Never a good thing to find.

[JimmyR1rider]

Did some work on a tank today. Thought I'd post up some pics for new reefers that shows long term what bad choices when it comes to saltwater and electrical components can result in and show that the damage that is always talked about is not just made up BS:

We went to change his old wet/dry to a new sump and when we moved the wet dry out after cutting the plumbing away this is what we found.

I told him that the way the outlet looked he was a hair away from a visit from the FDNY. He then stated - "you know its funny you say that, I smell it, an electrical smell sometimes". My jaw about hit the ground when he stated he's been speratically smelling it for a good while.

As a retired FDNY fireman I had EXTREME reservations about even thinking about finishing the job due to not in the slightest feeling comfortable with the situation.

I MADE him call electricians until he got one to agree to come out tomorrow morning to change out the outlet. He's going to sleep in the living room tonight so if it starts to arc hell hopefully hear it and be able to shut the breakers down.

We're going back tomorrow to be there for the electrician and will empty the new sump and remove it to give the electrician the access he needs and then will be doing all the drain plumbing over and route the electrical cords up on the wall.

The way they were we got shocked whenever we touched ANYTHING down there- the drains, the salt creep the cords were in, the returns. EVERYTHING SHOCKED US. In fact we had to shut the breakers in the apartment down to work on the tank. I didn't want to disturb ANYTHING to do with the way the outlet was.

So for any new reefers setting up their systems please please PLEASE take into account what can happen. Not only can it start a fire but it can also shock and possibly seriously injure loved ones and children that come in contact with the electrical current.



This tank is a custom tank and has been running for 10+ years.

 

[strgazr27]

I hope the electrician replaces it with a GFCI outlet. Another thing that helps and I did it with the one outlet behind my tank is an outlet cover. I used this one http://www.totsafe.com/proddetail.asp?prod=10405&gclid=CI_mxJnV6rkCFYWe4AodKzsAkQ And although not waterproof it does a great job of keeping any water that may drip or splash from the tank while I am working on it off the outlet.

If you have the room this is another viable option along the same lines

 

[JimmyR1rider]

The company that installed the tank put it right up against the wall. The back of the stand is open and I positioned the sump at the very front edge to hopefully have enough space for that type of outlet. I'm going to ask the electrician to do just that. I'm hoping he carries them in his truck. Also told the client to ask about them so I'm hoping we can get one of those installed. If not i will Jerry rig a cover that will screw anchor to the sheetrock with mollies. Hell have enough room I think to get in there if he needs to. Either way it'll be sealed off from saltwater.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Odds are once the electrician pulls the box out he's going to find a real mess in the wall. Not the worst thing I've seen but it's definitely up there.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Odds are once the electrician pulls the box out he's going to find a real mess in the wall. Not the worst thing I've seen but it's definitely up there.

I bet you've seen worse Jared. We're bringing a bunch of bags and everything to break the tank down tomorrow as well as the supplies to finish the tank. I'm 1/2 expecting the super to show up and when he sees the mess the electrician finds tell the client that's it no more. You had it for 10 years, it was a good run but its over.

Like you said I was telling the client most likely there's extensive damage behind the outlet in the wall especially if its been arcing enough to smell it.

He had called the super to get his electricians number. That's why I'm expecting a stop in by the guy.

We will see tomorrow.

 

[Mattl22]

Why doesn't he have the electrician just remove the old outlet install a new one few feet over way from tank

 

[JimmyR1rider]

It's an old apartment you're stuck with what wiring is there because of the limited breaker slots. It's also he has too much crap everywhere along the wall- all heavy cumbersome stuff plus there's already another outlet in the wall which is used up. To squeeze another one in there and run a wire to the breaker box on the other side of the apartment would cost a boatload of money.

 

[trinimaddness]

Early this month my breaker kept tripping and i had no reason why(i have arc fault and gfci circuit breakers). So i would just reset it ,thinking everything was fine..Later i found out that my fan i had blowing across the sump was splashing water into the outlet.well not splashing but sprinkling ..I ended up installing one of those weather proof boxes over the outlet, moving sump a little and removing the fan from the sump..dont mess around with salt water,its very distructive and conductive..

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Got it all squared away today. Electrician came and had the GFI outlet and bubble cover I wanted. Here's a couple of after shots before the new sump went back in. He lucked out BIG TIME, the electrician said even though the wires are old they looked like they were brand new. They were in awesome shape:

All good, no more shocks. We also threw a coat of KILZ on after the photos were take. These wet after we scraped of and vacuumed all of the loose, peeling paint and vacuumed up all the salt creep.

 

[albano]

What about the Super?

 

[LongIslandAndy]

Nice Job Jim !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JimmyR1rider]

The super I think is sick of the tank. Gave him his electricians number. If the super was around and could replace the outlet was the first thing I asked him when we noticed the shape it was in and he said he smelt electrical smells sometimes. The super was a no go Alfie.


Thanks Andy