DIY Light Mover
- Thread starter ckoral
- Start date
customcolor
New member
ummmm........loud!
SWINGRRRR
Premium Member
Thats why I said the stepper motor would be quite involved and cost money, but I think itd be the easiest set-up. Have you timer run the light across the tank, then at a certain time, after lights out, return it back for a new cycle.
You are probably looking at what,,,, maybe $100-$150 total, not counting the actual light pendant.
I think the real question is why? TO save energy but only running 1 light the entire length of the tank? To simulate natural sunlight?
Cause its cool? (The last ones enough for me. But I don't have the room)
You are probably looking at what,,,, maybe $100-$150 total, not counting the actual light pendant.
I think the real question is why? TO save energy but only running 1 light the entire length of the tank? To simulate natural sunlight?
Cause its cool? (The last ones enough for me. But I don't have the room)
stugray
Premium Member
"Simple.
Garage Door Opener"
Exactly my thought.
You wouldnt use the whole door opener.
Sears sells garage door opener extensions:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00953727000P
It is a screw drive.
Connect the screw to a stepper motor:
http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=17748+MS
And a driver:
http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/motor/ck1404.htm
And you are just barely over $100
It would require some creativity with two end of travel switches wired to the direction switch on the driver board, but it doesnt sound too challenging.
Stu
Garage Door Opener"
Exactly my thought.
You wouldnt use the whole door opener.
Sears sells garage door opener extensions:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00953727000P
It is a screw drive.
Connect the screw to a stepper motor:
http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=17748+MS
And a driver:
http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/motor/ck1404.htm
And you are just barely over $100
It would require some creativity with two end of travel switches wired to the direction switch on the driver board, but it doesnt sound too challenging.
Stu
ckoral
Premium Member
you can ebay one for 100 dollars, so customcolors 50 dollar setup that is proven to be stable is very interresting.
Hey Custom, can you post some pics or possibly a movie of it in action?
I noticed a lot of pot farmers are into building these, but they must get the munchies before posting how they do it, because all I see are threads that say yeah... I made one.... then thats it.
100 dollar one - http://cgi.ebay.com/4-foot-Hydro-Li...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50
Hey Custom, can you post some pics or possibly a movie of it in action?
I noticed a lot of pot farmers are into building these, but they must get the munchies before posting how they do it, because all I see are threads that say yeah... I made one.... then thats it.
100 dollar one - http://cgi.ebay.com/4-foot-Hydro-Li...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50
customcolor
New member
ill post a movie eather tonight after moving all this snow or by sunday and some pics too. detailed tread after the holidays (itswhen i can start spending $ again 
customcolor
New member
ill see what i can do cuz its in the basement on the floor joists, may get hard to get close up on the orking parts. ill only do a shorter movie cuz i dont think you wanna watch a 20 min movie of a light moving one way. 
customcolor
New member
how about a 1/2" piece of cpvc pipe???
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this may not be the best movie in the world but its all i could do till i have some spare cash after the holidays. look in the beginning of jan. for a detailed tread with the compleat build.<BR><BR>
the switch of direction is right in the beginning so no waiting there
<BR>
customcolor
New member
i tryed my best and im glad you all liked it
Fishcrazy06
New member
Gotta love it!! I have seen it in person and plan on building one for my frag tank....
Eric
Eric
