Controllers (AC, RKII, etc) with GFCIs (and DJ strips)...

[bleedingthought]

So, after Len reminded all of us about the necessary use of GFCIs, I decided to go all out on the new build and use ALL GFCI outlets. So, now I've got 9 of them and two, maybe three 20amp breakers are going to be feeding them.

But here's where I run into problem: I'm going to be running an AC Jr with a DC8 on this tank. How am I able to let the AC Jr control my my tank, and still be able to have my return pump, lights, CL, skimmer, and others all on different outlets? (In case one trips off)?

Also, I was considering using the DJ power units for ease of switching these on and off. Would that be able to be fit into the picture as well?

I desperately need your help on this, guys!

Thanks!

 

[Christeon]

I'm pretty sure what your looking for is an inline GFCI.

First link I came to for illustration:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?ItemId=1612702721

Slightly more compact one that might work depending on your plug layout:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5YL43?BaseItem=5YL47

Using boxes you could probably do the same thing but I don't think you would save any of money and it would take up more space.

 

[bleedingthought]

I'm pretty sure what your looking for is an inline GFCI.

First link I came to for illustration:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?ItemId=1612702721

Slightly more compact one that might work depending on your plug layout:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5YL43?BaseItem=5YL47

Using boxes you could probably do the same thing but I don't think you would save any of money and it would take up more space.

48 bucks is a little steep for me. I'd probably need about 6!

But you're right, that's what I need. Great idea! What if I plugged my equipment into the GFCI, separate as needed, and then put a prong on the end of it and plugged it into the controller. Would that work? I'd be about 10 bucks each, if this were to work.

What about the DJ strips? How would they fall into the picture??

 

[bleedingthought]

No one else can help me out? :?

 

[Anonymous]

I would check out premiumaquatics.com. They have inline GFCI's for about 10 bucks each. I use them with dj panels.

 

[Len]

I've got each DC8 on an inline GFCI. I know it's not ideal, but the idea of 8 inline GFCI is not attractive.

The main thing I'd worry about tripping is the return pump and/or circulation. If that's the case, I'd just have the pump seperate from the DC8 and on its own GFCI. If you need to turn off the return pump, just trip the GFCI

 

[bleedingthought]

I would check out premiumaquatics.com. They have inline GFCI's for about 10 bucks each. I use them with dj panels.

Are these the same wall plugs we had discussed, Rich? (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...en=PROD&Product_Code=TM-GFI&Category_Code=GFI)

If so, do they have a cord or is it just a plug-in unit? I'm wondering if I'd have room on the strip (whether it'd be the DJ strip or the DC8) with these plugged in to have them all be protected. Whattya think?

Also, do you guys have your final device (either the DC8 or the powerstrip/DJ strip) plugged into a GFCI as well?

 

[bleedingthought]

I've got each DC8 on an inline GFCI. I know it's not ideal, but the idea of 8 inline GFCI is not attractive.

Len, do you have a picture of your DC8 with these plugged in? Where did you get your inline GFCIs?

Also, what all do you have the ACIII controlling? In my case, I wouldn't need to "control" the return pump or the closed loop system?

 

[Len]

I use these GFCI: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... ct=TW38018

My AC controls the lights, the CO2 for my Ca reactor, skimmer, heater, chiller, and my Vortechs. My pumps and Ocean Motions is also on the DC8, but I really don't ever turn them off much. I don't worry about the GFCI tripping and having no circulation from my return pump since my Vortechs are on battery and will continue running without power. That's pretty much the chief concern with GFCI tripping that I can foresee.

 

[bleedingthought]

I use these GFCI: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... ct=TW38018

My AC controls the lights, the CO2 for my Ca reactor, skimmer, heater, chiller, and my Vortechs. My pumps and Ocean Motions is also on the DC8, but I really don't ever turn them off much. I don't worry about the GFCI tripping and having no circulation from my return pump since my Vortechs are on battery and will continue running without power. That's pretty much the chief concern with GFCI tripping that I can foresee.

OK, that GFCI would be a little more space efficient. So, you've got 6 of those in use? A little pricey, but might be worth it (unless the ones from Premium Aquatics would fit on the DC8 side by side. Rich? ). And how does the AC control the skimmer? I'm curious.

And lastly, that's an awesome feature from the vortechs! But what would you suggest for my case? Should I have the closed loop pump along with the OM unit, and the return pump not on the DC8 and on two separate GFCI outlets, equalling 3 total receptacles? Hope that makes sense.

 

[Len]

I actually only have two in use: one for each of my two DC8. You can get more if you want independently isolated GFCIs; It would help you more easily figure out exactly what equipment failed, and also prevent all the other equipment on that DC8 to be turned off when the GFCI trips. However, for my tank, I don't mind if one gear trips the GFCI and shuts down the other gear on the same DC8. The only concern for me is if power is interrupted to my circulation for an extended period of time; this could spell mass death. But my vortechs are on battery backup power, so that concern is a non-issue for me.

Without battery backup circulation devices, I'd probably have each DC8 on its own GFCI plus my return pump on its own separate GFCI, connected directly to the outlet (not through the DC8).

 

[bleedingthought]

And how does the AC control the skimmer? I'm curious.

And you have 2 DC8s so you plug everything in separately? For example, instead of bundling up all of your lighting into one plug you have them all separate?

 

[bleedingthought]

Check out the 'mod' this guy did: http://www.hisreef.com/electrical_control_mod.html

Here are some pictures that explain it:

I figured I could do something like that but with the AC Jr. And if possible, have one or two of the smaller DJ controllers (4 switches) on the things I would turn off more frequently.

 

[Len]

Each of my lights are plugged in its own outlet on the DC8. I like to control each light separately. Besides, putting all my halides and VHO into one socket is a bit too close to 15A for my liking.

Man, that is electrical work run amuck A DC8 (or two) does the job much more cleanly. With a AC, I wouldn't even bother with a DJ panel. It's not very hard to turn off something through the controller. Extra wiring and connection points is never a good thing, especially around water.

 

[bleedingthought]

Well, the only thing that worries me is all of that being plugged through one plug from the DC8. :? That's why I had considered the smaller DJ strips instead. The extra DC8 is almost an extra 200 bones. And lastly, I want to run enough outlets to run the tank without the AC Jr. Not only am I not going to buy it in time (unless the build takes longer than expected ), but I want to be able to run the tank without the AC Jr, if necessary.

So, I could do this:

• 1 GFCI outlet for the halides (~10A)
  1 GFCI outlet for the VHOs, moonlights, fuge light, first heater, and fans (~7A)
  1 GFCI outlet for the skimmer pump, Ca reactor pump, top-off unit and pumps, and second heater (~3A)
  1 GFCI outlet for the return pump (~1A)
  1 GFCI outlet for the closed loop pump(s) and oceans motions unit (~2A)
  1 GFCI outlet empty for possible extra equipment

Then, when I get the AC Jr, the first 2 outlets on the list would become empty and I would run all that equipment on the DC8. I figured the skimmer pump, the reactor pump (recirculating pump), the top-off system, the return pump, and the CL don't need to be controlled. You agree? The second heater would go on the DC8 as well. Only problem would be that I'd be pretty close to 20A. Maybe too close. :?

 

[Len]

Idea sounds fine, but it does look like you're pushing a little too many amps through one outlet. Is it possible to run it from two outlets/breakers? That's how I have my electrical set up for my tank.

 

[bleedingthought]

Idea sounds fine, but it does look like you're pushing a little too many amps through one outlet. Is it possible to run it from two outlets/breakers? That's how I have my electrical set up for my tank.

Well, I'm going to have either 2 or 3 dedicated 20A breakers. Each outlet 20A as well. In the long run, I'd have enough power. But it is just that one outlet for the DC8. :?

From what I hear/know, you're supposed to run each circuit at under 80% of its rating. So, for 20A, I'm looking at 16A tops. I'm over it at 17A.

Unless I run my VHOs (actinics) outside the DC8... That's about 3.5A, which would bring me to about 14A total. I could just put the actinics on a timer. That's basically what the AC would do, right? (Well, except turn them off if the tank got too hot. Correct?)

 

[Anonymous]

OK, that GFCI would be a little more space efficient. So, you've got 6 of those in use? A little pricey, but might be worth it (unless the ones from Premium Aquatics would fit on the DC8 side by side. Rich? ). And how does the AC control the skimmer? I'm curious.

I have never used a DC8 so I cant tell you!

Crazy electric that is. I thought about it, but the DJ power panel is just so easy!

 

[bleedingthought]

I have never used a DC8 so I cant tell you!

Crazy electric that is. I thought about it, but the DJ power panel is just so easy!

So, do you just have the DJ panels plugged into a single inline GFCI?

 

[Len]

You should be okay on one DC8, but it is pushing it. I have my heating and pumps on one DC8 and the lights on another.