Eheim 2215 Putting electric shock in water

2142 Views 24 Replies 5 Participants Last post by sbarbee54, Jul 31, 2012

sbarbee54

Discussion Starter · Jul 29, 2012

Has anyone ever had a issue where the unti sends a small amount of a electrical charge in the water. I just bought a used 2215 and I set it up and when on it sends a slight electrical charge through the water. Enough that it makes my fingures tingle a little when submergered. What could cause this and how can i fix it

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

PlantedRich

· #2 · Jul 29, 2012

You are certain that it is the filter? Not another item like lights, heater, etc??
The only way I can see the filter would do this is if there is a crack in the head, letting water get into the wiring at some point. Since there is no switch or anything other than the cord running into a wire coil embedded in epoxy, it would seem likely there might be a break directly where the cord enters but that should be well away from any water.

Quote--- Enough that it makes my fingures tingle a little when submergered.

I'm assuming you mean when your fingers are submerged. Not putting the filter in the water???

sbarbee54

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 29, 2012

Correect when I put my hand in the tank to move a moss pad it started tingling... I pulled the head apart checked everything and all was good....

deeda

· #4 · Jul 30, 2012

Do you still get the tingling if the filter is unplugged?

sbarbee54

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 30, 2012

No, when it is unplugged everything is fine.. It is the new filter I am sure. Do you thing a grounding probe would stop the issue. I have taken it apart and cannot find anything that would cause it.

PlantedRich

· #6 · Jul 30, 2012

Of all the tank equipment, I would expect the filter to be the last place to find a fault of this type. Lights or heaters are my first suspects.

PlantedRich

· #7 · Jul 30, 2012

It is my opinion that grounding the tank and water would make a somewhat dangerous situation possibly much worse. Right now you are getting a small tingle because you are not well grounded. If you add a ground, that gives you a place to be really well grounded and the current may find you a handy route to ground. If you do have a serious short in the filter and ground the tank, it may simply trip the breaker. I would look for the short or replace the filter. It is giving you first warning! Plugin GFCI are good for these things.

deeda

· #8 · Jul 30, 2012

I agree with PlantedRich.

If you aren't familiar with working on an electrical short, contact an electrician for advice.

Also, have you removed the cover so you can actually see where the wiring meets the coil encased in epoxy?

sbarbee54

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 30, 2012

I have no scrapped the epoxy off that is for tomorrow I am 100 % sure it is the filter

tobystanton

· #10 · Jul 30, 2012

Just return the filter.

PlantedRich

· #11 · Jul 30, 2012

It sounds like you have met a crook! Some people do that.

I would take the cover off as far as I could but I would not scrape the epoxy off as there would be no practical way for me to repair that portion. As an interesting look at what might be wrong, I might but as a repair I would call it beyond repair. In theory, the cord might be getting water on a break somewhere inside the cover but outside the epoxy but that is really stretching for an answer. If you find something, I would like to see any pics you might be able to show us.

Sorry, sounds like a bummer.

sbarbee54

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 30, 2012

I took the cover off the cord is fine it has to be in the epoxy area where the impeller and motor pass water. I am going to tear the epoxy down. If I find something I am going to try and fix and silicon epoxy it closed again

PlantedRich

· #13 · Jul 30, 2012

Sounds like a logical next move. Pretty much in a bad situation.
My thinking might be the same. When the item is broken, I feel better about doing things that may/may not work.
Some thoughts to be aware of while doing this? Silicone may not stick well to do a good job over the long term for insulating the break. It may come back to shock you. I'm not afraid of electrical items as I have worked with it a lot but there are some times when it pays to be extra cautious. Like when we know there might be a problem. One of the plug-in type GFCI protectors might be a good investment to make with this filter. My training has always told me 110VAC is far more dangerous than the high level stuff like 7600. People are often scared of high voltage but they have missed some critical data.

High voltage like 7600 is likely to do a lot of damage like burn your arm off. The lower voltages like 110/220 are far more likely to stop your heart. It has just enough power to throw the heart beat out of rhythm. The difference may just be how well grounded you are at the time.

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deeda

· #14 · Jul 30, 2012

You probably have a fine, hairline crack in the impeller well and that will be a very difficult area to view unless you have a lighted scope.

Or you could leave the pump head cover off, turn the pump head upside down, fill the impeller well with water (take impeller out) and see if the water leaks out of the well. That will tell you if you have a crack in the impeller well.

sbarbee54

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 30, 2012

Well I will be playing with it on carpet, and in a fish tank lol. No the stuff I am going to use is electrical grade epoxy I am going to then over coat everythiy with silicon. I have a specialized surge and GFI pod I got from work. I work with low voltage all day

sbarbee54

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 30, 2012

I wish they just sold these pump heads I would buy a new one!

deeda

· #17 · Jul 30, 2012

They sell them, online or order from your LFS.

Did you happen to read my post?

sbarbee54

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 30, 2012

I can find no one that carrys the 2215 pump head any more....

yeah I am going to try what you ahd mentioned. As I had already filled the area where the impeller goes as the pump cover was off and got no leaking. I imagine if it is leaking it is into the epoxyed area. That is why I am going to tear it down.

deeda

· #19 · Jul 30, 2012

Well, bigalspets online has them but they are out of stock.

sbarbee54

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 30, 2012

Yeah they are out of stock because they are not being made anymore from what one online comapny told me

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