Radions tripping GFI

TheGrog · 10/18/2015, 08:26 AM

Hello all.
I contacted Ecotech about this and still waiting for answer so I thought I would ask here to see if anyone has similar issue.
We recently moved and I finally got my fish equipment room!

I put up a plywood wall (after 2 layers of foam insulation for soundproofing) and then plastic board. Ran two junction boxes with 7 GFI outlets in total (14 plugs). Note: At old house only pumps had GFI and lights on normal plugs.
Well, when I plug in the Radion fixtures, they instantly trip the ground fault. One at a time, both, even with a surge protector inbetween. Tried different plugs and same result. Even ran an extension cord into bathroom and tripped that one too (the scientist in me ruling out all variables).
When they are in a non-GFI outlet, they work just fine.

Has this happened to anyone before? I REALLY do not want to have to take everything apart again to swap out a normal plug.

Thanks

Dmorty217 · 10/18/2015, 08:32 AM

My suggestion would be to take the GFCI's out and put in regular outlets. I'm sure others will think this is a bad idea but I have had tanks for 17 yrs not on GFCI's without any issues. The house I'm having built has GFCI's on my dedicated circuits for my 625g tank I'm setting up and I will change the outlets out before setting up the tank. GFCI are overkill for any application IMO.

ghostman · 10/18/2015, 11:47 AM

This is a known issue with Radions. Contact them, and they will send you new power supplies. I don't own them, and am unsure of the reason for the tripping of GFCIs.

bobbyc366 · 10/18/2015, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostman

This is a known issue with Radions. Contact them, and they will send you new power supplies. I don't own them, and am unsure of the reason for the tripping of GFCIs.

Yes same happened to me thay sent non switching power units at no charge and over night.

TheGrog · 10/19/2015, 05:05 PM

Got ahold of them today (lucky me, their customer service hours are when I normally work) and they shipping two new units out at no cost (if I return the old ones).

Other than their hours, their customer service really is top notch.

SoloGarth · 10/19/2015, 05:41 PM

Huh i need to check if I'm still under warranty. I noticed this happen as well but just moved them off of the GFCI outlet. They are low voltage DC so pose no danger anyway. Don't need a GFCI but it's still good to have the correct power supply.

b7fig · 10/19/2015, 07:16 PM

Glad to see this post! I just received new radion 30 pro and exact same thing is happening to me. I thought i was going crazy. ran extension cord across room to non gfi outlet to get them to work. I'll be contacting tech support tomorrow!

SoloGarth · 10/20/2015, 08:33 AM

Yeah I wish I had seen this before. I am just out of my warranty period.

TheGrog · 10/23/2015, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoloGarth

Yeah I wish I had seen this before. I am just out of my warranty period.

Mine are too, but they replaced them anyway. Apparently a defect in the internal wiring/circuitry. I think it is more of a safety/liability issue which makes them more lenient with replacement. Either that or they just stand behind their products.

Either way, I got my new ones today and they work perfect with the GFI outlets.

Reefstarter2 · 10/23/2015, 06:42 PM

Actually rations pull a lot of juice 2.65 amps to be exact

sleepydoc · 10/23/2015, 07:10 PM

It's interesting - they list them as 150 watts, but then go on to say 3.5A at 115V - that's over 400watts by my calculations

SoloGarth · 10/25/2015, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGrog

Mine are too, but they replaced them anyway. Apparently a defect in the internal wiring/circuitry. I think it is more of a safety/liability issue which makes them more lenient with replacement. Either that or they just stand behind their products.

Either way, I got my new ones today and they work perfect with the GFI outlets.

Thanks for this. I will contact them about my lights.

SoloGarth · 10/25/2015, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

It's interesting - they list them as 150 watts, but then go on to say 3.5A at 115V - that's over 400watts by my calculations

They won't be pulling max amperage under normal conditions. Which light specifically are you referring to?

SoloGarth · 10/26/2015, 02:48 PM

Well Ecotech is sending me some new power supplies. Awesome customer service. Now if only VW would treat their customers that well . . .

10/18/2015, 08:26 AM	#1
TheGrog Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 753	Radions tripping GFI Hello all. I contacted Ecotech about this and still waiting for answer so I thought I would ask here to see if anyone has similar issue. We recently moved and I finally got my fish equipment room! I put up a plywood wall (after 2 layers of foam insulation for soundproofing) and then plastic board. Ran two junction boxes with 7 GFI outlets in total (14 plugs). Note: At old house only pumps had GFI and lights on normal plugs. Well, when I plug in the Radion fixtures, they instantly trip the ground fault. One at a time, both, even with a surge protector inbetween. Tried different plugs and same result. Even ran an extension cord into bathroom and tripped that one too (the scientist in me ruling out all variables). When they are in a non-GFI outlet, they work just fine. Has this happened to anyone before? I REALLY do not want to have to take everything apart again to swap out a normal plug. Thanks __________________ When in doubt.....add more beer...then try duct tape Current Tank Info: 120G Reef with Ecotech Radion LEDs, 2xMP40

10/18/2015, 08:32 AM	#2
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	My suggestion would be to take the GFCI's out and put in regular outlets. I'm sure others will think this is a bad idea but I have had tanks for 17 yrs not on GFCI's without any issues. The house I'm having built has GFCI's on my dedicated circuits for my 625g tank I'm setting up and I will change the outlets out before setting up the tank. GFCI are overkill for any application IMO. __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

10/18/2015, 11:47 AM	#3
ghostman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 1,629	This is a known issue with Radions. Contact them, and they will send you new power supplies. I don't own them, and am unsure of the reason for the tripping of GFCIs. __________________ When you die, you don't know you're dead. It's only difficult for the people around you. It's the same when you're stupid. Current Tank Info: 40IM Fusion, 40lbs of rock, and 20lbs of sand. Just a few fish and corals....for now.

10/19/2015, 05:05 PM	#5
TheGrog Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 753	Got ahold of them today (lucky me, their customer service hours are when I normally work) and they shipping two new units out at no cost (if I return the old ones). Other than their hours, their customer service really is top notch. __________________ When in doubt.....add more beer...then try duct tape Current Tank Info: 120G Reef with Ecotech Radion LEDs, 2xMP40

10/19/2015, 05:41 PM	#6
SoloGarth Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Otis, MA Posts: 1,126	Huh i need to check if I'm still under warranty. I noticed this happen as well but just moved them off of the GFCI outlet. They are low voltage DC so pose no danger anyway. Don't need a GFCI but it's still good to have the correct power supply. __________________ 120G Miracles Starfire SPS system Calcium Rx, Bio Pellets, Radions and Gyres My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2549420

10/19/2015, 07:16 PM	#7
b7fig Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 250	Glad to see this post! I just received new radion 30 pro and exact same thing is happening to me. I thought i was going crazy. ran extension cord across room to non gfi outlet to get them to work. I'll be contacting tech support tomorrow! __________________ What, not again! Current Tank Info: 40g Innovative Marine. Mixed reef. Radion XR30 Pro. Vortech 10 Quitedrives. Reef link. Apex controller. 180 gal acrylic. FOWLR. 30g sump. K1 Kalk Stirrer. LifeReef SVS@2-24 protein skimmer. Carbon dosing

10/20/2015, 08:33 AM	#8
SoloGarth Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Otis, MA Posts: 1,126	Yeah I wish I had seen this before. I am just out of my warranty period. __________________ 120G Miracles Starfire SPS system Calcium Rx, Bio Pellets, Radions and Gyres My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2549420

10/23/2015, 06:42 PM	#10
Reefstarter2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 295	Actually rations pull a lot of juice 2.65 amps to be exact

10/23/2015, 07:10 PM	#11
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	It's interesting - they list them as 150 watts, but then go on to say 3.5A at 115V - that's over 400watts by my calculations __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

10/26/2015, 02:48 PM	#14
SoloGarth Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Otis, MA Posts: 1,126	Well Ecotech is sending me some new power supplies. Awesome customer service. Now if only VW would treat their customers that well . . . __________________ 120G Miracles Starfire SPS system Calcium Rx, Bio Pellets, Radions and Gyres My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2549420