DIY Wavebox! (With modded MJ)
- Thread starter smcnally
- Start date
bleedingthought
New member
Any news on this? 
OK I'M NOT THE HERO!!!! GIVE THE CREDIT TO THIS GUY!!!
BUT ALL OF YOU OWE ME A BEER :rollface: :rollface:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2idCa6mMbM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-RYvONpqUo
HES USING A 12V DC MOTOR!!!
FROM WHERE YOU ASK?
FOR HOW MUCH?
IT'S A BILGE PUMP FOR A BOAT !!!!! $39.00 FROM BOATERS WORLD!!!
1100 GPH 12V DC
http://www.rule-industries.com/products/pumps/bilge_pumps/rule_1100/iid_244/index.htm
SORRY FOR SCREAMING !!! IM EXCITED!!!!
You'll need a power supply that can handle the current.
ohms law
12v x 3.3 amps = 396 watts
So a 500 watt computer power supply will do it.
But better yet, heres my idea. Instead of inside the tank, drill a hole and do it outside the tank for aesthetic reasons.
BUT ALL OF YOU OWE ME A BEER :rollface: :rollface:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2idCa6mMbM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-RYvONpqUo
HES USING A 12V DC MOTOR!!!
FROM WHERE YOU ASK?
FOR HOW MUCH?
IT'S A BILGE PUMP FOR A BOAT !!!!! $39.00 FROM BOATERS WORLD!!!
1100 GPH 12V DC
http://www.rule-industries.com/products/pumps/bilge_pumps/rule_1100/iid_244/index.htm
SORRY FOR SCREAMING !!! IM EXCITED!!!!
You'll need a power supply that can handle the current.
ohms law
12v x 3.3 amps = 396 watts
So a 500 watt computer power supply will do it.
But better yet, heres my idea. Instead of inside the tank, drill a hole and do it outside the tank for aesthetic reasons.
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Bilge pumps will not last more than 2500 hours. that's what the majority of them are rated for. Whether that makes it cost effective to use depends on the user.
The last one I used released some black oil like substance into the water after it died. Lasted almost bang on 2500 hours.
A better option with some modding to the volute is to use the Gemini style pumps from years ago. They are a external ac motor that can be switched off/on rapidly. I had one on wavemaker for years with a duty cycle of 10-2 seconds.
Since they are direct drive you don't need to worry about the impeller reversing, or the impeller clanking. The motors are replacable. Unfortunately they don't amke them anymore, but i have seen some knockoffs for sale from various mail order companies.
The last one I used released some black oil like substance into the water after it died. Lasted almost bang on 2500 hours.
A better option with some modding to the volute is to use the Gemini style pumps from years ago. They are a external ac motor that can be switched off/on rapidly. I had one on wavemaker for years with a duty cycle of 10-2 seconds.
Since they are direct drive you don't need to worry about the impeller reversing, or the impeller clanking. The motors are replacable. Unfortunately they don't amke them anymore, but i have seen some knockoffs for sale from various mail order companies.
just use pumps?
just use pumps?
It seems the most difficult part of these designs (whether DIY or manufactured) is creating a single device that can both suck and purge reliably...why not just hook a pair of closed-loop little giant pumps to a dual wavemaker power center, set the returns at opposing ends of the tank, and dial the timing in so they turn on and off exactly as the surge reaches the other side of the tank (longer tank = longer time between surges)?
If you prefer a wider surge, then just spread the flow over several horizontal outlets...or even across a square matrix of returns (like a checkerboard).
With this system you can adjust exactly the placement and power of the surge...no belts, boxes, obtrusive sounds, or headaches.
just use pumps?
It seems the most difficult part of these designs (whether DIY or manufactured) is creating a single device that can both suck and purge reliably...why not just hook a pair of closed-loop little giant pumps to a dual wavemaker power center, set the returns at opposing ends of the tank, and dial the timing in so they turn on and off exactly as the surge reaches the other side of the tank (longer tank = longer time between surges)?
If you prefer a wider surge, then just spread the flow over several horizontal outlets...or even across a square matrix of returns (like a checkerboard).
With this system you can adjust exactly the placement and power of the surge...no belts, boxes, obtrusive sounds, or headaches.
ls7corvete
New member
http://www.fragglereef.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26&products_id=2874
Its DC. Anyone wanna try?
Its DC. Anyone wanna try?
badbu68
New member
I've been looking at this and the swirler stein thread and had an idea.
What about making the front of the wavebox round, match the mjmod housing to the curvature and put the mj on a swirler with a 90degree path(or more), cut a hole out at the halfway mark and bam, you've got open/close time. Change the timing by the speed of the swirler. Or you could cut a hole at 0 degrees and 90 degrees, might produce some interesting flow charateristics.
You would have to figure out the curvature of the front panel based on the arc of the swirler so that it would tightly hold up to it, as well as possably a ball and socket to the back of the base so that it wouldn't push away while being in the "closed" position.
Make sense?
What about making the front of the wavebox round, match the mjmod housing to the curvature and put the mj on a swirler with a 90degree path(or more), cut a hole out at the halfway mark and bam, you've got open/close time. Change the timing by the speed of the swirler. Or you could cut a hole at 0 degrees and 90 degrees, might produce some interesting flow charateristics.
You would have to figure out the curvature of the front panel based on the arc of the swirler so that it would tightly hold up to it, as well as possably a ball and socket to the back of the base so that it wouldn't push away while being in the "closed" position.
Make sense?
Do RC motors for Boats have potential ( the Brushless ones ) the current is doable the only thing I'm worried about is the life.
I plan on direct driving a propeller with a long shaft and the motor mounted above the box and out of the water. It wont even have to run reverse but it would feel slight back pressure.
Thoughts
Dan
I plan on direct driving a propeller with a long shaft and the motor mounted above the box and out of the water. It wont even have to run reverse but it would feel slight back pressure.
Thoughts
Dan
maxvan1
New member
tkeracer619
New member
The brushless motor would be fine with the cycles. They have no wear parts.
Last I was into RC those motors and controllers were expensive. It might be more cost effective to go with the tunze 6055 or similar.
BTW I did some diy'ing and came up with something of interest but havent perfected it so I'm not telling just yet. Here is a teaser. It is not a modded maxijet or tunze and cost less than $50! =P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9JiFR-H3Sw
Last I was into RC those motors and controllers were expensive. It might be more cost effective to go with the tunze 6055 or similar.
BTW I did some diy'ing and came up with something of interest but havent perfected it so I'm not telling just yet. Here is a teaser. It is not a modded maxijet or tunze and cost less than $50! =P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9JiFR-H3Sw
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tkeracer619
New member
ROFL "sometimes we use them in on a different part of the body" :eek1:
........... you know, "In kids socks"
MMM33732
New member
Would a regular style powerhead work, or does it need to be that style where its open and more of a fan design than a turbo design? I'd think any style would work as long as the water can reverse flow fast enough in it, but I have no experience with wave boxes. I'm thinking Ill make an external one mounted behind the aquarium with the inlet/outlet leading around to the side of the tank for proper wave formation.
One other question I had was what do you use to time the pump so its only on for a second and then off for a second in a continuous cycle? Would the float switch idea be better than the timed method?
One other question I had was what do you use to time the pump so its only on for a second and then off for a second in a continuous cycle? Would the float switch idea be better than the timed method?
