Lightsluvr's 340G Upgrade

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15151323#post15151323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Those pocket door tracks are really nice, and the roller system is superior to what I used over my tank for several years.

One thing I would do is wipe everything down with some type of teflon spray to protect it from salt / rust damage, and keep everything gliding nicely. Doing this every few months should keep it in great shape. Good idea... I was thinking about using a silicone spray, but teflon may have advantages...

Your light rack layout looks good so far. I'm wondering if there is a product (like JB Weld) that you could use to bond the pieces together as well as screwing it. When I made mine, I used rivets which were super easy to install, and held up for the entire time I used it. The rivets were made of aluminum. The glue might help avoid some bowing or tweaking. Another good idea... the glue might make disassembly a wee challenge...

Once you affix the lights to it, you'll have a better idea of how it is flexing and if it needs more reinforcements. Ah ha! That is the real test, isn't it?

I was at HD this afternoon and saw some 1" aluminum angle iron that might make a great item to attach ballasts. The 2x54W Universal ballasts measure roughly 17" x 1" x 1". I can mount four of them on a 72" piece. If I stack three cross pieces( like a ladder), I will have all 12 ballasts right at eye level, with wiring easy to acces. It will also be easy to combine the timed light sequences to a single plug for the controller module.

The light kits, ballasts and bulbs will be here Monday. We shall see soon enough.

I was expecting a fellow reefer who has built similar light racks to drop by this afternoon. I suspect he is tied up on another project.

I may go ahead and get the drill out. At least I can see how the self-drilling SS screws fare in the 1/8" wall tubing.

More later.

LL

 

[melev]

12 ballasts?!

 

[Lightsluvr]

12 ballasts - that's the ticket!

12 ballasts - that's the ticket!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15151823#post15151823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
12 ballasts?!

Yup, that wasn't a typo. The kit has (12) universal accustart triad 2x54w high output ballasts. They are small and easily replaceable. If one goes out, it will only impact one row of two lights, easily traceable, easy to trouble shoot the ballast and the wiring, with minimal impact on the system.

Link: http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/Pa..._T5_High-Output_Ballast_by_Universal_Lighting

LL

 

[melev]

$479 in ballasts alone. Ouch.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Note really...

Note really...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15151925#post15151925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
$479 in ballasts alone. Ouch.

Not if you buy them as part of a retro fit kit w/ reflectors, end caps, standoffs, bulbs, etc. Then, significantly less. In fact, less than I paid for an Outer Orbit fixture on my 180G.

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Am I feeling lucky?

Am I feeling lucky?

I just learned that my advisor on the light rack construction is still up to his elbows in drywall texture on his own project...

Do I dare throw this thing together?

Ah, sure...why not.

What's the worst that can happen?

LL

P.S. - Is it obvious that I Photoshopped the cats in?

 

[Lightsluvr]

Advice requested...

Advice requested...

Here is a detail of the corner braces for the 8' x 3' light rack.

Back of frame:

Front of frame:

The (2) center supports will be attached by L braces as depicted below:

Any last minute advice before I start putting the screws to it?

LL

 

[melev]

Are you running the separate, or as one piece? You may find a T-brace to join the two halves.

I think I would screw the inner corner brackets first to lock those together tightly, then add the L bracket on top making sure that one hole near the joint is positioned to get a good bite into the metal.

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15152264#post15152264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Are you running the separate, or as one piece? You may find a T-brace to join the two halves.

I think I would screw the inner corner brackets first to lock those together tightly, then add the L bracket on top making sure that one hole near the joint is positioned to get a good bite into the metal.

That's one long Momma-Joe. The center brackets will be screwed in after I assmeble a pair of the retro kits in order to get the accurate length including the bulbs...

I think rather than rush, I'll make a corner jig out of 2x4's, clamp it to the aluminum, and then attach the inner corner brackets first, as you suggested...

It's not like the tank is coming tomorrow... aaahhh, patience. :mixed:

LL

 

[pwhitby]

Looking Great George,

Way better build than I thought of or attempted when i built mine. I want to say, Thanks for the compliment of adopting my style of in wall/in room design. I am sure you will like it a great deal. Being able to get a length view of the system is something not to miss out on.

I do think you are cheating by having a son who is an electrician. Thats just plain unfair.

Keep the pictures coming my friend.

P.

 

[skiformance]

george. why not just have it tig welded it would be stronger. just look in your phone book under welding

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15153027#post15153027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skiformance
george. why not just have it tig welded it would be stronger. just look in your phone book under welding

Too late now...as the saying goes, it's screwed!

If it's welded, I won't be able to change a section if needed... actually it came togehter nicely and is quite sturdy. Thanks for the tip, though.

The exterior frame is all put together, squared and holes drilled for the threaded rods on the "railroad"...

I'm going to feed the "Piranhas" and go to bed...pictures tomorrow...

The lights should be coming in tomorrow along with about 360 pounds of sand...

LL

 

[Lytehouse]

Looks great, George.

Like the light track, the fans in the cieling and the viewing of the tank from the sides like Pauls. Lots of thoughtful decisions.

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15152264#post15152264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Are you running the separate, or as one piece? You may find a T-brace to join the two halves.

I went back to the photo, and must agree...it does look like two separate pieces... an optical delusion.

LL

 

[melev]

You're up way too early. I guess you can't wait for those packages to arrive.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Musings on a light rack...

Musings on a light rack...

Plans for the day...

After I get a few ballasts in my handlater today, I am going to build a ballast "bank" that I was considering in earlier posts.

Rather than have the ballasts attached willy nilly to the light rack, I am going to build a horizontal framework with three rows, each long enough to attach four 17" long ballasts. I will attach this framework above the rear leg of the light rack.

If this "bank" works the way I envision it, I will be able to tie-wrap each ballast, number it for the light row it fires (1 through 12), and make neat wire groupings to the appropriate lights. All of the ballasts will then be easily accessible from the back of the light rack. I am thinking this will make it easier to identify problem ballasts or wire groups for future troubleshooting and repair.

By having the ballasts on the back, this may also possibly act as a counter-weight for the cantilever where the front extends 10" through a wall and into the living room. I'll have to test to see where the rack's center of gravity is after all parts are attached.

If there are folks out there who have assembled retro light kits before, do you see any problem with this plan?

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Christmas...

Christmas...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15154843#post15154843 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
You're up way too early. I guess you can't wait for those packages to arrive.

I get started early every morning - one of the benefits of working from home; I also get done early...

Was it Ben Franklin who said, "early to bed, early to rise.." He was full of crap.

Any thoughts about the bank of ballasts, four across, in three rows, numbered by the row of lights it feeds? I'm thinking these ballasts aren't super heavy, so shouldn't overload the back of the rack...

As you said, waiting for the packages to arrive. Between salt, sand and other big packages, I am on first name terms with our UPS and FedEx drivers...

LL

 

[New Jer-Z]

Nice build!

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15155197#post15155197 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by New Jer-Z
Nice build!

Thanks, and a special thanks to you for your service...

LL

 

[melev]

Re: Christmas...

Re: Christmas...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15155060#post15155060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
I get started early every morning - one of the benefits of working from home; I also get done early...

Was it Ben Franklin who said, "early to bed, early to rise.." He was full of crap.

Any thoughts about the bank of ballasts, four across, in three rows, numbered by the row of lights it feeds? I'm thinking these ballasts aren't super heavy, so shouldn't overload the back of the rack...

As you said, waiting for the packages to arrive. Between salt, sand and other big packages, I am on first name terms with our UPS and FedEx drivers...

LL

Once you start to assemble it, you'll be able to determine how it hangs, weight-wise. I have a feeling a cluster of them on either side will be an issue, compared to centering them somehow.

Calvin's super long nano tank needed the ballasts to be placed in specific spots, and wiring up to 12' long in the canopy. He used some bridge bars to easily connect and disconnect the wiring to his T5s. Have you read his thread yet? Odds are it is in the DIY forum.