Uh..shock from EGO 56V blower?

[joseywales]

I cleared snow earlier, figured I'd just blow off the dust that fell over past hour. Wearing liner gloves, and ski gloves, I could still a shock coming through when I engage the trigger. I thought perhaps the glove liners were creating some issue, so I tried it bare handed. Sure enough, I'm getting shock. Is it possible that the moist environment of snow doesn't play well with the blower? Never had the issue clearing leaves

 

[olds70supreme]

Could it be static shock, especially if the air is dry?

 

[Firebrick43]

Static electricity
Even though snow is frozen water, the humidity level is low at those temps.

 

[joseywales]

That's what I figured and what it felt like, but it got bad enough I couldn't hold it. My liners are a nylon/synthetic, so they made crazy. I'll try wool gloves next time!

Oh well. Doc wants to do shockwave on my knee next week, so I guess I ready for that!

 

[kbuhagiar]

That's not static electricity if you can't hold it. Static electricity will discharge once and be done with.

 

[65ranchero]

That's not static electricity if you can't hold it. Static electricity will discharge once and be done with.

Good point! It needs to be clarified if this is a single static shock when touching or if it is constant with pulling the trigger switch.
Is the OP using a extension cord ? Possible ground issue in the cord? IDK

 

[Viper98912]

How strong is the shock? Normally static is just a quick small discharge that gives you a tickle. If you're actually feeling it come through your hand muscles, you may have a different issue with the machine.

 

[paulsomlo]

That's not static electricity if you can't hold it. Static electricity will discharge once and be done with.

I'm not so sure about that - most likely, the motion of the air over the plastic housing is creating a large static charge, again and again. I get a similar effect from my belt grinder - either from air rushing over the belt/pulleys, but most likely from the belt moving over the plastic pulley. And it happens over and over.

 

[65ranchero]

I just saw this is a battery operated unit.
So no power cord

 

[65ranchero]

The 1st section describes Static discharge and ways to combat it

3 Reasons Your Leaf Blower Shocks You |

Getting shocked by a leaf blower is not an uncommon occurrence. Many people who use leaf blowers regularly have felt the surprising shock of a…

landscapingplanet.com

How To Install Anti Static Wire On Echo Blower? | AntiStaticDude

When it comes to ensuring the safe operation of your Echo blower, installing an anti-static wire is a crucial step that shouldn't be overlooked. But how exactly do you go about this process to guarantee its effectiveness? By following a few simple steps and paying attention to detail, you can...

antistaticdude.com

 

[joseywales]

Short, random, bursts. Enough to get my attention and enough for me to stop

 

[PCustoms]

Short, random, bursts. Enough to get my attention and enough for me to stop

Static.

Put the leaf blower away for the winter.

 

[FredWanaker]

Static.

Put the leaf blower away for the winter.

that or tie a flexible wire to it and drag it around on the ground when you are using it. See if that helps. Keep an eye on all the garage doors, you may open one with the spark.

 

[rlitman]

That's not static electricity if you can't hold it. Static electricity will discharge once and be done with.

Nope. It's static. My Stihl backpack actually has a static discharge system built into it, but lower powered handheld blowers usually don't have or need this. However, snow particles in dry air are really good at building up a static charge.

 

[engineer2]

I was getting static zaps off my cordless blower while clearing snow off the cars this morning. Perfectly normal.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I'm not so sure about that - most likely, the motion of the air over the plastic housing is creating a large static charge, again and again. I get a similar effect from my belt grinder - either from air rushing over the belt/pulleys, but most likely from the belt moving over the plastic pulley. And it happens over and over.

X2. Happens sometimes on HVAC equipment with plastic fan blades and blower wheels when the blower motor/hosing is on vibration isolators where there is a weak bonding ground, too.

Tommy