUBUQ
Start at the outlet and make sure you have a good ground and the polarity is not reversed. then work your way back at every connection to the controller. these are cheap at home depot lows harbor freight.

Ill mull over the problem. and try ask some questions to trouble shoot.

 

[Sabellafella]

If it makes u feel any better i have 22.000 vts in my tank

 

[redfishbluefish]

2.8 volts isn't bad. I'm willing to bet a better part of that comes from induced voltage. In our tanks that comes from magnets spinning in pumps and powerheads.

 

[Reflective]

HI,
To troubleshoot youll need a polarity checker.
http://www.toolup.com/Ideal-61-035-...3&cadevice=c&gclid=CLn7jeTY18kCFYU9aQodQOUBUQ
Start at the outlet and make sure you have a good ground and the polarity is not reversed. then work your way back at every connection to the controller. these are cheap at home depot lows harbor freight.

Ill mull over the problem. and try ask some questions to trouble shoot.

I'll get one of these and try it out.

 

[Reflective]

If it makes u feel any better i have 22.000 vts in my tank

Do you use a grounding probe?

 

[Sabellafella]

Do you use a grounding probe?

Nope still debating wether i should or shouldnt, if its grounded it makes a circuit , i listed all the vs that my equipment gives out and my lights give about 3.0 nd my skimmer gives 11.0

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Induced voltage yes that does quite a bit. Another problem is how hard a pump has to work. Choking a pump via a valve increases the amperage the motor needs. It creates resistance and heat. Often that sends trace voltage back down the neutral but also the ground. And of course age and manufacturing is a big part as well. Cheap Shielding on wiring. Is a great way to save money.
Crappy little wires.
As a motor or light use power it uses volts 110 is what kind but how much is amps. A small wire takes less amps so a pum that is aging choked etc will use more amps. Yes the little wire is rated for it but if you used bigger wire it would use less amps because there is less resistance in the wire it's self. That's really important for pumps.
When a wire (pump, toaster)is over amped it generates a higher electromagnetic field, that's the induced voltage we are metering and being discussed currently.
It's my theory that's why big Jaebo fail. They all use the same controller. It can't pull enough amps. Plus the power supply is way under amped too.

This a big reason to avoid cheap power strips. Small wires. Big problem there small ground wire.

Polarity is also a very important issue. Incorrect polarity at the outlet will usually allow the item to operate but is sending residual voltage back down the ground and then you have the small wire problem again.

So. Check the polarity at every junction. Get Reid of cheap power strips. Plug large pumps directly into the wall biggest wires.