repost- DIY grounding probe

[tigershark]

Instruction by AT to repost this topic- DIY grounding probe...

The picture below shows the main parts that is needed for the grounding probe & estimated cost.....

1) Titanium probe - you could buy it from local bicycle shop, just tell the boss you want to buy a titanium bicycle spoke. It should cost you somewhere ard $9 for 1. The titanium spoke is enought to cut into 1/2 and use to DIY 2 grounding probes.

2) 3 pin plug- cost you anything from $1.20 to $3.00 depends on the quality of the plug...

3) wire- you can use any wire that you could find... if you buy in hardware shop, it should cost you $0.50/metre. Lenght depend on your need.

4) wire connector- selling ard $0.80 ~$1.20 per 10 pcs. U need only 1 pc to connect the wire to the bicycle spoke.

5) Silicon- use to seal up all connection where it prevent the copper wireto contact with the SW.

Tools needed:

1) test pen,

2) wire cutter / penknife to cut the wire

total cost per grounding probe: $ 6.00 to $15.00.

[tigershark]

the whole DIY proccess is very simple, 1st, cut the wire to the lenght you need. connect the wire to the "earth" in the 3 pin plug, if you dun know where is the earth, pls refer to the pic below. It is very important to connect the wire to the rite pin, if you connect the wire to the "live" pin, god bless u....

[tigershark]

in case u dun know what is a wire connector, this picture shows you how its look. the wire connector comes in 1 row of 10, just cut 1 pc from the row and keep the rest for future use.

[tigershark]

this is the titanium bicycle spoke that I mentioned previously, I've cut it to 1/2 so that I could use it in both of my marine tank. To leght of the spoke was originally 12", after cutting it into 1/2, it is 6" each and should be more than sufficient for most tank.

[tigershark]

connect the wire to 1 end of the connector, then connect the titanium spoke to another end of the wire connector. You will get something like this (refer to the picture below)

[tigershark]

seal up all the connection with silicon to prevent any copper to contact with the SW. Copper is extremely poisonous to coral/invert..... this is a very important steps and you must make sure it is done properly.

[ryz]

huh.... DUn understannd... WHat do youb do wuth the spoke?? Put it on the ground?

[BarraCudaTM]

put inside the water lah!

[tigershark]

remarks- The original thread was posted ard 1 yr ago and it was lost after the SRC database having some problem. Bro Barracuda provide plenty of advise on this DIY and improvised/simplified the whole DIY proccess....

The whole diy proccess took less than 5 mins and it is very affordable... for my case, i spend $4.50 for each grounding probe caused most of the parts are available in my storeroom... eg- wire, connectors, silicon & etc....

hope this would help those who intend to buy a grounding probe but hesitated to pay $20~$30 sold in LFS....

[ryz]

hmm... to discharge any electric current from the water? interesting... usually there won't be any electric current right? what are alternative materials to the bicucle spoke?

[BarraCudaTM]

hmm... to discharge any electric current from the water? interesting... usually there won't be any electric current right? what are alternative materials to the bicucle spoke?

you can use titanium, platinum or even gold. As long as its inert in saltwater.

Carbon sticks works also.

[tigershark]

huh.... DUn understannd... WHat do youb do wuth the spoke?? Put it on the ground?

hahaha... thats a good 1.... wherever u wan to poke the probe, dun poke my backside can already....

[LittleAntzz]

the spoke is put inside the SW then the 3 Pin Connector put where????

[alanseah]

of coz to the power plug la...

something to add on.. u can infact bend the spoke.. to a u shape... so that u can have it hang on the tank.. then also reduce the risk of having the copper in contact with the SW

[reeflobang]

Anyone know exactly where to get the titianium rod? Checked with a few bike shops in North sector but can't find it. Thanks.

On the other hand... I did recall Tanzy had a write-up on possible negative effects of using it... something to do with the chemical inbalance or something....

[LittleAntzz]

of coz to the power plug la...

something to add on.. u can infact bend the spoke.. to a u shape... so that u can have it hang on the tank.. then also reduce the risk of having the copper in contact with the SW

ok then must ( ON or OFF ) the power plug switch????

[BarraCudaTM]

The powerswitch got nothing to do with the ground.

[alanseah]

on it...

cause the reason is.. if there is any leak.. then the leak will go to the earth connection which is your spoke.. then your earth will result in a trip that cut off your electric.. thus prevent any further damage..

[flubberina13]

the spoke is put inside the SW then the 3 Pin Connector put where????

Wa koaz...this guy is so cute!!!

[weileong]

don't blame him ma.

He might not be too well versed with electrical stuffs.

Like that better not try DIY too dangerous, wait you go put the wire to the live and poof!

[flubberina13]

don't blame him ma.

He might not be too well versed with electrical stuffs.

Like that better not try DIY too dangerous, wait you go put the wire to the live and poof!

muahahaha....me also electrical-goondu but there is a universal usage for the 3-pin connector...

[alanseah]

if put the wire at live then can see fry fish and coral lor...

[Fireclown]

He will see his fishes dancing. Then they start floating up. His acro becomes goreng pisang!

[nutx]

btw, if any one is looking for the titanium probe, I should still have 2-3 pieces left from the last bulk order from seahorse....can pm me.

[sherman]

remarks- The original thread was posted ard 1 yr ago and it was lost after the SRC database having some problem. Bro Barracuda provide plenty of advise on this DIY and improvised/simplified the whole DIY proccess....

The whole diy proccess took less than 5 mins and it is very affordable... for my case, i spend $4.50 for each grounding probe caused most of the parts are available in my storeroom... eg- wire, connectors, silicon & etc....

hope this would help those who intend to buy a grounding probe but hesitated to pay $20~$30 sold in LFS....

This is a very good DIY.Credit should go to whoever come up with this idea.

Regards

Sherman