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Unread 07/31/2017, 01:58 PM   #1
alan j t
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Ocean revive lamps are shocking me

Hi all,
I have a set of ocean revive lamps t247 over my 100 gallon tank. Every time I go to scrub the tank and my wet elbow touches the lamp I get shocked. a lot of shock. What can I do to fix it. They are mounted on the tank and are about 2 yrs old. I just got another set for my 75 and are hanging instead. I hope this is not going to be a regular thing with these lamps.
Thank you,


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Unread 07/31/2017, 02:56 PM   #2
jda
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They were made to be cheap and disposable. If you got two years out of them, then I would consider that a success. I know that this is not terribly helpful... sorry.

Can you work a multimeter? You might be able to open it up and work forward from the power supply input.


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Unread 07/31/2017, 07:20 PM   #3
Clowning_Around
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Simplest fix, turn them off when cleaning. That is assuming you still have enough ambient light to see. Also check to ensure they are properly grounded.

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Unread 07/31/2017, 07:58 PM   #4
Bronx19
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Buy another one or upgrade, they're dirt cheap.


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Unread 08/01/2017, 05:26 AM   #5
alton
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I maybe wrong but I have seen this issue several times. Your light is grounded, your tank has current in it from probably a bad pump or heater and when you touch the water and the light the current uses the light as a grounding means.


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Unread 08/01/2017, 08:29 AM   #6
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alton View Post
I maybe wrong but I have seen this issue several times. Your light is grounded, your tank has current in it from probably a bad pump or heater and when you touch the water and the light the current uses the light as a grounding means.
Yep... don't assume its the light.. Its just/could be a path to ground..

Of course ALL tanks with submersed line powered equipment should have everything plugged into a GFCI protected circuit..

If the OP doesn't have one then go get one ASAP.. It can save your life..
even one like this that just plugs into a regular outlet is fine..
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-G...9037/203741442

But it must state GFCI (or RCD in other countries outside the US)


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Unread 08/01/2017, 08:38 AM   #7
jda
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I don't have to touch a grounded light to get shocked by a bad heater or pump in the tank. You are usually ground well enough in most cases. This could totally not be the light, but it is easy to check by unplugging it.

I refuse to plug my return pumps into a GFCI... I don't want a fish fart to trip one and shut my tank down. I do put the "unnecessary" stuff on them, but then they won't trip sometimes when there is current in the tank.


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Unread 08/01/2017, 10:01 AM   #8
Clowning_Around
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jda View Post
I don't have to touch a grounded light to get shocked by a bad heater or pump in the tank. You are usually ground well enough in most cases. This could totally not be the light, but it is easy to check by unplugging it.

I refuse to plug my return pumps into a GFCI... I don't want a fish fart to trip one and shut my tank down. I do put the "unnecessary" stuff on them, but then they won't trip sometimes when there is current in the tank.
I'd rather my tank shut down than my house burn down...

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Build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2638892
Parameters: Temp 77-79degF, Specific Gravity 1.023-1.024, PH 8.1-8.4, Alk 8-12, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, Phosphate <.2, Calc 3

Current Tank Info: Custom Oak Stand | 75G FO Display | 40G Breeder Sump | MarinePure Ceramic Media Plate | Eshopps x-120 skimmer | Mag9 Return | Aqua Ultraviolet Advantage 2000+ 15w
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Unread 08/01/2017, 02:53 PM   #9
jda
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You guys seen a lot of pumps catch fire UNDER WATER?


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Unread 08/01/2017, 03:42 PM   #10
Clowning_Around
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Who says it has to be a pump. If you have a short, it could arc at a connection, melt a terminal connection, have a fire in the wall, etc, etc. Theres good reasons building codes require gfci near proximity of water such as a kitchen counter, bath vanity and so on.

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Build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2638892
Parameters: Temp 77-79degF, Specific Gravity 1.023-1.024, PH 8.1-8.4, Alk 8-12, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, Phosphate <.2, Calc 3

Current Tank Info: Custom Oak Stand | 75G FO Display | 40G Breeder Sump | MarinePure Ceramic Media Plate | Eshopps x-120 skimmer | Mag9 Return | Aqua Ultraviolet Advantage 2000+ 15w
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Unread 08/01/2017, 03:54 PM   #11
jda
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I said that it was only a pump. It was me.


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Unread 08/01/2017, 04:28 PM   #12
Clowning_Around
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I know but there is more to the circuit than the pump itself, was my point. Sorry OP, didnt mean to derail your thread.

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Build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2638892
Parameters: Temp 77-79degF, Specific Gravity 1.023-1.024, PH 8.1-8.4, Alk 8-12, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, Phosphate <.2, Calc 3

Current Tank Info: Custom Oak Stand | 75G FO Display | 40G Breeder Sump | MarinePure Ceramic Media Plate | Eshopps x-120 skimmer | Mag9 Return | Aqua Ultraviolet Advantage 2000+ 15w
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Unread 08/01/2017, 10:46 PM   #13
Linkfalcon
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Use a meter and Check for shorts


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Unread 10/25/2017, 11:15 AM   #14
outy
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So my new ocean revives were tingling with electricity by touching the mounting arms, they would actually vibrate when shut off from low current.

Tried unplugging every single thing except for the lights and still received a tingle.

Read this thread and thought about it overnight, moved the fixture into the kitchen and tried it again and perfect. Not the lights.


These problems can be fixture related, maybe with all the work I was doing water splashed onto the socket area. It is GFCI but never tripped.

Anyway, it was not the fixture as far as I can tell.


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Unread 10/25/2017, 02:03 PM   #15
alton
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Remember it takes 4 to 6 milli-amps to trip a GFCI, 1 milli-amp can cause a tingle. 3 to 5ma hurts


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Unread 10/25/2017, 02:26 PM   #16
outy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alton View Post
Remember it takes 4 to 6 milli-amps to trip a GFCI, 1 milli-amp can cause a tingle. 3 to 5ma hurts
It was enough to vibrate the alloy legs on the light, enough to raise caution. You could feel the leg moving more then feel it tingle.

I'm rebuilding my tank and have a 100g kitty pool in the living room full of coral and fish and a damp bedsheet with bare feet lol. I have a feeling its my old heater and or damp inlet.

My gfci is not grounded because the house has old wiring with only 2 wires. If something shorts or gets wet it will short and pop the breaker so for most purposes here it does work almost as intended.

I'm just happy it wasn't the lights, case in point, its not always where your shocked being the actual problem. Wish OP would verify his experience and possible solutions.


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Unread 10/25/2017, 02:30 PM   #17
alton
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Well since your outlet is not grounded it will use you as a ground, so it will trip before it kills you. Sorry about being blunt, but GFCI's do not stop you from getting shocked.
1 ma (.001 amps) – Perception level and slight tingle
5 ma (.005 amps) – Shock Felt but you should be able to let go
6-30 ma (.005-.03 amps) – Pain Full Shock
50-150 ma (.05-.150 amps) – Death is Possible
1000 ma (1 amp) – Death is likely
Ma = Milli-Amps
The above is from Jade Learning


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Unread 10/25/2017, 02:37 PM   #18
outy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alton View Post
Sorry about being blunt,
Its all good I'm a dipstick around current, few months ago I had a little 240v bite when changing a 20a fuse my knuckles touched. No pain but woke me up through and through. I was more careful afterwards lol


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