Coralife Digital Power Center - Fire!!!

[Dragonfish]

So last night I was sitting on my couch folding clothes when I hear a zap zap noise coming from my tank! I jump up and run over and through the gaps in the door I can see flashes of light! I yank the power cord and open the doors to find my Power Center on fire!!!! I manage to get the fire out easily enough and started cleaning up. The inside of my stand is scorched and the pump on my media tumbler is ruined, but no other damage. What I don't get is that the power center was mounted 16" off the ground and everything plugged into it was routed to ensure no water ever got on it. During inspection I did confirm there was no evidence of water or salt on it anywhere. I've always been careful how I mount and route power in my tanks for exactly this reason! I sent Coralife a message but I don't actually expect to hear anything back from them.

So what do you all do for power and light timers? I have a two channel LED I need to time, but I never bothered with dawn/dusk so something simple works for me. I also do not have moonlights. I suppose now that I have to re-do it all, now might be the time to incorporate some better features like those into my tank. Thoughts?

Todd

 

[jrpark22000]

wow sorry to hear Todd. That is horrible and very lucky to be home and awake to find it.

I use a controller for the tank, but for small stuff when i need a timer, I use the rugged analog outdoor capable light timers from HD or similar box stores. Something like this.
http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-P1121-Heavy-Outdoor-Timer/dp/B003NVLWMI
http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-HB...093&sr=1-13&keywords=intermatic+outdoor+timer

 

[Irsug1]

Wow, is it possible that it was humidity?
I had similar event recently but it was because my skimmer overflowed due to over feeding. The foam ran straight down the power cord into the power strip. I was actually able to pour water out of my strip. I went out and got a dj power strip and mounted it high so all cables had a drip loop.

 

[sk8elenex92]

Wow this is not the first time I seen the coralife power strip catch fire. Scary stuff

 

[Dragonfish]

I actually heard back from Coralife already. They seem to want to replace the timer but won't do anything about my other equipment. I don't think I want it!

~edit~ In a surprising turn of events, they offered me a Kent Cyclone Media Reactor to replace my damaged CPR. This is making me think I need a Reef Keeper Lite.

And it just shipped. Well, pretty darn good customer service!

 

[Smitty]

Wow...I'm glad you were home and caught that. I've heard other scary/fire stories from those power strips.

 

[anarchy]

Well now that I've read this makes me happier I'm getting my apex tomorrow