PSA: I spent 45 minutes chasing a phantom voltage in a crawl space

It was a simple light that wouldn't turn off, and my meter kept reading 12 volts on the neutral. The real issue? My own headlamp was shining on the probe, making the solar-powered meter act up. Anyone ever had a tool fail in a really dumb way?

3 comments

3 Comments

derek_bailey841mo ago

Hold up, solar powered meter? That's the real problem. Those things are junk for real work. The light from your headlamp was enough to trick the sensor. You need a proper digital meter with a battery, not some gadget that runs on ambient light. I had a similar one fail because a shop light was too bright. Toss that thing in the trash.

craig.mila1mo ago

Lol, guess my headlamp and I owe @kellys78 an apology then.

kellys781mo ago

Yeah, that solar sensor is a total gimmick.