Electrical Power Centers - Post your pics here
- Thread starter gobygoby
- Start date
tricky
New member
I have a temporary timer panel in a separate room by the computer right now. They Intermatic mechanical timers, modified to isolate the switch contacts. I use an old PC power supply for 12VDC. The ballasts are also remotely mounted in a compartment partway in the attic, also controlled by relays.
Don't want to hijack here, but I am looking for a better system, perhaps interfacing to an Aquacontroller without all the X-10 stuff.
Don't want to hijack here, but I am looking for a better system, perhaps interfacing to an Aquacontroller without all the X-10 stuff.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
zoomonkey....
Just on aboservation.... but with AFCI and GFCI you are bound to get tons of nuisance tripping. Your aquarium load will be full of shaded pole motors and inductive/capacitive devices (ballasts). These will all be switching on and off and create a very complexe signature for the afci/gfci devices to process. As far as the NEC goes, the same basic rules apply. If you do the wiring neatly and correctly, then the circuit will be fine and within code. NEMA rated enclosures cen be purchased that will resist or prevent moisture. Most folks have their control center far enough away that it does not matter.
Just on aboservation.... but with AFCI and GFCI you are bound to get tons of nuisance tripping. Your aquarium load will be full of shaded pole motors and inductive/capacitive devices (ballasts). These will all be switching on and off and create a very complexe signature for the afci/gfci devices to process. As far as the NEC goes, the same basic rules apply. If you do the wiring neatly and correctly, then the circuit will be fine and within code. NEMA rated enclosures cen be purchased that will resist or prevent moisture. Most folks have their control center far enough away that it does not matter.
windgod
In Memoriam
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
geeze you guys and your DIN rails... Fancy shmancy.... My stuff has to be rack mount and I don't see to many reasonably priced rack enclosures with DIN rails. Looks like mine is going to have to be all fabbed by hand.
Bean
Bean
Matrexz
New member
I'll share pictures of mine soon as I finish gathering parts. But here is a brief description. Mine is going to be micro processor controlled. It'll control the powerheads that simulate the waves. Also keep track of time and turn the lights on and off. Also it will keep track of temperature and if for some reason the heaters malfunctions and over heats it will cut the power to the heater.Like I said I'll post pics when I actually start building it, already have part of the code wrote for the microprocessors.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
I sample stuff for free with my home address. National and others are pretty good qty 1-2 samples.
perpetual98
New member
I just made a power center for an upcoming tank that I"m getting. Here's a thread of it over at n-r.com. Kinda looks stupid compared to some of yours though. 
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49360
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49360
tekknoschtev
New member
I'm having a real hard time following these up, but I'll post as the 'budget solution' for the average DIYer. I really like the controller setup with the relays, and I have been trying to find a circuit interface (DIY of course) to my PC so that I could control things from the PC.
Anyways, while we figure that out, here's what my father and I came up with for our 150:
Each switch controls one of the boxes with 4 plugs. Each box has its own GFCI so that if one trips, the rest will run and not cause catastrophic meltdowns in the tank. For example, if the skimmer's pump trips it, only the return pump and aqualifters are shut down, the powerheads will still run and the lights will stay on. So will the air pump for the skimmer, but thats silly.
EDIT: The wiring behind the tank has been cleared up, though it did have drip loops. Also, the power supply in the upper left corner is a standard ATX power supply modified to run without a PC and the leads cleaned up and secured. I ran a 12V line to the hood for the fans, and I'm going to run a 5V line for moon lights, and a 5V line to a digital temp probe and pH monitor.
Anyways, while we figure that out, here's what my father and I came up with for our 150:
Each switch controls one of the boxes with 4 plugs. Each box has its own GFCI so that if one trips, the rest will run and not cause catastrophic meltdowns in the tank. For example, if the skimmer's pump trips it, only the return pump and aqualifters are shut down, the powerheads will still run and the lights will stay on. So will the air pump for the skimmer, but thats silly.
EDIT: The wiring behind the tank has been cleared up, though it did have drip loops. Also, the power supply in the upper left corner is a standard ATX power supply modified to run without a PC and the leads cleaned up and secured. I ran a 12V line to the hood for the fans, and I'm going to run a 5V line for moon lights, and a 5V line to a digital temp probe and pH monitor.
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