Co2 soleniod trips GFCI

[chrisrush]

I recently installed a new ca reactor in my tand due to a higher than expected alk valve, I turned off the gas on this reactor for a couple of days. This morning, the alk was back down to 8, so I tried to turn back on the regulator/solenoid. Well, it tripped my gfci. I had this setup for approx. 8-9 months and I never had this problem. Whenever the pH meter turns on the gas, the solenoid is activated, and the GFCI trips.

Anyone else have this problem? Anyone got a solution?

Chris

 

[melev]

Make sure all plugs are firmly seated in the outlets. It could be that. Or perhaps some moisture is on the plug(s).

 

[chrisrush]

I thought about that Marc. But the outlet is in my cabinet next to the tank about 3 feet off the ground. I tried to plug in the solenoid on another gfci and it still tripped. The solenoid is going through one of those DJ centers, but it still isn't overloaded with current.

I'm going to call Milwaukee this AM and see if they have any suggestions.

 

[nobody]

@chrisrush wrote:

From this post, it appears that you tried both GFCIs with the DJ center. Did you plug the solenoid into the GFCI all by itself? I see 3 possibilities:

1. If solenoid trips GFCI all by itself, then the solenoid is defective (shorted) and must be replaced.

2. If the solenoid by itself does not trip, but DJ + solenoid trip GFCI, there's a good chance that the solenoid is marginally defective and draws more current than spec'd. If you plug a 20W bulb into the DJ and your GFCI does not trip, then the solenoid is defective.

3. If DJ + solenoid trip and DJ + 20W bulb trip, then the DJ is almost at capacity and the solenoid just sinks enough current to trip the GFCI. This is the least likely case, but possible.

Hope this helps,

 

[chrisrush]

Thanks Khoa.

The solenoid trips on a 2nd GFCI circuit. I haven't taken the solenoid off the DJ center yet, but after talking with Brian at Milwaukee, he said that it sounds like some moisture got into the solenoid and may have shorted it out. He's going to send a replacement soleniod. I'll update when I get it.