testing submersible heater

[maxpain]

what would be a good and safe way to test a used submersible heater without potentially getting shocked? i could buy a brand new heater but i don't want to throw out a heater if it is in good working condition. any ideas? thanks

[Eddie]

what would be a good and safe way to test a used submersible heater without potentially getting shocked? i could buy a brand new heater but i don't want to throw out a heater if it is in good working condition. any ideas? thanks

How old is it, how long has it not been submersed in water?

[dbfzurowski]

use a multimeter

[maxpain]

How old is it, how long has it not been submersed in water?
not sure how old or how long it's not been submersed. it is made by all glass aquarium. i will submerse it unplugged to see if any water seeps in.


use a multimeter
a multimeter. gonna have to look that up. thanks.

[maxpain]

i'm not in need of a heater, i just don't want to be wasteful.

[Skip]

plug it in.. hold in your hand and see if it works ;)

[William Palumbo]

plug it in.. hold in your hand and see if it works ;)

LOL...That's EXACTLY what I do!...Bill

[maxpain]

plug it in.. hold in your hand and see if it works ;)
good idea, but i'm scared of that shock factor when it's in water.

[William Palumbo]

C'mon...your name has the word "pain" in it...stick your hand in the water. How bad could it be?...Bill

[Jhhnn]

Test it in a tank of water with a GFCI protected outlet or one of these handy gizmos-

http://www.amazon.com/TRC-90265-6-012-Shockshield-Portable-Protection/dp/B000XU5MEG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1298601090&sr=8-4

That's just one example of a GFCI device...

They're extremely sensitive to current leakage, rendering strong shocks all but impossible...

[maxpain]

C'mon...your name has the word "pain" in it...stick your hand in the water. How bad could it be?...Bill
lol. you are right bill. i can take pain but i'm petrified of electricity. when i change an outlet at home, i turn off the power to the whole house and i check the outlet again with a radio or something. not good when the old lady makes fun of me.


Test it in a tank of water with a GFCI protected outlet or one of these handy gizmos-

http://www.amazon.com/TRC-90265-6-012-Shockshield-Portable-Protection/dp/B000XU5MEG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1298601090&sr=8-4

That's just one example of a GFCI device...

They're extremely sensitive to current leakage, rendering strong shocks all but impossible...
good idea, GFCI. gonna have to try that. thanks

[Skip]

good idea, but i'm scared of that shock factor when it's in water.

HENCE NOT putting in the water.. LOL

[maxpain]

HENCE NOT putting in the water.. LOL
forgive me warlock, i'm a little slow. i tested it out of water, it gets hot. now if and when i put it in water HENCE SUBMERSIBLE, there's a chance it may give me a shock if it's faulty right? last i remember, water can conduct electricity.

[Skip]

max.. i was just making a joke..! i didn't expect you to think about past my post.. ;)

[maxpain]

max.. i was just making a joke..! i didn't expect you to think about past my post.. ;)
warlock. told you i was slow. lol. :)

[maxpain]

hello everyone. just wanted to let you all know that after testing the heater, i am still alive. i did not get electricuted. thanks for all the helpful advice, even you warlock. :)

[Skip]

hello everyone. just wanted to let you all know that after testing the heater, i am still alive. i did not get electricuted. thanks for all the helpful advice, even you warlock. :)

at'ta boy!! good job!

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/10225498/2/istockphoto_10225498-cartoon-man-gets-an-electric-shock.jpg

[maxpain]

lmao