Lighting Issue Frustration

[peachygirl]

So Santa brought SwampFox a new light fixture. It is a SolarXtreme 48" T5 HO (4 x54w) fixture. Super excited, we go to put it on his tank, and it's tripping the circuit interrupter, so now he has no lights.

Any suggestions on what to do now? (Swampy says throwing it out the window is not an option for me at this point.)

Thanks for any insight/help/suggestions.

Laura

 

[peachygirl]

It is not a GFCI outlet, and his "whole tank" is plugged into that outlet. Lights, skimmer, 2 powerheads, and heater. He had older power compacts that were plugged in before and worked fine. Unplugged those, plugged in the new lights, and now it's tripping. They will flash on, and immediately trip.

Laura

 

[dakota9]

How many watts were the old lights and how many watts are on the new ones?

How many watts total are you running on the one outlet for the entire tank?


If you plug the lights in, in a different outlet (that is on a different breaker) does it trip the breaker then?

If so,

Could you run an extension cord (temporarily) for the heater, and pumps from a different outlet/breaker, and run the light from the dedicated tank outlet?

 

[hackman72]

I agree with where Dak is going. Probably pulling to much power. My question is what is the difference in the power draw on the old and new lights?

 

[peachygirl]

I don't know all the lingo, but will do that best I can to give accurate information. The old lights were power compacts, 4 x 65 watts. The new lights are T5 HO, 4 x 54 watts.

I have NO idea how many watts is on that outlet. How would I find that out?

The lights work fine if plugged into a different breaker zone. He can live with the power compacts for a few more days if needed (we have a 3 year old, extension coords are not an option).

I know next to nothing about electricity, other than how to install a ceiling fan. Is there a fix to this? or is an extension cord going to be a requirement?

Thanks so much for jumping in!
Laura

 

[ralph atl]

too many amps running through one breaker...or it has a short. plug it up somewhere else and see if it works.

 

[peachygirl]

It does work on a different outlet. Would the new light have more amps even though it's less watts? (I'm clueless here, so sorry if it's a silly question). Seems 4 54 watt bulbs wouldn't drain as much as 4 65 watt bulbs (which work fine).

I'll call an electrician on Monday and see what I can figure out.

Thanks everybody for jumping in to help. Y'all rock. Trey's been so patient letting his tank cycle, poor baby is beside himself over these lights. Merry Christmas!

Laura

mysterybox;593565 wrote: too many amps running through one breaker...or it has a short. plug it up somewhere else and see if it works.

 

[ralph atl]

you'll need a second outlet on a second circuit most likely....

 

[jamescook]

That is weird that it works elsewhere. You saw my house. Each room is on 1 20amp circuit. 7 light fixtures + pumps and 9 heaters etc. The only time I've tripped is the GFCI outside. If it's not a problem with the light fixture it has to be the receptacle, breaker , or wiring on that circuit.

 

[peachygirl]

Well my builder was an idiot, so I wouldn't be surprised. The master bathtub sunk 8 inches, and it's on a slab! lol I'll have an electrician come out hopefully soon to check it out. Thanks y'all!! Anyone know if it's possible to have an outlet installed near there that is on a different breaker? (And does the tank have to come down to do it?? :/)

Laura

Laura

 

[peachygirl]

I'm in over my head. I will call an electrician Monday and see how fast I can get one out here to check things out. Thanks y'all for all of your help. It's greatly appreciated!! If there are any electricians on the board that would like a side job, shoot me a message. (Am not looking for free... am happy to pay someone that is qualified).

Laura

Laura

 

[jennm]

Peachy - either return it to the place of purchase, or contact Deep Blue directly and they'll exchange it. Some units turned up with this problem, and they have since addressed it. It's likely you got one of the ones that got out into the market before the problem was realized (and corrected). I know the issue has been corrected and new units available now are free of problems.

If you have any difficulty with that, let me know and I'll do what I can to help. It's the unit itself, not your house etc.

Jenn

 

[rbredding]

WHAT SHE ^^ SAID


we pulled a brand new fixture out of the box to test some lights a month ago for me when I was at marine design... their fixture had exactly the same problem... wouldn't fire the lights that came with it, wouldnt fire the lamps that I brought...

there's a short inside the unit.. box it and return it where you got it from..



in the meantime, plug something in every outlet near that one and turn on all the lights... then trip the circuit at the panel to see how many outlets are on a circuit.. (count each light as an outlet and each outlet as an outlet..)

you shouldnt have more than 10 or so on a single circuit (obviously, a tank pulls more amps than a normal outlet is probably setup for...)

 

[jamescook]

so why does it work on other outlets?

 

[jennm]

They worked perfectly at DB's warehouse too, before the problem was detected and repaired. I was told it was something in the unit that is "too sensitive" and trips the GFCI when no problem exists. I discovered this when I test-fired a unit for a customer who was buying it but getting different lamps - tripped with the original lamps and the others (although brand of lamp really doesn't matter - a lamp is a lamp if it's the right size/wattage).

I sent the unit back and before I could get a replacement, I was advised that this problem had been discovered and identified, and I would receive the replacement unit when the problem was corrected, and I did. No other issues with the latest units.

So the seller should just exchange it, or if you contact Deep Blue they will exchange it for you. Probably quicker to go to the place of purchase and make an exchange, if they have the same unit in stock (just make sure it came from a more recent shipment. I got my tested ones last week).

Jenn

 

[peachygirl]

Awesome. Thank you so much for the heads up Jenn. I will return it to the place we got it. Yay for easier solutions than taking down the tank and redoing the wiring!

We'll be in to see y'all soon. Trey is super excited to check out your store, and can't wait for the snow to melt so we can come your way.

Laura

 

[dakota9]

I once had an interesting issue similar to yours with a new light.

If I plugged it directly into the socket, it wouldn't fire and sometime trip the breaker, if I plugged it into timer or a surge protector, it was fine.

Are you plugging it directly into the outlet?

My house was quite old, with multiple electricians coming in over the years as it was renovated and additions made. That electrical system was a paradox, wrapped in an enigma!

 

[peachygirl]

It is the same with a surge protector or into the outlet. If I plug it into the hallway outlet (nothing else on the circuit), it works fine. If I plug my phone charger or laptop charger into the neighboring outlet (same circuit), it trips. Makes me think it is an issue with the light, and not necessarily with the wiring in the house. (Though I'm SURE my wiring stinks still. lol)

Hopefully we'll get the light swapped out this week, and the problem will be solved. Can it be that easy?

Laura

Dakota9;593678 wrote: I once had an interesting issue similar to yours with a new light.

If I plugged it directly into the socket, it wouldn't fire and sometime trip the breaker, if I plugged it into timer or a surge protector, it was fine.

Are you plugging it directly into the outlet?

My house was quite old, with multiple electricians coming in over the years as it was renovated and additions made. That electrical system was a paradox, wrapped in an enigma!

 

[rockdog]

The light swap should fix it, based on your description. If not shoot me a PM..

Jason

 

[lilrobb]

Jason to the rescue!
If it has watts, amps and volts - you can't go wrong with him!