HOM: 440 Relay

One last note, about an event that almost WAS a last note. I was using a solenoid voltage tester to troubleshoot the 440V controller for a pump. We were underway and things were rocking a bit, and the controller was in one of the warmer spots in the engine room. I was hot & sweaty and more than a little frustrated. I stood, left shoulder braced on the metal bulkhead, holding one probe on the 440v source while I was poking around in the controller relays with the other probe, checking for continuity. Everything tested fine. I couldn't find any problems at all, but the pump still wouldn't run. I couldn't figure out what to try next, so, like any puzzled person might do, I scratched my head. My first mistake was using the point of the probe in my right hand to do it. Note to self: NEVER rub your temple with 440 volts! When I woke up, I was flat on my back, dreamily watching the cover for the controller swinging back and forth with the ship. It was quite relaxing and darn near hypnotic. It took a while to connect the dots, but I finally cobbled together obvious facts and hazy memories and realized what had happened. Eventually, I even figured out that the lump under my side was the voltage tester and that the quietly vibrating thing my head was pillowed against was the pump -- and it was running. I levered my nauseous body and aching head back to vertical, filled with retroactive sympathy for all the friends whose hangovers I'd laughed at. I gathered up tools and tester, buttoned up the controller, and wobbled out on deck. I guess I was a little pale, because someone asked me what was wrong. That's where I made my second mistake -- I TOLD THEM!!!!! Lying would have been better. I never lived it down. TBC (Me) (Home)