What a Christmas present !!

[scooperhsd]

Went down to basement - at the top of the stairs, I could see that the floor n front of the fridge is wet.

No big deal - we a have a sump pump and a utility pump (for the hole under the main breaker). Yep more wet into the downstairs bedroom (grr). So, I started the 2 dehumidifiers in the basement, then retrieve the utility pump from the shop (after checking the hole  - yep filled with water). Put pump in pit, plugged in - just a buzz , no pumping (GRRRR). Go check the sump pump / pit - yep, filled with water, tried to start (lift the switching mechanism) - no start (GRRRRRRRR).

(Edit - GFCI was in tripped condition - reset and sump pump started)


Merry F****** Christmas !!

Fortunately, already have plumber scheduled for Wed to fix leak feeding cold water to washer on 1st floor, I guess I'll have see about sump pump (maybe (probably) replacement).

To everybody else - I hope you have a good christmas.

[f6john]

I would go ahead and replace the GFCI, it seems with age they can trip for no good reason other than age.

[carolinarider09]

I just installed (October I believe) a sump pump in our crawlspace as part of crawl space remediation I was going to have done (seal it up).

I installed a GFI outlet for the pump, just because I thought it was a good idea.  Well no problems yet but it occurred to me I'd never know if the GFI outlet tripped until the crawlspace got wet.  So,... may have to install a "monitor" or just change out the receptacle.

Sometimes I think you can be too cautious. 

Glad you got it corrected. 

[da prez]

Carolina , small low voltage light on an extension cord plugged in GFCI and visible at a location of your choosing.  Easy minor safety.

                                                           da prez

[Jess from VA]

We all need water to survive and live.

But not IN the house (outside the plumbing).   

My roof leak (down through the dining room ceiling) is supposed to be repaired.

Tues and Wed it will rain, and will be the acid test to this repair. 

Because who needs a drink of water through the dining room ceiling? 

When my GFCIs trip, it's almost always due to drawing a high load through that circuit.   But my sheds have popped from thunder and lightning.

If that sump pump is failing, that could cause a high load (resistance &/or corrosion) on that GFCI circuit. 

[carolinarider09]

Carolina , small low voltage light on an extension cord plugged in GFCI and visible at a location of your choosing.  Easy minor safety.

                                                           da prez

Now, I wish I had thought of that 

To further compound things, to add the wire to the under the house wiring was/is a challenge.  I have put it off until spring. 

So, I plugged a cord into the power supply for the freezer on the back porch (GFCI also) and ran it down to one of the "vents" in the curtain wall and then hard wired it to the future connection for pump power.

Since it is GFCI also and I did have some GFCI circuits on the back porch Christmas Light wiring trip, I was concerned with that power as well.

So, to check that power was still be supplied to the pump's "outlet", I'd just open the Freezer door to see if the light is on.

Your solution is much simpler (since we keep the freezer locked).   And much easier to implement and verify.

Thanks. 

[Jess from VA]

(since we keep the freezer locked)

Why Bill?  Who do you have in there??   

[carolinarider09]

(since we keep the freezer locked)

Why Bill?  Who do you have in there??   

 

Just spent too much time in nuclear power. 

Question you always ask:  What is the worst thing that can happen?   And when you identify it, the next question is what can you do to prevent it?

[ridingron]

(since we keep the freezer locked)

Why Bill?  Who do you have in there??   

 

Just spent too much time in nuclear power. 

Question you always ask:  What is the worst thing that can happen?   And when you identify it, the next question is what can you do to prevent it?

So, he can't get out if the lid's locked?   

[Jess from VA]

I suppose a freezer full of meat is worth more today than many small savings accounts. 

[Mooskee]

I was thinking you could make a power loss alarm. Then I figured someone else probably already did. I searched Amazonand they have them with audible alarms and even some that will text or email you. Not very expensive.

I have a temperature transmitter in my freezer that sends an alert if the temp drops below a setpoint. I had a freezer die and lost 7 trash bags of meat and goods. My freezer is on a GFI also. So an alarm would be a good idea.

You can also buy water detectors that can be placed in likely areas like water heater, dish washer, sump pump, etc..

[scooperhsd]

I was thinking you could make a power loss alarm. Then I figured someone else probably already did. I searched Amazonand they have them with audible alarms and even some that will text or email you. Not very expensive.

I have a temperature transmitter in my freezer that sends an alert if the temp drops below a setpoint. I had a freezer die and lost 7 trash bags of meat and goods. My freezer is on a GFI also. So an alarm would be a good idea.

You can also buy water detectors that can be placed in likely areas like water heater, dish washer, sump pump, etc..

Avoid (if possible) putting refridgerators and freezers on GFCI plugs / breakers.