bazzaaaappp

[oil_fan]

I was doing a water change on my 65 gallon and cleaning the inside of the glass. I kinda lifted my wet elbow and touched my lighting fixture. Sure enough, zapp. Check again with my finger in the water and touching the fixture and sure enough I got another shock (though less).

I guessing between various water changes over the last 18 months I've had the thing and such, there must be some salt creep inside that causing a bit of a short. After lights out, I'm going to remove it and fully open the thing up. Lights out may need to be early tonight.

And yes I live in the south so I had to zapp myself twice because once isn't enough!! :lol2:

 

[ricksconnected]

Oil_Fan;418663 wrote: And yes I live in the south so I had to zapp myself twice because once isn't enough!! :lol2:

be sure to let it dry out a couple of days. if it still shocks, trash it.

 

[oil_fan]

I found out the part that's causing it. I'm not sure what it is but the back of the reflector has nice scorch/carbon marks on it. I know it's not the ballast. It's some cream colored piece in between both ballasts.

Also does anyone know if there is a local supplier of Coralife PC bulbs? Specifically the 36" dual 10k/dual actinic. 192 watts total power with square pins. I broke 10k bulb trying to get it out.

 

[jennm]

96 watt lamps? I have 'em.

Jenn

 

[jennm]

Oh and I know that zap feeling. I used to get it at the store I used to work at (eons ago) when my elbow touched the fixture and I had the rest of my arm in the tank.

It makes you sit up and take notice!

Jenn

 

[oil_fan]

Ok...found the problem. There was salt on the back of the circuit board that's connected transformer. Not sure if it still ok or not. I tried cleaning it off best I could. I'll fire it up with the actinic bulb in a few and see what happens. That is once I'm confident that it's dry.

And yes Jenn, those are the bulbs.

Pics are coming....

 

[oil_fan]

Here are the pics:

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Yes...that's my sock. :yes:

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I cleaned off the salt but it also exposed the copper on the circuit board. I have a feeling that's not a good thing on something that sits a couple of inches above the water....

 

[oil_fan]

JennM;418720 wrote: Oh and I know that zap feeling. I used to get it at the store I used to work at (eons ago) when my elbow touched the fixture and I had the rest of my arm in the tank.

It makes you sit up and take notice!

Jenn

You got that right!! That zap on my elbow actually hurt.

Also can you get parts for coralife fixtures? Specifically that thingy that's apparently/possibly toast and the transformer that it's hard wired into? If so, then I'd feel a lot better about the fixture.

 

[jennm]

Hmmm ... not good. Is it a Current fixture? Email or PM me if it is, I might be able to help you get parts for it... haven't seen this exact issue before, but it's worth a shot.

Jenn

 

[jennm]

Ah our posts crossed. I can try with Coralife... PM me and I'll see what I can do tomorrow.

Busy day - I'm headed home.

Jenn

 

[oil_fan]

JennM;418744 wrote: Hmmm ... not good. Is it a Current fixture? Email or PM me if it is, I might be able to help you get parts for it... haven't seen this exact issue before, but it's worth a shot.

Jenn

Coralife...not Current.

 

[oil_fan]

JennM;418745 wrote: Ah our posts crossed. I can try with Coralife... PM me and I'll see what I can do tomorrow.

Busy day - I'm headed home.

Jenn

I'll send you an email.

 

[oil_fan]

Just a follow up. Jenn tried to get me the parts to repair the fixture but they don't want anything to do with electrical stuff that would need replacing. Nevermind it's 4 screws and couple wire caps to deal with. I know it's all about liability but for what can't be more than $20 or $30 in parts, I now have to replace the fixture.

But the good news I'm upgrading from CF to T5's on that tank. :thumbs: