Stray voltage w/ T5s

[dc_909]

What would cause stray voltage on my T5s? I am getting slightly shocked when I touch the reflectors.

 

[CKreef]

Tagging along. I have the same issue.

 

[rickh]

Is this a retro light?? Make sure the reflectors are grounded or always wear rubber boots

 

[CKreef]

Reflectors grounded????

 

[Aquarist007]

use a ground probe--its a good safety feature--absorbs stray voltage.

 

[CKreef]

I have a ground probe in the tank. Its the reflectors on my t5s that shock you.

 

[reefergeorge]

Then ground the reflector. and see if that helps.

 

[CKreef]

How can you ground the reflectors??

 

[ccorpse27]

How are your reflectors mounted? Mine clip on to the bulbs and i've never been shocked by touching them. Then again, I don't really touch them unless i'm cleaning them and by then, they're off.

 

[CKreef]

Yeah they are clipped to the bulbs

 

[dc_909]

Where can you get a grounding probe?

If I ground the reflectors do I just take a wire from the reflector to a screw in the canopy?

 

[Roy G. Biv]

You can take a thin wire, screw to the reflectors and run the wire along with the other ones, and screw to the outside case of the ballast.

 

[dc_909]

Does it have to be the ballast or just anything metal?

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11017153#post11017153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dc_909
Where can you get a grounding probe?

If I ground the reflectors do I just take a wire from the reflector to a screw in the canopy?

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=247

 

[dc_909]

Thanks for the link

 

[reefergeorge]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11018469#post11018469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dc_909
Does it have to be the ballast or just anything metal?

Anyting with a metal case should be grounded.

 

[Aquarist007]

Here are some links to other threads on shock and ground probles:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1219703&highlight=ground+probe

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1217167&highlight=ground+probe

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1220914&highlight=ground+probe

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1229650&highlight=ground+probe

 

[Racing1]

You need to find where the stray voltage is coming from. Getting a grounding probe is just hiding the problem. You do not want any electrical current going through your tank... All lighting should definately be grounded....

 

[dc_909]

I hooked up my retros like they were before. Not sure what changed. Maybe there always was I just never touched them til this new canopy came in.

The plug to the ballasts are grounded plugs, so not sure what else it could be.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

You could buy an outlet tester from HD, pretty cheap I think. Its possible that somehow the outlets ground broke or came undone.