Outlet problem!

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I am as of last night having issues with my wall outlet behind reef.
The plugs all the way in get no elec. & i have to jostle it to get it to juice up? And it has cut off twice since last night, turning my return pump off!
What should i do? Just a new outlet? GFCI? How difficult to do on your own if your a novice?

Thanks for any help - Matt

 

[bheron]

Hey Matt - sorry, I dont think I can help here, but I'm chiming in b/c I think I've had the same exact thing happen. But, for me, after awhile of doing the "jostling" it finally just cut off for good.

For me, it was on a GFI which kept tripping. Now, I cant reset it at all. I checked the circuit breaker and everything's fine. I'm guessing its a bad outlet and something with the contacts.

Did you check your circuit breaker for that outlet?

 

[Dubbin1]

Dude you will want to replace that outlet ASAP!!!

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Dubbin....with a normal outlet or a GFCI? I have run on it(25 years old) for over a year without a GFCI, but want to know how much more $ they are and how difficult the yare to install for a elec. novice?

 

[Deadmullet]

go with the gfi outlet. they are like 7-10 bucks at home depot. pretty easy to install. its only 3 wires. just look at your old outlet close before you disconnect the wires so you know which is the ground and what are the hot legs. worse comes to worst as you disconnect one wire take that wire and wire it on the new plug.

 

[Deadmullet]

oh and make sure you KILL the power first!!!!!

 

[john rochon]

GFCI! and ASAP! turn the breaker off, wire it according to the diagram that comes with the outlet. very easy, just like wiring a regular outlet. do it soon! you have a short

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

o.k.....but there's another BIG problem.
That outlet is going to be next to impossible to work on without breaking down system!!

**Can i just run a heavy duty extension cord to a good outlet on a seperate wall about 7 feet from tank???

 

[raskal311]

Its easy and a GFCI should run you about $15 at HD.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

see my post above yours

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

anyone??? extension cord to other outlet o.k.???

 

[Zoalander]

If the other outlet is fine then I don't see why you wouldn't be able to run a extension cord from it.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

vetter....i thought i had read that they were bad news to use, but i can't figure out why they would be? Especially a heavy duty one?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

do the amount of amps running through it matter?

 

[mfd78]

You can purchase an extension cord with a built in GFI breaker. They come with 6 outlets too.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

i know of the 3 to 1 heavy duty extension cords...but ones with built in GFCI?
Where can i get one? H.D.?? How much are they about?

 

[techigirl78]

I think my GFCI extention cord was about $40 from Home Depot. Haven't had any issues.

 

[Wiskey]

The extention cord should not be a problem provided it can deal with the current you are pulling. I tried the same thing with a "heavy duity" cord, and when the MH bulbs fired the cord itself got warm, NOT GOOD. Make sure your cord is not warm, or hot when everything is on to avoid a big problem later.

Whiskey

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

i am just going to cap off top outlet and run the Mag 9.5(1.3 amps) on the extension cord to the other outlet.....when i upgrade next time, i will replace the outlet behinf tank with a GFCI

 

[Dubbin1]

You are still risking a fire. You NEED to replace the bad outlet.