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Anonymous

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So I think I want to add some GFCI's to my system, but am having trouble deciding which one to get. For various reasons, I cant just put them in the wall recepticle, so I either need an adapter, a corded GCFI, or to make my own corded GCFI (a recepticle that is wired to a plug).

PS has an adapter for 10 bucks, while Grainger has one for 24 bucks. What could the difference possibly be?

Anything I should be looking for in a GCFI? I remember reading something about a non magnetic one, or one that will reset itself after a power outage - does that make sense?

Anyone got any opinions to help me decide?

Just when I thought the confusing part of reefing was over... :mrgreen:

TIA

RR
 
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Anonymous

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I get the cheapest one with the right amount of Amp. Check to see if the PS and Grainger GFIC has the same rating.
 

TomH

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Home Depot sells a three outlet GFCI on a 36" extension cord -- That's what I use.

Its designed for use on construction sites, etc., so its pretty heavy-duty.

Also, I've not had it "false trip" . . . . yet (knock on wood).
 

Emperator

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get these from premium aquatics:

gfi.jpg


$9.95 each, 15amp rating.
 

panmanmatt

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I have one on my tank that i purchased at Walmart for $25. It has 6 standard outlets and 3 for the larger transformer type plugs, the big square ones. Never had any problems with it at all and we've lost power quite a few times lately and it always came right back on. By the way it also has CATV and telephone connections. My fish are getting upset cause they don't have their cable hooked up yet.
 
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Anonymous

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I built mine from parts I had, and some HD parts.

(4) gangable single boxes ($1.50 each)
(3) GFCI's (had them) ( about $10 each, but reallyyou only need one
(1) decora duplex recepticle ($1)
(1) 4-slot Cover ($1.50)
(1) 10' 12ga extesion cord (with right angle plug) ($10 if you get a fancy one)

So for around $15 you could build a single outlet GFCI.

If you need help wiring PM me

B
 

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Anonymous

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panmanmatt":3o8vaj42 said:
I have one on my tank that i purchased at Walmart for $25. It has 6 standard outlets and 3 for the larger transformer type plugs, the big square ones. Never had any problems with it at all and we've lost power quite a few times lately and it always came right back on. By the way it also has CATV and telephone connections. My fish are getting upset cause they don't have their cable hooked up yet.

By the description you gave us, I think you've only got a surge protector, not an acutal GFCI. You still need a GFCI somewhere in the chain, so if something gets wet, it will shut off the power before it short circuits.

B
 
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Anonymous

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Thanks guys. Went to HD to look around today and they had single GCFI adaptors for 12 bucks each. Got 4 of em!
 

das75

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Bingo, seems a waste of GFIs, should just add normal plugs and place the other GFIs on seperate circuits
 
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Anonymous

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Im going to tell you something about them...Im an electronics guy, so i have some idea of what im talking about..1st its gonna depend on how much current you are drawing via all to your tank and stuff, gfci's act almost like a circuit breaker if you will...so if you start drawing too much current, the gfi will trip..2) im not quite sure what they have out there as products of gfi, only what i know of in my bathroom...you need to be sure on the rating...too little current and it will trip all the time, too much and you might burn out some nice equipment... :cry:

8)
 

panmanmatt

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Bingo,


The one i have is a combination surge protector with a GFCI built into the plug. It looks like a sirge protector by the strip but when you look at the plug you can see the GFCI.
 
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Anonymous

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das75":msj8fpfq said:
Bingo, seems a waste of GFIs, should just add normal plugs and place the other GFIs on seperate circuits

The only reason I have 3 gfci's is I had them laying around. so they were esentially free. however wiring three of them is not such a bad idea. If you plug three different things into three GFCI's you're covered. If you plug your lights into the first outlet, heater into the second, and pumps into the third (and Forth in this case) IF one trips, the others will still fuction. IF my heater breaks and shorts out #2, my lights and pumps will still work!

(never quite thought of it that way!)


panmanmatt":msj8fpfq said:
Bingo,
The one i have is a combination surge protector with a GFCI built into the plug. It looks like a sirge protector by the strip but when you look at the plug you can see the GFCI.

Sweet! Killing two birds with one stone!


B
 
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Anonymous

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So the ones I got form HD were crap. They don't restart after an outage. Oh well, I guess I will try the ones from PA.

:mrgreen:
 

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