LED lights

[Cflip]

Wondering why these need to be plugged into the wall ? It says do not use a power strip.

 

[Diesel]

Yes that is weird o_O
Can you enlighten us with some more info please.
What kind of LED light and brand?
Any pictures will help as well.

 

[jsker]

Wondering why these need to be plugged into the wall ? It says do not use a power strip.

Yes please, we need some more information to help you.

 

[Cflip]

Its the orbit marine pro LED lights

 

[Diesel]

Thank you.
Can you show a attachment where it says you can't use a power strip?

 

[Diesel]

Here's what I found.

Basically a power strip is some kind of extension cord right!

 

[CamG]

Ok, this is just a wild guess.
I think it's a liability issue. Power bars usually lay on the floor so if some water was to get on the cord it will end up in the power bar.
If the light is pluged into the wall the cord is usually drops to the floor and then back up to the recepticle so no water can get get in.

Only thing I can think of.

 

[Cflip]

If I plug it into a power strip and click the power strip off it pops the GFIC If it's in the wall it doesn't.

 

[Diesel]

If I plug it into a power strip and click the power strip off it pops the GFIC If it's in the wall it doesn't.

Does you power strip have surge protector or a build in GCFI?













@Brew12

 

[Cflip]

It has a surge protector

 

[Brew12]

Does you power strip have surge protector or a build in GCFI?

You don't need me, this is exactly the problem! Only fair to bring me in since I did drag you into the NO3/PO4 thread! :p

It has a surge protector

Surge protectors generally do not work well with GFCI's when powering larger loads. Especially when turning them on or off. A surge arrestor works by shunting current from the hot line to ground (typically through an MOV). This is the exact type of current miss match a GFCI is looking for causing it to trip. In this case, the surge is probably created by the filter circuit in the power supply charging up.

If you use a non surge protected power strip you would be just fine plugging this light fixture into it. Just be mindful that these lights will pull much more current than the indicated Watt load would lead you to believe. The listed Watt load is just the LED's. It does not include the power supply losses or controller. As long as you are mindful to not overload the power strip (should be rated to 1800Watts total) you will be fine.

 

[Diesel]

You don't need me, this is exactly the problem! Only fair to bring me in since I did drag you into the NO3/PO4 thread! :p



Surge protectors generally do not work well with GFCI's when powering larger loads. Especially when turning them on or off. A surge arrestor works by shunting current from the hot line to ground (typically through an MOV). This is the exact type of current miss match a GFCI is looking for causing it to trip. In this case, the surge is probably created by the filter circuit in the power supply charging up.

If you use a non surge protected power strip you would be just fine plugging this light fixture into it. Just be mindful that these lights will pull much more current than the indicated Watt load would lead you to believe. The listed Watt load is just the LED's. It does not include the power supply losses or controller. As long as you are mindful to not overload the power strip (should be rated to 1800Watts total) you will be fine.

I knew that but wanted to give you some brownie points

 

[Cflip]

Wow!! So many things I don't know. Thanks so much.

 

[Cflip]

Another difficulty. I have the orbit marine light pro a mag 5 pump- 45 watts .8 amps won pro heater 250 watts like 10 years old reef octopus skimmer with pump at 9 watts and a ground fault probe which again said it needs to be plugged into the wall? They are on a 15 amp circuit breaker. I can't even add a 4 watt powerhead and it blows the breaker. Is there any equipment changes I can do to allow me to run a powerhead? I have soft corals and still trying to get fish to live.

 

[Cflip]

By the way drag anywhere - lol

 

[Brew12]

Another difficulty. I have the orbit marine light pro a mag 5 pump- 45 watts .8 amps won pro heater 250 watts like 10 years old reef octopus skimmer with pump at 9 watts and a ground fault probe which again said it needs to be plugged into the wall? They are on a 15 amp circuit breaker. I can't even add a 4 watt powerhead and it blows the breaker. Is there any equipment changes I can do to allow me to run a powerhead? I have soft corals and still trying to get fish to live.

This load alone shouldn't be enough to trip the breaker. Most breakers have 8 to 11 receptacles on them. Are there other sizable loads you lose when the breaker trips?

 

[Cflip]

Odd then. Maybe it's because I'm using a surge protector for my pump and heater? Lights are in the wall.

 

[Brew12]

Odd then. Maybe it's because I'm using a surge protector for my pump and heater? Lights are in the wall.

The surge protector shouldn't impact the breaker tripping unless it is an AFCI or GFCI breaker. So nothing like a TV or other lights around the house that also loses power when the breaker trips?

Another possibility is that the breaker is going bad. It does happen and they tend to trip early when they do.

 

[Diesel]

IMO if you replace the breaker you should be good.
Any other pieces equipment that pulls straight from the same breaker?