Just averted a fire!!

[magic]

My Coralife digital power strip just went up in smoke!!! I just happen to be looking at my tank when I saw smoke . I ran and open the stand and the power strip was shorting out! No water anywhere near it. If you have one of these you may want to reevaluate it's usage. This could have been a disaster!

Bob

 

[ds4x4]

thank god you were there bob..

 

[TheGuyFromNJ]

I have read on many forums about them going up in smoke. Your not alone.

 

[Brian]

I have read on many forums about them going up in smoke. Your not alone.

That's true! Go on RC and search for it, SCARY results. As soon as I read them I came home and threw out 3 of them that I had at the time.

Good thing you were there, Bob!

 

[BobCReef]

scary. Good thing you were there.
I know i had a connector short out. Went in the kitchen where the tank is and there is smoke rolling at the ceiling. Lost a couple years off my life that day.

 

[ricwilli]

Bob, you can't have your tank and the refrigerator all connected on one strip ;D




On a side note...... Glad you where there to take care of the problem.

 

[ds4x4]

Bob, you can't have your tank and the refrigerator all connected on one strip ;D

really... uh, oh.. brb

 

[Hawkeye]

going to sticky this so others know to avoid this. If we don't think it merits a sticky - we'll take it down later.

 

[magic]

What a way to get my first sticky It put a few more grays on my head.

Bob

 

[Phyl]

Coralife timers are NOTORIOUS for going up in smoke. We threw ours away after I read the story of the fire on RC. Those poor people lost their home. Glad it had a happy ending for you, if not without taking a few years off your life expecancy.

 

[momof6kids]

Thank God you were there. Very scary.

 

[tbaquatics]

My Coralife digital power strip just went up in smoke!!! I just happen to be looking at my tank when I saw smoke . I ran and open the stand and the power strip was shorting out! No water anywhere near it. If you have one of these you may want to reevaluate it's usage. This could have been a disaster!

Bob

Time to throw mine away. Can anyone recommend an alternative timer with multiple outlets that will not go up in smoke....

 

[daveh285]

Does anybody know if the "Zillas" are made by the same company? ???

 

[Phyl]

I'd use an ACJr, Brian. Sorry, Dave. I can't answer that question.

 

[mott768]

the coralife non digital timers would be a safer choice. How about using the marineland timers with a good quality power strip plugged into it. I been using the marineland ones for years for my lighting, water topoff switches and fans.

 

[Phyl]

I wouldn't use ANY coralife timer. I believe it was the non-digi that started the fire on RC. I think their outlets are faulty.

 

[malulu]

All,
thank you all for this bad news - i have 6 of them!!

i guess i need to *find a way* to upgrade them to a safe and cheaper ones from HomeDepot!
i mean without the wife's noticed of the extra $100+ spend on the fish tank related...
:

Bob,
time to upgrade the *whole tank*...
just tell your wife the new tank tank is using a special fire-proof super woods...
;D

 

[magic]

All,
thank you all for this bad news - i have 6 of them!!

i guess i need to *find a way* to upgrade them to a safe and cheaper ones from HomeDepot!
i mean without the wife's noticed of the extra $100+ spend on the fish tank related...
:

Bob,
time to upgrade the *whole tank*...
just tell your wife the new tank tank is using a special fire-proof super woods...
;D

Dave

I get it, I tell her that the wood got wet and the 46 grew into a 120 ;D

Bob

 

[vangvace]

Time to throw mine away. Can anyone recommend an alternative timer with multiple outlets that will not go up in smoke....

I use an appliance (three prong) HD/Lowes/walmart timer with a threeway splitter on lower wattage circuits. I also use the timer to cover two of the outlets on the strip as well to prevent overuse.

Another option is to plug the timer into the wall and then plug a powerstrip into the timer... (DISCLAIMER!!! I haven't checked wattages to ensure safeness of this)

 

[TheGuyFromNJ]

I have everything on it's own timer. HD has those outdoor timers with the little clear cover to keep the moisture out and they have a dongle that plugs into the strip so it only takes up one outlet.