DIY moonlight that work on the 29.5 day lunar cycle

[wetWolger]

So I am a poor college student. And I am also a big time nerd. And in my quest for being compleatly anal I want to DIY up some moonlights, but not just that, I want them to dim based on the 29.5 day lunar cycle. So I will post what I am thinking so far even though it is ruff. But please post if you have done this before, and how you did it. Schematics are great. Post any links to products you used. Or if you are in general electrical enginer/guru please help me out.

So far here is what I am thinking, it is going to be based on a microcontroller. I am not sure what microcontroler would best fit this project but here are a couple links I found for PIC and AVM controllers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ATMEL-ATMEGA103...ryZ50915QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://www.microchip.com/ParamChartSearch/chart.aspx?branchID=1031&mid=10&lang=en&pageId=74
So any help on telling me what one would do the job would be excellent.

Another part I am wondering is if I will need a LM555 to dim the LED's or will the microcontroller be able to do that as well.

As you can see I am very early in the planing of this project, and I need more information. So any links, info, or guidence you can provide would be much apprecative (also bumps never hurt on hard hitting topics like this if you are also intrested in doing such a project ;-) .

 

[Gobie]

Get a solar 1000 l2 it does the actual lunar cycles. I have this on my tank, it also dims vho lights to simulate sun rise, sun set and clouds. They even have ones that can do storms and run a wave maker.

 

[ste6168]

i think you would be better off checkin out the DIY forum for something like this

 

[wetWolger]

where would the fun be in a solar 1000 l2?....and that is far too expensive for me. As for posting in the DIY you may be right. If no one else replies I will try making a post there and see if I can't get a little more help.

 

[wetWolger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6521604#post6521604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ste6168
i think you would be better off checkin out the DIY forum for something like this

I went ahead and took your advice and posted on the DIY forum. If you would like to help with the project take a look at my thread here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=753533

on there you will also note that I have found out that I should be able to dim the LED without a LM555....I think the microcontroller will be able to do it all for me. Thanks for looking

 

[npaden]

There already is a $15 software program out there that does all of that and more.

http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/lightmaster1.html

I use it and a $10 rope light from Lowe's.

Works great.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[Spartan]

this thread might be of use http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=750167

 

[wetWolger]

I have once again started a new thread....hopefully the last one (hard to find the people who have this expertise). Please take a look here:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=753755

 

[npaden]

Did you look at the software program that I linked to above? I don't understand why you would want to reinvent the wheel?

 

[wetWolger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6525438#post6525438 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by npaden
Did you look at the software program that I linked to above? I don't understand why you would want to reinvent the wheel?

I looked at it.....but I don't want to devote a computer to just control my moon lighting. I understand not wanting to reinvent the wheel, but I look at this as a chance to learn something new.

 

[MadSkillzMan]

im game on that, its java IE itll run on my g5! i just gotta go back and read how to do the interface lol

thats cool man

 

[wetWolger]

if you guys want an update look at the thread on teh DIY....

 

[Andy O]

Take a look at this link from one of the RC sponsors -- this may be what you are looking for. I purchased the 3 light set and setting up on my 90 gallon this afternoon.

http://www.thelebos.com/