Workshop/Maint./Unit Triage Setup

[SteveB]

I get the little $2 power test lights from walmart, and take the case off. Them i get an old stagepin connector and remove the ground pin. I stick the insides of the test light into the body of the connector with the lamp near the cable hole and connect the positive and negative leads on the light to the pins in the connector and close up the connector. Without the ground pin the connector will plug into a cable either way(saves time and hassle in the dark) and a quick look at the top(side away from the pins) tells if there's power. The only problem I have with it is that it's easy to lose in pockets full of tie light, lamps(new ones in boxes and blown), screwdrivers, wrenches, ect. (the usual troubleshooting stuff).

I made a bunch of 2P&G testers many years ago, using the guts of an off-the-shelf neon circuit tester.

All my current power testers used for cable and circuit testing, are simply a cheap neon tester for a standard Edison outlet, on a male 2P&G to f/m Edison adapter. This way I can still test Edison circuits when needed.

Remember to all that you can not test dimmer circuits with a neon tester, without having a resistive load in parallel, as the dimmers generally don't fire without a resistive load, while the neon needs at least 70 volts to operate.

Steve B.

 

[cdub260]

People. The $150 GAMcheck does less than a $10 DMM. Consider it an EKG for fixtures AND circuits.

Actually, there are two variations on the GAMcheck. One tests cables, fixtures, and circuits. The other test only circuits. I have both. The more complex of the two came with my job. The facility already had it. The other was given to me as a freebie by a dealer, so its possible that it was a limited promotional item rather than something manufactured for sale.

 

[Dustincoc]

Actually, there are two variations on the GAMcheck. One tests cables, fixtures, and circuits. The other test only circuits. I have both. The more complex of the two came with my job. The facility already had it. The other was given to me as a freebie by a dealer, so its possible that it was a limited promotional item rather than something manufactured for sale.

I believe the simpler one is what's know as a Gamchek Jr. . You can also get a Gam Lampchek to go with it.

 

[Serendipity]

I believe the simpler one is what's know as a Gamchek Jr. . You can also get a Gam Lampchek to go with it.

You're right. :]

Where would all of you suggest to get a two-pin circuit tester? I know I could get one from a local dealer, but I wasn't sure if there was a cheaper version online or a specific one people here suggested.

 

[Serendipity]

Production Advantage brand, it's like 10 bucks cheaper.

Tester, Stagepin Lamp

Yay for cheapo versions!

However, I meant something more like this.

 

[cdub260]

Yay for cheapo versions!

However, I meant something more like this.

Coast Hardware, just down the street from the Pageant or Home Despot, 7 Miles in the other direction.

 

[Dustincoc]

Yay for cheapo versions!

However, I meant something more like this.

That's the thing I tear apart, you can get them at Walmart for about $1.99.