DIY How To connect your new LOA Light safely

funman1

Active member
Ok what's better than a thread with pictures and descriptions that show you how to accomplish a task?

A Video! :)

Here is my video I just did on how to disable the light sensor on these lights and connect them safely to a cord so you can use them.
Sorry for the extremely grainy video, I don't have a real camcorder. So if someone has one and wants to bring their light over I'd be glad to reshoot the video in higher quality, and you won't have any retake shots because I will already know what needs to happen faster :)


Keep in MIND if you are uncomfortable with POWER or DIY stuff, DO NOT do this!!!
I can not be held liable if your house burns down.
I consider this a fairly simple, safe, and easy task but be warned do this at your own risk!


First some pics of my fuge when using this light.


Start of fuge
fuge3.jpg




Then 16 Days later
fuge2weeks2.jpg



So you can see this light is VERY effective in growing cheato.
Here was that thread for those who missed it or are new.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1104728

Now the video was 13 mins long and I tried to upload it to youtube only to find out that the max length is 10 mins!!
So I had to go back and re-edit it down to less than 10 mins so near the end of the video things are cut shorter.

Anyways onto the video!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efFUNAPA9rE
 
If you don't have a computer cable, can you use an extension cord or something with a lighter grade? What gauge does the wire have to be?
 
Glad you liked it KMP :)

xia
Yes you can use another cord.
I would say since it's only drawing .25 (1/4) amp you could go with any cord that can be plugged into a regular outlet, that was commercially manufactured.

I think #16 is the smallest gauge allowed for extension cords
But don't quote me on that.
 
I didnt get a chance to buy one when everyone was placeing orders, but im pretty sure i heard someone else at the meet say they had a few others they had picked up themselves. If they read this or someone knows who im talking about, or there are any leftovers that were not picked up, please LMK. I would like to purchase one. Thanks all. BTW, nice video steve. I love how you had yours ripped open about 5 minutes after you got it and continued to "fidget" with it through the meet :D. hehe, worse then my girlfriend at christmas :P
 
Bobby Blank....I have a few extras. You can come pick it up or I'll bring it out to the next meeting. If I'm in SAC next weekend, I can let you know in advance and we can meet somewhere for a handoff.
 
Steve, I have a camcorder and tripod you can borrow. Oh, and 6 of these lights u can use for making the perfect How-To. ;)

Just LMK.
 
Very cool. Goes to show sometimes how even simple DIY things can send you for a loop. Nonetheless, great presentation! :D
 
Good job Steve. Also, for those less electrically inclined, you can always just paint over or put tape over the photo sensor to disable it as well.
I also used the included mount to mount it inside of my stand over the fuge so I won't take any chances of it falling in the water during a brain fart. You can also use extension rods to extend the light further from the mounting bracket if your fuge is not near a wall.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11205664#post11205664 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wpnorton
Bobby Blank....I have a few extras. You can come pick it up or I'll bring it out to the next meeting. If I'm in SAC next weekend, I can let you know in advance and we can meet somewhere for a handoff.

WPNORTON - If you have an extra, I would love one as well. Are they $10? I will be at the next reef meeting if that works for you?

Let me know!

PS- Excellent job Steve!
 
Oh it was horrible! - Jordan, you are insane!

Steve - as always, THANK YOU for sharing! I think we should put together a video archive and other how-tos as reference for the public/club on our website. Having a virtual library of common tasks and other nifty DIY stuff would be awesome!!!
 
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