Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: hot tub Frank on November 19, 2006, 03:21:36 pm

Title: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: hot tub Frank on November 19, 2006, 03:21:36 pm
lately i got the urge to sit in my hot tub during storms.
I like to watch the lightning.
I do not get in it when the storm is directly over us.
But is this still save???
I know that water and lightning don't get along to well.
And once again is this just me being weird??????????????
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: galen on November 19, 2006, 03:31:59 pm
Frank, I don't know how I can put this delicately but, yes your weird. But nature has a way to deal with this kind of defect.  :)
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: hot tub Frank on November 19, 2006, 03:34:22 pm
Lol
I take that.
I am from europe
does this help you????
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: tileman on November 19, 2006, 04:17:34 pm
Quote
lately i got the urge to sit in my hot tub during storms.
I like to watch the lightning.
I do not get in it when the storm is directly over us.
But is this still save???
I know that water and lightning don't get along to well.
And once again is this just me being weird??????????????

I too enjoy soaking in the rain but I don't know about LIGHTNING! :o
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: Spiderman on November 19, 2006, 05:52:20 pm
How's that saying go........"if you can see the lightning, you're too close"  :o      Lighting storms were a PITA this summer, as I kept shutting off the breaker to the tub as a precaution.  I didn't want to blow up the tub from a lightning strike.  

Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: The_Pa._Lady on November 19, 2006, 10:33:03 pm
Boy am I a dummy!!!!  I never even thought of hitting the breaker when it was lightning.  Am I the only one?
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: bosco0633 on November 20, 2006, 05:56:00 am
I remember an article aroun here a few years back.  I dont know how much truth there is to it, but it went something like this.  Family goes to sleep, storm.......lightning and boom!!!!!!!  Fire marshall rules that the tub has an electrical charge around it at all times and the lighting struck causing an explosion.  

Again, I cant remember the hole story, but im sure that is what I read.  

Is this even possible?????
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: hot tub Frank on November 20, 2006, 06:51:45 am
pa lady

I never thought about that either
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: wmccall on November 20, 2006, 07:30:58 am
Quote
How's that saying go........"if you can see the lightning, you're too close"

That makes sense. However I remember being in West Texas in a hot tub at a motel and I could see for 60 miles to the west. I watch an approaching storm for about an hour.  I got out before it got close, but you never know when the first lightning bolt comes out ahead of the storm.
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: PotomacG on November 20, 2006, 08:21:38 am
I believe that there are a few electricians on this board, so please chime in.  

From what I've been told, cutting the power to your tub will only protect it from a surge caused by lightning striking your house and hitting a different circuit.  If your tub recieves a direct strike, it's gonna' get fried wheather or not you have it powered up.   Again, having the breaker off may save damage to other circuits in your house, but not your tub  :-/

Also, whether or not your tub is powered up, the ground is always going to feed back to your main circuit pannel.  If I lived in a really storm-prone area, I would consider having a lightning arrester installed on my house.
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: Bonibelle on November 20, 2006, 08:39:19 am
Frank..NO TUBBING IN A STORM  :o...Even the kid's sports (baseball for example) are immediately canceled with a storm is near. It is my undertanding that lightening can strike from a storm centered 100 miles away from you...(unless they are just saying that to get the kids off the fields in a hurry!). In any case.. .watch the light show from the safety of your house, it's not worth taking a chance in your tub!  ;)
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: jfish63 on November 20, 2006, 09:25:15 am
It could be a way of increasing your chances of getting a prestigious Darwin award. ;D
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: Slappy on November 20, 2006, 12:20:29 pm
Let me just say this about that.....
I live in town, my tub is way lower than  anything else around (except the ant hills) Ever hear of lightning striking an ant hill? Water is not conductive to electricity, but soap is. Dichlor is as well, but the chances are slim.
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: drewstar on November 20, 2006, 12:35:05 pm
Quote
Let me just say this about that.....
I live in town, my tub is way lower than  anything else around (except the ant hills) Ever hear of lightning striking an ant hill? Water is not conductive to electricity, but soap is. Dichlor is as well, but the chances are slim.


Pure water is a poor conductor.  So, yea, if you're in your lab soaking in distilled water, ok. But anything else the body of water will conduct electricy.  The ions from the minerals present in the water, not just soap, will conduct electricy.  



Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: dkersten on November 20, 2006, 01:56:19 pm
FYI, 2 years ago I saw lightning in the dead of winter during a snowstorm.. it was pretty cool.  It doesnt happen often because lightning pretty much happens when warm, dense, humid air meets cooler air, and you dont find much warm humid air in winter time.  

Bottom line, you are never safe.  Enjoy it while you can.

(not that I recommend soaking in an electrical storm)
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: Silent Water on November 20, 2006, 02:25:16 pm
Hey, Frank.
You're one dedicated soaker!  :-?

I love tubbing - and I love storm watching (especially out over Lake Huron - lightning strikes over water are spectacular!) but these are two pastimes that are best experienced separately.  

Now by all means, if you want to tempt fate go ahead!  The odds are in your favour.
Hell, wear an aluminum foil hat and give the clouds the finger if you're feeling particularly brave and foolish.  The local papers always need front page material... :P
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: drewstar on November 20, 2006, 02:25:55 pm
Quote
Hey, Frank.
You're one dedicated soaker!  :-?

I love tubbing - and I love storm watching (especially out over Lake Huron - lightning strikes over water are spectacular!) but these are two pastimes that are best experienced separately.  

Now by all means, if you want to tempt fate go ahead!  The odds are in your favour.
Hell, wear an aluminum foil hat and give the clouds the finger if you're feeling particularly brave and foolish.  The local papers always need front page material... :P


don't forget the golf clubs.   ;)
Title: Re: Storms and hot tubs
Post by: hot tub Frank on November 20, 2006, 05:30:19 pm
I like the foil hat
it keeps my hair dry while soaking in a storm.
do you think it looks alright on me?
you know the fashon police is always on the look out.