PH probe shock

[wrecker777]

Hello

I have recently narrowed down an electric current in my tank to the GHL PH probe. I am only able to notice it when I submerge a finger with a cut on it into the water.

Is this normal?

Regards

James

[Reef bloke]

Never heard of a probe giving a shock,as far as im aware theres next to no current passing through one.

[stevew@reefdreams]

James,
The ph probes don't carry any voltage, so it can't be the source of the voltage, however as the units are earthed it is probably grounding through the pH probe.

I would get the probe into water out of the tank, as it won't do your unit any good, and then borrow a test meter and chech the voltage to earth, you should then be able to identify the real culprit.

Steve

[wrecker777]

Thanks, I will investigate tonight.

[wrecker777]

The problem seemed to go away for a while till I noticed something today. When I switch my return pump off the level in my sump rises above the top of both the temp and PH probe, which seems to cause the issue again.

[stevew@reefdreams]

I would suggest that you have a crack/cut in one of your power cables / or leak in the top of your heater that shorts when the water level rises. Heaters a prime suspect for this.

Steve

[CarpeDiem]

Hello

I have recently narrowed down an electric current in my tank to the GHL PH probe. I am only able to notice it when I submerge a finger with a cut on it into the water.

Is this normal?

Regards

James

Ok, this may sound daft but it's not just the salt water stinging the open wound on your finger????
If there is an electric current in the water it won't distinguish between a cut finger and a non cut finger it will happily electocute any finger inserted into the water.

Just a thought!

[zimreef]

Ok, this may sound daft but it's not just the salt water stinging the open wound on your finger????
If there is an electric current in the water it won't distinguish between a cut finger and a non cut finger it will happily electocute any finger inserted into the water.

Just a thought!

I have experienced the same thing in the past - I think it is because the cut finger is more sensitive. Assuming it is the same sensation, it's not the sting of salt water - it's definitely the "buzz" of a shock!

John

[siclick33]

I thought I might be getting the same thing and I have searched to see if I am alone. This led me to this thread.

I have disconnected everything from my powerbar and I still seem to get a shock when I touch the water. It therefore cannot be the heater/pump/powerhead/skimmer etc.

I have now it set up with profilux on, ph and temp probes connected, power bar connected via the com port but turned off at the mains and I still think I am getting a shock. If it is an earthing problem, the only place it could be coming from as far as I can tell is within the Profilux itself.

I don't want to mess around with electricity and water and wondered who the best person to have a look at it for me is? Should I return it to the retailer or somewhere else. I might be being paranoid but don't want to take that chance.

Thanks

[stevew@reefdreams]

The GHL unit is only supplied with 12volts via a transformer. Even if this voltage and current was fed directly into the aquarium it would not be dangerous. In fact it is barely a tingle when the connector is applied to the tongue (The things I try in the name of GHL! :rolleyes:, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME- statutory warning).

The only way you could be getting a shock from the GHL itself is if the transformer is sitting on a damp/salt covered surface then when you touch the water it earths out.

If you are local (pm me with your location) I would be happy to bring along my testing equipment and track down the source of the voltage for you.

Steve

[siclick33]

Steve,

I am not necessarily saying it is dangerous; just that I can feel it and the feeling appears to go away when I remove the PH probe.

I would like to say, seeing as I have posted on an open forum, that I have not positively confirmed that there is a problem or, if there is, that it is the Profilux at fault. Having thought about it overnight it could simply be static (I have just added the sand). However, it does appear to go away when the PH probe is removed which I don't quite understand.

Unfortunately I live in York which is a bit far away but thanks for the offer. I am going to go out and buy a multimeter today and will get back to you with some figures later on.

[siclick33]

OK, the results of my tests. I'm not sure if I did it right but placed one probe in the sump and the other on earth and measured AC volts. The only thing that registered was the skimmer so I thought I had found the problem.

Until now I was wary about putting my hand in the water but having unplugged the skimmer I tried again. Nothing. I then had one more thought and recreated the exact conditions from last night; namely, I took my shoes and socks off (I had soaked my socks with tank water so had taken them off). The tingle was still there:mad:

I now tried other things, disregarding the multimeter and using my hand as it appears to be more sensitive. I ended up, once again, with just the profilux plugged in and the PH probe in the water with the tingle still there. Remove the probe and the tingle has gone. If I have the probe plugged in but the profilux off the tingle is still not there.

Now I start trying to narrow down which part of the setup is causing the problem. I tried a different extension lead (as I have heard these sometimes cause problems) and then, as a last ditched resort I tried a different power supply. Problem solved.

Now I tried switching between the 2 supplies. With the profilux supply I get the tingle. With my own supply (from a network hard drive) the tingle has gone.

The transformer is bone dry and on a table but I am convinced this is causing the problem. Is this possible?

[siclick33]

I have just also tested the voltage at the PH probe connector with the multimeter. With my power supply there is no voltage. With the profilux one it reads up to 30mV. I appreciate this is tiny but is this normal?

[stevew@reefdreams]

Very strange, I have asked the developer from Germany to take a look at this thread and see if he can spot anything.

Steve

[siclick33]

:annoyed:

I thought the problem had gone away but got another tingle this morning. Same results. Disconnecting the probe or changing power supply seems to sort it.

I understand that someone else who has had this problem put it down to the probe top becoming wet. I have just done a water change and wondered if this may be the problem?

[newreefman]

apart from carring on as a human multi meter (do not try at home kids ) id get the ph probe -plug bar -transformer changed or sent for service asap.
from reeading the thread sounds like its some leak through ph wire as confirmed by last wc . the things we do for our tanks. :laugh::)