Kobalt tool box SHOCKS me every time I touch it

[Brownsfan]

Ask the title states. Everytime I touch it, it shocks me like a gag hand shake buzzer. It's the model with the fridge(which is never plugged in) but if it's plugged in for the radio and power strip it shocks me. It's 2 years old and has a 5 year warranty I believe. Should I expect lowes to tell me to pound sand or will they fix or replace it? What would you guys do?

 

[RedneckWelder]

I would expect them to fix it, especially since it's a hazard and within it's warranty period!

 

[Brownsfan]

Just found out it has a 3 year warranty. Still within the warrant period. At this point I will take 2 of the 41" rollers and that would be less than I paid for this. I don't know if it want it fixed. It has not been bad and has held up pretty well. If they would give mea refund I would be at HF and buying the 56" combo.

 

[Farmall450]

Can I get a picture of this luxury box?!

 

[zkling]

Sounds like a bad ground somewhere? Is it large enough that you can measure a voltage from the case of the tool box on a meter? We used to have a fridge that did that. Ended up being a bad ground inside the unit.

 

[Brownsfan]

I will try that. There is definatly something wrong

 

[stratman977]

The cord might have rubbed through where it goes through the box? I would think that it would pop breakers if its on the AC power side though. I would bet it's the stereo causing the problem. I have the non fridge model but never had trouble with the power strip.

I wouldn't expect much help from lowes based on my experience. The top box on mine was smashed up pretty good out of the box but was all cosmetic. They offered 10% off the top box which I declined cause I just paid close to a grand for the box and I don't want a piece of **** for a whole 40 bucks off. They exchanged it after the manager acted like they were doing me a huge favor. The second box was also smashed, brought it back like 15 minutes later. I had to get heated the second time to get it replaced. They opened the third one in the store to make sure it was good. What kills me is that they just boxed up the smashed ones and put them back in stock. At least one other person had the same problem I did.

 

[Brownsfan]

I wish I had waited for the non fridge model. Or bought something different all together. I cant complain about the box itself. I have it pretty well loaded. Hell the fridge is my locker for storing tools in cases. So I really hope they exchange it and see that it is a safety hazzard not just something trivial like the radio stopped working

 

[Brownsfan]

Sounds like a bad ground somewhere? Is it large enough that you can measure a voltage from the case of the tool box on a meter? We used to have a fridge that did that. Ended up being a bad ground inside the unit.

If just touch the red probe to the case it's 5vac. If I put the black in the ground of the power strip the red on the case it's 56-60vac

 

[NUTTSGT]

I hope it works out if they exchange it, if one is available. I doubt they offer a refund where you buy a different box, you'd probably get a gift card or a credit on your Lowe's card, if you bought it on that.

 

[Brownsfan]

That would be fine with me really. Just give me a store credit for what I paid or exchange for the new version. I would not expect cash or a check at tis point

 

[raddksn]

Clip one end of a test lead to the toolbox the other end of test lead to a known good ground. That should get rid of that stray voltage without tripping the breaker, if that works your ground wire in toolbox is not connected or the outlet your pluged into is not grounded properly. If it trips the breaker there is a proublem with electrics in the toolbox. I have seen this same thing at work 70 vac to ground, reconnected ground wire stray voltage gone worked normal for years after I left that job.

 

[CWP1616L]

I have the same problem with grocery carts at the store. Some carts will have a ground strap that drags across the floor with the cart; that helps tremendously.

 

[zkling]

I have the same problem with grocery carts at the store. Some carts will have a ground strap that drags across the floor with the cart; that helps tremendously.

I think that is a little different. The shopping cart is probably a build up of static voltage between the phenolic wheels, metal frame and misc wheels. Where as the fridge issues is an actual leakage of input voltage due to a bad ground or insulator.

If just touch the red probe to the case it's 5vac. If I put the black in the ground of the power strip the red on the case it's 56-60vac

There is your problem. If you care enough start going though the wiring devices, otherwise hopefully lowes will do something for you.

 

[oldldh]

I'd be cheaper than Starbucks for the old morning wakeup...

I digress, you have a loose ground....

However, I second the purchase of a HF 56" to replace your box...

 

[CWP1616L]

I think that is a little different. The shopping cart is probably a build up of static voltage between the phenolic wheels, metal frame and misc wheels. Where as the fridge issues is an actual leakage of input voltage due to a bad ground or insulator.

You're correct, I was assuming the OP was getting static shocks.

 

[woodrail]

I'm betting your going to be referred to the mfgr, Kobalt. I have no idea how they will take care of this.

Let me know if you want to sell it.

 

[Mickey O]

Get a humidifier or mount a long wire to the box and attach the other end to a metal wrist band that you'll wear when using the toolbox or paint the entire box with a 1/2" think layer of that rubber paint.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Ask the title states. Everytime I touch it, it shocks me like a gag hand shake buzzer. It's the model with the fridge(which is never plugged in) but if it's plugged in for the radio and power strip it shocks me. It's 2 years old and has a 5 year warranty I believe. Should I expect lowes to tell me to pound sand or will they fix or replace it? What would you guys do?

They'll tell you to pound sand if it's just a static discharge. If it's "I'm being electricuted and will sue" voltage they might replace it. Because I'm crazy and repair electronics sometimes I have some interesting examples of crazy stuff...I have a 20 year old sega genesis that stores a small amount of electricity. I guess it's a bad ground. I don't give a f, it runs good and I don't go all einstein hair playing it

 

[stratman977]

Go to the store and see what they say before you haul it in. If they are going to waste your time no sense in emptying the box. I bet the AC to DC transformer for the radio is shorting out somehow.

If they don't help you I would threaten to file a complaint with the consumer protection agency. Products have been recalled for less than that.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Does it trip the GFCI receptacle/breaker it is plugged into? If it is not a GFCI, then why not?

Charles

 

[454ragtop]

It's not static electricity if it only does it with it plugged in. I suspect there is a problem with the neutral connection somewhere, and is using the ground instead. If you, or someone you know, knows even a little about 115 volt AC wiring, shouldn't be hard to track down and fix with a DMM. It's a pretty serious hazard though, and Lowes or Kobalt should repair or replace it.
HTH, Jim

 

[Mickey O]

Oops, I didn't read the whole post before I posted, I saw "(which is never plugged in)" and thought it's static electricity. Use an Ohm meter (or ohm setting on multi-meter) and put one lead on a prong of the cord, the other on the area were you're getting shocked, repeat for each prong, only the ground should show continuity.

 

[C96]

Well, from the sounds of it, you are not plugging your box into a GFCI protected circuit. If I were you, I would not plug that thing in any longer. Contact both Lowes and the manufacture. Let them know what’s going on. I’m sure they would not hesitate getting you a replacement. The last thing they would want is a lawsuit involving an electrocution do to a faulty tool chest. Remember, it only takes about .05 amps to kill you.

 

[Kelly516]

Lol we have the same box at work and it only shocks you if you are touching the metal bench and box at the same time.

 

[Brownsfan]

It's not gfci but it is a grounded outlet. I will see what lowes will do for me. It just started doing it this week. I have had it for about 2 years now. If they take it back and give me store credit I will get 2 41" bottom rollers. I need the bench space.

 

[Steinmetz]

They'll tell you to pound sand if it's just a static discharge. If it's "I'm being electricuted and will sue" voltage they might replace it. Because I'm crazy and repair electronics sometimes I have some interesting examples of crazy stuff...I have a 20 year old sega genesis that stores a small amount of electricity. I guess it's a bad ground. I don't give a f, it runs good and I don't go all einstein hair playing it

He just said he measured about 60VAC. It's not a static problem. There's an electrical leak.

 

[Brownsfan]

I'm going to lowes tomorrow. Hopefully they will be too hung over to give me **** and just make it right somehow. I really wouldn't care if it wasn't such a saftey concern. Especially with a 7 and 10 year old at home.

 

[glennmc]

I also have the big kobalt toolbox with the fridge.was getting a tool out of it and got a good shock this weekend.unplugged the radio and fridge. Think the problem is in the power strip.need to take it apart soon.
Did not have a grounded outlet to plug the box into so installed a gfci so it won't kill me.tried contact Lowes about it but did not get any answers.

 

[American Locomotive]

I bet the MOVs or noise supression caps in the power strip are going bad. Still shouldn't shock you though. Sounds like the groud connection has failed too, or the box is isolated from ground and some hot wire rubbed through and is now touching the box.

 

[saryon7]

Buy one of these and plug it into the outlet.I bet it says your neutral and hot are backwards.