stray current

[Texreefer]

Well i stuck my hand in the tank after the meeting and was SHOCKED :o to find out i have some stray current running through my fuge.. i unpluged every pump one by one and no luck on finding the culprit.. anyone have any other ideas?

[hobogato]

maybe the one you didnt unplug??

[Texreefer]

Well the current went away after my tank lights went out.. does that make sense?

[hobogato]

maybe a salt brigde going to your reflectors some way?

[Bill S]

I had a similar problem in my 215. I put a meter on it, and it was something like 18 volts. Seems that each pump puts out 1-3 volts. The total was enough to give me a little zing, but nothing dangerous. Put a grounding plug in.

[Jeff]

the dry air along with the constant friction of water movement will cause a small electrical shock, just plain salt water sitting will produce a small charge because of chemical reactions of whats in the water.

[Texreefer]

yeah, not worried about the danger,, although it was enough to make me Jerk my hand out <_<
i'll get a grounding probe today and see if that solves it..

[GaryP]

Alton,

Feel free to jump in here anytime and discuss the pros and cons of grounding probes.

[txstateunivreefer]

ck your heater that was my problem i find it is much more exciting when you complete the circut across your light housing with your other arm... ouch 300w heater was leaking current

[Texreefer]

don't know what the issue was bt it's gone now